Hiring might have slowed in August in face of delta variant
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A stretch of robust hiring over the past several months may have slowed in August at a time when the delta variant’s spread has discouraged some Americans from flying, shopping and eating out. Analysts have forecast that employers added 750,000 jobs in August. That would represent a substantial gain, though below the roughly 940,000 that were added in both June and July. Some economists are more pessimistic, expecting job growth to amount to 500,000 or fewer. But even many of those analysts expect any hiring slowdown to be brief. They note that many of the nation’s employers are still struggling to fill jobs to meet strengthened consumer demand.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) stresses the importance of sober driving and safe practices on the road ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

“As Labor Day weekend is a popular time for travel and celebrating, PennDOT is urging drivers to plan ahead and designate a sober driver if they are planning to drink,” said PennDOT District 11 Safety Press Officer Yasmeen Manyisha. “Also, please remember to buckle up. A seat belt is your first line of defense against an impaired driver.”

During the holiday period which runs through September 6, local and state law enforcement will target impaired drivers through enforcement details. Motorist found driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or over will be arrested.

Additionally, drivers are reminded alcohol consumption is not the only path leading to a DUI arrest. Law enforcement also work to identify motorists impaired by illegal drugs and prescription medication. Drug-impairment is just as dangerous on the road, which speaks to the importance of knowing how prescribed medications can affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Both alcohol and drugs, legal and illegal, can impair a person’s judgement, balance, vision, and reaction time, as well as impact others on the road.

According to PennDOT data, in 2020 there were 2,698 crashes resulting in 39 fatalities statewide over the holiday week beginning Friday, September 4 at 6:00 p.m. and running through Sunday, September 13. Of those numbers, 231 crashes resulting in 12 fatalities were alcohol-related and 104 crashes resulting in three fatalities were drug-related.

PennDOT encourages motorists to always plan ahead by either designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation, and always buckling up. Wearing a seat belt is the best defense in the event of a crash.

For more information, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

(File Photo)

Story By Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Odell Mills, 41 of Aliquippa was involved in a vehicle pursuit by Police  eastbound on Kennedy Boulevard  in the city of Aliquippa Thursday Morning, September 2, 2021 around 9:37 AM.  According to Pa. State Police, who were dispatched  to assist Aliquippa Police, Mills  merged onto Monaca Road, and attempted to turn right onto 3rd Avenue in Plan 11 in Aliquippa.  A female, M. Russell, 47 of New Brighton was stopped in  her Jeep Grand Cherokee at a stop sign when Mills turned and  struck her vehicle.   Mills then placed his vehicle in reverse and backed into the responding Trooper’s patrol car. At that point Mills exited his vehicle and fled  northeast  onto  Monaca Road, jumped down into  a deep culvert , and was apprehended a short time later. Russell was taken by  Medic Rescue  to  Heritage Valley, Beaver  for her injuries.

US jobless claims reach a pandemic low as hiring strengthens
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 340,000, a pandemic low, another sign that the job market is steadily rebounding from the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Jobless claims dropped by 14,000. Vaccinations for COVID-19 have been supporting the job market by encouraging businesses to reopen or expand hours and consumers to return to restaurants, bars and shops. In response, employers across the country have been boosting hiring to meet a surge in consumer demand. Still, a resurgence of cases tied to the highly contagious delta variant has clouded the economic outlook.

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters has committed $41,000 toward scholarships and on-campus events at Point Park University. The scholarships prioritize first-year students with demonstrated financial need in the Rowland School of Business and the School of Communication with an interest in broadcast media careers.

Sixteen deserving students will receive $2,000 each – eight for the Fall 2021 semester and eight more for Fall 2022. In addition, the PAB will take part in a Future of Broadcasting Day this fall, which will include a panel event for high school and college students, guest speakers in classrooms and a PAB scholarship recognition event. In addition, $9,000 will go toward a Broadcast Media summer camp for high school students in 2022.

Bernie Ankney, Dean of the School of Communication, said Point Park is grateful for the PAB’s support for its students.

“This money will go a long way toward helping students gain access to a first-rate education and pursue their careers in broadcast media,” he said.  “We are honored that the PAB thinks highly enough of our programs to work with us.”

The eight recipients for the Fall 2021 semester are:

• Jonah Sommers, Pittsburgh — Broadcast Production and Media Management
• Natalie Matvya, Turtle Creek, PA – Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
• Erin Yudt, Sharpsville — Journalism
• Michael Jeniskis, Canonsburg — Public Relations and Advertising
• Aniya Uqdah, Philadelphia — Marketing and Sales
• Grace Lorince, Mount Pleasant — Broadcast Production and Media Management
• De’Ante Johnson, Turtle Creek – Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
• Addison Diehl, Greensburg — Journalism

The PAB represents around 368 radio and 38 TV stations in Pennsylvania – all broadcast media is free, over the air and licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Owners and operators include ABC, Audacy, CBS, Fox, Forever Media, iHeart Media, NBC and PBS, as well as individually owned stations. In each broadcast station, the people in front of the camera and microphones, as well as those behind the scenes, work with a commitment to serve their community.

“The PAB is delighted to offer scholarship support to help enable these students to consider the excitement and challenges as broadcasters who inform the public of current affairs and help keep our communities safe,” said Joe Conti, president of the PAB. “Programs such as the Future of Broadcasting Day and Broadcast Media Summer Camps are a wonderful opportunity for current broadcast leaders to return to the classroom and vividly portray the current affairs of Pennsylvania broadcasting. These educational exchanges offer a lifetime of contact and mentorship for students joining the dynamic career of broadcasting.”

Paige Beal, Associate Professor in Rowland’s Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Program, said it’s important that these scholarships be available to students in both Rowland and the School of Communication.

“As a former radio and TV professional, I have seen firsthand the many people working behind the scenes with journalists and radio personalities,” Beal said. “Radio and TV stations are made up of professionals with communication skills and business skills who work together every day.”

Pennsylvania residents interested in applying for these scholarships can go here for more information.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Wednesday night Aliquippa City Council  observed a moment of silence   to remember Former Aliquippa Mayor the late Mayor Danny Britza who died Sunday at the age of 82. He served in many capacities, councilman, mayor, state auditor, and city treasurer.  He started his career  in the city of Aliquippa in 1963., retiring  from his treasurer’s position in 1992.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Vehicles are speeding, and trying to beat the red lights on Brodhead Rd. and Kennedy Boulevard passing school buses  and is a cause for concern by residents in the area of Admiral and 21st Street in Aliquippa . The residents expressed their concerns and a petition was presented to  Aliquippa City Council at Wednesday night’s meeting.  The city is looking into the situation to see what can be done in the area where there are small children and elderly residents. The residents were thanked for their input and concerns that they presented. One resident said, “We are fed up with the situation .”