(AP) NASA has named the four astronauts who will fly around the moon late next year. The first moon crew in 50 years includes the first woman and the first African American assigned to a lunar mission. NASA introduced the three Americans and one Canadian on Monday during a ceremony in Houston. The four are NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen. They will not land or even go into lunar orbit. Rather, they will fly around the moon and head straight back to Earth. The 10-day mission will be a prelude to a lunar landing a year later.

FILE – Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, March 4, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is flying from Florida toward New York for his historic booking and arraignment. As his arrival nears, the nation’s largest city is bolstering security and warning potential agitators that it is “not a playground for your misplaced anger.” Trump’s journey from his Mar-a-Lago club tto the airport in Florida took him past supporters waving banners and cheering the former president as they slammed the case against him — stemming from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign —as politically motivated. The scene is quite different in New York, where Trump built a national profile in business and entertainment but became deeply unpopular as he moved into politics.

FILE – People queue with their cars at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, on Aug. 31, 2022, the last day when the government’s fuel prize discount is in effect. Major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia and Russia have said they’re throttling back supplies of crude — again. And this time, the decision to cut back was a surprise that is underlining worries about where the global economy might be headed. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Some of the globe’s biggest oil producers are cutting back. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and others are saying they’ll dial back supplies of crude to the global economy by a million barrels a day. That could send prices higher — or at least keep them from sliding to where they hurt the budgets of oil-producing countries. Russia is extending its own cuts, too. Higher prices could help Moscow weather Western sanctions over Ukraine. But much depends on the global economy and whether demand for oil rebounds strongly in coming months. Combined with a cut of 2 million barrels per day announced in October, producers have axed about 3% of the world’s oil supply.

Harrisburg – The Shapiro Administration today unveiled a first-of-its-kind plan to tackle Pennsylvania’s shortage of certified elementary and secondary teachers through apprenticeship – a workforce development strategy that creates earn-as-you-learn career pathways to family-sustaining jobs. For workers, apprenticeship is an opportunity to gain in-demand skills while earning a paycheck. For employers, apprenticeship is an opportunity to build their workforce instead of constantly searching for it.

The departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Education (PDE) aim to confront Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage by expanding the apprenticeship model in the education sector to include training for individuals like paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides who want to become certified elementary and secondary teachers. L&I and PDE are looking for partners to create a new apprenticeship model specifically designed for and targeting this population.

“Building opportunity for our kids starts in our classrooms, but students can’t succeed if we don’t have enough well-qualified, well-paid teachers helping them learn and grow,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “This apprenticeship-driven approach will not only alleviate teacher staffing shortages in our schools, but it will also create a talent pipeline and an education workforce representative of the students it serves.”

While there are currently more than 30 registered apprenticeship programs in the education sector throughout Pennsylvania, most are focused on the early childhood education workforce. L&I is soliciting applications for up to $500,000 in grant funding from organizations capable of building a registered apprenticeship program that school districts across Pennsylvania could use as a template for teacher career pathways.

“The goal of creating registered apprenticeship programs for certified teachers is rooted in the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to helping Pennsylvanians by directly investing in our workers and their future,” L&I Acting Secretary Nancy Walker said. “For more than a decade, there has been a significant decline in the number of individuals obtaining teacher certification in Pennsylvania. This grant program is a commonsense solution to address this challenge and provide a meaningful pathway to family-sustaining jobs for workers who have already demonstrated commitment to children in their communities.”

“Educators play a pivotal role in our Commonwealth. Supporting our teachers, investing in programs and alternative pathways to a career in education is a top priority,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “This grant program is an opportunity to help strengthen the workforce and provide future generations of educators the chance to pursue their passion and make a difference in their communities.”

Established in 2016, L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. The ATO currently supports 868 unduplicated program sponsors and 1,573 occupation-specific registered apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth, with 16,254 registered apprentices currently active. Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes an investment of $2.5 million for apprenticeships that will support the creation of at least 20 new programs serving about 1,200 apprentices.

Schools throughout Pennsylvania face significant barriers to adequate staffing levels of well-qualified teachers. According to an analysis conducted by the Penn State College of Education’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy, the number of teaching positions filled by individuals on an emergency permit has increased significantly compared to the number of newly certified teachers who participated in state teacher preparation programs.

Other factors exacerbating the teacher shortage include a significant decline in teachers certified in specific subject areas; the presence of teacher preparation program “deserts,” particularly in rural areas; and a substantial shortage of teachers of color. According to the report, teacher staffing challenges are felt most acutely by schools serving high proportions of students living in poverty and students of color.

The deadline to apply for grant funding is June 1, 2023. More information about the Building and Supporting a Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program grant availability is available on L&I’s website. This opportunity is 100% federally funded using the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Statewide Activity funding.

Rochester, Pa.—On March 30, the Beaver County Democratic Committee fulfilled one of its primary functions and voted on endorsements for the Pennsylvania primary election scheduled for May 16, 2023.

