( File photo)

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for May 2025.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 3.9 percent in May. The Commonwealth’s rate remained below the U.S. unemployment rate which was also unchanged over the month at 4.2 percent.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point above the May 2024 level of 3.6 percent, mirroring the US rate increase from last May.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 4,000 over the month to 6,545,000 in May. Employment, down 6,000 from April, drove the decline while unemployment rose 2,000 over the month.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 2,000 over the month to 6,223,400 in May, the 13^th consecutive record high. Jobs increased from April in four of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest movement was in leisure & hospitality, which added 2,500 jobs over the month. Leisure & hospitality and other services rose to record high levels in May.

Over the year, jobs were up 89,200 with gains in seven of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+46,300) had the largest volume increase since May 2024.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. May 2025 data are preliminary and subject to revision

(Graphic provided with release)

Commission Shares Summer Safety and #SaveInPA Energy Tips Amid Hot Weather and Ongoing Outage Response in Southeastern Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG – As summer officially begins in Pennsylvania with the arrival of a heat wave that is expected to extend through next week, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reminding residents of helpful #WaysToStayCool and #SaveInPA – offering practical tips to stay safe, conserve energy, and manage household utility bills.
At the same time, the PUC acknowledges the ongoing impact of severe storms that swept across southeastern Pennsylvania yesterday, leaving approximately 156,000 homes and businesses without power as of this morning (down from a peak of 275,000 at the height of the storms). The Commission is working closely with affected utilities and state agencies to ensure the continued restoration of service.

Supporting Recovery While Promoting Summer Safety

The current extreme heat creates additional challenges for households still without electric service, especially those with vulnerable family members.

Utilities are prioritizing restoration to critical facilities and large population areas and deploying all available resources to complete repairs as safely and quickly as possible.

The PUC urges everyone to stay alert, stay informed, and check in on neighbors, particularly older adults or those with medical conditions, as restoration efforts continue and temperatures rise.

#WaysToStayCool

Simple steps can make a big difference in staying safe and comfortable during hot weather, even with limited use of air conditioning:

• Use Fans – Fans create airflow that can help you feel several degrees cooler without lowering your thermostat.
• Follow the Shade – Spend time in rooms that stay cooler and avoid direct sunlight.
• Block the Heat – Use curtains or blinds during the sunniest hours to reduce indoor temperatures.
• Skip the Heat – Delay use of stoves, dryers, and dishwashers until cooler hours to avoid generating unnecessary heat.
• Grill or Chill – Use outdoor grills or microwaves instead of ovens to reduce indoor heat buildup.

#SaveInPA – Ways to Conserve and Save on Energy

Energy efficiency can also reduce stress on the grid while lowering summer bills:

• Adjust the Thermostat – Raising your thermostat just a few degrees can reduce cooling costs by several percent.

• Clean is “Green” – Replace or clean A/C filters regularly and keep vents unblocked to ensure good airflow.

• Turn It Off – Switch off lights and devices that aren’t in use to avoid both heat and wasted energy.

• Cool Only What’s Needed – Close off unused rooms and vents to focus cooling where it’s needed most.

• Seal It Up – Keep warm air outside by sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doors.

Important Note for Customers Without Power

Those experiencing outages should take extra precautions to stay safe:

• Avoid Downed Lines – Always assume downed wires are live. Stay clear and report them immediately.

• Be Cautious with Generators – Operate outdoors and never connect directly to home wiring.

• Use Flashlights, Not Candles – Reduce the risk of fire during nighttime outages.

• Limit Appliance Use After Power Returns – Wait 15 minutes before turning on major devices once power is restored.
• Stay Informed – Monitor local news, utility websites, or mobile apps for outage updates and safety alerts.

Resources for More Information

Visit www.PAPowerSwitch.com for energy-saving tips and links to utility-specific programs, including conservation tools, usage assessments, and billing assistance options.

As this expected heatwave unfolds, the PUC remains in contact with utility providers and emergency management partners across the Commonwealth, supporting efforts to maintain essential services, restore power, and help residents safely navigate the first days of summer.

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing slide repair work on Conway Wallrose Road (Route 2005) in Economy Borough, Beaver County will begin Monday, June 23 weather permitting.

