Trump administration threatens no back pay for federal workers in shutdown

(File Photo: Source for Photo: The Capitol is illuminated at dawn in Washington, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration warned on Tuesday of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a government shutdown, reversing what has been long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees, according to a memo being circulated by the White House.

Trump signed into law after the longest government shutdown in 2019 legislation that ensures federal workers receive back pay during any federal funding lapse. But in the new memo, his Office of Management and Budget says back pay must be provided by Congress, if it chooses to do so, as part of any bill to fund the government.

The move by the Republican administration was widely seen as a strong-arm tactic — a way to pressure lawmakers to reopen the government, now in the seventh day of a shutdown.

“There are some people that don’t deserve to be taken care of, and we’ll take care of them in a different way,” Trump said during an event at the White House.

He said back pay “depends on who we’re talking about.”

Refusing retroactive pay to the workers, some of whom must remain on the job as essential employees, would be a stark departure from norms and practices and almost certainly would be met with legal action.

While federal workers — as well as service members of the military — have often missed paychecks during past shutdowns, they are almost always reimbursed once the government reopens.

“That should turn up the urgency and the necessity of the Democrats doing the right thing here,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a press conference at the Capitol.

Johnson, a lawyer, said he hadn’t fully read the memo but “there are some legal analysts who are saying” that it may not be necessary or appropriate to repay the federal workers.

But Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington blasted the Trump administration as defying the law.

“Another baseless attempt to try and scare & intimidate workers by an administration run by crooks and cowards,” said Murray, who is the ranking lawmaker on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “The letter of the law is as plain as can be — federal workers, including furloughed workers, are entitled to their backpay following a shutdown.”

Asked a second time about backpay for furloughed federal workers given that the requirement is spelled out in law, Trump said: “I follow the law, and what the law says is correct.”

In a single-page memo from Trump’s Office of Management and Budget under Russ Vought, first reported by Axios, the office’s general counsel seeks to lay out a legal rationale for no back pay of federal workers.

The memo explains that while the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 says workers shall be paid after federal funding is restored, it argues the action is not self-executing. Instead, the memo says, repaying the federal workers would have to be part of legislation to reopen the government.

The OMB analysis draws on language familiar to budget experts by suggesting that the 2019 bill created an authorization to pay the federal workers but not the actual appropriation.

Congress, it says, is able to decide whether it wants to pay the workers or not.

For now, Congress remains at a standstill, with neither side — nor the White House — appearing willing to budge. Democrats are fighting for health care funds to prevent a lapse in federal subsidies that threaten to send insurance rates skyrocketing. Republicans say the issue can be dealt with later.

Cody Johnson postpones tour dates including Pittsburgh

By Scott Tady
PITTSBURGH — Due to health issues, country music star Cody Johnson postponed his remaining 2025 tour dates including an Oct. 18 headlining show scheduled for PPG Paints Arena.

“It is with a very heavy heart I have to share the remainder of this year’s concert performances will not be able to happen,” Johnson shared in a statement Tuesday. “While battling a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection, I burst my ear drum. The severity of the rupture means I must undergo immediate surgery. The healing process will take many weeks and it is not possible for me to sing during this time.”

Johnson, a Country Music Association Entertainer of The Year nominee, and reigning “Song of The Year” winner in the Academy of Country Music Awards (for “Dirt Cheap”) added, “Without the surgery my downtime could be months. I pray for full healing so I can get well and return to doing what I love. Thank you COJO Nation for the love and support, now, and always.”

Pittsburgh ticket holders received an email saying “your event has been postponed” and that their tickets are still valid for any makeup date. “The event organizer is still trying to reschedule your event. If they do, your tickets will remain good for the rescheduled date.”

Shapiro Administration Expands Statewide Truck Parking Options in Pennsylvania for the First Time in Decades

(Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Newberry Township, PA) PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) and Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association officials announced yesterday in Newberry Township that Pennsylvania is adding 1,202 parking locations for trucks in 133 locations by the end of 2026. This is the first expansion of designated parking spaces statewide other than through facility construction projects and will provide options that are safe for commercial drivers to meet federal hours-of-service rest requirements, which will both assist on this longstanding challenge nationwide and make safety for drivers better. The establishment of designated truck parking spots from PennDOT will occur on Interstate on-ramps with no safety concerns or sight distance, weigh stations used for motor carrier safety enforcement from the Pennsylvania State Police and various other locations within the right of way for highways. Sites that can be designated both cost-effectively and quickly were identified because of a close collaboration between staff of PennDOT and the PSP and spots will be marked with signage for truck-parking, which will be installed by PennDOT. According to PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll: “Truck parking is a nationwide issue, and with the high volume of freight traffic coming through Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem. As a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce. By adding these spots – and looking at ways to add even more – we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.”

