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ACLU sues Pennsylvania county over rejected mail-in ballots

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ACLU sues Pennsylvania county over rejected mail-in ballots

The American Civil Liberties Union says it has filed a lawsuit against Washington County in Pennsylvania, alleging that 259 eligible voters have been “disenfranchised” after not being informed of errors that disqualified their presidential primary mail-in ballots. 

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of seven voters, the Washington Branch NAACP and the Center for Coalfield Justice – an environmental group – comes following the Washington County Board of Elections’ “decision before the 2024 primary election to conceal from voters errors they had made on their mail ballot return envelopes that meant their votes would not be counted,” according to the ACLU. 

“Because the voters were not informed of the errors, they had no opportunity to correct them by either requesting a new mail ballot or by voting a provisional ballot at their polling place,” the ACLU said in a statement. 

A spokesperson for Washington County did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday from Fox News Digital. 

ARIZONA ELECTION WORKER SEEN STEALING FROM SENATE SECURITY DESK A DAY BEFORE ELECTION CENTER THEFT, OFFICIALS SAY

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An election worker flattens ballots during the Pennsylvania primary election at the City of Philadelphia’s Election Warehouse in 2024. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The lawsuit, filed in Washington County’s Court of Common Pleas, says the case is “about fundamentally unfair and egregious conduct by the Washington County Board of Elections that rises to the level of a procedural due process violation of the Pennsylvania Constitution.” 

“In April 2024, the Washington County Board of Elections voted 2-1 to adopt a mail-in voting policy that deliberately concealed information about which voters had made disqualifying errors on their mail-in ballot envelopes,” it says. “The Board’s decision was a complete reversal of its prior policy of notifying voters of ballot envelope mistakes – such as missing signatures or incomplete dates – and providing them with an opportunity to correct those errors.” 

“Instead, in the weeks leading up to the April 2024 election, the Board determined which mail-in ballots would not be counted, and then implemented a systematic process to keep that information from voters and the public, in many cases affirmatively misleading voters into thinking that their mail-in ballots would be counted,” the lawsuit continues. 

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CALIFORNIA CITY KEEPS CONTROVERSIAL LANGUAGE ON BALLOT MEASURE FOR NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE 

The logo of the American Civil Liberties Union (Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images)

It alleges that the Board “deliberately entered information into Pennsylvania’s Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (“SURE”) system that made it appear as if the Board had accepted the defective mail ballots, when in fact the Board had already set them aside and was planning to not count them” and then “instructed its election office staff not to provide any information to voters who inquired about the status of their mail-in ballot, including whether they had made errors that would prevent their vote from being counted.” 

The ACLU is alleging 259 voters in Washington County have been “disenfranchised” because of the way their primary ballots were handled. President Biden and former President Trump are seen debating last week in Georgia. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

 

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The ACLU says the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit are seeking a court order for the county to stop “conceal[ing] information about voters’ errors on their mail-in ballot return packets,” and enter the appropriate data in future elections into the state’s system “that will allow voters to be automatically notified about disqualifying mistakes related to their mail-in ballot prior to Election Day.” 

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Steelers get injury updates on five players, including ascending pass rusher

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Pittsburgh Steelers get injury updates on five players, including ascending pass rusher


The Pittsburgh Steelers got some injury updates on Tuesday courtesy of head coach Mike Tomlin, with the most promising one being that pass rusher Nick Herbig should return this week against the Cleveland Browns.

Herbig suffered a hamstring injury against the Miami Dolphins and practiced late last week but could not make the final push to suit up against the Lions.

Meanwhile, four other players are working through soft tissue injuries as well. Cornerback James Pierre has a calf issue that has kept him out of the last two games, but he went through a workout on Tuesday and that could get him back on the practice field.

Tomlin seemed optimistic that Pierre would return to practice this week. He did not give the same level of optimism to guard Isaac Seumalo, who is still battling through a triceps injury.

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Seumalo missed last week after not practicing, and could be out for another game if he can not practice. Spencer Anderson, his backup, will be limited after getting banged-up against the Lions.

Wide receiver Calvin Austin III has a hamstring strain that Tomlin said will leave as questionable this week, and will likely limit him early in the practice week. The same can be said for slot cornerback Brandin Echols, who is battling a groin injury.



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Connecticut

Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend

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Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend


CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.

In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.

Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.

For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.

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Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.

As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.

For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.

Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.

Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.

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Maine

York and Kittery resolve ‘border war’ dating back centuries

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York and Kittery resolve ‘border war’ dating back centuries


A long-running border dispute between Kittery and York over land along Route 1 has been resolved, officials from both towns say. The “border war” — which was lighthearted at first but later became more serious after York filed a lawsuit against its neighbor — dates back to maps drawn in the 1600s. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)

Maine’s two oldest towns, Kittery and York, have resolved a centuries-old dispute over their borders.

The issue dates back to the 1600s but reemerged a few years ago after a land developer purchased a parcel of land along Route 1 that straddles the boundary between the two towns.

York officials contended the border was a straight line, while Kittery argued that the divide meandered eastward from neighboring Eliot to Brave Boat Harbor on the coast.

The dispute between the two towns remained friendly — with residents of both towns making tongue-in-cheek references to a “border war” — until 2022, when York filed a lawsuit against Kittery in an effort to redraw the border. But the lawsuit was soon dismissed by a York County judge.

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Now, over three and a half years later, the two towns have reached an agreement on a new boundary that the Maine Legislature is expected to officially approve in 2026.

The revised boundary was drawn up after a 2024 survey, the cost of which was split by both towns.

The proposed agreement follows roughly the same border both towns had been using, save for an added 4 acres of land designated for tree growth that will officially shift from York to Kittery.

York Town Manager Peter Thompson said officials are thrilled to have finally reached an agreement.

“ People that have been at this a lot longer than I have are very happy that this is kind of the last piece,” he said.

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Kittery Town Council Chair Judy Spiller likewise said she is pleased to put the dispute to bed.

“It was our belief that we could sit down and sort this out,” she said. “Finally, the Select Board agreed with us that we should get the land surveyed, and then based on the results of the survey, we would ask the state Legislature to approve the new boundary line.”

The dispute initially arose in 2020 after a survey paid for by the developer indicated the true border was actually 333 feet south of the border both towns had been observing for much of their history.

York officials said a straight-line border had been established in 1652. Kittery disagreed and argued that the process to change the border would be an expensive and complicated one that could affect several families and businesses.

In 2020, Spiller defended the boundary line the towns had been following in a letter to the York Selectboard.

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“In any event, the Town of Kittery will vigorously protect and defend her borders against any and all claims now, or in the future,” she wrote.

While any boundary change would not have altered property ownership, some officials feared it could prompt major changes to affected residents’ taxes and where they would send their children to school.

But the final agreement will have limited impact, officials from both towns said.

The 4 acres that are changing hands are wooded wetlands that won’t be developed.

And Thompson said the taxes for the affected property owners will only increase by a dollar or two.

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Considering Kittery and York’s friendly histories with each other, Thompson said he’s glad the neighbors have finally put an end to the dispute.

“ The people of Kittery were great to work with,” he said. “Once we got over the initial rough patch there, it’s been fantastic.”



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