Slide repair work requiring a closure of a portion of Conway Wallrose Road between Blank Drive and Hoenig Road will begin at approximately 7 a.m. Monday. The closure will continue around-the-clock through late August as crews conduct slide repair work, roadway reconstruction, guide rail updates, and other miscellaneous construction work. Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detours

Car Detours

South of the Closure

• From Conway Wallrose Road, turn onto Wallrose Heights Road
• Wallrose Heights Road becomes Golden Grove Road
• Turn left onto Bradford Park Road
• Bradford Park Road becomes Bock Lane
• Follow Bock Lane back to Conway Wallrose Road
• End detour

North of the Closure

• Follow the same detour in the opposite direction

Truck Detours

South of the Closure

• Follow Conway Wallrose Road south
• Turn left onto Big Sewickley Creek Road
• Big Sewickley Creek Road becomes Rochester Road
• Turn left onto Wexford Bayne Road
• Turn left onto northbound I-79
• From northbound I-79, take the Route 228 Cranberry/Mars (Exit 78) off-ramp
• Turn left onto Route 228
• Continue straight onto Freedom Road (Route 3020)
• Freedom Road becomes Freedom Crider Road (Route 2004)
• Take the roundabout to South 989
• Follow Route 989 (Dunlap Hill Road) to Conway Wallrose Road
• End detour

North of the Closure

• From Conway Wallrose Road, turn left onto Dunlap Hill Road (Route 989)
• Take the roundabout to Freedom Crider Road toward Cranberry
• Freedom Crider Road becomes Freedom Road
• Continue straight onto Route 228
• Take the ramp to South 79 toward Pittsburgh
• From southbound I-79, take the Route 910 Wexford (Exit 73) off-ramp
• Turn right onto Wexford Bayne Road
• Turn right onto Rochester Road
• Rochester Road becomes Big Sewickley Creek Road
• Follow Big Sewickley Creek Road back to Conway Wallrose Road
• End detour

Crews from Beaver Excavating Company will conduct the work on this approximate $850,000 project.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District11.

Information about infrastructure in District 11, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D11Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook and Instagram.

(Photo Courtesy of Rico Elmore)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) The Rochester Youth Summer Kickoff event will be occurring today from 4 to 8 p.m. in Rochester at Riverfront Park along Water Street, taking place rain or shine. This event is family-friendly for all ages. Activities include food trucks, music, a fishing derby, a dunk tank, a penny pitch and an obstacle bouncy house. 

(File Photo of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Father Canice McMullen, a priest who served at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish in Aliquippa released a statement on Thursday addressing being removed from his position there. According to that statement, Father McMullen said: “my grief is a sign that you impacted me in a remarkable way.” Bishop David Zubik confirmed in a statement on Thursday from the Diocese of Pittsburgh that Father McMullen will join the Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe.

(Photo Courtesy of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Wilkinsburg, PA) Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced Wednesday that the man suspected of causing a shooting at “Safari Club” in Duquesne last Friday was taken into custody. Fifty-one-year-old Marvin Harpool got charges of a firearm violation and homicide on Monday after being connected to this shooting which killed twenty-six-year-old Tywone McClain. Harpool is in the Allegheny County Police Headquarters after being arrested Wednesday without incident in Wilkinsburg. He was found entering a vehicle in a public parking lot on Penn Avenue there. The vehicle was issued a BOLO.

(Photos Courtesy of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bell Acres, PA) Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced Thursday that two Beaver County suspects got arrested at a home in Bell Acres after both having multiple warrants. Forty-three-year-old Eric Bosh of Ambridge was found inside a house on Turkey Foot Road. Thirty-year-old Brittany Fanfarilli of Aliquippa was caught trying to leave the property in the back seat of a van. Both were taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Bosh was taken there without further incident.

(File Photo of the American Red Cross Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) As the summer heat rises this weekend and the next week in Pennsylvania, the American Red Cross is giving out specific tips to stay safe. The first is to avoid dehydration by getting a cup of water and drinking that amount every hour. The second is to go to places that are air-conditioned like cooling centers, libraries and malls. The third is to get connected with others to assist you or them if they need help, which includes getting pets in shade and giving pets fresh water. According to a release from the American Red Cross of the Greater Pennsylvania Region, here are some more tips about heat and what else you could do to prevent getting too hot:

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can be signs of dehydration. Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They should drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and take frequent water breaks. Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall, library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in light colors. Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

HEAT ILLNESS SIGNS: Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly. Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick, and get medical help if cramps last over an hour or you have heart problems. Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick. Loosen your clothes and place a cool wet cloth on your body. Get medical help if you don’t feel better, vomit or have heart problems. Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. Don’t drink anything.

IF THE POWER GOES OUT: When a heat wave and a power outage happen at the same time, it can be even more dangerous. Stay in air conditioning either at home or at a mall, library or cooling center. Keep an ice-filled cooler stocked with food, water and medicine, so that they don’t spoil. More information is available here by clicking here. Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and heat safety information. Content is available in English and Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find both apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.