(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that tonight through Friday night, weather permitting, overnight closures of the southbound Route 65 ramp to the southbound Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night, bridge deck and barrier repair work requiring the closure of the ramp that carries southbound Route 65 approach to the southbound Fort Duquesne Bridge will happen and the Allegheny Avenue/Ridge Avenue/Reedsdale Street ramps to the Fort Duquesne Bridge will close overnights.

The ramp from southbound I-279 (Parkway North) to the Fort Duquesne Bridge will also be closed on those nights. Traffic will be detoured and according to a release from PennDOT District 11, here is the detour route for this work:

Posted Detours

Southbound Route 65 to the Fort Duquesne Bridge

·       From southbound Route 65, take the ramp to South 19/51 toward the West End Bridge

·       Cross the West End Bridge

·       Continue straight onto southbound Route 19/51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard)

·       Take the ramp to West 376/South 19 toward Carnegie/Pittsburgh International Airport

·       Bear left toward South Truck 19/51 Uniontown

·       Stay left to East 376/South 51

·       Merge onto eastbound (inbound) I-376 (Parkway West)

·       Continue through the Fort Pitt Tunnel

·       End detour

Allegheny Avenue/Ridge Avenue to the Fort Duquesne Bridge

·       Take Ridge Avenue westbound

·       Ridge Avenue becomes Fulton Street

·       Turn left onto Western Avenue

·       Bear left toward South 19/51/North 65 West End Bridge/Ohio River Boulevard

·       Continue straight onto the West End Bridge

·       Cross the West End Bridge

·       Continue straight onto southbound Route 19/51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard)

·       Take the ramp to West 376/South 19 toward Carnegie/Pittsburgh International Airport

·       Bear left toward South Truck 19/51 Uniontown

·       Stay left to East 376/South 51

·       Merge onto eastbound (inbound) I-376 (Parkway West)

·       Continue through the Fort Pitt Tunnel

·       End detour

Reedsdale Street to the Fort Duquesne Bridge

·       Follow Reedsdale Street to Allegheny Avenue

·       Turn right onto Allegheny Avenue

·       Turn left onto Ridge Avenue

·       Ridge Avenue becomes Fulton Street

·       Turn left onto Western Avenue

·       Bear left toward South 19/51/North 65 West End Bridge/Ohio River Boulevard

·       Continue straight onto the West End Bridge

·       Cross the West End Bridge

·       Continue straight onto southbound Route 19/51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard)

·       Take the ramp to West 376/South 19 toward Carnegie/Pittsburgh International Airport

·       Bear left toward South Truck 19/51 Uniontown

·       Stay left to East 376/South 51

·       Merge onto eastbound (inbound) I-376 (Parkway West)

·       Continue through the Fort Pitt Tunnel

·       End detour

(File Photo of the AAA East Central Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) AAA is now projecting that 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period that begins on December 20th, 2025 and ending on January 1st, 2026. The travel forecast for this year is a 2.2% increase over 2024, surpassing the record of 119.7 million travelers from last year. According to a recent release in Pittsburgh today from AAA East Central, here is some more information about these holiday travel statistics:

Mid-Atlantic Region Year End Forecast Highlights:
*Region includes New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Method of Travel	Total Travelers	% Change from 2024
Automobile	12.4 million	+ 2.0%
Air travel	945,000	+ 1.6%
Other (bus, train, ship, etc.)	451,000	+ 11.8%
Region Total	13.8 million	+ 2.3%

Year-End Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car: AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for their year-end trips, an increase of 2% compared to last year. Driving is the overwhelming favorite among all modes of transportation because of its convenience and low cost. This year, 89% of holiday travelers will take road trips. Gas prices are lower compared to last holiday season when the national average was $3.04 to end 2024. For the first time in 4 years, the national average dropped below $3 a gallon this month.

With a record number of car travelers, AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety. December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month which serves as a timely reminder to make safe choices and stay vigilant. AAA and MADD encourage holiday travelers to plan safe rides home this holiday season during one of the most dangerous times of year on the road.

During 2024’s year-end holiday period, AAA responded to more than 860,000 emergency roadside assistance calls to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty fuel tanks. When AAA responds to those roadside emergencies, safety is a top priority. safe. Slow Down, Move Over means when there is a stopped vehicles on the side of the road, motorists should move over a lane if safe to do so, and reduce speed. That gives tow truck technicians, law enforcement officials, and other individuals room to complete their work safely.

For travelers who are renting cars, AAA car rental partner says December 20th is expected to be the busiest pick-up day. The top 5 markets with the highest demand are Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, and Phoenix. Small SUVs make up the most popular car rental class over the year-end holidays. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 1% more expensive this holiday season compared to last year.

By Air: AAA projects a record 8.03 million travelers taking domestic flights this holiday season, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. This will be the first time on record that the number of domestic air travelers over the year-end holiday period exceeds 8 million.

