September 15, 2026 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats have blocked legislation to create a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. In doing so, they are stalling an industry-backed effort to place new guardrails around digital assets after demanding more limits on President Donald Trump’s investments. Tuesday’s vote was a pivotal election-year test for the $2.3 trillion cryptocurrency market and came as Trump has amassed significant crypto wealth while in office. While some Democrats are friendly toward the industry and support the idea of regulation, they have been adamant that the bill include strong ethics safeguards to prevent Trump and his family from enriching themselves in office.
September 15, 2026 4:52 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is planning to deliver powerful 2,000-pound bombs to Israel as part of an upcoming arms deal. The $2.8 billion package includes 40,000 of the bombs, made up of 20,000 Mk84s and 20,000 BLU-117s. That’s according to two U.S. officials and a person familiar with the plan who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss the package, which is not yet final. Such weapons prompted such concerns about the possibility of mass casualties in Gaza that the Biden administration paused their delivery two years ago. Congress has been informally notified about the pending deal.
September 16, 2026 4:50 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Small business owners in the United States and Canada say a trade war between their countries is hurting sales while they are also dealing with rising expenses from higher fuel costs. Canada imposed reciprocal tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods last week after President Donald Trump placed import taxes on Canadian goods worth the same amount. Trump said the U.S. also would ban imports of wine, whiskey, selected motorcycles and the cheese-derived protein additive whey from Canada. The conflict between the economically entwined neighbors affects only about 5% of total exports and imports, but it is having a big impact on small businesses that depend on cross-border sales.
September 16, 2026 4:49 am
Leading voices in AI, including Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, agree that AI development needs to slow down. This consensus follows a former researcher’s warning about AI’s threats to humanity. But implementing a slowdown faces challenges like global competition, profit motives and pushback from the Trump administration. Amodei suggests independent evaluators for safety monitoring and calls for government regulation. Critics question the feasibility of these measures. President Donald Trump opposes limiting AI, viewing regulation as an obstacle for progress and beating China in the AI race. Industry experts are hopeful but uncertain about achieving a more safety-focused approach.
September 15, 2026 2:38 am
The Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program has awarded nearly eight-million-dollars in state grants to communities across the 46th Senatorial District. The funding will support 26 projects across Beaver, Greene and Washington counties, including improvements to public safety, infrastructure, recreation, municipal services, stormwater management, transportation, broadband access and community facilities. The LSA Program uses gaming revenue to support projects that advance community improvement, public interest, and economic development. In Washington County, many communities will receive financial assistance:
- Canonsburg Borough: $104,025 to install three ADA-compliant concrete restroom facilities at Canonsburg Town Park, replacing temporary portable restrooms.
- Carroll Township: $140,735 to stabilize the slope along Columbia Road following significant landslide damage and restore the affected roadway.
- East Finley Township: $270,872 to purchase a new mower for maintaining rural road shoulders, drainage ditches and steep embankments.
- Fallowfield Township: $122,000 to expand and improve its Veterans and Fire Fighters Honor Roll, including new memorials, walkways, lighting, landscaping, benches and flagpoles.
- Greene County Industrial Developments, Inc.: $90,993 for the Blueprints Foster Transportation Initiative to purchase two vehicles providing reliable transportation for children and youth in foster care and independent living programs.
- Houston Borough: $983,665 to construct a new municipal building, replacing its flood-prone facility and allowing borough operations to continue during future flooding.
- Houston Borough: $120,691 to replace an aging work truck used for borough maintenance and public services.
- Independence Township: $147,000 to replace the failing #408 Bridge with a permanent prefabricated aluminum box culvert, improving safety and access for vehicular traffic.
- Morris Township: $116,450 to construct a new sports court with pickleball and basketball amenities, expanding recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
- Mount Pleasant Township, on behalf of the Northern Washington County Regional Police Department: $399,569 to purchase and equip six new police vehicles to support 24/7 regional patrol services.
- North Franklin Township: $200,000 for stormwater improvements along Hazelwood Drive, including a detention pond to help address recurring flooding.
- North Franklin Township: $38,000 to purchase a utility vehicle for its 90-acre Waterside Park, assisting with trail maintenance, debris removal and snow and ice clearing.
- North Strabane Township: $300,000 for the first phase of Alexander Park improvements, including ADA-accessible parking and walking surfaces, a renovated basketball court, three pickleball courts, new fencing and updated playground equipment.
