President Joe Biden departs Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following a physical, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — President Joe Biden spent about 2 1/2 hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Maryland for an annual physical that will be closely watched as the 81-year-old president seeks reelection. The White House said Wednesday it will release a written summary later in the day of what it calls a “routine” checkup. Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history and would be 86 by the end of a second term, should he win one. After his last physical, performed in February 2023, doctors declared Biden “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House duties. But voters are approaching this year’s election with misgivings about Biden’s age.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., talks after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitch McConnell says he’ll step down as Senate Republican leader in November. The 82-year-old Kentucky lawmaker is the longest-serving Senate leader in history. He’s maintained his power in the face of dramatic changes in the Republican Party. He’s set to make the announcement Wednesday McConnell on the Senate floor. The Associated Press obtained his prepared remarks in which he says, “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.” McConnell says he plans to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027, “albeit from a different seat in the chamber.”

FILE – Ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., listens during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, March 23, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Environmental Protection Agency says 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states will be cleaned up as part of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program. The money is the third and last installment in $3.5 billion allocated under the 2021 infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency says 25 toxic waste sites in 15 states will be cleaned up as part of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program. The money is the third and last installment in $3.5 billion allocated under the 2021 infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. It will help clear a backlog of hazardous sites such as old landfills, mines and manufacturing facilities targeted by the 44-year-old Superfund program. Sites slated for cleanup include a former smelting plant in East Helena, Montana; an old textile mill in Greenville, South Carolina; and a New Jersey beach area blighted by toxic material used to build a seawall and jetty nearly 60 years ago.

This photo provided by Lauren Feeney shows a group of election officials and AI experts from civil society, academia, industry and journalism testing how different AI models respond to queries voters might ask about elections, at Columbia University in New York, Jan. 25, 2024. (Lauren Feeney/Proof News via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Chatbots are spitting out fabricated and misleading information that risks disenfranchising voters leading up to the 2024 U.S. election. That’s according to a report published Tuesday based on the findings of artificial intelligence experts and a bipartisan group of election officials. Fifteen states and one territory will hold Democratic and Republican presidential nominating contests next week on Super Tuesday, and millions of people already using AI-powered chatbots to search for basic information, including about the voting process. The report found that chatbots have answers, but are prone to suggesting voters head to inexistent polling places or inventing responses. Some chatbot companies say they are refining their models.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2024 10:26 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A warrant for an Aliquippa man has been issued for injuring a dog. David Askew, 43, of Aliquippa is being sought by Aliquippa police after he struck a 9 month old female dog with a hatchet. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the corner of Maratta Road and Main Street at 3:50pm. The dog’s owner was sitting on a stoop and the dog was on a leash when struck.

Askew faces a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, and possession of the instrument of crime with intent along with misdemeanor charges of make, repair, sell, offensive weapons, and cruelty to animals. The charges were filed in District Justice Felicia Santillan’s office.

Anyone with information on Askew’s whereabouts is asked to call Aliquippa Police 724-378-8000.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 28, 2024 10:22 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) The Hopewell School board hired March Bebout as the Director of Special Education at Tuesday night’s meeting with a salary of $97,000.00 a year.

Technology Director Dennis Barber presented an update to the board on the status of the technology that the district uses. He reported I-Pads need to be replaced and that the 33 white boards are breaking.

The district’s 2024-25 calendar was approved.

Isaiah Pisano was recognized along with other members of the wrestling team for winning his 100th match and being the district champion for 2024.

It was announced that the bocce team will compete at Geneva College on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in the regional championship. Aliquippa’s team will also compete, according to their Coach Charles Brantner.