According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their holiday trips, a roundtrip domestic flight is 7% more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket. The days leading up to Christmas Day are the most expensive, while flying on the holiday itself is cheaper. New Year’s flights are also pricey with many people returning home on New Year’s Day or even squeezing one extra weekend out of the holiday season and coming back on Sunday, January 4.

By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 9% with 4.9 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise. This category has seen a 25% increase since 2019, mainly due to the record-setting demand for cruises post-pandemic.

AAA’s Year-End Top Destinations

The top holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data for the year-end travel period. Warm destinations dominate the domestic side with travelers heading to Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii. Caribbean destinations and resort towns in Mexico are also popular to celebrate the year-end holidays and ring in 2026.

RANKING	DOMESTIC	INTERNATIONAL/CARIBBEAN
1	ORLANDO	CANCUN, MEXICO
2	FORT LAUDERDALE	PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
3	MIAMI	COZUMEL, MEXICO
4	ANAHEIM/LA	SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
5	HONOLULU	PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
6	TAMPA	SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
7	NEW YORK CITY	NASSAU, BAHAMAS
8	MAUI	ROME, ITALY
9	DALLAS/FORT WORTH	ORANJESTAD, ARUBA
10	LAS VEGAS	SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Christmas week to be busier on the roads than New Year’s week, but both weeks will see days of increased traffic. Interstates will be extra congested the weekend before Christmas, as travelers hit the road on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the holiday. Friday, December 26 is also expected to be busy as travelers make moves post-Christmas Day. Because the year-end holiday travel period spans a longer time frame, travelers have more options for departures and returns. The holidays themselves – Christmas and New Year’s Day – are typically the lightest traffic-wise but remember crashes or severe weather could create unexpected delays.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car
Date		Worst Travel Time			Best Travel Time
Saturday, Dec 20		12:00 PM – 8:00 PM			After 9:00 PM
Sunday, Dec 21		1:00 PM – 7:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM
Monday, Dec 22		1:00 PM – 7:00 PM			Before 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Dec 23		1:00 PM – 7:00 PM			Before 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Dec 24		Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
Thursday, Dec 25		Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
Friday, Dec 26		11:00 AM – 8:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM
Saturday, Dec 27		11:00 AM – 8:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM
Sunday, Dec 28		11:00 AM – 8:00 PM			Before 11:00 AM
Monday, Dec 29		12:00 PM – 8:00 PM			Before 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Dec 30		12:00 PM – 7:00 PM			Before 10:00 AM
Wednesday, Dec 31		Minimal Traffic Impact Expected
Thursday, Jan 1		Minimal Traffic Impact Expected

SOURCE: INRIX

 

Holiday Travel Forecast Methodology

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

Historical travel volume estimates come from MMGY’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. MMGY contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, and forecast U.S. travel behavior, all after the trips have been taken.

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was finalized the week of November 17th, 2025.

Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.

INRIX Methodology

INRIX blends statistically grounded models with real-world road behavior to forecast travel conditions on the most heavily traveled routes across the U.S. during peak holiday periods. INRIX’s holiday traffic forecast combines pre-selected high-impact travel routes, rich multi-source traffic data, and a statistically robust linear regression model to generate detailed, time-specific travel delay predictions. INRIX’s data sources include a wide array of vehicle-based and infrastructure-based inputs. These include connected vehicle GPS data, mobile apps and navigation services, roadside sensors and cameras, and commercial fleet telematics. With expansive coverage, high temporal resolution, and historical context, this forecasting process provides essential insights for travelers, media, and agencies alike.

Year-End Holiday Travel Period

AAA’s year-end holiday travel period always includes two weekends. This year, that travel window is defined as the thirteen-day period from Saturday, December 20 to Thursday, January 1st.

(File Photo of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg today from Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office, Sunday is advising Pennsylvanians considering a pet as a gift this holiday season to be aware of deceptive pet-sale practices and predatory financing schemes. Consumers should consider potential risks when shopping for a dog online or at a store, as their pet of choice may not actually exist or may be sourced from a puppy mill, facilities known for poor conditions and chronic health issues.
These situations can leave new dog owners facing unexpected financial burdens, including high-interest debt, veterinary expenses, and even the loss or severe illness of their new pet. “We are offering this advice so no one has to deal with the immediate loss of a pet, or encounter unexpected costs related to financing,” Attorney General Sunday said. “As a pet owner myself, I can’t imagine the heartbreak my family and I would feel if this happened to us. Don’t allow your holiday to be spoiled by misleading promises about a potential pet for your family.”

Indicators of potential scams may include:

• Offering puppies for thousands of dollars with high-interest loans.
• Requesting payment online or through apps before providing the puppy.
• Refusing to share breeder names, credentials or vaccination records.
• Selling puppies that are already ill or underage.

Consumers considering a new dog or cat are encouraged to:

• Explore breed-specific rescue groups if seeking a particular breed.
• If purchasing directly from a breeder, request to meet the mother of the puppy or kitten. The mother should appear healthy, clean and alert.

