October 3, 2026 4:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has commissioned a classified report to the workforce examining what it says are chapters from the bureau’s history when it “fell short.” That’s according to an internal message obtained Friday by The Associated Press. It’s unclear what episodes from the FBI’s past are documented in the new “Patel Report.” But the document’s mere existence is in keeping with Director Kash Patel’s frequent criticism of the leaders who preceded him and with his determination to rid the FBI of agents and other employees he contends have politicized the bureau in the past. Patel’s critics accuse him of politicizing the FBI.
October 3, 2026 4:18 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The FlyDubai co-pilot who officials said nearly crashed a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 182 people aboard was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a person familiar with the matter said Saturday. The co-pilot was subsequently hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. It was not immediately clear to what extent he was vetted when he was hired in the Emirates. Oman’s move to bar the co-pilot from flying was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
October 3, 2026 4:17 am
A woman who says she was gang-raped at Cornell University testified at a campus hearing that she “felt like bait” as the attackers were “like lions around me.” This is according to newly released records from the school’s disciplinary investigation. Details of the alleged attack first emerged from a lawsuit filed by the woman, identified only as Jane Doe. Heavily redacted Title IX documents show conflicting reports of what happened at the Chi Phi fraternity party in October 2024. The documents are part of a separate lawsuit involving one of the accused men looking to overturn his punishment.
October 3, 2026 4:16 am
MIAMI (AP) — A former Miami congressman has been sentenced to ten years in prison for a secret $50 million lobbying campaign for Venezuela during President Donald Trump’s first term. Republican David Rivera, a longtime friend of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been jailed since being found guilty in May of failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The details of his work for Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuelan government that came out during the trial highlighted Miami’s role as a hub for foreign influence campaigns targeting U.S. policy toward Latin America. Rubio testified that he had no idea it was going on and that he felt betrayed.
October 3, 2026 4:15 am
Christa Pike’s attorneys say she was placed on a ventilator in hospital and was unconscious hours after her failed execution in Tennessee. Her lawyers said in a court filing Friday that hospital staff were working to save Pike’s life and clear the pentobarbital from her system as of late Thursday. Pike was given two doses of the drug Wednesday in the failed execution. Pike’s attorneys say they believe problems with the IV lines caused the pentobarbital to flow into her body instead of her bloodstream. Gov. Bill Lee has ordered an independent review.
October 3, 2026 1:11 am
Severe flooding in September caused damage throughout Washington County. On Thursday and Friday, a Multi-Agency Response Center was open to residents and business owners who were affected by flooding. The event was held at the American Legion in Washington, and many organizations were there to provide information about insurance, repairs, and how to report damages. Clyde Chappell coordinates disaster action for the American Red Cross. He says it means a lot to the organization to be able to serve the community. Lieutenant Thomas Perez of the Salvation Army says having a one-stop shop for those who were affected is important, and he believes it will provide some hope for residents. Dustyn Montgomery, the emergency planner for the Washington County Department of Public Safety, encourages anyone with flood damage to report it.
October 3, 2026 2:59 am
Updated 2026-2027 COVID vaccines are available, but it seems as though less people are willing to get the shot. Dr. William Sharpnack, a family physician in Washington, believes this could be for several reasons, including COVID being less severe than it used to be, general apprehension of vaccines, and the fact that many people do not like seasonal shots. Sharpnack says it is still important to get the vaccine, and it is more important depending on a person’s risk factors. He says those with certain chronic illnesses, like asthma, cancer, and diabetes, children younger than two, and people older than 65 should all get vaccinated. Sharpnack says there is no question that COVID vaccines are safe. (Photo: AP)
October 2, 2026 5:51 pm
The U.S. Attorney says 55-year-old Emily Roberts of Monessen has pled guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud. Roberts, while providing cleaning services at the victims home, was accused of repeatedly, over a period of several years, stealing checks from the victims checkbook. Authorities allege that she wrote checks out to cash and forged a signature on the checks before depositing the money into her own personal bank account. They allege that Roberts obtained more than a million-dollars through the deposit of over six-hundred checks. Sentencing for Roberts is set for February 10, 2027. Roberts could face up to thirty-years in prison, a fine of greater than one-million-dollars or twice her gain from the offense, or both.
October 2, 2026 8:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a disappointing 29,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up last month, the government reported Friday, a month before voters go to the polls in pivotal midterm elections at a time of discontent over the high cost of living and the state of the economy. The Labor Department reported that hiring dropped from a revised 133,000 in August. The unemployment rose to a still-low 4.2% from 4.1% in August. Economists had expected 90,000 new jobs.
October 2, 2026 4:44 am
More flooding talk in light of recent storms. Washington Mayor Jo Jo Burgess addressed the issue at the end of City Council’s Thursday meeting. The first thing Burgess asked is that everyone report damages to the Washington County website that is collecting damage reports on line. Burgess says that it is critical to report the damage so that the county and each municipality can meet minimum thresholds to qualify for PEMA and FEMA disaster funding. Burgess was also at the Multi-Agency Response Center event at the Washington American Legion. He said that he was told that some residents that are in older housing are fearful that if they report damage, that their home may be condemned and then they will have no place to live. Burgess says that they are not looking to displace anyone. If needed, he said the city could put those people in contact with organizations that may be able to help. He also heard stories of landlords that will not allow tenants to report damage. He asks that those reports be made so tenants can try and recoup their losses. He spoke directly, indicating that the city has no patience for predatory landlords. Burgess also relayed information on how the city and neighboring communities will begin cleaning out stream and creek beds. It will be simple tasks, removing tree limbs, rocks and even shopping carts that form dams and cause floods. Those efforts are in the preliminary stages. In official city business, the city is renaming Lincoln Terrace. It will now be called James R. “Cookie” McDonald Way. The street name is honoring the long time resident, business man and civil rights activist that was instrumental in founding the Washington Branch of the NAACP. McDonald died earlier this year at the age of 90.
