News

House: Border patrol can adopt shelter dogs

Local News September 18, 2026

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, to have U.S. Customs and Border Protection establish a pilot program to adopt dogs from animal shelters to be trained as part of its Support Canine Program. By a voice vote, the House approved the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love (PEARL) Act on Wednesday, its last day in session until after the Nov. 3 election. Pearl was the name of the CBP’s first therapy dog. The CBP in 2023 launched the Support Canine Program to improve staff morale, assist in grief, aid in trauma ...

McDonald passes 1-year moratorium on data centers

Local News September 17, 2026

McDONALD — While recent meetings have lasted for two or more hours, village council at a special meeting Wednesday took less than five minutes to approve an emergency ordinance placing a one-year moratorium on data centers in the village. Council voted 5-0 on the moratorium. Councilman ...

Fencing goes up around the main Kennedy Center building

National News September 17, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fencing went up Wednesday around the main Kennedy Center building, a day after the Trump-aligned board voted to close most of the performing arts center for repairs. A Democratic congresswoman who is a trustee quickly sought an emergency court hearing to prevent what she called the “unlawful closing.” The board’s vote on Tuesday came after a federal judge blocked the institution from returning President Donald Trump’s name to the building. The Republican president had said in a social media post that the closure was needed for safety repairs. But he said the ...

Liberty police respond to attempted catalytic converter theft

Local News September 17, 2026

LIBERTY — A search for two men who were attempting to steal from a local business Monday night ended because of environmental conditions. According to a police report, officers were called to The Nutrition Group on Belmont Avenue for a theft, and dispatchers said two individuals were trying to cut off catalytic converters and fled the scene. Officers were met by the caller, who said he saw two men, one wearing a hoodie and the other a long-sleeve T-shirt, around a white work van in the facility’s driveway, adding that he was working late and was leaving when he saw the ...

New law creates state defense and space commission

Local News September 17, 2026

Gov. Mike DeWine had a bill signing ceremony for a new law to create the Ohio Defense and Space Commission — legislation sponsored by state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles. The Monday ceremony follows DeWine officially signing the bill into law on July 7. Santucci said: “Ohio is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of American defense and aerospace innovation. This commission will bring together the right partners to compete for investment, grow advanced manufacturing, support our military installations and create good-paying jobs across our state.” The bill passed ...

Procurement day aimed at Valley business owners

Business September 17, 2026

The Connector, an event to help business owners navigate procurement and land contracts across government, healthcare, transportation and more, will take place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. YBI and the Youngstown/Warren Minority Business Assistance Center are presenting the gathering. The Connector is built around a simple idea: business owners already know how to run their operations, and procurement is the path to landing contracts with schools, cities and state organizations to do that same work at scale. The event is designed for ...