“Puppy mills keep dogs in poor conditions, so don’t be fooled by adorable photos or vague promises of responsible breeders,” Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director of the Humane World for Animals, said. “Consider your local shelter or rescue – many pets would love to start the new year in a loving home.”
Consumers seeking more information about safe pet sourcing can contact Humane World for Animals at Puppy buyer complaint form | Humane World for Animals by clicking here.
Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a pet scam or predatory pet financing scheme should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General at Puppy Lemon Law – PA Office of Attorney General by clicking here.

(File Photo of the Vanport Bridge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Vanport, PA) PennDOT crews will now be closing one lane on the I-376 Vanport Bridge as they install containment structures so steel workers can make repairs in the spring for about a month or so. According to PennDOT, there will be work in the westbound lanes daily from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., and one lane eastbound will be closed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The preparation work should be finished next month as long as the weather permits.

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning at 10 a.m. at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver. The main topic that took up most of the meeting was when the Director and Recycling Coordinator of the Beaver County Department of Sustainibility and Waste Management, Becca Naber, mentioned that three landfills missed the deadline of about a month ago when Beaver County “closed their request for proposals for landfills for disposal capacity for all of Beaver County’s residents.” during the department head report of the session. These landfills that did not make the deadline were facilities that were associated with Brunner Disposal, Republic Services, and Waste Management’s (WM) backup facilities. Brunner Disposal and Republic Services did not submit to be part of Beaver County’s disposal plan and WM did not include their backup facilities. WM was required to do that in case there happened to be a closure and the refuse of Beaver County could not be delivered to their facility. Naber also asked the Commissioners if there could be a petitioning process that would be issued to contact all three of these companies and petition to be part of Beaver County’s disposal plan. Naber also noted that the Beaver County Recycling Center will be closed on Christmas Eve of 2025, Wednesday, December 24th, as well as Thursday December 25th and Friday December 26th of 2025, and January 1st, 2026. In other business, one of the things that Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning mentioned was that the project for the Aviation Sciences building at the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is almost complete. However, Manning mentioned that federal funds are still needed for a tower there to complete the project. Manning also expressed that the airport at CCBC is the third busiest airport in the state of Pennsylvania in terms of takeoffs and landings for its activity annually. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles also noted that the Parking Garage at the Beaver County Courthouse is currently open to the public. Adam Tipko, the new executive director of the Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS), was also introduced at the session by Debbie Glasser, the Board Chair of the BCHS.

(File Photo of Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington, PA) A fire occurred at a Beaver County salvage yard this morning. According to emergency dispatchers, the fire broke out around 8:03 a.m. at Brickyard Auto Parts in Darlington. Photos sent to WPXI showed heavy smoke coming from the area. 911 confirms that no injuries have been reported at this time. The cause of this fire is unknown at this time. This is the second fire that has happened at Brickyard Auto Parts in under a month as a fire broke out there on November 17th, 2025.

(File Photo of the Allegheny Health Network Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute announced its 2026 Saturday cancer screening schedule today, which is designed to empower patients with accessible, convenient and vital tools for early prevention and detection. Patients can receive several different cancer screening tests for these types of cancer: breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, lung, prostate and skin. According to a release in Pittsburgh from Allegheny Health Network today, here is some more information about these screenings:

• Weekly Comprehensive Clinics: Offering one-on-one personalized cancer screenings by appointment Monday through Friday at AHN Cancer Institute – Jefferson, AHN Cancer Institute – Forbes, and AHN Cancer Institute – West Penn.
• Monthly Saturday Cancer Screenings: For those whose weekday commitments make appointments difficult, these popular monthly Saturday events bring screenings to various locations across Western Pennsylvania. Registration for Saturday clinics opens approximately one month before the event date and fills up quickly.
  • January 10th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – West Penn
  • Febuary 7th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Allegheny Valley
  • March 7th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Allegheny General
  • April 18th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Forbes
  • May 16th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Saint Vincent (Erie)
  • June 13th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – West Penn
  • July 18th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Jefferson
  • August 15th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Allegheny General
  • September 12th, 2026 – AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion
  • October 17th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Saint Vincent (Erie)
  • November 7th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Grove City
  • December 5th, 2026 – AHN Cancer Institute – Hempfield

 

• Registration is now open for the first Saturday clinic of 2026, set for January 10th, 2026, at the AHN Cancer Institute – West Penn, located at 4815 Liberty Avenue, Suite 340, Pittsburgh.
• To schedule an appointment for either the weekday or Saturday cancer screening events, patients in Pittsburgh can call (412) 359-6665.

(File Photo of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg today from Pennsylvania State Representative Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Kail announced that he will host two more in-person town halls in the 15th District to discuss issues impacting both the region and Pennsylvania. Kail will have his next town hall on Monday, December 15th, from 5-6 p.m., at the Burgettstown Senior Center in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. The final town hall that Kail will have this year will be on Thursday, December 18th, from 5-6 p.m., at the Independence Township (Beaver County) Community Center, 116 School Road, Aliquippa. Kail also noted that pizza will be served and attendees to come with concerns, questions, ideas and appetites. Anyone that has questions is asked to contact the Vanport Township district office of Kail by calling 724-728-7655.