Protests in Iran enter their second week, fueled by economic hardship and high inflation. Videos depict large crowds and fires, while the Iranian government restricts internet and phone access. The death toll rises, and the U.S. expresses support for the protesters, with President Trump issuing strong warnings to Iranian leadership and promoting the 'Make Iran Great Again' slogan.
by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News DeskIn this frame grab from video taken by an individual not employed by The Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows a fire as people protest in Tehran, Iran , Friday, Jan.
9, 2026. Protests in Iran reached a second week on Saturday, with video on social media showing huge crowds accompanied by massive flames and plumes of smoke -- without any apparent response from the military or police. Iran remained isolated from the rest of the world, as the nation's theocracy shut down the internet and cut off phone lines as demonstrators raged against economic hardship and high inflation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei signaled a coming clampdown in the face of U.S. warnings. He also said President Donald Trump's hands are "stained with the blood of Iranians."The death toll during the protests, which started in late December, ballooned to at least 65. Upwards of 2,300 others were detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Trump said Iran's "in big trouble," adding that the U.S. is watching the situation "very carefully" and closely. "It looks to me to that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago," Trump said during an unrelated news conference on Friday. "I made this statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We will be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn’t mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts," he said. I just hope the protestors are going to be safe because it's a very dangerous place right now," he added. "And again, I tell the Iranian leaders you better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting, too.""It's an amazing thing to watch. They've done a bad job. They've treated their people very badly and now they're being paid back, so let's see what happens," he said.In a separate social media post, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said "the United States supports the brave people of Iran." "Do not play games with President Trump," the post noted. "When he says he’ll do something, he means it.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican who represents South Carolina, praised Trump and Rubio for supporting Iranians. Graham's post on X included a photo of him and Trump. It showed Graham giving a thumbs up and the president holding a hat with the slogan "Make Iran Great Again." The slogan is a play on Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign. "I am so proud of @POTUS and @SecRubio for being in the corner of the people of Iran and their protests against oppression,". "The Make Iran Great Again hat that I showcased with President Trump has clearly become -- in his own words now -- a symbol of support for the protestors. Buy or make a MIGA hat -- stand with the people of Iran who are rightly protesting against their oppression. Make Iran Great Again."The local man arrested for allegedly stealing human remains from a PA cemetery also admitted to selling some of the remains, according to search warrants.12 crews are on scene of a fire in Hanover on York Street.Dispatch confirmed that EMS has been dispatched but there are no reported injuries at this time.PA Lottery ticket worth $1 million sold in Dauphin County A Pennsylvania Lottery retailer in Harrisburg sold a $1 million dollar Merry Money Match Scratch-Off ticket.Trevor Pool, who lives in Williamsport, said he became close friends with Jonathan Gerlach through the music scene. "Good people can do bad things," he said.
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