Joseph Dean Martin, 28, of Uniontown, faces multiple felony charges including rape of a child after allegedly sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend’s 12-year-old daughter on several occasions. The girl reported that she and Martin engaged in sexual activity, including an incident in a cemetery after watching a movie, and that the relationship had been ongoing for two years. Evidence, including license plate reader data, surveillance footage, and receipts, supported the girl’s claims, leading to Martin’s confession and current incarceration in the Fayette County Prison without bail.
Read More
During a recent CNN interview, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller appeared to suggest President Trump possesses “plenary authority,” which implies the president’s power is essentially limitless. This comment, made while discussing the deployment of federal troops to cities, caused Miller to abruptly pause, and the interview was subsequently edited to remove the phrase. Legal experts note that “plenary authority” isn’t explicitly granted to the president under the US Code, and Judge Immergut previously ruled the president’s justifications for deploying troops were baseless. Some analysts suggest Miller’s statements reveal the administration’s view that Trump can unilaterally decide when to invoke emergency powers, and that this is an intentional strategy to polarize the public and consolidate power.
Read More
The IRS recently released updated federal income tax brackets and standard deductions for 2026, applicable for returns filed in 2027. The agency increased income thresholds for each bracket, along with adjustments to long-term capital gains brackets, estate and gift tax exemptions, and earned income tax credit eligibility. For the 2026 tax year, the top tax rate of 37% will apply to individuals with taxable income exceeding $640,600 and married couples filing jointly with income above $768,700.
Read More
Norway anticipates fallout from Friday’s Nobel Peace Prize announcement amid pressure from the Trump administration to award the prize to the US president. Trump’s efforts to influence the decision, including public claims and direct appeals to Norwegian officials, have escalated, particularly with recent developments in the Middle East. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has indicated it will not yield to external influence. The announcement’s aftermath is highly anticipated, as Norway prepares for potential reactions to the chosen laureate.
Read More
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that if former U.S. President Donald Trump provides Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles and helps broker a ceasefire with Russia, Kyiv will nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Zelenskyy stated that such actions would strengthen Ukraine and bring Russia to the negotiating table. Trump has indicated he is considering sending the missiles after a meeting with Zelenskyy but is seeking clarification on their intended use. However, Russian officials have warned that providing these missiles would escalate the conflict and damage relations between Russia and the United States.
Read More
Democratic voting rights groups are raising concerns about the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s upcoming rehearing of Louisiana v. Callais. A new report suggests that if Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is overturned, Republicans could redraw up to 19 House seats in their favor. The report warns that such a decision could lead to the dilution of minority voting strength, potentially impacting a significant number of seats held by the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This could allow states to redraw district lines without federal oversight, particularly in Southern states, and create a permanent challenge unless Democrats take aggressive action.
Read More
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned of potential military deployments in US cities, specifically blue states, as a means for President Trump to control future elections. This follows Trump’s call for Pritzker’s imprisonment and the ongoing deployment of Texas National Guard soldiers to Chicago despite local opposition. Pritzker believes Trump aims to normalize military presence and potentially station personnel near polling places to influence election outcomes, particularly in 2026. Furthermore, Pritzker responded defiantly to Trump’s threats, emphasizing his commitment to protecting his constituents.
Read More
Pope Leo XIV has urged U.S. bishops to take a stronger stance against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, a direct intervention in U.S. domestic politics. The Pope, visibly moved by letters from immigrants, expressed his concern and desire for the U.S. Bishops’ Conference to speak out. This move signifies a shift in tone, with Leo becoming more critical of Trump’s agenda, particularly concerning immigration. The Pope has also criticized the administration’s handling of immigration policies, sparking backlash from some U.S. Catholics and White House officials.
Read More
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concern over a recent U.S. strike, stating there are “hints” the targeted vessel was Colombian and contained Colombian citizens. He agreed with Senator Adam Schiff’s criticism of the strikes, asserting they are illegal and risk escalating conflict. Petro further claimed the attack represents a new war front in the Caribbean, with the real goal being control of oil resources, not combating smuggling. He criticized the U.S. actions as an attempt to seize Venezuelan and Guyanese oil, comparing the situation to events in Gaza.
Read More
During a CNN interview, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated that President Trump had “plenary authority” regarding the deployment of the National Guard in Oregon, before abruptly cutting himself off. This statement has raised concerns due to the implications of plenary authority, which grants a single official absolute power, contradicting the U.S. system of separation of powers. The use of such authority has drawn comparison to dictators and prompted protests against perceived overreach by the Trump administration. Miller’s silence and the subsequent lack of further clarification have left the meaning behind the statement unclear.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker