News

Fed chair emphasizes independence

Local Business July 1, 2026

WASHINGTON — New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Wednesday that the central bank would remain independent and seek to bring down inflation, likely foreclosing the rate cuts President Donald Trump has sought. In remarks at a central bank conference in Sintra, Portugal, Warsh said that if businesses or households thought the Fed would accept inflation above 2%, “I guess they’d be disappointed. We’re going to deliver price stability.” The Fed typically combats inflation by raising borrowing costs. When asked about Trump’s oft-repeated desire for lower rates, Warsh ...

Kroger to buy Giant Eagle grocery stores for $1.65B

Local Business July 1, 2026

Kroger said Wednesday it plans to buy regional grocer and pharmacy retailer Giant Eagle in a deal valued at $1.65 billion. Giant Eagle, which is privately held, has 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. They would continue to operate under the Giant Eagle name under the terms of the deal. Kroger, which is the largest U.S. supermarket chain, has 2,685 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Its stores operate under various brand names, including Ralphs, King Soopers, Smith’s and Fred ...

Venezuela quake could trigger crisis

International News July 1, 2026

CARACAS, Venezuela — Doctors said Wednesday they feared the aftermath of Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes could trigger a widening medical crisis marked by untreated injuries, infectious diseases and a healthcare system already on the brink. Thousands of displaced Venezuelans are ...

AG: Rescued Ohio children ‘almost feral’

National News July 1, 2026

HAMDEN, Ohio — Sixteen children from the same family who were rescued from a dilapidated home in rural Ohio were living in wretched conditions with human waste all around, confined to just one room over much of the past four years, authorities said Wednesday. Some of the children discovered Tuesday were unable to speak and one — an 18-year-old who was developmentally disabled — could not even write her name, investigators said. “Most of our livestock was kept in better conditions than the children,” said Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain. “Just a disgusting scene.” The ...

War sparks fuel crisis in Russia

International News July 1, 2026

The lines are growing at Russian gas stations — and so is the frustration and uncertainty as several months of Ukrainian attacks have set oil refineries ablaze and choked supplies for motorists across the vast country. Fuel rationing has been introduced in many regions, with hourslong ...

Pennsylvania State House OKs university funds

Local News July 1, 2026

The state began its new fiscal year Wednesday with no budget in place and events in the House — a testy faceoff on one education-related bill, but bipartisan passage of another — made it unclear if a deal will occur anytime soon. Closed-door negotiations failed to produce a 2026-27 budget by the Tuesday deadline, the fifth year in a row the June 30 deadline has been missed. On Wednesday, state Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County, the top Republican in the Democratic-controlled House, raised his voice in irritation after Democrats in a committee scuttled language in a bill related to ...