October 29, 2025 2:42 am
(AP) – Federal funds could begin running dry Saturday that help tens of millions of Americans to buy food for their families and send their toddlers to preschool if Congress doesn’t reach a deal by then to end the U.S. government shutdown. Funding for another program that helps mothers care for their newborns could run out the following week. Barring a resolution to the shutdown, the U.S. will have a gaping hole in its safety net, particularly for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. The Trump administration said Friday that it won’t use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to keep food aid flowing in November in the government shutdown, but a new lawsuit by Democratic state officials Tuesday seeks to uncork the emergency money — enough to pay for the benefits for more than half a month — or another larger fund.
October 29, 2025 1:47 am
The time has come for the Main Street Farmers Market in Washington to close for the season. The market, held each year at the Main Street Pavilion on South Main Street in Washington, ran from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday starting in May, through Oct. 31st. Tracee Malik is the president of the market and she says they had a wonderful season with many new vendors, customers and activities. She says the last market on Thursday, will feature a Halloween party with entertainment, a parade for the kids and lots of trick-or-treating at vendor tables. Malik says they don’t anticipate making any major changes for next year’s market, except perhaps, adding another food truck.
October 29, 2025 12:56 am
Washington County Commissioners met with first responders from all corners of Washington County to update them on the progress of the installation of the new P25 System Public Safety Radio Project. About 100 police, fire and ambulance personnel participated in the presentation from consultants Mission Critical, equipment provider Motorola and design firm Capital Area Communications. Items of interest were construction schedule and roll out of equipment. Currently the project will have site development for towers and land mobile radio installation begin in the first quarter of 2026. Equipment distribution was discussed. All emergency responders will be provided a base station, and an appropriate number of mobile and portable radios for their departments. Those devices are covered entirely by American Rescue Plan Act funding. During a question and answer session concerns were raised about location testing and mutual aid scenarios where responders have agreements across county and even state lines. Both questions were answered sufficiently. The project is expected to go live mid year in 2027.
October 28, 2025 5:39 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says that he believes U.S. military members will be paid at the end of the week as the Trump administration re-configures funding in the second-longest government shutdown. The pressure to end the shutdown is taking on new urgency. Rep. Lisa McClain, chair of the House Republican Conference, says “this week, more than any other week, the consequences become impossible to ignore.” Millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance. More federal workers will miss their first full paycheck. (Photo: AP)
October 28, 2025 2:40 pm
(AP) – United Parcel Service posted third-quarter results that handily beat Wall Street’s expectations and gave details about its turnaround efforts, including approximately 48,000 job cuts. UPS said in a regulatory filing that it has cut about 34,000 operational positions and closed daily operations at 93 leased and owned buildings during the first nine months of this year as part of its turnaround plan. The company also announced approximately 14,000 job cuts, mostly within management. It said that it is still looking to identify additional buildings to close.
October 28, 2025 1:53 pm
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy flooding and wind damage. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Officials warned of devastating damage and urged residents to seek shelter as the hurricane crossed the island. Melissa’s winds tied records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall. The storm is expected to move toward Cuba, where authorities prepared for evacuations. The hurricane has already caused seven deaths in the Caribbean. Relief efforts are underway, with supplies and emergency services ready to assist. (Photo: AP)
October 28, 2025 5:04 am
PITTSBURGH — A commemoration ceremony was held in Squirrel Hill Monday night to mark seven years since a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. 11 people were killed when the gunman opened fire during services. The ceremony was meant to mourn those who were lost and spread kindness in their memory. Family and friends each lit a candle to commemorate the lives lost and their legacies. Efforts to honor those killed in the shooting began over the weekend, with a series of volunteering events — like polishing headstones and filling in holes at Jewish cemeteries or packing and shelving food for the Jewish Family and Community Services’ food pantry.
October 28, 2025 4:58 am
PITTSBURGH — A man was injured after falling from the upper level of PPG Paints Arena during the Penguins game Monday night. Allegheny County dispatchers said crews were called to the arena around 7:15 p.m. The man was attempting to step down from one row but tripped and fell, sources say. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said he fell onto another person who was sitting in the suite below before continuing to fall into the 100 level. PPG Paints staff and paramedics began treating the man immediately, officials say. He was taken to a hospital with “life-threatening issues.” The person who was hit during the fall was evaluated by medics at the arena but chose not to be taken to a hospital. The Pittsburgh Penguins have released a statement about the situation, saying, in part: “Our concerns remain with the individual and his family at this time.” Over the weekend, a worker was injured in a fall while working on the scoreboard at Acrisure Stadium. Over summer, a fan suffered serious injuries after falling onto the playing field at PNC Park.
October 28, 2025 4:53 am
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA (AP) — Control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hangs in the balance in statewide elections next week, when voters will cast ballots on judges for the state’s three highest courts. Voters across the commonwealth will also vote Nov. 4 in municipal elections, including high-profile races in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Democratic state Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht will appear on the ballot in a retention election, where voters will decide whether to award the sitting jurists new 10-year terms on the high court. While retention elections are often a quiet affair in Pennsylvania, this year’s campaign has been heavily shaped by party politics.
October 28, 2025 4:49 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance says that he believes U.S. military members will be paid at the end of the week as the Trump administration reconfigures funding in the second-longest government shutdown. The pressure to end the shutdown is taking on new urgency. Rep. Lisa McClain, chair of the House Republican Conference, says “this week, more than any other week, the consequences become impossible to ignore.” Millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance. More federal workers will miss their first full paycheck.
