March 26, 2026 4:57 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court says the state cannot automatically give life without parole for felony murder without weighing each defendant’s culpability in the killing. The high court on Thursday ordered a new sentencing hearing for Derek Lee over a second-degree conviction, but paused it for four months to give state lawmakers time to consider legislation in response. Pennsylvania law has made people liable for second-degree murder if they participated in an eligible felony that led to death. Life with no possibility of parole has been the only possible sentence. The court says the current rule treats a lookout the same as the person who kills.
March 26, 2026 1:52 pm
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has identified the man found dead in the Youghiogheny River last week as forty-two-year-old William Guidi of Somerset. He was identified using rapid DNA testing and advanced fingerprint analysis. His family has been notified. Two fishermen found Guidi’s body along the river. He reportedly had no ID, wallet, phone or fishing or hiking equipment on him. The coroner says preliminary autopsy findings suggest he died from accidental drowning, but final toxicology reports are still needed.
March 25, 2026 1:48 am
If you happened to notice a large police presence around the W&J Campus in Washington Wednesday afternoon, city police say they were called in to assist with an incident that began in East Washington Borough and ended in the city following a brief foot chase. They’ve released little information, except to say they did take a male into custody and there was no active threat to the community.
March 25, 2026 2:20 am
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele announced on Wednesday that the search for seventeen-year-old Emily Grace Salonick is over. Aubele says Salonick, who was missing for a week, was found in South Carolina and a twenty-year-old man is now facing charges. According to Aubele, Michael Hart is currently facing a charge of interfering with the custody of children, and additional charges are expected to be filed. Aubele, who called Hart – Salonick’s “paramour” – denied knowing where she was when he was first interviewed. Salonick was reported missing on March 18th. Aubele says their investigation led them to discover that Hart took her out of Pennsylvania and placed her with a family member. Authorities credit the public for help in finding her. They say they received hundreds of tips through phone calls and social media. The investigation is ongoing.
March 26, 2026 4:57 am
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill that would codify marriage equality into law. House Bill No. 1800 calls to change the definition of marriage in Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes from: “a civil contract by which one man and one woman take each other for husband and wife” to “a civil contract between two individuals.” The legislation advanced with a vote of 127 yeas and 72 nays. Representative Malcolm Kenyatta was the prime sponsor for the bill. He released a statement on its passing, saying: “I know some folks in this building have never had to refresh a computer screen to see if a court has given you access to a fundamental right, but that’s where I was when Obergefell v. Hodges ruling came up – and the court voted correctly,” Kenyatta said. “Because of this vote, I got to marry my best friend, Dr. Matthew Kenyatta. As important as this vote is to me, my family and people across the commonwealth who are in loving same-sex marriages, it’s equally as important that this law is passed to ensure our state law reflects the law of the land held in Obergefell. “Marriage is not symbolic, there are legal, practical and financial things connected to the institution of marriage.” Governor Josh Shapiro also celebrated the movement. The bill is now moving to the Republican-led Senate for consideration.
March 25, 2026 2:22 am
Pittsburgh and regional leaders met Wednesday at a T-station to discuss transportation for the upcoming NFL Draft, which is now less than one month away. And they know it will be hectic. Rich Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, joined others in encouraging people to use Public Transportation for the event, which will encompass everything from Point State Park and the Golden Triangle to the North Shore and Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh Regional Transit officials also encourage people to take the light rail T service that serves riders from Library and South Hills Village all the way to the North Shore. Washington’s Freedom Transit and Fayette Area Coordinated Traffic are also offering draft-specific service. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to plan early. They are encouraged to carpool, use ride share options, and walk wherever they can. The NFL One Pass App will also help everyone who needs to get around for the Draft, which is scheduled from April 23 through the 25th.
March 26, 2026 4:44 pm
Governor Josh Shapiro and Visit PA, in partnership with Philadelphia Soccer 2026 — the 501(c)(3) nonprofit local host committee planning and executing FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in Philadelphia — today announced the official locations of three “Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zones,” which will bring the electricity of the world’s biggest sporting event to communities across the Commonwealth. The Fan Zones, championed by Governor Josh Shapiro to ensure that every Pennsylvanian can experience the magic of FIFA World Cup 2026™, will be located in Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton — bringing free, world-class public viewing events to tens of thousands of fans. The fan zones will be located Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium, Reading at the Reading Arena, and Scranton at the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square.
March 26, 2026 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure is mounting on Congress to end the funding shutdown. It’s resulted in travel disruptions, missed paychecks and even warnings of airport closures. But lawmakers have yet to resolve the underlying issue of reining in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations. Senators are expected to vote Thursday on a Republican proposal that would fund the Transportation Security Administration and much of the Department of Homeland Security, except the immigration enforcement and removal operations. But it’s expected to fail. Democrats argue the GOP plan falls short in putting guardrails on federal officers engaged in immigration sweeps. Congress is set to leave town by week’s end for its own spring break recess as calls intensify for an end to the 41-day stalemate.
March 26, 2026 5:00 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and the United States have hardened their positions after diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to be faltering. Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz as Washington prepared for the arrival of combat forces that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic. Israel on Thursday carried out a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, and Iran kept up its attacks on Persian Gulf neighbors, with Saudi Arabia intercepting multiple drones. The United Arab Emirates’ air defenses also worked to intercept incoming fire, and Bahrain was extinguishing a blaze near its international airport.
March 25, 2026 5:01 am
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks are lower and oil prices have risen as a de-escalation of the Iran war remains uncertain. U.S. futures are down 0.5%. Brent crude, the international standard, rose more than 3% to around $100 per barrel on Thursday. Meanwhile gold and silver prices dropped. Tehran on Wednesday dismissed a ceasefire plan by the U.S., after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration offered a 15-point proposal to Iran. Iran also launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 gained 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.8%.
