June 22, 2025 12:54 am
Six affordable housing and community development projects in Washington County will receive funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund. The Washington County Housing Authority will receive three grants, the largest being $250,000 to replace 88 air conditioning units at the Nathan Goff Junior Apartments. The Redevelopment Authority of Washington County will receive $500,000 for security enhancements at Liberty Tower High Rise , appliance replacement at Century Plaza Apartments and to replace carpet at the Crest Avenue Apartments. Additionally, Blueprints will use another $200,000 to promote financial independence and economic stability for individuals reintegrating into the county. The program is funded by the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee, the Realty Transfer Tax and the National Housing Trust Fund.
June 21, 2025 10:48 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s military says it struck an Iranian nuclear research facility and killed three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks, while emphasizing it was preparing for the possibility that the war could turn into a lengthy campaign. Early Saturday, smoke could be seen rising from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where a local official said Israel had attacked the nuclear research facility in two waves. Iran continued to launch drones and missiles at Israel but there were no immediate reports of significant damage. Israel says its military has been targeting Iran’s missile launchers, and estimates it has now taken out more than 50% of them.
June 21, 2025 4:56 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge held a brief hearing over whether the Trump administration should continue its deployment of troops to Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer Breyer on Friday put off issuing any additional rulings after an appellate court on Thursday gave President Donald Trump a key procedural victory, saying he can keep control of the National Guard during California’s legal challenge. Breyer instead asked for briefings from both sides by noon on Monday on whether the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits troops from conducting civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil, is being violated in Los Angeles.
June 21, 2025 4:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to keep Harvard University from hosting international students. The order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs preserves the ability of Harvard to host foreign students while the case is decided. It marks another victory for the Ivy League school as it challenges multiple government sanctions amid a battle with the White House. Harvard sued the Department of Homeland Security in May after the agency withdrew the school’s certification to host foreign students and issue paperwork for their visas.
June 21, 2025 4:51 am
JENA, La. (AP) — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from federal immigration detention. The former Columbia University graduate student left a federal facility in Louisiana on Friday after 104 days in custody. He said justice prevailed but was very long overdue. Khalil was released after a federal judge said it would be “highly unusual” for the government to keep detaining a legal U.S. resident who was unlikely to flee and hadn’t been accused of any violence. The Trump administration has filed notice it plans to appeal Khalil’s release. The government says Khalil must be expelled from the country because his presence could harm American foreign policy. His lawyers say the Trump administration is cracking down on free speech.
June 21, 2025 4:49 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel and Iran have struck at one another again a week into their war as President Donald Trump weighs U.S. involvement. Key European ministers met with Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva Friday in a scramble to de-escalate the conflict, but the meeting concluded after four hours with no sign of an immediate breakthrough. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with diplomats from the European Union, United Kingdom, France and Germany. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the U.S. while Israel continues attacking Iran. European negotiators expressed hope for more negotiations in the future.
June 21, 2025 1:18 am
Detailing financial challenges and continued increases in costs, Penn Highlands Healthcare has announced it is laying off three dozen workers at Penn Highlands Mon Valley and Penn Highlands Connellsville. According to the Observer-Reporter, the Clearfield County based healthcare system says it is looking for financial stability and long-term strength. In a statement, Penn Highlands said it has struggled in the post-pandemic years with soaring inflation and rising costs of medication and equipment. In fiscal 2024, the healthcare company reported a $16 million operating loss. Some 26 layoffs are in leadership and non-clinical service positions. Anyone who is laid off is encouraged to apply for jobs elsewhere in Penn Highlands’ system. The company says that before laying off employees, they attempted to find other alternatives to reduce operating costs. That included eliminating positions through attrition, renegotiating contracts, restructuring management and consolidating office locations. Penn Highlands, which was formed in 2011, includes nine hospitals, pharmacies, surgery centers, senior living facilities and an ambulance service in 26 counties.
June 20, 2025 3:11 pm
PennDOT District 11 is announcing roadway improvement work on Hilltop Road (Route 3052) in Collier Township and Heidelberg Borough, Allegheny County will begin Monday, June 23 weather permitting. Single-lane alternating traffic will occur on Hilltop Road between Washington Pike and Thomas Run and Oakdale Road weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December of 2025. Crews will conduct drainage improvements, slope repairs, guider rail upgrades, milling and paving, and pavement marking installation work. Flaggers will assist motorists through the work zone. This $9.7 million group paving project includes includes milling and paving, drainage upgrades, shoulder repairs, guide rail updates, pavement markings, and other various construction related activities. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
June 20, 2025 4:04 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An appeals court is allowing President Donald Trump to keep control of National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles following protests over immigration raids. Thursday’s decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally by activating the soldiers over opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The deployment was the first by a president of a state National Guard without the governor’s permission since 1965 and the court case could have wider implications on the president’s power to deploy soldiers within the United States. Trump argued the troops were necessary to restore order, but Newsom said the move inflamed tensions and usurped local authority.
June 20, 2025 4:02 am
BEERSHEBA, Israel (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he will decide within two weeks on whether the U.S. military will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump sought to keep open the door to diplomacy on Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel and Iran exchanged attacks for a seventh day Thursday. Israel’s defense minister threatened Iran’s supreme leader after Iranian missiles damaged a hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv. At least 240 people were wounded. Defense Minister Israel Katz said “this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”
