Local News

(WBRE/WYOU) — In a release, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning the public of criminal actors stealing the identities of U.S. taxpayers to file false tax returns and fraudulently claim refunds.

The FBI explains that over 1,000 complaints were received by the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center regarding identity theft in connection with tax returns within the past year, showing a 26% increase from the previous year.

MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Tuesday was supposed to be the home opener for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, but the game between them and the Rochester Red Wings has been postponed because of frozen field conditions.

Tickets for Mega Millions sees price increase

That would make the field unsafe for the players.

The Railriders and Red Wings will play a doubleheader on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m.

(WBRE/WYOU) — The Mega Millions ticket is going to cost you a little more the next time you play the big game.

Instead of $2, tickets will now cost $5 a piece.

The last time ticket prices went up was eight years ago when they increased from $1 to $2.

Game officials say the change means bigger prizes, better odds, and faster-growing jackpots.

The minimum payout will be $10 instead of $2 as it is now.

28/22 News visited Stroud Smoke Shop in Monroe County to see what people thought about the price increase.

THROOP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local college student is in the fight of his life, battling cancer. Lackawanna County residents are rallying around him as the 20-year-old is now in search of a blood stem cell donor.

All week long, there are swab events to help find a bone marrow match for Eddie Kaufman.

The 20-year-old Mid Valley alumnus has been battling leukemia since the fall.

28/22 News spoke with his dad and friends earlier Tuesday about Eddie's diagnosis and the race to find him a match.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The battle over filling the vacant Lackawanna County Commissioner seat is heating up as new legal arguments unfold.

The Lackawanna County Democratic Committee officially filed a legal response on Monday, claiming the county's home rule charter should determine how the seat is filled, not a Pennsylvania court rule from 2019.

The controversy began when former Commissioner Matt McGloin resigned, leaving nearly three years on his term.

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A nightclub was destroyed in an early morning fire in Luzerne County.

Crews were called to the Flow X Bar and Lounge on West Broad Street in Hazleton for an early morning blaze.

The building is still standing, but the windows are blown out.

Contractor sued for alleged ‘subpar’ work, violations

Flames erupted after 3:00 a.m. Tuesday.

A State Police Fire Marshal is investigating.

(WBRE/WYOU) — A man has been charged with homicide for his alleged involvement in an 18-month cold case where a teen's body was found in garbage bags along Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania.

State police say they have charged 52-year-old Davere Andre McClain, of Williamsport, with the killing and dismembering of 19-year-old Kevin Cagle after his body was discovered in garbage bags along Interstate 80.

In October 2023, a body was found in Liberty Township, later identified as Cagle from the Williamsport Area.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Mohegan Arena is set to go intergalactic as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are paying homage to a local, legendary UFO crash that was never confirmed.

It’s an invasion at Mohegan Arena where aliens are taking over, but they come in peace.

Making friends with Tux and taking part in the Wilkes-barre/Scranton Penguins’ third installment of its community theme night competing as the ‘Carbondale UFO’s’ Saturday.

(WBRE/WYOU) — The attorney general announced a lawsuit against a Monroe-County-based home improvement contractor who failed to complete jobs, among other offenses.

Jeffrey Romansky, of Jeff Romansky Construction, is alleged to have violated the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) after he performed subpar work or failed to complete jobs and required illegal down payments.

Several customers filed complaints claiming that Romansky's work was not completed or was "substandard."

DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a corrections officer at SCI Dallas was bringing drugs into the prison and was planning to do it again.

According to police, corrections officer Thomas Wren, 37, of Nanticoke delivered contraband in the form of controlled substances into SCI Dallas.

Man charged with rape of 8-year-old