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Blanche wins support for attorney general from GOP Sen. Cassidy

National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said on Friday that he will back Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche’s confirmation to lead President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor after Blanche’s confirmation was thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Cassidy said Blanche “is not perfect,” citing concerns over a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, a tax ...

Rapist to get parole hearing

Local News

Staff report WARREN — A woman serving a 15-years-to-life prison sentence for the rape of an 8-month-old girl that was captured on her own cellphone is eligible for parole for the first time this month and Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins penned an 11-page letter earlier this week asking the parole board to deny it. The letter was cowritten by Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman, who focuses on the prosecution of child sex and child pornography crimes as part of the Child Assault Division of the prosecutor’s office. Felicia Banks Beemer, now 36, was ...

2026 NISMO will have you seeing red

Business News

Razzle dazzle looks great on small sport’s cars. Take the Nissan Z — a powerful rear wheel drive that’s been all the rage for more than 50 years. Four years ago, the two-seater took on the NISMO badge making an already quick car more so. The motorsports division of Nissan added a ...

Liberty death probe continues

Local News

LIBERTY — A death under investigation by the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office and the police department continues to be under investigation, but more details were released Friday. According to a news release, officers responded to Churchill Park around 12:45 p.m. Thursday after reports of an unresponsive man, and upon arrival, found a dead man with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Based on the preliminary investigation, no foul play is suspected and there isn’t any threat to the community, but detectives continue to investigate the incident’s circumstances, ...

Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill

National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate overwhelmingly approved a punishing Russian sanctions package Friday, the result of a yearlong campaign by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine and try to force President Vladimir Putin’s hand as the grinding war drags on. The bipartisan legislation, which passed 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports seeking to deprive Putin of revenues fueling the war. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol last week following Graham’s funeral, met with ...

Mortgage rates rise to levels not seen since 2025 for second straight week

National News

CHICAGO — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose for a fifth consecutive week to its highest level in just over a year, marking the latest strain for prospective homebuyers who are facing steep borrowing costs. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.69%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday, up slightly from 6.66% reported last week. By comparison, the average rate was 6.63% at this time last year — and hadn't been higher than its current level since late July in 2025. Higher mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, ...