Harrisburg, PA– The Shapiro Administration has secured $100 million through a consent agreement with the Monsanto Company, Solutia INC., and Pharmacia LLC to resolve claims related to their production of products containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which damaged waterways and other natural resources across Pennsylvania.

PCBs, which Congress banned in 1979, are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. PCBs have no known taste or smell, and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid. PCBs can accumulate in the leaves and above-ground parts of plants and food crops. They are also taken up into the bodies of small organisms and fish. As a result, people who ingest fish may be exposed to PCBs that have bioaccumulated in the fish they are ingesting.

“The Department has spent years protecting Pennsylvanians from PCBs,” said DEP Secretary Rich Negrin. “By securing this settlement, DEP is holding Monsanto accountable for what it did to Pennsylvania’s water and making sure that Monsanto is paying for the work the Commonwealth has done to keep its water clean. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to protecting the rights and resources of all Pennsylvanians.”

The $100 million settlement recovers costs that the Commonwealth has incurred because of PCB contamination and will be used for further remediation efforts. Under the agreement, $8 million will be used specifically for the communities impacted by the spread of PCBs. That fund will be invested consistent with the Administration’s commitment to promoting environmental justice across the Commonwealth. The remaining funds will be allocated amongst the agencies that have been responsible for helping to combat PCB pollution in Pennsylvania, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PFBC).

“For decades, PCB pollution has contaminated fish in our waterways, disrupted recreational opportunities, and impaired a valuable food source for millions of Pennsylvanians,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director. “On behalf of the anglers of Pennsylvania, we are proud to join our partner agencies in securing this settlement as we work to protect our cherished aquatic resources.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act, which would fix outdated and arbitrary restrictions on Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. Currently, despite facing disproportionately high rates of poverty, widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses often must overcome unnecessary and burdensome hurdles to access Social Security benefits and are prevented from maximizing their benefits. The SWIFT Act would fix this problem by eliminating or providing more flexibility around these barriers, which often harm women. The bill would ultimately increase Social Security benefits for more than one million Americans. 

“Social Security is a lifeline for many older adults and people with disabilities,” said Chairman Casey. “Yet because of outdated rules that disproportionately affect women, many of those who rely on Social Security the most are not receiving all the benefits they need and deserve. The SWIFT Act will modernize Social Security and help the program keep its promise of a financially secure retirement for all Americans.” 

Official poverty rates of widow(er)s receiving Social Security benefits are nearly twice as high as those of retired workers and spouses, and widow(er)s caring for children and widow(er)s with disabilities have among the highest poverty rates of all Social Security recipients. Despite this, under current law, widow(er)s who develop a disability after their spouse dies are not allowed to claim survivor benefits until they reach age 50, and the value of these benefits is severely reduced if they claim them before reaching full retirement age. Additionally, more than one-third of widow(er)s also have their benefits limited by an obscure provision known as the “widow(er)’s limit,” which prevents beneficiaries from maximizing their benefits by permanently reducing widow(er)s’ survivor benefits if their deceased spouse claimed retirement benefits before reaching full retirement age. 

The SWIFT Act would remove these barriers and modernize Social Security by:  

·        Allowing widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive 100% of the survivor benefit they are entitled to regardless of their age.

·        Giving widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses the ability to increase the value of their survivor benefits beyond current arbitrary cap.

·        Enabling widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses caring for children to receive child-in-care benefits until their children are age 18 or 19 if still in school.

·        Requiring the federal government to proactively provide information to widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses about benefits they are eligible for, claiming options and important deadlines. 

The SWIFT Act is cosponsored by Senators Blumenthal (D-CT), Klobuchar (D-MN), Stabenow (D-MI), Murray (D-WA), and Sanders (I-VT). It has been endorsed by the National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, the National Association of Disability Representatives, the Alliance for Retired Americans, Justice in Aging, the Arc of the United States, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, AFSCME, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Reps, AFL-CIO, and AFGE.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 13, 2023 9:52 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A brief ceremony was held at the Aliquippa War Memorial. A Gulf War plaque honoring the veterans of that war and all those who participated in any part of the war on terrorism, according to Cindy Gormley. A new plaque designating the city as a PURPLE HEART CITY was presented the city it is proud of the designation. Air Force SSMGT Charles E. Browder and LCpl. Gilliam, a deceased Marine with 2 purple hearts honored at the event. The new street banners are in place honoring the 2 men. were especially

Law enforcement officers ride by a roadblock as the search for escaped convict Danelo Cavalcante continues in Pottstown, Pa., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities have reiterated that escaped murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante is believed to be within a perimeter in a rural stretch of southeastern Pennsylvania after he stole a rifle from a garage and fled a homeowner’s gunfire. Pennsylvania State Police said again Tuesday evening that Cavalcante is believed to be in South Coventry Township and that residents should secure buildings, property and vehicles. Police closed roads Tuesday and set up the new search area, saying about 500 law enforcement personnel are searching or guarding an 8- to 10-square mile area roughly 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Cavalcante escaped from the Chester County jail Aug. 31 after being sentenced to life for killing an ex-girlfriend in 2021.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published September 13, 2023 7:46 A.M.

