September 16, 2025 9:37 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers increased their spending at a better-than-expected pace in August from July, helped by back-to-school purchases, even as President Donald Trump’s tariffs are starting to hurt the job market and lead to price hikes. The performance was also helped by the continued efforts by Americans to keep pushing up purchases ahead of expected price increases. Retail sales rose 0.6% last month from July, when sales were up a revised 0.6%, according to the Commerce Department’s report released Tuesday.
September 16, 2025 2:18 am
An Ellsworth man will face trial for his alleged shooting of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner. Christopher Harper, 18 is charged with felony homicide and carrying a firearm without a license in the August 17 shooting of Elijah Johnson, 21 of Carnegie on Walnut Steet in Ellsworth Borough. During his preliminary hearing, the victim’s girlfriend Samiya Kastner testified that she heard a loud boom and saw Harper in her bedroom. She looked at Johnson and saw him in a pool of blood. She testified that she used to date Harper. Earlier testimony from a juvenile placed Harper at the scene. The witness said that she saw Harper pull a gun from a backpack and reach into the bedroom where Johnson was located and heard a loud boom. State Police testimony spoke of an interview with Harper after he was apprehended. Harper stated that he stepped into the bedroom where Johnson was lying next to Kastner. He saw a gun at the end of the bed and Johnson threatened to kill him. Harper then said he shot Johnson. Harper faces additional charges of burglary and reckless endangerment. The judge held all charges for trial.
September 16, 2025 2:55 am
Two Cecil Township Police officers who were indicted by a grand jury waived their cases to court at their preliminary hearing. Cecil Township Police Sergeant John Holt and Officer Shawn McNaughton both face a list of misdemeanor charges. Chief among the charges are, obstruction of administrative law, un-sworn falsification to authorities of forged or altered documents and tampering with public records among others. According to investigators, the case stems from a September 2018 traffic stop where police were alerted to a man appearing to be driving drunk. The officers pulled the man over and said that they could smell alcohol coming from the car. The unidentified driver then told police to call a “senior township official.” They took the driver to the police station and found he had a BAC of .15. Police called the township official who said it is up to police to handle the matter. Initially the driver was written up for a DUI. Investigators say that charge was later changed to a traffic warning approved by Holt. Investigators also state that Holt drove the man home. Both officers are currently on administrative leave. They are free on $1,000 bond. Both will be arraigned in common pleas court on October 23.
September 16, 2025 4:47 am
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A man faces multiple felony assault charges after police say he fought with several officers at a Pittsburgh hospital. According to the criminal complaint, Naron Weaver, 24, of Pittsburgh, was discharged from UPMC Presbyterian when he got into an argument with a social worker. Police tried to escort him out but said he refused to leave. Officers say the situation escalated and he fought with them. Police said Weaver punched, kicked and bit them as they tried to handcuff him. Four officers were checked out in the emergency room after the incident. Weaver is to face a court hearing in early October.
September 15, 2025 4:51 am
LONDON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the United Kingdom for a state visit. The British government hopes a multibillion-dollar technology deal will show strong transatlantic ties despite differences over Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump, who lands on Tuesday, will meet King Charles III at Windsor Castle and hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers. This is Trump’s second state visit to the U.K., a first for a U.S. president. The visit comes amid political turmoil in Starmer’s government, including the firing of Britain’s ambassador to Washington. The technology partnership due to be announced will bring billions in investment and thousands of jobs to the UK.
September 15, 2025 4:54 am
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors are looking at filing a capital murder charge against the Utah man jailed in the killing of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson are expected to come Tuesday ahead of his first court hearing after he was arrested in last week’s shooting. Investigators are continuing to piece together evidence from the attack at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking on a nationwide campus tour. Prosecutors in Utah County are considering several charges, including aggravated murder. That charge could bring the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Robinson will appear on camera for a virtual court hearing once the charges become official.
September 16, 2025 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says the national unity he’s “desperate” for after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk cannot be had with people who condone political violence. The Republican vice president commented Monday as he wrapped up an appearance hosting Kirk’s radio program. Kirk, the founder of the Turning Point USA political organization, was fatally shot last week as he appeared at a Utah college. Vance said the Trump administration will explore “every option to bring real unity to our country and stop those who would kill their fellow Americans because they don’t like what they say.”
September 16, 2025 4:53 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun and warned residents to move south. It said its intensified operation “to destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” has started. Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced the expansion of Israel’s operation on X on Tuesday morning, after a night of heavy strikes against northern Gaza that killed at least 20 people. Israel has been warning Gaza City residents to evacuate for the past month ahead of a Gaza City operation, but many have said they are unable to evacuate due to overcrowding in Gaza’s south and the high price of transport.
September 15, 2025 10:26 am
A framework deal has been reached for the ownership of popular social video platform TikTok, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after weekend trade talks between the U.S. and China in Spain. That followed a social media post by President Donald Trump that said a meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials went well and that a deal was reached regarding “a ‘certain’ company” young people in the U.S. “very much wanted to save.” The Republican president has repeatedly extended the deadline on TikTok’s fate and was noncommittal on an agreement when asked by reporters on Sunday evening. Trump also says he’ll be speaking on Friday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. China hasn’t confirmed Trump’s statements.
September 14, 2025 2:29 am
A few dozen people showed up for a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed this week while speaking at a college campus in Utah. The rally was promoted on Facebook to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Washington County Courthouse. The group, however, was left standing, with no guidance until at least 10:45, until someone in the group decided to open with a prayer. WJPA was not able to find or speak with the individual (s) who promoted the event, and everyone we spoke to said they did not know the organizer, but they saw it posted on Facebook. As a result, the memorial continued with those in attendance making personal remarks and the singing of “Amazing Grace.” Most of those whom we spoke with echoed the same thoughts, saying this isn’t the way to solve political issues, free speech is dying and it doesn’t matter what political party you are a member of, violence isn’t the answer.
