December 4, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has arrested a man accused of placing two pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national parties in Washington on the eve of the U.S. Capitol attack. It’s an abrupt breakthrough in an investigation that for years flummoxed law enforcement and spawned conspiracy theories about Jan. 6, 2021. The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Brian J. Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia. Key questions remain unanswered after his arrest on explosives charges, including a possible motive and what connection if any the act had to the assault on the Capitol the following day by supporters of President Donald Trump.
December 4, 2025 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Navy admiral has told lawmakers that there was no “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the boat attack in the Caribbean, but the video of survivors being killed has alarmed lawmakers, That disclosure Thursday comes as Congress scrutinizes an attack on an alleged drug boat in international waters near Venezuela. The classified sessions provided fresh information at a crucial moment as Hegseth’s leadership comes under scrutiny. But they did little to resolve questions about the legal basis for President Donald Trump’s extraordinary campaign to use war powers against suspected drug smugglers. Lawmakers haven’t specifically authorized the use of military force against the alleged drug boats.
December 4, 2025 5:01 am
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department has failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James after a judge dismissed the previous mortgage fraud prosecution encouraged by President Donald Trump. Prosecutors went back to a grand jury in Virginia after a judge’s ruling halting the prosecution of James and another longtime Trump foe, former FBI Director James Comey, on the grounds that the U.S. attorney who presented the cases was illegally appointed. Thursday’s failed indictment against James is the latest setback for the Justice Department in its bid to prosecute the frequent political target of the Republican president.
December 4, 2025 2:41 am
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce has notified County Commissioners that they need to pay nearly $460,000 for breaching a long-term contract for job creation and economic development services the Chamber provided without proper notice. Chamber President Jeff Kotula says the County violated the original termination requirements in the contract which called for one year’s notice. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis voted to end the contract effective January 1, 2026 with only 51 days notice. The Chamber is requesting full and immediate payment to satisfy the County’s remaining commitment. Kotula says “due to their violation, we are certain the commissioners will honor the amount remaining on the contract to avoid litigation”. Kotula says the reasons provided by Sherman and Janis for cancelling the contract are “not true”. In response, Sherman said he believes the Chamber has not been transparent in their communications over use of county funds. Claiming he has repeatedly asked to see how county money is spent, not just on projects but with salaries and office expenditures as well. Janis feels the county is due that information also. Both agree that communication between the organizations needs to be improved. Commissioner Larry Maggi voted against the cancellation of the contract. Echoing a statement from the letter sent by the Chamber, he says that right now, Washington County is the only county that does not have an economic development program. Maggi is concerned that if the issue goes to court and the county is found liable, it will cost not only the balance of the contract funds, but additional payments to staff and legal representation above the contract settlement.
December 3, 2025 5:20 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced a proposal to weaken vehicle mileage rules for the auto industry. If the plan announced Wednesday is finalized next year, it would ease pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks. The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements through the 2031 model year. Those requirements set rules on how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline. It’s the Trump administration’s latest move to reverse Biden-era policies that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles. Environmentalists said the rule change would increase pollution and raise prices for consumers by allowing less fuel-efficient cars.
December 3, 2025 5:16 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry before his overdose death has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. A federal judge in Los Angeles handed down the prison sentence plus two years of probation to 44-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia on Wednesday. Plasencia admitted to illegally selling ketamine to Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict. Plasencia has surrendered his medical license and pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution. Prosecutors said the ketamine that killed Perry was not provided by Plasencia, but his actions contributed to Perry’s harm. (Photo: AP)
December 3, 2025 10:30 am
PennDOT has unveiled plans for improvements along Interstate 79 between Marianna and Waynesburg impacting Amwell Township in Washington County and Franklin and Washington Townships in Greene County. A Virtual Plans Display is up on the PennDOT District 12 website which allows for public comment until December 17. The project is proposed to start in the summer and be completed in Fall of 2027. PennDOT says the project will “maintain and improve the condition of the existing pavement and structures including minor safety enhancements”. The work is to be completed in phases under long-term single lane restrictions in both directions. Additional travel restrictions will include temporary lane shifts onto ramps, as well as intermittent short-term truck detours and reduced speeds to accommodate concrete bridge deck restoration at select locations. Ramp detours will also be necessary as interchanges are patched or re-paved.
December 3, 2025 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon knew there were survivors after a September attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea and the U.S. military still carried out a follow-up strike. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly. They say the rationale for the second strike was that it was needed to sink the vessel. The Trump administration says all 11 people aboard were killed. One of the people says what remains unclear was who ordered the strikes and whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was involved.
December 3, 2025 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced a proposal to weaken vehicle mileage rules for the auto industry. If the plan announced Wednesday is finalized next year, it would ease pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks. The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements through the 2031 model year. Those requirements set rules on how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline. It’s the Trump administration’s latest move to reverse Biden-era policies that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles. Environmentalists said the rule change would increase pollution and raise prices for consumers by allowing less fuel-efficient cars.
December 3, 2025 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon’s watchdog has found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk when he used the Signal messaging app to convey sensitive information about a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen. That’s according to two people familiar with the findings on Wednesday. One of the people says Hegseth, however, has the ability to declassify material and the report did not find he did so improperly. Hegseth denied posting classified information regarding plans for a military strike against Houthi militants in Yemen in March. The review by the Pentagon inspector general’s office was delivered to lawmakers, who were able to review the report in a classified facility at the Capitol.
