October 18, 2025 4:11 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who was slated to serve more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. One of Santos’ lawyers told the New York Post late Friday that the former lawmaker was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, around 11 p.m. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.
October 18, 2025 4:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Five remaining universities have been weighing an offer from President Donald Trump to sign a “compact” for higher education. None has signed on as the deadline approaches, and on Friday, the University of Virginia declined the offer. The White House has faced several rejections after inviting nine universities to become initial signers of the compact. The document requests that universities adopt commitments aligned with Trump’s political priorities, including eliminating race and sex from admissions decisions. On Friday, the Trump administration met with the universities still trying to decide whether to sign the agreement. More than 30 higher education organizations have urged the White House to withdraw the compact.
October 17, 2025 7:28 am
Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. They’re holding “No Kings” demonstrations, or what the president’s Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and it’s expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism. Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
October 18, 2025 3:49 am
Washington County Commissioners recognized a Southpointe business owner for his national honor centered on hiring veterans. Martin Beichner, owner of AccuTrex Products was honored by the National American Legion with the 2025 Employer Veterans Award for mid-sized companies. The honor is given to businesses whose staff is made up of at least 10% veterans. Beichner was honored to receive the award. He said he felt it was important to hire veterans, especially those in need. Beichner has hired several veterans from the City Mission and is proud to say that they are now on their feet in their own apartments and driving their own cars. He said he is blessed that he returned from a tour in Vietnam with all of his fingers and toes and most of his sanity. He said several of his friends still suffer from physical difficulties caused by agent orange. Beichner joined the Navy in 1967 becoming a corpsman serving in South Vietnam. During the commissioners meeting Beichner received his plaque from the National American Legion, a proclamation from Washington County Commissioners and a proclamation presented by Cecil Township Supervisor Cindy Fisher.
October 18, 2025 3:45 am
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released their revenue statistics for the month of September. The board says there was an overall increase of 5.92%. In dollars, all forms of gaming brought in $535,834,254 statewide in September. Locally, the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows was 11th in revenue generated with $17,799,446. That is a more than 38% drop from September of 2024. The category with the largest revenue drop at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows was sports wagering. In September 2025, sports wagering revenue was $4,097,753. In September 2024, sports wagering revenue was $13,108,981, that is a 68.74% drop. The total tax revenue generated in September 2025 was $227,853,311.
October 17, 2025 2:50 am
The Washington County Republican Party issued a press release on Thursday announcing that the Executive Committee has voted to remove Tim Warco from party membership. They are also calling for his resignation as Washington County Coroner. In a unanimous vote, the executive committee says their decision came after a Grievance Committee hearing in August. The hearing reviewed grievances filed by two party members. They say Warco declined to attend. They said their requests are based on their findings that included a 2023 Primary Election photo showing Warco in solidarity with Democratic candidates; news articles detailing what they say is his alleged falsification of a death certificate; multiple reports of erratic behavior – raising concerns over his mental fitness and significant reputational damage to Washington County and the Coroner’s Office. WJPA has reached out to both the Washington County Republican Party and Warco for comment.
October 17, 2025 2:53 am
Pennsylvania is now some three and a half months into its fiscal year and still has no budget. That problem has many counties looking at ways to survive. Worker furloughs and program cuts are now being instituted statewide. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi both expressed frustration with the lack of a budget because about 80% of the Washington County budget is dependent on the state. Both commissioners agree that the county is holding its own, but not for long. According to Maggi, prudent spending of past administrations have allowed the county to build up a prudent reserve. Sherman says recent actions such as its fleet services campaign and privatization of senior meals have contributed to helpful savings. Both commissioners are concerned that a continued stand off in Harrisburg will threaten services to the most vulnerable of citizens, children and the elderly. Sherman says that the county is working with the finance department daily to keep up with expenses. He is hoping that furloughs are not in the offing. He says that borrowing money is out of the question because of the interest that would be paid on the loan for however long the loan would last. Sherman and Maggi are calling on State Legislature and the Governor to work on finding a resolution.
October 17, 2025 4:55 am
Washington County Director of Elections Melanie Ostrander says that preparations for Election Day on November 4 are well underway. Mail in ballots that have so far been requested are now in the mail. Tests on voting equipment are now complete and machines have been registered. All machines have been sealed and are now ready for delivery to polling locations. Ostrander says that all mail in ballots will be treated strictly by the rules set down by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court and the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The PA Supreme Court says that signatures are required, but if an envelope is returned without a signature, that ballot is to be marked in the state SURE system as received no signature and an email sent to the voter alerting them that they may vote provisionally at their regular polling location. The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals says that dates are not a disqualifying factor. Ostrander says that decisions could change on short notice and they monitor those possible changes daily. Ostrander outlined upcoming deadline dates. October 20 is the last day to register or make changes in voter registration. October 28 is the last day to request absentee or mail in ballots. All mail in ballots must be in the elections office by 8 PM on Election Day. And, Election Day is November 4. Polls open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.
October 17, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are calling on President Donald Trump to get more involved with negotiations to end the government shutdown. Trump is showing no interest in interjecting in the fight that has stretched through three weeks with little movement. Republican leadership in Congress is hoping it stays that way, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterating Thursday that negotiations are possible “once the government opens up.” But some in Trump’s party are expressing frustration with the lack of movement. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she thinks some in the Trump administration are happy that the role of Congress is being diminished.
October 17, 2025 4:58 am
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — John Bolton has pleaded not guilty in the Justice Department case accusing him of sharing classified information. Bolton was ordered released from custody after making his appearance before a judge in the third Justice Department case brought in recent weeks against an adversary of the Republican president. Bolton has signaled he will argue he is being targeted because of his criticism of the president, describing the charges as part of a Trump “effort to intimidate his opponents.” The case, however, appears to have followed a more conventional path toward indictment than other recent cases against perceived Trump enemies.