- Peters Creek Sanitary Authority: $450,000 to extend public sewer service to 43 properties along Church Hill Road and eliminate the Old Trail Lift Station.
- Peters Township: $1 million to replace the existing soccer field at Peterswood Park with a high-performance turf system supporting soccer, football and lacrosse.
- Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, on behalf of Food Helpers: $92,000 to pave the receiving area and parking lot at the Greater Washington County Food Bank in Centerville Borough, improving access for food deliveries.
- Smith Township: $200,000 for Phase I of a new community park, including parking, a pavilion, recreational amenities, utilities and landscaping.
- Somerset Township: $600,000 to extend public water service along Hixon Road and surrounding roads, providing reliable water to residents, agricultural operations and a business currently relying on wells, cisterns and hauled water.
- Union Township: $200,000 to purchase equipment for its Public Works Department, improving efficiency and reducing the need to rent equipment for township projects.
- Washington City: $254,875 for the Tyler Avenue Drainage Project, including new stormwater infrastructure to address recurring flooding and erosion affecting residential properties.
- Washington County Redevelopment Authority: $37,100 to reseal the Century Plaza parking lot and replace deteriorated sidewalks, improving safety and accessibility for its residents age 62 and older.
September 16, 2026 4:59 am
(AP) – Ed Sheeran’s tour has been thrown into turmoil by all of his supporting acts quitting after the rapper Macklemore was dropped as an opener due to pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage. Sheeran says the decision to drop Macklemore made by the promoter, not him. But the ouster led to Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga all leaving as well, citing artistic freedom and opposition to financial influence. That’s an apparent reference to billionaire Robert Kraft’s role in Macklemore’s ouster. Sheeran hasn’t commented since the other supporting acts left. His next performance is in Philadelphia on Saturday. Macklemore said Wednesday that he’s donating $1 million to organizations supporting Palestinian people, and he challenged Kraft to match the donation.
September 16, 2026 5:43 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Tickle Me Elmo, Bingo and the playground slide are among the finalists for the National Toy Hall of Fame this year. The lineup also includes Care Bears, Yahtzee, Mahjong, and Pokémon Trading Cards. The Hall announced its 12 finalists for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday. Voting is open to the public and a panel of judges until Sept. 23. Other nominees include Bop It!, Monster High dolls, Polly Pocket, Mouse Trap, and Sorry! The museum’s senior curator says the debate is part of the fun because every toy sparks different memories. (Photo: AP)
September 15, 2026 3:43 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors in California say they won’t pursue the death penalty for Rob Reiner’s son Nick in the killings of his parents. Nick Reiner was charged Dec. 16 with first-degree murder in the stunning killings of the couple, ages 78 and 70. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday it was deferring the death penalty decision. Nick Reiner has twice pleaded not guilty in the case. His former attorney said that under the laws of California, he is not guilty of murder. The district attorney said the maximum sentence Reiner will be eligible to receive if convicted will be life without the possibility of parole.
September 15, 2026 4:50 am
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to limit mail voting by imposing new Postal Service regulations for the midterm elections. The decision announced late Monday allows mail voting to continue as usual. It also suggests that the court is unlikely to support similar efforts in future elections. Voting rights advocates and state officials expressed relief, given that roughly a third of voters in the U.S. use mail ballots. The decision, which came as mail voting is already underway in some states, was especially welcome in states that conduct elections primarily by mail.
September 15, 2026 4:38 am
The Peters Township Council was met with a nearly full house of residents that were interested in a subdivision. That subdivision was applied for by Smith Packet. They intend to build a 136 resident assisted living and memory care facility on a parcel of land on East McMurray Road just west of the township’s Fire Station #1. The subdivision would dedicate an area for the construction of a new public road. Jim McLaughlin is a neighbor of the facility and he spoke about the geological deficiencies of the land as a reason the facility should not be built. Michael Bane spoke to council about the need to have road specifications outlined before a vote was taken. Both men were frustrated with the process because the item up for vote only provided for a subdivision showing where the road would be built. Council continually explained that any of their concerns cannot be voted on tonight as those concerns would be addressed in future planning stages. They were further frustrated in the fact that legally, the subdivision met all ordinance criteria and council was obligated to approve it. If denied, council would be sued for their lack of performance. Because the item was on its final day for approval, if council tabled the matter, the subdivision would become effective anyway. Council approved the subdivision. The Planning Commission cancelled a September 10 hearing concerning the development of the facility. A rescheduled hearing will take place on October 8.
