News

Local projects receive cut of $445M in state funding

Local News July 16, 2026

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced funding for a slew of projects across the Commonwealth Thursday as part of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The program will invest nearly $445 million into 356 projects across Pennsylvania to create jobs, improve infrastructure, strengthen public safety and drive long-term economic growth in various communities, according to a news release. RACP is a reimbursement grant program that supports essential design, acquisition and construction projects across the state. Roughly $8 million will flow into the region as part of Shapiro’s initiative, ...

Blair County briefs: County salt shed approved

Local News July 16, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County will pay an additional $45,076 for construction of a salt shed along Loop Road, near its highway garage, increasing the general construction contract to $489,749. Commissioners Dave Kessling and Amy Webster voted Thursday to approve a change order addressing additional work for the project. Paul Shaffer, who supervises the county’s highway department, said that during construction, the contractor found contaminated soil that had to be removed and replaced with concrete. That necessitated the rerouting of pipes and insulation above the concrete, Shaffer ...

Partial plea deal made in child pornography case

Local News July 16, 2026

HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Blair County judge severed one charge to continue being tried Thursday and accepted guilty pleas for nearly 50 other felony counts in the case of a man accused of possessing more than 21,000 files of child pornography. Nasir Debonaire Garner, 27, faces more than 100 felony ...

Ticker: Trump media firm plans to sell high speed access

Local Business July 16, 2026

President Donald Trump’s media company is planning to charge for special high-speed access to Truth Social posts, including possibly his own affecting national security and financial markets. The move announced Thursday would allow Wall Street trading firms and other institutions to get ...

Retail sales up just 0.2% in June

Local Business July 16, 2026

NEW YORK — Shoppers slowed their spending in June from May, as they spent less to fill their gas tank because of falling gas prices. But the report, released by the Commerce Department on Thursday, showed consumers’ continued resilience despite ongoing economic uncertainty as they bought cars and took advantage of summer sales events. Retail sales rose 0.2% in June, after being up a revised 1% in May, according to the report. Outside of gas stations, retail sales rose a solid 0.7%, according to the report. The government figures aren’t adjusted for inflation so last month’s ...

Trump administration races to rebuild tariffs

Local Business July 16, 2026

The U.S. Treasury last year swelled with revenue from President Donald Trump’s double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on earth. But the money dried up after the Supreme Court struck down the biggest and boldest of Trump’s tariffs in February. The question now is: Can the president’s trade team make good on its promise to replace the lost revenue? A deadline is approaching rapidly. After the Supreme Court setback, the president turned first to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose 10% tariffs globally. But Section 122 only authorizes tariffs for 150 ...