News

Fed chair sidesteps Senate questions

Local Business July 15, 2026

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Wednesday navigated a series of thorny questions from senators on issues such as the impact of AI on inflation, what contacts he has had with President Donald Trump, and how the central bank will determine the persistence of inflation, without providing many specifics. Warsh has said since taking office seven weeks ago that he would provide less guidance about the Fed’s next interest rate moves than his predecessors. Yet he has frustrated many Fed-watchers by largely avoiding explanations of how the central bank might respond more generally to ...

US producer prices drop 0.3% from May to June

Local Business July 15, 2026

WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale inflation fell from May to June on plunging energy prices, but intensifying hostilities with Iran are clouding the outlook. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which captures inflation before it reaches consumers — dropped 0.3% from May, biggest decline since April 2025 and a reversal from a 0.6% uptick the month before. Compared to a year earlier, wholesale prices were up 5.5% in June, decelerating from a 6% increase the month before. Gasoline prices plunged 12% in June but are still up nearly 43% from June 2025, ...

Heavy smoke from wildfires blankets parts of US

Local News July 15, 2026

Thousands of visitors were told to evacuate a remote Minnesota wilderness area accessible only by boat as wildfires send dangerously heavy smoke over the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this week. More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, where a train crew in northern Ontario filmed ...

Blair County Convention Center revises purchasing policy

Local News July 15, 2026

The authority that manages the Blair County Convention Center has updated its purchasing practices and policies, thereby setting $24,500 as the amount triggering the need to go through a formal bidding process. The authority, which met Wednesday, voted in favor of adjusting its prior policy, which set $18,900 as the threshold for formal bidding. The updated policy also addresses rules for purchases costing less than $24,500. For purchases and/or contracts valued at $2,501 through $13,200, the convention center staff will need to secure two quotes, in writing or by phone. For ...

Local News July 15, 2026

Kim Stein (right) shares her water bottle with her mother, Sonja Stein, both of Altoona, as both approach Flowing Spring Station of the Lower Trail after a 40-minute walk/ride on Wednesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Details released on event planned to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11

Local News July 15, 2026

A moving observance rooted in faith, patriotism and civic pride will take place Sept. 11 at the Jaffa Shrine Center to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, officials said during a press conference Wednesday. Patrick White, a past president of the Friends of Flight 93 ...