(Hookstown, Pa) State Police now say that a robber stole approximately $1500 dollars and a gun that was behind the counter at Johnstown Market on Pine Street in Hookstown. It was stated that just before 10pm, an unknown male wearing all black, and covering his face entered the store, brandished a knife, and demanding the clerk open the register. He was also said to have worn a green backpack. The initial press release by State Police stated that the robber had gotten away with $1000 and only attempted to steal the firearm. A following press release contradicted those statements. The suspect is said to have fled the scene and State Police are looking to hear from anyone that may have information.

Two young technicians installing heavy solar photo voltaic panel on tall steel platform on green tree background. Exterior solar panel voltaic system installation, dangerous job concept. Danielle Smith – Keystone State News Connection

It has been one year since the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act became law, and Pennsylvania is seeing and using some of the funding.

The groundbreaking law directs $370 billion to clean-energy efforts through tax incentives, grants and loan guarantees. The Keystone State has set a goal of using 100% clean energy by 2050, and the law is helping to make it a reality.

Annie Regan, campaign director for the environmental watchdog group PennFuture, said together, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have brought more than $300 million to Pennsylvania.

She pointed out a variety of projects are already benefiting from the funding.

“We also know the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering energy costs for families in Pennsylvania, with estimates ranging from $300 to $1,800 in annual savings,” Regan observed. “Folks will notice — within this year, in the next couple of years, especially — that their energy bills will become lower and more affordable.”

Regan added the funding has already added 64 electric school buses in seven school districts in the state, with more than $19 million in rebates. Republican opponents of the Inflation Reduction Act have cited concerns about the U.S. budget deficit and the effect on jobs in the oil and gas sector.

Regan explained funding from the law puts the Keystone State on the cusp of a Green Revolution, which promises not only cleaner skies, but economic growth and opportunities.

“It’s going to bring an estimated $270 million of investment in large-scale, clean power generation and storage to Pennsylvania by 2030,” Regan outlined. “It’s going to provide $30 billion in tax credits to accelerate domestic production of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and critical minerals processing.”

Regan added her group, along with ReImagine Appalachia, are working to make sure the states in their region are all taking advantage of the federal funding for renewable energy opportunities, affecting communities in need.

“We want to create good-paying, family-sustaining union jobs with these federal climate investments,” Regan emphasized. “I think that’s where we’ve seen a pivot in the environmental movement, of not just employing clean energy, but making sure it’s done right, using union labor.”

The massive law also includes money to update the nation’s power transmission systems, and tax credits for projects using American-made steel and iron, which should result in more jobs in those fields.

Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.838 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.838
Average price during the week of September 5, 2023                                       $3.852
Average price during the week of September 12, 2022                                     $3.984

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.892      Altoona
$3.729      Beaver
$3.758      Bradford
$3.742      Brookville
$3.932      Butler
$3.888      Clarion
$3.853      DuBois
$3.955      Erie
$3.847      Greensburg
$3.894      Indiana
$3.870      Jeannette
$3.872      Kittanning
$3.897      Latrobe
$3.620      Meadville
$3.996      Mercer
$3.647      New Castle
$3.859      New Kensington
$3.991      Oil City
$3.837      Pittsburgh
$3.611      Sharon
$3.796      Uniontown
$3.999      Warren
$3.778      Washington

Trend Analysis:

The national average for a gallon of gas is up two cents over the past week to $3.83. The increase comes after a recent uptick in the price of oil, the primary ingredient in gasoline. Today’s national average is a penny less than a month ago but 12 cents more than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased from 9.07 to 9.32 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks dropped from 217.4 to 214.7 million barrels.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate rose by 85 cents to settle at $87.54. The price of oil has increased amid news that Saudi Arabia plans to continue its voluntary 1 million barrels per day production cut through the end of the year. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased significantly from 422.9 to 416.6 million barrels.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

[Sept. 11, 2023] — The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.  

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.  

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in. 

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive. 

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together, longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community. 

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood. 

How to donate blood 

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters. 

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Authorities say escaped murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante stole a rifle from a garage, fled a homeowner’s gunfire, and is on the run in suburban Philadelphia. Police have closed roads Tuesday and are telling residents to lock their doors. They say they have set up a new search area in the nearly 2-week-old manhunt. They say about 500 law enforcement personnel searching or guarding an 8- to 10-square mile area roughly 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Cavalcante escaped from the Chester County jail Aug. 31 after being sentenced to life for killing an ex-girlfriend in 2021.