March 26, 2025 4:45 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Dan Goughnour has won a special election in western Pennsylvania. His win Tuesday keeps majority control of the state House in his party’s hands. A second special election for a state Senate seat was close, with the Democrat poised for a possible upset in Lancaster County. Goughnour’s victory over Republican Chuck Davis means Democrats hold the House by a single vote, 102 members to 101. Holding the majority means Democrats can keep House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia as the chamber’s presiding officer. The Senate race pits Democrat James Andrew Malone against Republican Josh Parsons.
March 26, 2025 4:54 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive action to overhaul elections in the United States. Tuesday’s order demands documentary proof of citizenship be added as a requirement for federal voter registration. It also requires that all ballots be received by Election Day throughout the country. The move is consistent with Trump’s long history of railing against election processes. He often claims elections are being rigged, even before the results are known, and has waged battles against certain voting methods since he lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden and falsely blamed it on widespread fraud. Trump said Tuesday that more election actions would be taken in coming weeks.
March 25, 2025 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says he’s joining his wife on a Friday trip to Greenland, suggesting in an online video that global security is at stake. Vance says in a video posted Tuesday to social media, “Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world.” President Donald Trump irked much of Europe by suggesting that the United States should in some form control the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark.
March 25, 2025 4:49 am
Dry conditions, wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene are fueling wildfires in North and South Carolina. Officials say evacuation orders are in effect Tuesday in some parts of the states while they continue to monitor the blazes. Three fires are burning in rural North Carolina about 80 miles west of Charlotte. At least one of the fires was caused by a downed power line. In South Carolina, two fires are burning in a mountainous region and both have no containment so far. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia through Tuesday night, as dry and windy conditions were expected to be favorable for the rapid spread of wildfire.
March 26, 2025 4:55 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Wind-driven wildfires that were among South Korea’s worst ever were ravaging the country’s southern regions, killing 24 people, destroying more than 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials said Wednesday. Officials also said a helicopter crashed during efforts to contain wildfires in the southeastern town of Uiseong, one of the areas hardest-hit by the wildfires. The Korea Forest Service said it was presumed that the aircraft was operated by one pilot with no crewmembers. An ancient Buddhist temple, houses, factories and vehicles were among the structures destroyed in the wildfires that have burned 43,330 acres and injured at least 26 people.
March 25, 2025 5:39 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is downplaying the texting of attack plans to a group chat that included a journalist as “the only glitch in two months” of his administration. Trump told NBC News on Tuesday it “turned out not to be a serious one.” Top national security officials including Trump’s defense secretary texted plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic. This was reported by the magazine Monday. The National Security Council says the text chain “appears to be authentic.” Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg says two hours after he received the details of the attack on March 15, the U.S. began launching airstrikes. (Photo: AP)
March 25, 2025 2:52 am
The splash pad being built at Rolling Hills Park in Peters Township, took one more step in becoming a reality. Peters Township Council unanimously adopted a motion to set fees to enter the splash pad when it opens in early July of this year. Residents will be charged $2.50 for a single visit. An annual four person family pass is available for $25 and allows unlimited usage. In addition to the splash pad, shelter rentals for 30 guests is priced at $100 for a two hour period. An indoor party room is also available for 30 guests at $150 for two hours. All prices for non-residents is double the resident price. According to Township Manager Paul Lauer, construction is scheduled for completion in late June. It will take several days to get the area organized for public use. The splash pad will operate Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. Sundays the pad is open from 12 pm to 7 pm. Once a full season gets underway next year, the schedule will be from Memorial Day through Labor Day and every weekend in September. Rules for residents to be aware of, children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and payment is cashless. Guests can use their annual pass, a credit card or debit card for entrance to the venue.
March 25, 2025 4:39 am
Voters in Allegheny County will help determine the makeup of the state House of Representatives. Democrat Dan Goughnour, Republican Chuck Davis and Libertarian Matt Mitta are on the ballot to replace former Representative Matt Gergely who suddenly passed away January 19. The 35th Legislative District is made up of 13 communities from Clairton and Duquesne, West Mifflin to White Oak. Representation at the state House of Representatives currently sits at 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans. Goughnour is a McKeesport Police Officer and member of the school board. Davis is a volunteer firefighter from White Oak and member of the White Oak Borough Council. White Oak resident Adam Kitta works for the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services of Western Pennsylvania. Polls for the Special Election open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. This seat is for Gergely’s unexpired term that expires at the end of the year.
March 25, 2025 4:44 am
ERIE, Pa. — (WPXI) – Two cases of measles have been confirmed in Western Pennsylvania. NBC News affiliate WICU, health department officials in Erie County confirmed the cases and said they were linked to international travel. The county is now working with the state to notify any potential contacts. Officials said the risk of community spread is low but urged vaccination to prevent infection. As of March 20, the CDC reports 378 confirmed measles cases across the country in 2025, including in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Of these cases, 90% are connected to three outbreaks. According to the CDC, measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rash.
March 24, 2025 4:52 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top national security officials for President Donald Trump, including his defense secretary, texted war plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen to a group chat in a secure messaging app that included the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic. This was reported by the magazine in a story posted online Monday. The National Security Council said the text chain “appears to be authentic.” Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said the material in the text chain “contained operational details of forthcoming strikes on Iran-backed Houthi-rebels in Yemen, including information about targets, weapons the U.S. would be deploying, and attack sequencing.” Just two hours after Goldberg received the details of the attack on March 15, the U.S. began launching a series of airstrikes.
