Nation and world at a glance for July 31

July 31, 2026

US economy grows at sluggish rate WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy expanded at a sluggish 1.5% pace from April through June as rising imports weighed on growth. But consumer spending rose. And the Federal Reserve’s favored measure of inflation grew more slowly last month, but remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that growth in U.S. gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — decelerated from 2.1% in the first three months of 2026 and came in below economists’ expectations. But consumer spending — ...

Former Mathews boys basketball coach Michael Weymer resigned after OVI arrest

July 31, 2026

Michael Weymer resigned as Mathews boys basketball head coach following an arrest on the charge of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI), according to WFMJ 21. Additionally, the Mathews “superintendent report shows the school found 94 allegations against Weymer were substantiated,” including “co-mingling public and/or school-related funds with personal funds and/or checking accounts” and failing to “maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, families, the community, and/or business when accepting gifts, gratuities, and/or favors.” Weymer, whose ...

Sharon Speedway honoring Lou Blaney

July 31, 2026

Sharon Speedway will honor the late, great Lou Blaney this Saturday for the 18th annual Lou Blaney Night. During his long racing career, Blaney won more than 600 feature events, was Lernerville Speedway champion eight times, and he was also track champion at Tri-City and Jennerstown, Modified champ five times at Sharon and three at Lernerville. He was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Circle Track and Twin State Auto Racing Club Hall of Fame. The Curbstone Coaches also made him an inductee. Blaney passed away in ...

Victims of Poland car crash, Youngstown shooting identified

July 31, 2026

Staff report YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office has identified the child who died in a Tuesday evening crash on Route 224 in Poland and the man who was shot to death Wednesday evening on Youngstown’s South Side. A Thursday press release states that the child who died was 4-year-old Cassis Huddleston, a passenger who was transferred to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after he was involved in a single vehicle accident at U.S. Route 224 and Poland Way in Poland Tuesday. An autopsy was conducted at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the ...

Deion Sanders visits Browns camp amid Shedeur’s QB battle

July 31, 2026

BEREA — Shedeur Sanders asked his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, not to come to his first training camp with the Cleveland Browns last year. With his son vying for the Browns’ starting quarterback job this season, the welcome mat was out for Coach Prime. Deion Sanders ...

Broderick Jones not worried about future with Steelers

July 31, 2026

LATROBE, Pa. — At the time, Broderick Jones thought it was no big deal. Walking off the field in Chicago last November after taking an awkward hit from Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson — whose chest smacked into the top of Jones’ helmet after trying and failing to knock down a ...