News

Early voting begins in US midterms that could flip control of Congress

National News September 19, 2026

HENRICO, Va. (AP) — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Election administrators say they are prepared and confident the vote will be accurate and secure. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump has continued efforts to denigrate certain voting methods and reshape how elections are run, through court challenges, a federal hunt for noncitizen voters and a pressure campaign to force ...

US estimates Iran war’s cost grows to $43.6B

National News September 19, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military’s price tag for the Iran war has grown to $43.6 billion as of Sept. 3, according to a new estimate provided this week to lawmakers. The figure from U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, offers the most up-to-date cost for the conflict since it was launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. A Congressional Budget Office report released Tuesday said the war had cost $38 billion through Aug. 1 and will continue to rack up expenses of around $3 billion a month depending on the conflict’s intensity. The new ...

Work, accomplishments at regional airport spotlighted

Local News September 19, 2026

VIENNA — The Mahoning Valley’s long-term commitment to the aerospace and defense sector, coupled with a pathway to its past, was showcased Friday, courtesy of the Western Reserve Port Authority. Anthony Trevena, the port’s executive director, outlined the growth at the Youngstown-Warren ...

Lawyers’ Fund awards $2,000 to past client of former area attorney

Local News September 19, 2026

Staff report The board of commissioners of the Lawyers’ fund for Client Protection reimbursed $96,262 to 12 victims of attorney theft at its September meeting, including $2,000 to a past client of former attorney Robert J. Rohrbaugh II of the Youngstown area. The former client was reimbursed for Rohrbaugh failing to provide the requested services, according to a press release from the Ohio Supreme Court. Rohrbaugh was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio on Oct. 29, 2024. Rohrbaugh had a law office on Belmont Avenue in Liberty and lived in the Youngstown area at ...

Canfield council prohibits horizontal drilling in city limits

Local News September 19, 2026

CANFIELD — City council passed an ordinance Wednesday that will prohibit horizontal drilling in city limits. Council President Christine Oliver asked city attorney Mark Fortunato to explain the ordinance. “We’ve had a struggle with fiber optics installers,” Fortunato said. “Under the Federal Communications Act, local authorities are limited to what they can and can’t do.” He said with recent disregard for safety issues, such as ignoring infrastructure and disruption to neighborhoods, the city wanted to take appropriate action to protect its residents. He added there is a ...