News

Job openings stayed at a surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May

Business July 1, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings stayed at a surprisingly strong 7.6 million in May as the American labor market remains resilient in the face of the economic shock from the Iran war. Forecasters had expected employers to post just 7 million openings in May. The job market is sturdy but not exactly booming. Layoffs rose in May, and the number of people quitting their jobs — a sign of confidence in their prospects — ticked up only slightly. That’s according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Tuesday. Employers are advertising openings, but they aren’t ...

Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship

National News July 1, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. By a 6-3 vote, the court struck down Trump’s order. A bare majority of five justices, in an opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, held that the long-settled understanding of the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, makes a citizen of anyone born in the country, with very limited ...

Second man charged in February shooting death had hearing Tuesday

Local News July 1, 2026

Staff report WARREN —The attorneys in the Willis L. Smith murder case met with Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Wescott Tuesday to discuss the status of the case, resulting in another hearing being set for 11 a.m. July 7. The parties discussed the case, including plea negotiations, but Smith was not brought to the courthouse to attend the hearing in person. Smith, 18, is indicted on aggravated murder with a gun specification and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors say the actions of Smith and co-defendant Ashaud Johnson, 19, resulted in the death of Da’Mar ...

Howland school board approves contracts

Local News July 1, 2026

HOWLAND — The district locked in a pair of administrative positions Monday, as one employee is moving up and another is being brought back on a new contract. The Howland Board of Education approved granting Erin Pierce a three-year limited contract as principal of Howland Springs Primary School, effective Aug. 1, 2026, to July 31, 2029. Pierce, the district’s supervisor of curriculum and instruction, will replace Carl Clark, who spent 18 years with the district and had his retirement resignation accepted at a March meeting, which is officially effective Tuesday. The board ...

America grew with and through innovation

Local News July 1, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week marks the final chapter in our three-month series of exploring America at 250 years old through the lens of some of the most important national events that took place in our communities. We enjoyed presenting these important slices of American history — and hope you’ve appreciated them (and learned from them) as well. As we prepare for the semiquincentennial, we urge each of you to get involved in helping make our nation great for another 250 years. The way we build things, the way we travel, the way we protect ourselves, the way we are able to save and ...

Fourth of July events abound in Valley

Community News July 1, 2026

Staff report A variety of events are taking place throughout the Mahoning Valley to celebrate Independence Day and the nation’s 250th birthday. They include: FRIDAY CANFIELD — There will be a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Gates open at 5 p.m. with live entertainment, concessions and activities for children. MESOPOTAMIA — The Mesopotamia Ox Roast will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday at the township center at state Routes 87 and 534. More than 160 dealers and live entertainment, as well as the famous roast beef sandwiches, will be featured. ...