Endorsed candidates received over two-thirds of the votes of those in attendance, except for the office of Recorder of Deeds, which will be an open primary between Sandra Gill and Michael Jackson. Notably, the Committee unanimously endorsed Beaver County’s own Judge Debbie Kunselman for Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Committee Chair Erin Gabriel said, “We have all seen over the last few years just how critical it is for our rights to be upheld by our courts — our rights to health care, including reproductive health care and bodily autonomy; our voting rights; our privacy rights; and the rights of our children to a free and appropriate public education.

“At the state level, the Beaver County Democrats have endorsed the most experienced and qualified judicial candidates who will protect our rights and uphold our values in the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth courts.

“We also know just how important it is for our children to see leaders who look like them working to build a better and brighter future for all of us. At the county level, we have never fielded a more diverse slate of candidates, who will bring experience AND new perspectives to local government.

“We believe that these are the candidates who are ultimately the most qualified and most well-suited to winning in November and helping to build a stronger and more inclusive Beaver County for all of us.”

The Committee’s endorsement was awarded to:

• Debbie Kunselman, PA Supreme Court
• Timika Lane, PA Superior Court
• Jill Beck, PA Superior Court
• Bryan Neft, PA Commonwealth Court
• Dirk A Goodwald, Magisterial District Judge, District 36-1-02
• David Neely, Magisterial District Judge, District 36-3-01
• Joseph L. Schafer, Magisterial District Judge, District 36-3-03
• Tony Amadio, County Commissioner
• Julian Taylor, County Commissioner
• Tina Price-Genes, Controller
• Judy Enslen, Clerk of Courts
• Nate Bible, District Attorney
• Michael Rossi, Prothonotary
• Tracey Antoline-Patton, Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans’ Court
• Leonard C Seanez, Treasurer
• Antonio Pitts, Coroner

The Committee is united in its strong support of the above endorsed candidates and looks forward to bringing their character, principles, and service before the residents of Beaver County in 2023.

[April 3, 2023] — April is National Volunteer Month, and the American Red Cross is celebrating the millions of people who volunteer to give blood, platelets and plasma throughout the year. This month, the Red Cross and PEANUTS® are joining forces as a reminder that it’s cool to be kind and help save lives. 

Don’t wait until there’s a crisis to give – donors of all blood types, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets – are needed now to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care all season long.

People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by the Red Cross community and PEANUTS. Donors are encouraged to take a page from the comic strips that have charmed generations and take care of one another by making a blood or platelet donation.

Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

As a thank-you, all who come to give April 1-23 will receive an exclusive Red Cross and PEANUTS T-shirt featuring Snoopy as the coolest beagle in town, Joe Cool, while supplies last.* Those who come to give April 1-30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night trip for two to Sonoma County, California. This getaway includes flights, hotel, a $1,000 gift card and special tours of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy’s Home Ice, courtesy of Peanuts Worldwide.​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer! 

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience. 

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

The photo above shows a cake made in honor of Police Chief Robert Sealock and Officer James Naim (Sandy Giordano)
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 3, 2023 9:45 A.M.  

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police hosted the annual police memorial service Friday morning honoring fallen Police Chief Robert Sealock and Officer James Naim. Chief Sealock suffered a severe asthma attack on April 11, 2020 while in pursuit of a suspect. He died on Saturday, April 26, 2020 in a Pittsburgh hospital. Officer Naim died on March 15, 2001 after being shot in the back while on patrol in Linmar.

Photos from the event (Sandy Giordano):

This photo shows a logo of a McDonald’s restaurant in Havertown, Pa., on April 26, 2022. A report says McDonald’s has closed its U.S. offices for a few days as the company prepares to inform employees about layoffs. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

NEW YORK (AP) — A report says McDonald’s has closed its U.S. offices for a few days as the company prepares to inform corporate employees about layoffs. The Wall Street Journal cited an internal email from the Chicago-based fast-food giant saying U.S. staff and some corporate employees overseas should work from home while the company notifies people of their job status. McDonald’s did not immediately reply to emailed requests for comment. The report said McDonald’s would inform employees this week about staffing decisions that are part of a wide restructuring announced earlier. While a number of big U.S. companies have announced job cuts and U.S. applications for jobless benefits rose last week, layoffs are at historically low levels.

FILE – Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., joined by the popular app’s supporters, leads a rally to defend TikTok at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Bowman, D-N.Y., who has more than 180,000 followers on the app, held a news conference with TikTok influencers before a House hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chewg. Bowman accused Republicans of pushing a ban on TikTok for political reasons. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than two dozen Democratic members of Congress who are active on TikTok, including Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, are now facing questions about whether they’ll continue to use it. Many are defending their presence on the platform, saying they have a responsibility as public officials to meet voters they wouldn’t otherwise reach. Yet the lawmakers active on TikTok remain in the distinct minority. Most in Congress are in favor of limiting the app, forcing a sale to remove connections to China or even banning it outright. Loud warnings about TikTok have also been coming from President Joe Biden’s administration.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 3, 2023 9:39 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA) Duquesne Light Company reported a short time ago that 661 customers, 539 in our area, are still without power due to last Saturday’s high winds. On Sunday they reported that all power would be restored by Wednesday.