Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to resume quick deportations of Venezuelans under 18th-century law
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday barred the Trump administration from quickly resuming deportations of Venezuelans under an 18th-century wartime law enacted when the nation was just a few years old. Over two dissenting votes, the justices acted on an emergency appeal from lawyers for Venezuelan men who have...
Federal judge strikes down workplace protections for transgender workers
A federal judge in Texas struck down guidance from a government agency specifying protections against workplace harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Thursday determined the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exceeded its statutory...
1st week of testimony in Diddy trial concludes with graphic accusations
The first week of testimony in the Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial is concluding — and with it Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony. Ventura, the R&B singer who was Combs’ girlfriend for around a decade, had filed a lawsuit alleging he sexually and physically abused her. It was settled in late 2023,...
Police seize 2 pounds of methamphetamine from Derry man’s car
A Derry Township man was arrested Thursday after police seized two pounds of methamphetamine from him, according to court documents. Todd F. Stumpf, 59, is charged with possession with intent to deliver. Police received a tip Wednesday that Stumpf was traveling from Maryland to Blairsville, carrying two to four pounds...
Podcast: Previewing the Pittsburgh mayoral race
The Pittsburgh mayoral primary next week on May 20 features competitive races on both side for the Democrat and Republican candidates. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey is seeking a second term but faces a challenge from Corey O’Connor, the Allegheny County Controller and a well-known figure in...
Springsteen, Trump, Kid Rock trade political barbs
Bruce Springsteen’s songs have chronicled the working American’s hopes and dreams for 50 years. In that time, The Boss’ political bent has never been buried. Sure, some Reaganites may have misunderstood “Born in the U.S.A” as a patriotic anthem, but “American Skin (41 Shots)” clearly details the fears some have...
Trump suspends asylum system, leaving immigrants to face an uncertain future
They arrive at the U.S. border from around the world: Eritrea, Guatemala, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ghana, Uzbekistan and so many other countries. They come for asylum, insisting they face persecution for their religion, or sexuality or for supporting the wrong politicians. For generations, they had been given the chance to make...
Student loans have been confusing lately. Here’s a guide to know where you stand
NEW YORK — Between collections resuming, courts blocking student loan programs and layoffs at the Education Department, borrowers might be confused about the status of their student loans. Recently, the Education Department announced it would start involuntary collections on defaulted loans, meaning the roughly 5.3 million borrowers who are in...
Divided Greensburg Salem board OKs $535K student tech purchase
A divided Greensburg Salem School Board approved spending more than $535,000 over four years to replace aging computer tablets and laptops that officials say will no longer function when the next Microsoft Windows update comes in October. The board voted 5-4 to buy 900 iPad tablets for the district’s high...
Russia and Ukraine hold their first direct peace talks in 3 years amid low expectations
ISTANBUL, Turkey — Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years Friday, gathering in Istanbul for Turkish-brokered negotiations, but officials and observers expected them to yield little immediate progress on stopping the more than three-year war. A Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov sat...
Trump’s ‘beautiful’ bill spans 1,116 pages. Here’s what’s inside it
WASHINGTON — House Republicans are advancing President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and beefed-up border security as Speaker Mike Johnson attempts to pass the package over unified Democratic opposition by Memorial Day. House committees have labored on the legislation, which runs a whopping 1,116 pages and...
Biden audio release pressures Democrats who would rather talk about Trump
PHOENIX — Joe Biden’s time in public office is now behind him, but his age and mental acuity have become a litmus test for the next leaders in his party. Audio was published Friday from portions of interviews Biden gave to federal prosecutors in 2023, the latest in a stream...
Conservatives block Trump’s big tax breaks bill in a stunning setback
WASHINGTON — In a massive setback, House Republicans failed Friday to push their big package of tax breaks and spending cuts through the Budget Committee, as a handful of conservatives joined all Democrats in a stunning vote against it. The hard-right lawmakers are insisting on steeper spending cuts to Medicaid...
After Putin is a no-show at talks in Turkey, Trump says he’ll meet the Russian leader soon
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump said Friday he’s moving to set up direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as he can, after Putin opted to skip peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey. “I think it’s time for us to just do...
Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman,” and that the unborn and elderly enjoy dignity as God’s creatures, articulating clear Catholic teaching on marriage and abortion at the start of his pontificate. Leo, the...
Israeli strikes kill at least 82 people in Gaza as Trump wraps up his Middle East visit
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — At least 82 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Friday, as U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his regional trip. Strikes overnight and into Friday hit across Gaza, including the outskirts of Deir al-Balah and the city of Khan Younis. At least...
