Dow sinks 1,800 as virus cases rise, deflating optimism
By ALEX VEIGA and DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writers
Stocks are falling sharply on Wall Street as coronavirus cases increase again, deflating recent optimism that the economy could recover quickly as lockdowns ease. The Dow fell more than 1,800 points and the S&P 500 was on track for its worst day since mid-March. Many market watchers have been saying that a scorching comeback in the market since late March was overdone and didn’t reflect the dire state of the economy. A day earlier, the Federal Reserve said the road back to recovery would be long. Bond yields fell sharply, a sign of increasing caution among investors. Oil prices sank.

Photo of Providence Care Center in Beaver Falls (Photo by Mark Peterson)

(Brighton Twp. , Pa.) The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in Beaver County shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday near Ohioville.The tornado started near Tuscarawas Road according to NWS. They are still investigating whether the damage in Beaver Falls and surrounding area is from the same tornado. The NWS hopes to have more information later today

Via Twitter the National Weather Service Released the following statement:

We’ve confirmed another tornado associated with last night’s storms in Beaver County. Rated and EF2 which makes it the strongest tornado to hit the county since May 31st 1985. We will have more details out later this afternoon with a final public information statement.

Biden releases plan to reopen US economy amid coronavirus
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe Biden has come out with a plan that he says can jump-start an economy in free fall from the coronavirus pandemic. And he says he’s better positioned than President Donald Trump to safeguard businesses and their employees and create jobs without taking unnecessary health risks. Trump’s Democratic challenger is promising to dramatically expand testing for the virus, guarantee federal paid leave for all who get sick and create a national task force to better track the spread of the disease. The former vice president released the plan as he held an economic round table with community leaders in Philadelphia.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) The backlash from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette removing black reporters from covering the protests in Pittsburgh continues. Giant Eagle announced yesterday they will quit selling the paper in their stores.

Journalists Alexis Johnson and Michael Santiago were both taken off any assignments related to protests in the area by management of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Giant Eagle is stating via their Facebook page that in part, “In western Pennsylvania, we have also made the decision to halt sales of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette due to recent actions by the publication. It is critical that we uphold the values that have defined Giant Eagle for nearly 90 years. These measures will remain in place until the publication demonstrates an equal commitment to all those in the communities it serves. We must take every opportunity to put ourselves in each other’s shoes. We will slip up. We will make mistakes. But as long as we are open, honest and sincerely listen to one another, we will make positive, long-lasting change.” The post was signed by Laura Shapiro Karet President and Chief Executive Officer of Giant Eagle Inc.

Companies touting Black Lives Matter face workforce scrutiny
By SALLY HO Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) — As protests over police brutality erupted across the country, The Associated Press reviewed the diversity reports of some of the biggest companies pledging solidarity with their black employees as well as the black community. It found that their efforts to recruit, maintain and promote minorities within their own ranks have fallen short. The #pulluporshutup campaign on Instagram has also been going viral since consumers began pushing companies to reveal the racial makeup of their corporate workforce. Adidas acknowledged its own shortcomings after a growing group of its employees called out the company for its lack of diversity. On Tuesday Adidas pledged to fill at least 30% of all new positions in the U.S. at Adidas and Reebok with black and Latino people.

Many more likely sought US jobless aid even as layoffs slow
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government is set to issue its latest report on the layoffs that have left millions unemployed but that have markedly slowed as many businesses have partially reopened and rehired some laid-off workers. The pace of job cuts has declined in the nearly three months since the coronavirus struck hard, forcing business closures and sending the economy into a recession. The dwindling pace of jobless claims suggests that the devastation in the job market may have bottomed out. Still, by historical standards the number of weekly applications remains high.

Pennsylvania House speaker says he’ll leave office next week
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives says his last day on the job will be Monday. Republican Speaker Mike Turzai of Allegheny County made the announcement on Wednesday, after a farewell address. Turzai has been in the House since 2001 and speaker since 2015. He says he hopes to work in the private sector but hasn’t announced any specific plans. Turzai played an active role in campaigns, helping his party expand its majority numbers, and provided forceful, conservative opposition to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

Storm Damage on William Penn Way in New Brighton (Photo Courtesy of Mark Peterson)

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Severe storms tore through Beaver County Last Night. A Tornado Warning was issued for the area of Beaver Falls and New Brighton a little after 9:30. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh is confirming that radar showed a tornado over Beaver Falls. The NWS says that the Tornado touched down shortly before 10 Pm in the area of Providence Hospital in Beaver Falls. The NWS is expected to visit the lower end of Beaver Falls this morning to confirm. A tree landed on a house and garage on William Penn Way in New Brighton and  thousands have been left without power. Besides Beaver Falls and New Brighton the area of the Tusca Shop N’ Save in Brighton Twp was hit hard by the storms and have caused road closures. It’s also being reported of trees down along Bologne Valley Road in North Sewickley. We will continue to update you as the situation unfolds throughout the day.

(Beaver County, PA) The Best of Beaver County is easy to discover; it’s right on your radio!  Tune in this and every Thursday from 11 to 11:30 A.M.  for “The Best of Beaver County”, an innovative radio program on WBVP and WMBA presented by St. Barnabas. The show is hosted by Jim Roddey and is dedicated to shining light on the great things going on right here in local neighborhoods, and the people that are making it happen.  Find out what all the buzz is about by joining “The Best Of Beaver County”.  

This week Jim’s guest is Dr. Cyril Wecht. The pair will talk about the COVID-19 Coronavirus and it effects.

You can also listen to the show streaming Live on the Beaver County Radio Website by going to: beavercountyradio.com

You can also Download the Beaver County Radio App at the Google Play Store or the Apple I-tunes Store.

You can also listen on your Amazon Alexa by telling Alexa to Learn the Beaver County Radio Skill.

The radio broadcast will be replayed each Sunday from 11:30 am to Noon.