FILE – Ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., listens during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, March 23, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Environmental Protection Agency says 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states will be cleaned up as part of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program. The money is the third and last installment in $3.5 billion allocated under the 2021 infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency says 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states will be cleaned up as part of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program. The money is the third and last installment in $3.5 billion allocated under the 2021 infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. It will help clear a backlog of hazardous sites such as old landfills, mines and manufacturing facilities targeted by the 44-year-old Superfund program. Sites slated for cleanup include a former smelting plant in East Helena, Montana; an old textile mill in Greenville, South Carolina; and a New Jersey beach area blighted by toxic material used to build a seawall and jetty nearly 60 years ago.

This photo provided by Lauren Feeney shows a group of election officials and AI experts from civil society, academia, industry and journalism testing how different AI models respond to queries voters might ask about elections, at Columbia University in New York, Jan. 25, 2024. (Lauren Feeney/Proof News via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Chatbots are spitting out fabricated and misleading information that risks disenfranchising voters leading up to the 2024 U.S. election. That’s according to a report published Tuesday based on the findings of artificial intelligence experts and a bipartisan group of election officials. Fifteen states and one territory will hold Democratic and Republican presidential nominating contests next week on Super Tuesday, and millions of people already using AI-powered chatbots to search for basic information, including about the voting process. The report found that chatbots have answers, but are prone to suggesting voters head to inexistent polling places or inventing responses. Some chatbot companies say they are refining their models.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2024 10:26 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A warrant for an Aliquippa man has been issued for injuring a dog. David Askew, 43, of Aliquippa is being sought by Aliquippa police after he struck a 9 month old female dog with a hatchet. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the corner of Maratta Road and Main Street at 3:50pm. The dog’s owner was sitting on a stoop and the dog was on a leash when struck.

Askew faces a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, and possession of the instrument of crime with intent along with misdemeanor charges of make, repair, sell, offensive weapons, and cruelty to animals. The charges were filed in District Justice Felicia Santillan’s office.

Anyone with information on Askew’s whereabouts is asked to call Aliquippa Police 724-378-8000.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2024 10:22 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) The Hopewell School board hired March Bebout as the Director of Special Education at Tuesday night’s meeting with a salary of $97,000.00 a year.

Technology Director Dennis Barber presented an update to the board on the status of the technology that the district uses. He reported I-Pads need to be replaced and that the 33 white boards are breaking.

The district’s 2024-25 calendar was approved.

Isaiah Pisano was recognized along with other members of the wrestling team for winning his 100th match and being the district champion for 2024.

It was announced that the bocce team will compete at Geneva College on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in the regional championship. Aliquippa’s team will also compete, according to their Coach Charles Brantner.

HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – In response to growing concerns over decisions and policies by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and their impact on student safety, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today that he will be introducing legislation to make lawmakers on the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee and the state secretary of education permanent voting members of the PIAA executive board.

Matzie, who is vice chairman and longest-serving member of the oversight committee, said the move is justified because of PIAA’s status as a public agency – and necessary given the association’s lack of adequate response to questions and concerns raised by the oversight committee.

“The PIAA is a governmental entity,” Matzie said. “That was settled by the PA Supreme Court last week. It’s appropriate and necessary to bring accountability. Elected members of the legislature are tasked by the state Constitution to answer to and speak on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania. That includes, perhaps most importantly, our children and our schools and – by extension – those participating in junior and senior high sports.

“This legislation has been in the works for some time, but I felt the time was now – based on recent correspondence the PIAA sent on the premise of defending their indefensible competition formula. In reality, the correspondence was a hit job on one school, my school, Aliquippa. It’s abundantly clear that the PIAA would prefer to double down rather than work toward a better system. Their current system is not working, and their evaluation process is, frankly, lazy.”

The Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, established in 2004, is comprised of six members – two appointed by the speaker of the PA House of Representatives and one appointed by the minority leader of the House; and two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the minority leader in the Senate. The PAOC meets annually to review the PIAA’s continued compliance with Act 91 of 2000, respond to issues related to the association’s activities, and issue an annual report of its findings.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2024 10:19 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) A 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Police Vehicle will be purchased from McCandless Ford, and an update charge from Team Force for $40,000.00 was approved.  Police Chief Donald Sedlacek told Beaver County Radio that it’s been almost 14 years since new weapons were purchased for his department. Township commissioners approved the purchase of 23 Glock G45 MOSS 9mm from Witmer Safety Group. The cost is $15,720.00.