Meeting will determine the fate of the Pittsburgh International Race Complex

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Pitt Race International)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington, PA) There will be a borough meeting tonight at the Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Department in Darlington at 6 p.m. to determine the fate of the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum because it will close for its final season on November 9th, 2025. It is unknown at this time if that raceway will be bought out after its owners, Jim and Kathy Stout, will get ready to step away from owning that raceway after much thought. According to a release from Pitt Race International, it was recently announced that this season of the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, or Pitt Race, will be its final season. You can also go to savepittrace.org to sign a petition to support the raceway, volunteer to help out with it and email several Pennsylvania officials about it. These officials that you can email are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senator John Fetterman, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio and Pennsylvania State Representative Roman Kozak.

Pennsylvania lawmaker makes upcoming legislation that goes against attempts to criminalize the homeless

(File Photo: Source for Photo: With Fruitdale Elementary School in the background, a homeless man adjusts his shoe at Fruitdale Park, March 23, 2024, in Grants Pass, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lancaster County, PA) A Pennsylvania lawmaker recently made an upcoming legislation that goes against attempts to criminalize the homeless. Lancaster County Democratic Pennsylvania Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El described in a memo on Thursday that rules have been adopted by many communities across the nation that punish individuals that are homeless just because they do not have shelter and he stated in it: “Criminalizing individuals or families for being homeless is needlessly cruel and undermines the guiding morals of our society. As servants of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every resident of the Commonwealth has the ability to provide for themselves and their loved ones as best they can.” Smith-Wade-El confirmed that the “Shelter First for Pennsylvanians Experiencing Homelessness Act” is what his legislation will be called. This bill specifies that homeless people are allowed to use public spaces for vital activities when those people do not have options for accessing housing.

Water cremation legalization bill introduced by Pennsylvania lawmakers

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Philadelphia, PA) Two Pennsylvania lawmakers have recently introduced a bill to legalize water cremation in the state. Water cremation, known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a cremation process that is an environmentally friendly alternative process for cremation that uses water, heat and alkali to break a body down into its basic components. Democratic Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabb of Philadelphia co-sponsored a bill authorizing the use of water cremations of Pennsylvania, which passed in the Pennsylvania state House with bipartisan support. Republican Pennsylvania Representative Abby Major of Armstrong and Westmoreland counties is the primary co-sponsor for Rabb’s bill. Rabb is also a funeral director. According to the Cremation Association of North America, Pennsylvania could be the 26th state to legalize the procedure of aquamation.

FBI agents apprehend New York man for defrauding an Allegheny County man of $130,000

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) FBI agents recently apprehended a man from New York for allegedly defrauding a seventy-six-year-old man in Springdale Township of $130,000. Zhudi Chen faces charges of financial exploitation of an older adult and theft. According to the criminal complaint, the victim was contacted by scammers claiming to be investigating fraud at PNC Bank. Police confirmed that the victim was told by the scammers that he needed to liquidate his brokerage account to catch the suspect who had its access, which resulted in a $130,000 loss. The victim reported the fraud to the police in late September and shortly following, the scammers made a request to the victim to get over $103,000 in gold. The criminal complaint notes that FBI agents arrested Chen when he arrived at the house at the victim to collect the gold after an undercover operation and that Chen related to officers that he illegally crossed the border and had been apprehended previously by Homeland Security Investigations. Police stated that Chen has no ties to the Pittsburgh area or the victim. Chen is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

Route 2004 Freedom Crider Road Lane Restrictions Underway in New Sewickley Township

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that single-lane restrictions are underway on Freedom Crider Road (Route 2004) in New Sewickley Township. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Tuesday, October 21st, lane restrictions will occur on Freedom Crider Road between Baker Road and Wolf Run Road as crews will conduct drainage and roadway repair work there.

The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is hosting their Safe Surrender Day in Rochester to resolve outstanding Beaver County warrants

(File Photo of a Beaver County Sheriff’s Office Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Rochester BCTA station will host the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office’s Safe Surrender Day today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The purpose of this event is to resolve outstanding Beaver County warrants. You can also come to this event to re-establish bail, establish payment plans for costs and fines, reschedule hearing dates and to connect with resources in the community of Beaver County. You can also call the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division to determine if you have a warrant or to determine if that warrant is eligible for this event at 724-378-9063.

SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Pennsylvania Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Jefferson Apartment Complex Building Fire

(Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Safety)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release on September 24th, 2025 from the U.S. Small Business Administration, (SBA), the SBA announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Pennsylvania businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the Jefferson Apartment Complex Building Fire in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on September 9th, 2025. Beaver County and Allegheny County are two of six Pennsylvania counties to be eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and SBA physical damage loans. The other counties that are eligible for these loans are Armstrong, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties. You can also visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center of Allegheny County, which is the Frick Environmental Center in Pittsburgh from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from today through Thursday. That center’s last day open will be on Friday and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. You can schedule an appointment in advance there online at appointment.sba.gov even though walk-ins are accepted. You can visit sba.gov/disaster to apply for a loan online. You can also call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for any help you need about these loans. November 21st, 2025 is the filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage and June 22nd, 2026 is the deadline to return economic injury applications.