October 1, 2026 2:58 am
The attorney for a Peters Township High School student accused of running a sextortion network involving his classmates was in Washington County Court a few weeks ago, asking a judge to release 18-year-old Zachariah Meyers from jail pending trial. The judge, however, denied the request, ruling that the court could not adequately address concerns about victim safety and flight risk if he were placed on house arrest. Meyers served as class president at the high school and prosecutors allege Meyers used social media platforms, including TikTok, to manipulate victims into sending sexually explicit images and videos. His attorney appealed the ruling to the State Superior Court and in a ruling handed down this week, the court denied his motion to modify bail.
October 2, 2026 4:38 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Police bodycam footage shows officers arresting Luigi Mangione at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s in connection with the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The footage that was released Friday captures officers identifying Mangione and finding a gun cartridge in his belongings. Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was killed in Manhattan. A judge unsealed the recordings after CNN petitioned for their release. Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in August and faces life in prison. He also faces murder charges in New York, though those proceedings are postponed. (Photo: AP)
October 1, 2026 2:41 am
HARRISBURG – As rapid data center development adds significant new demand to the regional electric grid, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today advanced proposed safeguards aimed at protecting Pennsylvania consumers and preserving electric reliability during periods when electricity supplies may be strained. By a vote of 4-0, the Commission approved a Tentative Order seeking public comment on proposed changes to how Pennsylvania electric utilities prepare for and respond to periods of tight electricity supply, including new procedures for electric distribution companies addressing large loads such as data centers. At the center of the proposal is a key consumer protection principle: certain large new loads that have not secured sufficient new electric capacity to support their demand would be subject to curtailment before other customers when additional load reductions are needed to maintain reliability. The Commission is also proposing that large loads such as data centers not be classified by electric distribution companies as critical loads that would be exempt from curtailment during pre-emergency or emergency events. Acting now to protect consumers and reliability. The action builds on a Sept. 10 motion offered by Vice Chair Barrow and unanimously approved by the Commission directing PUC staff to outline proposed updates that Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies must make to their emergency electric load-control procedures. It also follows a recent independent analysis commissioned by the PUC warning that rapidly growing electricity demand – driven largely by data center development – could create serious reliability risks if electric supply does not keep pace. Under the study’s reference scenario, the regional grid fails to meet PJM’s reliability planning standard from 2027 through 2030, with modeled reliability risk by 2030 nearly six times that standard.
October 2, 2026 4:52 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — As midterm elections approach, some voters are worried about immigration enforcement officers at polling places. Department of Homeland Security officials say they don’t plan to send officers en masse to patrol the polls. They dismissed concerns as “fear-mongering.” Election law experts say federal law bars the government from deploying armed troops, agents or officers to election sites except to “repel armed enemies of the United States.” Organizations representing Latino, Black and Asian American voters are concerned about the rhetoric and ICE’s activity. They worry that any ICE activity near polling places could deter voters already on edge over immigration enforcement.
October 2, 2026 4:39 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State officials nationwide are focusing on rising gas and diesel prices tied to the war in Iran. They’re offering gas tax holidays and other measures to ease costs as affordability remains a top voter concern in the critical midterm elections. Lawmakers in Ohio passed a 90-day state gas tax holiday with broad bipartisan support on Wednesday. Ohio is among about one-third of states that have implemented some form of fuel tax relief, with many taking action within the past week. Some states have suspended their fuel taxes. Others have temporarily reduced taxes. And still more have targeted relief only to farmers, loggers, and others who use a special type of diesel fuel.
October 2, 2026 4:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs at the Pentagon. He announced Wednesday that the office will provide “first-class religious support” and report directly to him. Hegseth, who often infuses his evangelical Christianity into his leadership, says the office will advocate for military chaplains and religious support. One critic, Rachel Laser from Americans United for Separation of Church, argues that the new initiative will elevate Christianity in military policy. The Pentagon says the new office will not compel religious participation or favor any particular faith. The leader of the new office has not been named, but it will coordinate spiritual resources for military families.
October 2, 2026 4:49 am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for Christa Pike say the death row inmate is still alive but in critical condition a day after the state’s failed attempt to execute her for the 1995 murder of a woman. The state tried to execute Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday but neither the initial nor backup dose of pentobarbital killed her. Pike was still snoring when the execution chamber’s microphone was cut off more than an hour into the attempt, and she was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Her lawyers said Thursday that she is still being treated, but they didn’t know details about how she’s faring. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, called what transpired “deeply disturbing” and has ordered an independent review.
October 2, 2026 4:45 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has proposed a change to the 1040 tax form that will require Americans to disclose their citizenship and residency status. Officials argue the goal is to prevent immigrants lacking permanent legal status from receiving benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. Critics express privacy concerns, saying this information isn’t needed to process returns. It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to use the IRS to pursue its immigration policies.
October 2, 2026 4:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill aiming to permanently ban the sale of Chinese vehicles in the United States stalled in the Senate as lawmakers headed for the exits until after the November midterm elections. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, aims to prevent China’s auto industry from gaining a foothold in the U.S. market. It gained renewed energy last week during the summit in Washington between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump. Slotkin and Moreno delayed the bill as they negotiated with the lone holdout, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who argued the legislation could unfairly sweep in Mercedes-Benz.
October 2, 2026 4:48 am
NEW DELHI (AP) — An Indian pilot hailed as a hero said he fought for his life after his co-pilot stabbed him and the FlyDubai flight began a steep descent. Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital after being seriously injured in Wednesday’s attack, said he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. The flight, carrying 182 people, was diverted to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Israeli authorities said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested. Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call that he realized he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers.
