(File Photo: Source for Photo: Health department staff members enter the Andrews County Health Department measles clinic carrying doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)

(AP) U.S. measles cases topped 700 as of Friday, capping a week in which Indiana joined five others states with active outbreaks, Texas grew by another 60 cases and a third measles-related death was made public.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed in a televised Cabinet meeting Thursday that measles cases were plateauing nationally, but the virus continues to spread mostly in people who are unvaccinated and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention redeployed a team to West Texas.

The U.S. has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024, and Texas is reporting the majority of them with 541.

Texas’ cases include two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children who died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter of the outbreak in rural West Texas, which led Kennedy to visit the community Sunday. The third person who died was an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated.

Other states with active outbreaks — defined as three or more cases — include New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio and Oklahoma.

The multistate outbreak confirms health experts’ fears that the virus will take hold in other U.S. communities with low vaccination rates and that the spread could stretch on for a year. The World Health Organization has said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

Here’s what else you need to know about measles in the U.S.

How many measles cases are there in Texas and New Mexico?

Texas’ outbreak began in late January. State health officials said Friday there were 36 new cases of measles since Tuesday, bringing the total to 541 across 22 counties — most of them in West Texas. A total of 56 Texans have been hospitalized throughout the outbreak.

Of the confirmed cases, state health officials estimated Friday that about 5% are actively infectious.

Sixty-five percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has logged 355 cases since late January — just over 1% of the county’s residents.

Last week’s death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Kennedy. Health officials in Texas said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A child died of measles in Texas in late February — Kennedy said age 6.

New Mexico announced two new cases Friday, bringing the state’s total to 58. State health officials say the cases are linked to Texas’ outbreak based on genetic testing. Most are in Lea County, where two people have been hospitalized, two are in Eddy County and one is in Chaves County.

New Mexico reported its first measles-related death in an adult on March 6.

How many cases are there in Kansas?

Kansas has 32 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state, health officials announced Wednesday. Two of the counties, Finney and Ford, are new on the list and are major population centers in that part of the state. Haskell County has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six, and the rest have five or fewer.

The state’s first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.

How many cases are there in Oklahoma?

Cases in Oklahoma increased by two Friday to 12 total: nine confirmed and three probable cases. The first two probable cases were “associated” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the state health department said.

A state health department spokesperson said measles exposures were confirmed in Tulsa and Rogers counties, but wouldn’t say which counties had cases.

How many cases are there in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Health confirmed 20 measles cases in the state as of Thursday: 11 in Ashtabula County near Cleveland, seven in Knox County and one each in Allen and Holmes counties.

Ohio is not including nonresidents in its count, a state health department spokesperson told The Associated Press. The Knox County outbreak in east-central Ohio has infected a total 14 people, according to a news release from the county health department, but seven of them do not live in Ohio. In 2022, a measles outbreak in central Ohio sickened 85.

The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had traveled internationally.

How many cases are there in Indiana?

Indiana confirmed six connected cases of measles in Allen County in the northeast part of the state — four are unvaccinated minors and two are adults whose vaccination status is unknown.

The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health said Wednesday. The first case was confirmed Monday.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. The agency counted seven clusters that qualified as outbreaks in 2025 as of Friday.

In the U.S., cases and outbreaks are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. It can then spread, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles. So far in 2025, the CDC’s count is 712.

Do you need an MMR booster?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

People at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak, said Scott Weaver with the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

Adults with “presumptive evidence of immunity” generally don’t need measles shots now, the CDC said. Criteria include written documentation of adequate vaccination earlier in life, lab confirmation of past infection or being born before 1957, when most people were likely to be infected naturally.

A doctor can order a lab test called an MMR titer to check your levels of measles antibodies, but experts don’t always recommend it and health insurance plans may not cover it.

Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says.

People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said. That also includes people who don’t know which type they got.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

How can you treat measles?

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

Why do vaccination rates matter?

