October 5, 2025 7:11 am
LONDON (AP) — The British government says it will give police stronger powers to restrict repeated protests. This comes after nearly 500 people were arrested at a demonstration supporting a banned pro-Palestinian group. The Home Office said Sunday it will change the law so that police can consider the cumulative impact of frequent protests on local areas. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says there is a need to balance the right to protest with the safety of communities. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been ongoing since Israel’s military offensive in Gaza began. Some Jews say the protests have created a threatening atmosphere and allowed antisemitism to spread.
October 5, 2025 7:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is making plans for a significant aid package for U.S. soybean farmers. The move aims to help them survive China’s boycott of American beans, which was sparked by Trump’s trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says substantial support for farmers is expected to be announced Tuesday. The aid comes amid a tariff war between the U.S. and China, where China has stopped buying U.S. soybeans. Trump plans to discuss soybeans with Chinese President Xi Jinping in four weeks. Farmers are struggling as China orders soybeans from Brazil and Argentina. They prefer trade over aid, hoping for a deal soon. (Photo: AP)
October 5, 2025 7:00 am
Serenity Farms Inc. celebrated a grand opening for their new Meeting Room and Tech Lab in Washington. The venue is located in the Landmark Building at 75 East Maiden Street. The new meeting room will host meetings, trainings and recovery programs serving as a hub for healing and skill building for those seeking recovery. It features fresh furnishings, a kitchenette and inspiring murals. The Tech Lab is equipped with innovative resources to aid recovery, ease the effects of PTSD and elevate quality of life. Some of the aids are a Metaverse/Oculus bar, job search tools and programs aimed at recovery. Currently 12 recovery meetings and Legacy Church services are conducted in the space. The Meeting Room is dedicated to Patrick J. Uram, a Washington native remembered for his compassion, intellect and community leadership. Serenity Farms provides affordable housing, disability support and OUD/SUD recovery services. Its mission is to fight the opioid and fentanyl crisis.
October 5, 2025 4:57 am
Opening statements are expected today as the homicide trial of a Smith Township man gets underway at the Washington County Courthouse. 33 year old Joshua George is charged with the death of his 6-month old son back in December of 2021. The child died January 3 at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. An autopsy found that the child suffered a skull fracture and hemorrhaging and bruises consistent with being shaken. Washington County District Attorney announced back in May of 2022 that he would seek the death penalty. Attorney’s for George have raised questions about when and where the child suffered the fatal injuries. George faces charges that include; criminal homicide, child endangerment and three counts of aggravated assault. He has been held in the Washington County Jail without bond since his arrest seven weeks after the child’s death. WJPA’s Joe Jasek will be following the trial.
October 5, 2025 2:00 am
One person was taken to the hospital in an officer involved shooting in McDonald. According to 9-1-1 dispatchers, McDonald Police were called to Michael’s Tavern in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue shortly after 9:30 Friday night, with a report of a suspicious male, possibly brandishing a weapon. When police arrived, they found the man and fired upon him. The suspect was taken to Allegheny General Hospital by ambulance. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating. The identity of the police officer and suspect are unknown. (Photo:WPXI)
October 4, 2025 9:20 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s army has announced plans to prepare for the first phase of President Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and return hostages. The army has moved to a defensive position and will not actively strike. The announcement follows Trump’s order for Israel to stop bombing after Hamas accepted some elements of the plan. The proposal has international support and was endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Talks are underway for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Despite progress, questions remain about the plan’s implementation and its impact on Palestinians in Gaza.
October 4, 2025 4:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he ordered another strike on a small boat he accused of carrying drugs off Venezuela. It expands what the Trump administration has declared is an “armed conflict” with cartels. In a social media post Friday, Hegseth asserted that the “vessel was trafficking narcotics” and those aboard were “narco-terrorists.” He said the strike killed four men but offered no details on who they were or what group they belonged to. This follows the U.S. designating several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. It’s the fourth deadly strike in the Caribbean and the latest since revelations that President Donald Trump said he was treating drug traffickers as unlawful combatants and military force was required to combat them.
October 4, 2025 4:26 am
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration is offering migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, dangling a new incentive in efforts to persuade people to self-deport. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The Associated Press obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each. ICE said in a statement that the offer would initially be for 17-year-olds. Advocates say the sizable sum may prevent children from making informed choices.
October 4, 2025 4:22 am
BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Federal officials have reported the arrests of 13 people protesting near an immigration facility outside Chicago. This facility has been frequently targeted during a surge in immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met with employees inside the facility on Friday. Protesters gathered outside, upset by newly installed barricades. Some aimed to block vehicles from entering or leaving the area. Federal agents have used tear gas and pepper balls in response to protests. Illinois State Police set up barriers to separate protesters from law enforcement. Critics have raised concerns about the tactics used by federal agents.
October 4, 2025 4:20 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Hamas said Friday it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements. There was no immediate response from Israel, and Hamas’ response fell short of its demands that the group surrender and disarm.
