November 5, 2025 5:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are dominating the first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. A debate about the future of the Democratic Party may have only just begun, but there are signs that the economy — specifically, Trump’s inability to deliver the economic turnaround he promised last fall — may hurt the Republican Party for the foreseeable future. Democrats won governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey, the only states electing new chief executives this year. Trump was largely absent from the campaign trail, but the GOP candidates closely aligned themselves with the president. They bet that his big win last year could provide a path to victory this time.
November 5, 2025 5:03 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California voters have approved a plan to overhaul the state’s congressional district boundaries, giving Democrats a boost in their bid to win the U.S. House majority next year. The approval of Proposition 50 could allow Democrats to gain up to five additional seats in the 2026 midterms, when they hope to gain the power to block President Donald Trump’s agenda in Congress. The measure was pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to a Republican-led redistricting effort in Texas. The California measure replaces maps drawn by an independent commission with new districts created by the Democratically controlled Legislature.
November 5, 2025 4:54 am
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce materials from the investigation, saying he’s concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first” and investigate second. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick in Virginia instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence investigators seized during the investigation. The order followed arguments in which Comey’s attorneys said they were at a disadvantage because they’d not been able to review materials gathered years ago. Comey is charged with lying to Congress in a case filed after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute him. Comey has pleaded not guilty.
November 5, 2025 4:53 am
MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated his economic achievements on the anniversary of his election victory. Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump claimed the U.S. economy is thriving, though voters expressed concerns about affordability in Tuesday’s elections. He said Republicans need to talk about their achievements more. Trump highlighted lower prices and regulatory cuts, while criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Despite his optimism, a recent AP poll showed public concern over rising costs and job opportunities.
November 5, 2025 4:48 am
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to list where it plans to scale back flights by 10% starting Friday. The agency says it will release details Thursday. It says flights are being reduced to maintain safety during the government shutdown. Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since Oct. 1. And many are working mandatory overtime. Officials warn there could be chaos next week if controllers miss a second full paycheck. Staffing-related flight delays had been largely isolated and temporary throughout October. But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.
November 5, 2025 3:14 am
Incumbent Democrat Canonsburg Mayor Dave Rhome will serve another four years in that capacity. He will serve his sixth term as Canonsburg’s Mayor. Rhome defeated his Republican challenger John Gaydos 1824-727. Rhome says that community involvement is very important to show leadership qualities. Rhome is excited about the upcoming Christmas Festival and the new Italian Restaurant Storms coming to Canonsburg.
November 5, 2025 2:47 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City, capping the Democrat’s stunning ascent from little-known state lawmaker just a year ago to one of the most talked-about politicians in the country. Mamdani, a 34-year-old assembly member, defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in Tuesday’s election. With the victory, the democratic socialist will etch his place in history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage and the first born in Africa. He will also become the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century when he takes office on Jan. 1.
November 5, 2025 2:39 am
Results from Cecil Township and Chartiers Township show that the incumbent supervisors will serve another term. In Cecil Township Democrat Cindy Fisher held off a challenge from Republican John Jordan beating him 3015-2172. In Chartiers Township Democrat Bronwyn Maggi-Kolovich will keep her seat. She beat her challenger J.C. Ciaffoni 1606-1262. In South Strabane Township, Democrat Zack Morgan beat his Republican counterpart Robert Schuerle 2116-1088.
November 5, 2025 2:37 am
In the absence of a state and federal budget, Washington County Commissioners say they are bracing for the future impact as the impasse continues. During ongoing budget discussions, board members say they have looked to identify areas for potential cuts that extend beyond the Department of Human Services, an area that directly affects some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, including children and seniors. They say the first contract identified for termination is the 2023 agreement between the commissioners and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. The six-year contract totaled $140,000 per year with a 3% annual increase with the money to be spent on economic development. If the county were to fulfill the final three years, commissioners say the payout would total $445,578 from the general fund. This action is expected to be approved at their meeting on Thursday. Democratic Commissioner Larry Maggi, however, opposes the move and he says he will vote against the motion. He is questioning what the plan is to replace it and what other opportunities the county will find for less.
November 5, 2025 2:32 am
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh says 32-year-old Taylor Atkinson of Avella was sentenced late last month to serve a total of thirteen to thirty years in a state prison on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault. Atkinson was found guilty during a jury trial in Washington County Court in July.