In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”

But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

The U.S. saw a rise in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference at the governor’s official residence about a suspected arson fire that forced him, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion where he set a fire that left significant damage and forced Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building, authorities said Sunday.

The man, captured later in the day, will face charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault, authorities said.

Shapiro said he, his wife, their four children, two dogs and another family had celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover at the residence on Saturday and were awakened by state troopers pounding on their doors at about 2 a.m. Sunday. They fled and firefighters extinguished the fire, officials said. No one was injured.

At a Sunday evening news conference in front of the badly damaged south wing of the governor’s residence, Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris identified the man in custody as Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg.

Shapiro says he is unbowed

Paris emphasized that the investigation is continuing. Authorities did not disclose the man’s motive, but an emotional Shapiro, who is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028, said he is unbowed.

Shapiro said that if Balmer was trying to stop him from doing his job, then he’ll work harder, and he added that Balmer will not stop him from observing his faith.

“When we were in the state dining room last night, we told the story of Passover” and the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom, Shapiro said. “I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.”

Police say suspect hopped security fence and forcibly entered residence

Authorities said the suspect hopped over a nearly 7-foot-high (2.1-meter-high) iron security fence surrounding the property, eluded officers who became aware of the breach and forcibly entered the residence before setting it on fire.

Lt. Col. George Bivens said Balmer had a homemade incendiary device — he would not describe what kind — and appeared to have carefully planned the attack. He was inside the residence for about a minute before he escaped, Bivens said.

Bivens said Balmer was later arrested in the area. Authorities did not say whether Balmer has a lawyer or where he was being held and calls to people believed to be relatives went unanswered or unreturned. One recent listed residence in Harrisburg was condemned in 2022.

Balmer has faced criminal charges over the past decade including simple assault, theft and forgery, according to online criminal court records.

‘We have to be better than this,’ Shapiro says

Shapiro said the fire was set in the very room where he and his family celebrated Passover with a seder with members of Harrisburg’s Jewish community on Saturday night.

“We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet,” Shapiro told the news conference. “But we do know a few truths. First: This type of violence is not OK. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society. And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another or one particular person or another. It is not OK, and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”

The fire badly damaged the inside of the large room that is often used for entertaining crowds and art displays. Large west- and south-facing windows were completely missing their glass panes, shattered glass littered the pathways and doors stood ajar amid signs of charring. Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened and charred.

Inside, a charred piano, tables, walls, metal buffet serving dishes and more could be seen through broken windows and fire-blackened doors.

Justice Department and other agencies pledge to help

Shapiro said he had received pledges of help from the Department of Justice, the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office, as well as numerous messages of support from fellow governors and others.

Yellow tape cordoned off an alleyway on the residence’s south side, where investigators dogs outside the iron security fence and sawed off a section from the top of the security fence. They wrapped it in heavy black plastic and took it away in a vehicle.

Shapiro splits his time between the mansion that has housed governors since it was built in the 1960s and a home in Abington, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east. He posted a photograph on social media Saturday of the family’s Passover Seder table at the residence.

“Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack,” Vice President JD Vance posted to X. “Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice.”

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker, a Republican, called the attack a “despicable act of cowardice” and said he hoped Pennsylvanians joined he and his wife in keeping the Shapiros in their prayers.

Former Gov. Tom Ridge, also a Republican, said images of the damage to the residence where he lived for eight years with his family were “heartbreaking” and said the attack on the official residence was shocking.

“Whoever is responsible for this attack — to both the Shapiro family and our Commonwealth — must be held to account,” Ridge said.

