(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) introduced the Pay Down, Upskill Act, legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Education to provide eligible individuals with a one-time education credit of $10,000 to be used to pay down undergraduate student loan debt or to be used as a credit toward the pursuit of additional education or workforce training.

“Student loans are supposed to help people reach their career goals,” said Lamb.  “Instead, it has burdened too many borrowers with unsustainable amounts of debt, while the cost of higher education is increasingly out of reach for too many.  This bill will help reduce student debt loads while at the same time helping more Americans access the education that leads to good jobs.”

Credits from the Pay Down, Upskill Act would be available to American adults making less than $75,000, based on the same eligibility criteria used for the previous COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (EIP).  For students interested in pursuing additional education or training, the credit would be eligible at public and non-profit institutions of higher education, as well as for certain certificate programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Studies have indicated that individuals with student loan debt are struggling to pay off the debt and are less likely than debt-free peers to buy homes, start families or save for retirement.

The Pay Down, Upskill Act is endorsed by Third Way.

Visit Lamb’s website for more information on the Pay Down, Upskill Act.

(AP PHOTO)
By AMANDA SEITZ and HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly all Americans agree that the rampant spread of misinformation is a problem. Most also think individual users, along with social media companies, bear a good deal of blame for the situation. But relatively few are very concerned that they themselves might be responsible. That’s according to a new poll from The Pearson Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Ninety-five percent of Americans identified misinformation as a problem. About half put a great deal of blame on the U.S. government, and about three-quarters point to social media users and tech companies. Only 2 in 10 Americans say they’re very concerned that they have personally spread misinformation, though about 3 in 10 say they’re somewhat concerned.

(AP Photo)
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added just 194,000 jobs in September, a second straight tepid gain and evidence that the pandemic still has a grip on the economy with many companies struggling to fill millions of open jobs. Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 4.8% from 5.2% in August.

(Photo Provide by Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium)

(Pittsburgh) (October 8, 2021) – Today the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium announced that the female  African elephant calf born at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s International Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset  County this summer remains in guarded condition.  
Born July 18, 2021 to new mother Sukuri, the calf continues to be active and bright between bouts of  nursing with mom and resting. She has been receiving progressive care 24 hours a day to help overcome  several ailments, and while her overall health condition remains at a pivotal stage, the Animal Care team  remains vigilant and optimistic.  
“She had a good week and mom is doing a fantastic job. We are encouraged by the current trends, however she remains in guarded condition as we continue to closely monitor her health and behavior,”  says Dr. Joe Gaspard, Director of Animal Health, Science, and Conservation for the Zoo, “Elephant  specialists from around the country are working closely to assist our team’s efforts as the Zoo is using  every resource available to aid in the calf’s recovery. “ 
As a resident of our International Conservation Center, the calf is not viewable by the general public.  Social media messages of support have been shared with our veterinary and caregiving teams, and the  Zoo continues to appreciate the community’s well wishes as the team focuses on her well-being. 

(Story and photos by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks)

October 8, 2021- 9:43 AM
(Brighton Township, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Resources Council will be holding a “Household Chemical Collection” this Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Brady’s Run Park Recycling Facility in Brady’s Run Park, Brighton Township.
Beaver County Radio spoke with Josh Schuneman who is the Recycling Operations  Specialist for the PRC about Saturday’s event: (press play)

Josh said the event will be concentrating on household chemicals and highlighted some of the things that won’t be accepted at this event: (press play)

The event is from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Brady’s Run Recycling Center and Josh said as long as you are in line by 1:00 PM they will accept your items.
Beaver County Radio asked if there is a cost associated with the event: (press play)

They are also accepting Fire Extinguishers at $12.00 each and Mercury which is $15.00 a pound. The PRC also accepts all forms of payment including cash, check, or credit card.
Schuneman did say that you do need to pre-register: (press play)

Josh highlighted how you can register: (press play)

The PRC does want you to leave everything in the original package so they know exactly what it is and also to place the items in your trunk or back of your vehicle. When you arrive they are asking you to stay in your car because they are trying to be as safe as possible.
If you would like more information or to pre-register you can go to :
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/household-chemical-collection-event-in-beaver-county-at-bradys-run-park-tickets-143399356335

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing the final northbound weekend closure on the I-79 Neville Island Bridge in Glenfield Borough and Robinson and Neville townships, Allegheny County, will occur Friday night, October 8 through Monday morning, October 11 weather permitting.

A full closure of the I-79 Neville Island Bridge in the northbound direction will occur from approximately 8 p.m. Friday night, September 17 continuously through 5 a.m. Monday morning, September 20 as crews conduct bridge and roadway concrete repairs, roadway patching, strip seal replacements, bridge jacking for steel repairs, bridge painting, and miscellaneous steel repairs.

To allow the work to occur, all northbound traffic will be detoured. Beginning at approximately 8 p.m. Friday night, the Pennsylvania State Police will begin a slow roll of northbound I-79 traffic at the Crafton/Moon (Exit 60) interchange and assist the contractor with reducing the roadway to a single lane of traffic. Police and the contractor will then close a single-lane of traffic on the southbound side of the Neville Island Bridge. Finally, at approximately 9 p.m. Friday night, another slow roll of northbound I-79 traffic will occur from the Crafton/Moon Run interchange. The police and contractor will guide all traffic to the detour route.

Posted Detour

• From northbound I-79, motorists will exit at the Coraopolis/McKees Rocks (Exit 64) interchange
• Turn left onto northbound Route 51 toward Coraopolis
• Once through Coraopolis, stay in the left-hand lane and follow the signs to Route 65 Sewickley
• Turn right and cross the Sewickley Bridge
• Turn right onto southbound Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)
• Take the left-hand ramp to I-79 toward Erie/Washington
• At the split, stay straight toward North 79 Erie
• Follow the 79 North Erie sign by turning left onto Kilbuck Street
• From Kilbuck Street, take the ramp to northbound I-79 toward Erie
• End detour

Motorists on northbound I-79 may want to consider using I-376 (Parkway West) to I-279 (Parkway North) to avoid the detour route.

Police will assist motorists at key intersections during peak travel times. Motorists should expect delays.

Work on projects along the detour route will not occur this weekend.

Additionally, a lane closure will occur on southbound I-79 on the Neville Island Bridge during the weekend construction.

The $43 million I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, deck repairs and overlays, bridge barrier repair, substructure concrete work and drainage improvements.  The project also includes concrete roadway reconstruction, guide rail replacement and preservation work on four sign structures. Additionally, preservation work will occur on the I-79 bridge over Deer Run Road, north of the Neville Island Bridge.  Motorists will see ramp closures and single-lane and shoulder closures in each direction on I-79 during daylight off-peak and overnight hours. Other traffic impacts include four northbound weekend closures in 2021 and four southbound weekend closures in 2022. The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

The Trumbull Corporation is the prime contractor.

To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for the I-79 Neville Island Bridge rehabilitation including traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, 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 twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA

(File Photo of Hopewell Police Cruisers)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordanp

October 8, 2021- 7:46 AM

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) Ohio United Presbyterian Church and Hopewell Township police are  asking residents to join  them on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon  for a weekend of resolution and reconciliation. The national event is a collaborative effort to build bridges and break biases.  Police Sgt. Jill Banovski and Officer Jared Rogers  said a food drive to benefit the Little Free Pantry at the church  Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the  church today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or at the Hopwell Twp. Police Department.