Author: Beaver County Radio

Hopes fading for coronavirus deal as Congress returns

Hopes fading for coronavirus deal as Congress returns
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes are dimming for another coronavirus relief bill from Washington as Congress returns to session. Talks between top Democrats and the Trump administration broke off last month and remain off track. Recent conversations among the key players have led to nothing. And toxic relationships among those players are making it harder to break the impasse. The legislation was supposed to deliver another round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans, help schools and local governments and restore more generous unemployment benefits. Now all of that is at risk. If talks continue to falter, it’s possible that lawmakers will simply leave Washington to campaign.

Update on South Beaver Twp. Fire that Occurred on August 25, 2020

SOUTH BEAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. —We have an update on The fire that happened on Aug. 25 at a house on old Blackhawk Road in South Beaver Township.

While there was no initial confirmation of injuries related to the fire Pa state police are now reporting via news release that a 17-year-old boy from Negley, Ohio, and a 17-year-old girl from Wellsville, Ohio, both died in the fire.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. State police are calling their probe into the matter an accidental death investigation.

Pirates get to Bauer, earn doubleheader split with Reds

Pirates get to Bauer, earn doubleheader split with Reds
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of an uncharacteristically average performance by Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer to earn a doubleheader split with a 4-3 win in the nightcap. The Reds took the opener 4-2 behind the strength of Luis Castillo, who picked up his first victory in nearly a year when he worked six solid innings. Cincinnati, however, missed a chance to sweep a doubleheader for the third time this season when the Pirates scrounged up just enough offense against Bauer. The Reds right-hander allowed six hits in six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. His record fell to 3-3.

Will long Labor Day weekend mean another coronavirus spike?

Will long Labor Day weekend mean another coronavirus spike?
By PAT EATON-ROBB and THALIA BEATY Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Americans are heading into Labor Day weekend amid warnings from public health experts that backyard parties, crowded bars and other gatherings could cause the coronavirus to come surging back. The rise in infections, deaths and hospitalizations over the summer was blamed in part on Americans behaving heedlessly over other long holiday weekends. Things have improved in recent weeks, but there are certain risk factors in the mix: children going back to school, university campuses seeing soaring case counts, college football starting, more businesses open and flu season around the corner. The virus is blamed for about 187,000 deaths and almost 6.2 million confirmed infections in the United States. Those are by far the highest totals in the world.

Russia publishes virus vaccine results, weeks after approval

Russia publishes virus vaccine results, weeks after approval
By DARIA LITVINOVA and MARIA CHENG Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian scientists have belatedly published their first results from early trials into the experimental Sputnik V vaccine that received government approval last month and drew considerable criticism from experts both at home and abroad, as the shots have only been tested on several dozen people. In a report published in the journal Lancet on Friday, developers of the vaccine said it appeared to be safe and prompt an antibody response in all 40 people within three weeks — but the authors noted that participants were only followed up for 42 days, the study sample was small and there was no placebo or control vaccine used.

Minuteman Press Business minute for September 4, 2020

August jobs report likely to point to a still-slow recovery
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States keeps regaining more of the jobs that vanished when the viral pandemic flattened the economy early this spring. Yet so deep were the layoffs that began in March that millions of Americans remain burdened by job losses that might prove permanent. Economists have forecast that employers added 1.4 million jobs in August and that the unemployment rate fell from 10.2% to 9.8%, according to a survey by data provider FactSet. That rate would still be just below the peak unemployment level of the 2008-2009 Great Recession.

(Vanport, Pa.) A press conference was held yesterday afternoon at the Beaver County Housing Authority  in Beaver. The purpose of the event was  to announce the Beaver County Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Announcement  (FYI)

Region III Regional Administrator  of HUD Joe DeFelice was introduced by Brian Yaworsky, the housing authority’s executive director. DeFelice told those  in attendance he is from North East Philadelphia and operated the community development agency  in an area where there are 50,000 people. he said, referring to  Beaver County this region is pretty diverse. He said this is his fifth trip to the county. and also visits rural counties.   .He was appointed to his new position by President Donald Trump.
An FYI  check for  $5,059.00  presentation was made to  the housing  authority and  social service agencies in attendance  following DEFelice’s remarks  on the Foster Youth to Independence  Initiative (FYI).
DeFelice will meet with officials in Aliquippa this afternoon . Photos Mr. DeFelice, Mr Yworsky, CYS Director Lesley  Hallas, and participants from the various agencies.