(File Photo from summer 2024 when Frank Sparks and Scott Tady were hosting a Happy Hour Broadcast at Harkins Mill Wines)

(Brighton Twp. Pa.)  Beaver County Radio is excited to announce changes to its morning programming. Starting on Monday, April 14,  2025, General Manager, Frank Sparks will co-host “The Beaver County Radio Morning Show” with Scott Tady on all aspects of Beaver County Radio including 99.3 FM, 1230 WBVP, 95.7FM, 1460 WMBA, and beavercountyradio.com. The show will be weekdays from 6-10 AM and will feature music, news, sports, talk, and entertainment.  The show will be combining “Driving in the Fast Lane” on 99.3 FM and 1230 WBVP and “The Beaver Morning Show” on 95.7 FM and 1460 WMBA into one show that will be simulcast to all Beaver County Radio listeners.

Popular segments will remain including “Backyard Beaver County” that features all local music for two hours once a week. That show will move from Thursdays to Fridays from 8-10AM. Notes on Entertainment will also remain on the air at 8 AM on Thursdays instead of Fridays. Other popular segments such as “Ask The Commissioners” and “Rapping with the Reps” will also remain on the air in their usual monthly time slots.

At 10AM each weekday Mike Romigh who is returning from retirement will host “Live Mic” until noon. Mike will have guests and keep the listeners up to date with what is happening in our world.

Romigh a veteran show host of many years  retired from doing the morning show on 99.3 FM and WBVP in August of 2025. At that point Sparks was co-hosting “The Beaver Morning Show” on “The Beaver” 95.7 FM and 14640 WMBA with Tady. Being Sparks had years of experience in talk it was only natural for him to shift over and take over for Romigh. Six months later Romigh got the itch and just couldn’t stay away from his love of talk radio and is excited to return to the airways every week day.

This will be the third time since 2017 that Sparks and Tady have teamed up to do a show.

(File Photo)

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a lawsuit against a Beaver County home improvement contractor, and his business, for repeatedly failing to complete contracts and operating while unregistered.

The lawsuit alleges that James D. Martin — also known as Doug Martin, and his business, Martin Lawn Services, LLC — failed to perform home improvement contracts by doing subpar work or never doing any work at all. Martin also entered into contracts with several consumers after his business’ registration under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) had expired, according to the lawsuit.

At least seven court judgments have been entered against Martin, since 2022, for his business practices, and he also has a pending criminal case in Beaver County regarding theft and deceptive business practices charges.

The Office of Attorney General’s lawsuit seeks to stop Martin from doing business in Pennsylvania, along with consumer restitution and civil penalties.

“This contractor took significant sums of money from hardworking Pennsylvanians hoping to improve their homes, then failed to honor the contracts,” Attorney General Sunday said. “He also knew he had to register as a contractor with our office, failed to do so, and kept taking on clients.”

Martin’s conduct violated both HICPA and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

Any consumers who believe that they or someone they know may be a victim of these practices should file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection at www.attorneygeneral.gov, call 1-800-441-2555, or email scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

This lawsuit was filed in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jesse F. Harvey.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published April 11, 2025 1:28 P.M.

(Chippewa Township, Pa) A groundbreaking was held Friday morning at the Air Heritage Museum at Beaver County Airport. CCBC will be building a brand new 30,000 square foot facility on the grounds near the Air Heritage Museum.

The multi-story facility will house the new CCBC School of Aviation Sciences, new administrative offices for CCBC and the Beaver County Airport Authority (BVI), a new public airport terminal, and a new FAA compliant and fully accessible air traffic control tower.

CCBC President Roger Davis spoke at the event highlighting CCBC as the “nations top aviation program”, noting that the program has landed traffic control operators at every airport in the country. Davis described the new facility as “futuristic” and mentioned that it is the result of local, state, and federal funding.

The facility is set to be a 21st century learning environment that acknowledges CCBC and BVI’s joint legacy of a shared pursuit of excellence in aviation, with a focus on the future.

Other shared spaces within the interior will allow the public to witness training exercises in real time while also serving as a recruiting tool to grow CCBC’s national reputation.

Speakers at the event included County Commissioners Dan Camp and Jack Manning among others. In attendance were State Representatives Rob Matzie and Roman Kozak, Senator Elder Vogel, and former State Representative Jim Marshall.