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WJPA News Archive

Death Toll In West Bank Surges

October 22, 2023 8:07 am

JERUSALEM (AP) — Deadly violence has been surging in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as the Israeli military pursues Palestinian militants in the aftermath of the Hamas attack. As of Sunday, at least 90 Palestinians have been killed there in the past two weeks, mainly in clashes with Israeli troops. The violence threatens to open another front in the 2-week-old war and puts pressure on the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. The PA administers parts of the West Bank and is deeply unpopular among Palestinians, in large part because it cooperates with Israel on security matters. Israel has carried out airstrikes on two occasions in recent days. The rare use of aerial attacks in the territory suggests a shift in military tactics.

Two Hurricanes Make Landfall

October 22, 2023 8:06 am

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Norma came ashore near the Pacific resort of Los Cabos at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Hours later, Hurricane Tammy made landfall on the Caribbean island of Barbuda. After making landfall Saturday afternoon, the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Norma threatens heavy rainfall and flash flooding early Sunday while moving into mainland Mexico. Once a Category 4 hurricane, Norma came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane. The center says Hurricane Tammy is moving north-northwest around 10 mph with hurricane warnings in effect for the islands of Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barthelmy.

Six Dead In Russian Rocket Strike On Ukraine

October 22, 2023 8:05 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say six people have died in a missile strike on a mail depot in the eastern city of Kharkiv. A further 16 people were injured in the blast, which is believed to have been caused by a Russian S-300 rocket, the Kharkiv governor said on social media. Meanwhile, officials in southern Ukraine said Sunday that the Russian military had used a record number of aerial bombs over the country’s Kherson region. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Operational Command South said that 36 missiles had been recorded over the area in the past 24 hours.

Israel Strikes Gaza, Syria And West Bank

October 22, 2023 8:04 am

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli warplanes have struck targets across Gaza as well as two airports in neighboring Syria as the 2-week-old war with Hamas in Gaza threatens to spiral into a broader conflict. Israel has traded fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group on a near-daily basis since the war began, and tensions are also soaring in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Israeli forces have battled militants in refugee camps and carried out two airstrikes in recent days. For days, Israel has seemed to be on the verge of launching a ground offensive in Gaza as part of its response to Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 rampage. A convoy of 17 aid trucks was allowed to enter Gaza from Egypt on Sunday, the second shipment in two days.

County Chamber Sponsors Candidates Forum

October 22, 2023 3:48 am

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce held a County Commissioners Candidates Forum on Friday. The forum was moderated by Jezree Friend, Assistant Vice President of the Manufacturer and Business Association. Keeping in mind the Chamber’s “Washington County Forward” initiative, questions centered on the development of a diverse economy, ground development and redevelopment, population growth and effective government. All four candidates for County Commissioner, incumbents Larry Maggi (D), Nick Sherman (R) and their running mates Cindy Fisher (D) and Electra Janis (R), were on hand to answer questions. On creating a diverse economy, Maggi indicated that local government can assist but the best thing they can do is stay out of the way and let business people, large and small, do what they do best. Sherman indicated that the ongoing merger between the Washington Health System and UPMC is a positive in an effort to grow the medical and pharmaceutical industries in the county. Fisher looks to refill Southpointe with hydrogen and carbon capture businesses. Janis wants to increase emphasis on the trades and trade schools. Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce called the event a success. He said it allowed the audience a good look at the candidates and their stances on driving business success for the future.

Rt. 519 To Close In Houston

October 22, 2023 3:27 am

PennDot is announcing the upcoming closure of Rt. 519 in the Borough of Houston. They will be replacing the railroad crossing on South Main Street between Boone Avenue and Collier Street. This segment of Rt. 519 is scheduled to be closed on Thursday, October 26 through Tuesday, October 31. A detour will be in place. That detour will be utilizing Rt. 519, W. Pike Street, Racetrack Road, Interstate 79 back to Rt. 519. Motorists can be updated on traffic conditions by visiting www.511PA.com.

UAW Strikes Continue For Better Offers

October 21, 2023 4:57 am

DETROIT (AP) — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Friday that while Detroit’s automakers have increased their wage and benefit offers, he believes the union can gain more if it holds out longer in its contract talks. In a Facebook Live appearance, Fain didn’t announce any more factories to add to those that have been on strike for up to five weeks. But he warned that the UAW could announce such an expansion of its strikes at any time, depending on how much progress it makes in its negotiations with the automakers.

House Republicans Drop Jim Jordan As Nominee For Speaker

October 21, 2023 4:53 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have dropped Jim Jordan as their nominee for House speaker, setting them back to square one with no clear plan ahead. This comes after Jordan failed Friday in a third try for the speaker’s gavel. Frustrated and angry Republicans sank further into turmoil with no idea how to end the crisis created after hardliners ousted Kevin McCarthy. Despite Jordan’s backing from Donald Trump, opposition to him only grew. More than two dozen centrist Republicans revolted over the Ohio congressman’s nomination and the hardball tactics being used to win them over. Some have received death threats. Next steps are uncertain as Republicans start pitching new candidates for speaker.

Aid Starts Moving Into Gaza Strip

October 21, 2023 4:48 am

Aid deliveries have begun moving into the besieged Gaza Strip, two weeks after the militant group Hamas rampaged through southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes. Separately, Israel said Hamas freed two American hostages who had been held in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have continued in southern Gaza, an area swelled by civilians who fled there from the north on Israeli instructions. Israel is also evacuating a sizable town near the Lebanese border in the latest sign of a potential ground invasion of Gaza.

Hamas Frees 2 American Hostages

October 21, 2023 4:45 am

Israel says Hamas has freed two American hostages who had been held in Gaza since militants rampaged through southern Israel Oct. 7. The hostage release Friday came even as Israeli airstrikes continued in southern Gaza, an area swelled by civilians who fled there from the north on Israeli instructions. Israel was also evacuating a sizable town near the Lebanese border in the latest sign of a potential ground invasion of Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza reported heavy airstrikes in Khan Younis in the south, where civilians had been told to seek safety, and ambulances streamed into Gaza’s second-largest hospital.