Stocks open higher on Wall Street a day after tech sell-off
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street Friday, a day after a big slump in technology companies pulled the market to its biggest drop since June. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. Traders were encouraged to see a drop in the unemployment rate last month, even as hiring slowed. Treasury yields rose after the government’s monthly jobs report came out, a sign that investors are becoming less pessimistic about the economy. The higher yields helped send bank stocks higher, since banks can lend money at higher rates once yields rise in the bond market. U.S. markets will be closed Monday for Labor Day.

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple is delaying a new privacy feature in the next version of its iPhone operating system that will make it more difficult for app developers to track people online to help sell ads.The decision outlined Thursday affects iOS 14, which is expected to be released to roughly a billion iPhone users later this month. Apple intended iOS 14 to automatically block tracking as soon as the software came out, but is now postponing the feature until early next year. The decision comes a week after Facebook warned the anti-tracking tool could deliver a huge blow to apps already struggling amid the recession.

 

 

PennDOT, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Urge Responsible Driving, Boating Through Labor Day Holiday

PennDOT, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Urge Responsible Driving, Boating Through Labor Day Holiday

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission held a media event urging motorists to not drive or boat impaired over the upcoming holiday, and throughout the year.

Labor Day weekend is a popular time for travel and boating recreation. Pennsylvania is a boating destination state, and boaters drive to and from their boating location. When an impaired boat operator gets behind the wheel to drive home, a BUI becomes a DUI.

As part of the event, representatives discussed impaired driving enforcement tactics and reminded the public how dangerous it is to operate a vehicle or watercraft under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Both can impair a person’s judgement, balance, vision, and reaction time, as well as impact others on the road and water around them.

During the enforcement period which runs through September 7, local and state law enforcement will target impaired drivers through enforcement details, arresting motorists with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or over.

Law enforcement will also patrol the waterways, ensuring boaters are capable of safe operation.

According to PennDOT data, last year data there were 2,995 vehicle crashes statewide during the Labor Day holiday week alone. These crashes resulted in 46 fatalities.

Both motorists and watercraft operators should plan ahead if drinking becomes part of the plan for celebrating. A designated driving or operator should be on-hand to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable. Save lives by being responsible.

 

US unemployment rate falls to 8.4% even as hiring slows

US unemployment rate falls to 8.4% even as hiring slows
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. unemployment rate fell sharply in August to 8.4%  from 10.2% even as hiring slowed in August as employers added the fewest jobs since the pandemic began. Employers added 1.4 million jobs, the Labor Department said Friday, down from 1.7 million in July. The U.S. economy has recovered about half the 22 million jobs lost to the pandemic.

Man charged in slaying of infant struck by stray bullet

Man charged in slaying of infant struck by stray bullet
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man has been charged with homicide in the shooting death of an infant who was struck by a stray bullet that went into his family’s apartment during a shootout on a Pittsburgh street, Authorities said Friday that 29-year-old Andre Crawford, of McKeesport, was also charged with attempted homicide and a weapons offense. It wasn’t known if he’s retained an attorney. The charges stem from the Aug. 24 shooting death of Zykier Young. The year-old boy was sleeping in his family’s apartment when he was struck in the head by a bullet that traveled through two walls before it hit him. Authorities haven’t said what sparked the shootout.

HUD Region III Administrator, Joe DeFlice met with Aliquippa officials

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Joe DeFelice, HUD  Region III  Administrator met with Aliquippa City officials yesterday  concerning their  OPPORTUNITY ZONES and what their plan is  to develop two areas, the downtown and the riverfront. DeFelice said he  made an impromptu visit to the city  over a year ago, and came back again with HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson.

Yesterday he brought some federal partners with him to discuss  what can be done to help the city. He said the city needs to  figure its plan for the  OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
He  commented about  Mayor Dwan B. Walker  being extremely passionate about the city. He said the city’s proximity to the airport, the cracker plant, and the riverfront  are assets to the city. He  advised  officials  to use the tools they have available to get people to invest  in the city. DeFelice said, “My pitch to them is  to figure out a way to sell Aliquippa..”