December 5, 2025 5:04 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin says some proposals in a U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine are unacceptable to the Kremlin. That suggests a deal is still some way off despite intense diplomacy by American envoys. U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated the major diplomatic push to stop the fighting. But peace efforts face tough demands especially regarding Ukraine’s territorial concessions and future security. In remarks to an Indian broadcaster before arriving there for a state visit, Putin described recent talks with U.S. envoys as necessary but difficult. His comments were published Thursday. European leaders accuse Putin of feigning interest in peace efforts. Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue and have caused casualties and damage.
December 5, 2025 2:46 am
Washington County Commissioners were happy to announce that there will be no tax increase for residents in 2026. The 2.43 mil tax rate has been in effect since the 2010 budget. The total amount of money allocated for this year is $135 million. The finance department was able to craft together the balanced budget despite losing nearly $1 million in revenues due to the delayed approval of the state budget and the closure of the federal government. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman said those impacts forced the county to dip into its rainy day fund to provide services, but never did the county have to halt services in 2025 because of those impasses. Commissioner Electra Janis is proud that the county never cut services this year and she looks forward to possible expansion of services next year. Commissioner Larry Maggi voted to pass the budget but offered reservations about possible expansion of government next year. He said that he is not in favor of Sherman’s and Janis’ plans to incorporate the functions of the Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission into the Human Services Department and create two administrative and 10 counseling positions. He offered his yes vote to make sure all other existing services in the county continue. According to a statement from the county, they have eliminated 16 positions through attrition. The budget passed unanimously.
December 5, 2025 1:58 am
The City of Washington approved their 2026 budget with no tax increase. The $15.3 million budget is balanced and was unanimously approved. Mayor JoJo Burgess credited city staff and council for their hard work. In other city business, council approved the Federal Community Development Block Grants for the year. The grant is worth $527,525, the biggest projects being funded are the Washington Park Pool Upper Parking Lot Paving Project for $122,350. Street Paving projects worth $205,175 will see Shannon Street and Erie Street from Ridge Avenue to Pine Street being paved. Also Hallam Avenue to Ridge Avenue will be paved. The City also entered into a licensing agreement with the WashPA Outdoors Co., LLC for the use of a vacant parcel of land behind the Freedom Transit Center as a community garden called Firefly Gardens.
December 4, 2025 10:25 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has made an arrest in its nearly 5-year-old investigation into who placed pipe bombs in Washington before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. That’s according to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. The man’s arrest in Virginia marks the first time investigators have settled on a suspect in an act that had long vexed law enforcement and spawned conspiracy theories. The pipe bombs were placed on Jan. 5, 2021, near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees. Nobody was hurt before the bombs were rendered safe, but the FBI said both devices could have been lethal.
December 4, 2025 9:57 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”. Commissioners are meeting this morning. WJPA News will have reaction once that meeting is complete. Tune to WJPA 95.3FM/1450AM for the very latest.
December 4, 2025 7:56 am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Steve Cropper, who co-wrote classic songs, including “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” and “In the Midnight Hour,” during his years playing guitar at the legendary Stax Records in Memphis, has died. He was 84. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. and the M.G.’s, the house band for the Stax/Volt labels. In 2007, Cropper won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the group. He also became known to younger fans as member of the group backing Blues Brothers John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
December 4, 2025 5:12 am
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security has launched a new immigration crackdown in New Orleans. A Homeland Security official says the operation that got underway Wednesday targets violent criminals. The crackdown is the latest expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps that have unfolded in other U.S. cities. Immigration officials have blanketed big cities and small towns across the nation since January while carrying out President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. In New Orleans, immigration lawyers say they have been inundated with calls and some businesses have posted signs barring federal agents from entry. Louisiana’s Republican governor welcomes the crackdown.
December 4, 2025 5:11 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 5:09 am
Venmo says that an issue impacting the payment service has been fixed and it is “back up and running,” after users reported trouble sending and receiving money. The company said in a post on X early Thursday that, “We’re sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate you bearing with us while our team addressed this.” Website Downdetector shows reports that issues began spiking at about 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday. Some people posted on social media that they were unable to pay for medication or dinner. Peer-to-peer payment apps have exploded in popularity in the last decade.
December 4, 2025 5:07 am
A federal lawsuit filed against Washington County Judge John DiSalle has been dismissed. Elizabeth Sullivan, a former employee, filed the suit back in February claiming she was fired by the then-President Judge in 2023 in retaliation over her whistleblower complaints. She had worked in various roles at the courthouse for some 24-years. According to the Observer-Reporter, a U.S District Judge on Tuesday dismissed the suit against both DiSalle and former Court Administrator Patrick Grimm. The judge, however, did not dismiss the case against Washington County. Sullivan claims the salary board illegally fired her under misleading claims by DiSalle and her position was eliminated. The judge reportedly has given Sullivan until December 23 to file an amended complaint against the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and Washington County Court of Common Pleas otherwise the federal lawsuit against those entities will also be dismissed.
