June 25, 2025 9:23 am
LONDON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the country is ending support for the vaccine alliance Gavi. Speaking at a Gavi meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, Kennedy criticized the organization for “ignoring science” and losing public trust. He expressed concerns about Gavi’s collaboration with the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing them of stifling free speech. Kennedy also questioned Gavi’s vaccine recommendations, including immunizing pregnant women and funding vaccines in poorer countries. Gavi defended its decisions, citing WHO guidance and the role of vaccines in reducing childhood mortality. The U.S. has contributed $8 billion to Gavi since 2001.
June 25, 2025 5:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve will continue to wait and see how the economy evolves before deciding whether to reduce its key interest rate, Chair Jerome Powell says, a stance directly at odds with President Donald Trump’s calls for immediate cuts. Powell said Tuesday that the economy is in a good position and that the Fed needs to learn more before adjusting rates. Powell is facing two days of what could be tough grilling on Capitol Hill, as Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to reduce borrowing costs.
June 25, 2025 5:14 am
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts are meeting at what might be a historic summit. It could also drive a wedge among the 32 member countries. Just a week ago, things had seemed rosy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was optimistic for an agreement to dedicate 5% of GDP to defense spending. Then Spain rejected the new target, calling it “unreasonable.” Trump too has said that America should not have to respect the goal. Questions also remain over Ukraine’s place at the meeting. The summit Wednesday has also been clouded by the U.S. bombing of nuclear installations in Iran.
June 25, 2025 5:11 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding after initially faltering. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both sides Tuesday, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” that they do not know what they are doing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had brought Iran’s nuclear program “to ruin,” but a new U.S. intelligence report found the program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes over the weekend. The early assessment was issued Monday by the Defense Intelligence Agency.
June 25, 2025 5:03 am
PITTSBURGH — With high heat and long waits at some Driver License Centers, PennDOT is urging people to wait to apply for a REAL ID. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says there’s been an increase in demand for REAL ID services, which has resulted in long waits before people can even enter Driver License Centers. PennDOT wants to avoid people waiting in long lines during this dangerous heat wave, so they’re encouraging customers applying for a REAL ID who already have an acceptable document to consider postponing their visit.
June 25, 2025 5:02 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A former employee of Heinz Endowments is accused of laundering nearly $1 million from the philanthropic foundation. The Department of Justice announced a nine-count indictment for charges of wire fraud and money laundering against Charles A. Richardson, 45, on Tuesday. In that indictment, Richardson, who was an IT manager at the foundation, is accused of embezzling nearly $1 million between 2016 and 2024. The DOJ said he did this through a “shell corporation” he controlled and fraudulent invoices billing the foundation for work not performed or performed by other vendors. In a statement, a Heinz Endowments official says they are aware of the charges. “We referred the matter to law enforcement when we identified the alleged misappropriation of charitable assets. We have fully cooperated with the authorities in their investigation and will continue to do so throughout their legal process,” the statement reads in part. Richardson faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain associated with the offense, or both.
June 25, 2025 4:51 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — New disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show that President Donald Trump will control the so-called “golden share” that’s part of the national security agreement under which he allowed Japan-based Nippon Steel to buy out iconic American steelmaker U.S. Steel. The provision gives the Trump the power to appoint a board member and have a say in company decisions that affect domestic steel production and competition with overseas producers. Under the provision, Trump — or someone he designates — controls that decision-making power while he’s president. However, control over those powers reverts to the Treasury Department and the Commerce Department when anyone else is president, according to the filings.
June 25, 2025 2:21 am
Fire has destroyed a Canton Township mobile home. Washington County 911 tells WJPA that multiple fire departments were called out just before two o’clock on Wednesday to assist in fighting a blaze at 600 Best Avenue in the Town and Country Trailer Park. Dispatchers say the trailer was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. They said the mobile home was unoccupied at the time and there were no reported injuries. Unconfirmed reports though, say several pets in home did not survive. There’s been no word on the cause of the blaze.
June 24, 2025 5:40 pm
Washington County 911 tells WJPA News that firefighters were called out just before four-thirty on Tuesday afternoon for reports of a residential structure fire at 284 North Franklin Township in Washington. Dispatchers say emergency crews saw heavy smoke showing from the second floor when they arrived. There were no injuries and no word on the cause of the blaze.
June 24, 2025 2:35 pm
(WPXI) People are telling the Federal Trade Commission that scammers are pretending to be the DMV or another government agency. The FTC said this is how the scam works: You will get an unexpected text or email from someone who says they’re from the DMV or the Department of Homeland Security. They say you can skip the line and expedite your application for a REAL ID by clicking a link to share your information and paying them. According to the FTC, this is a phishing scam to steal your money and personal information. The only way to get a REAL ID is by visiting your state DMV in person. You can’t submit an application online or in the mail. And nobody can expedite the process for you. If you spot a scam, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
