Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds motorists to remain alert when traveling in low visibility conditions such as fog.

Increasing fog on roadways creates dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. Motorists should drive slowly to allow enough reaction time as slower moving cars and pedestrians may be more difficult to see during foggy conditions. If fog becomes so dense that you cannot see, it is best to pull completely off the road and turn on hazard lights to make your vehicle more visible.

Pennsylvania Law requires moving vehicles to have headlights turned on when traveling in unfavorable conditions. This includes fog, rain, and other conditions where visibility is low. Be sure to use low beam headlights as high beams will create a glare and make it more difficult to see the road ahead.

To prevent commute disruption, PennDOT offers the following safety tips for driving in fog:

• Allow additional time to get to your destination.
• Check your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, and turn signals to ensure they are working properly.
• Along with low beam headlights, use windshield wipers and defrosters to maximize visibility.
• Use roadside reflectors or the right edge of the road as a guide.
• Be patient and avoid passing other vehicles or changing lanes.

FILE -Taylor Swift appears at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 24, 2019, left, and Beyonce appears at the world premiere of “The Lion King” in Los Angeles on July 9, 2019. Gannett, the United States’ biggest newspaper chain, posted two unusual job listings to its site. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 they revealed they are hiring a reporter focused on Taylor Swift. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, they shared a posting for a dedicated Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter who will be employed through USA Today and The Tennessean, the company’s Nashville-based newspaper. (AP Photo/File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gannett, the United States’ biggest newspaper chain, posted two unusual job listings to its site. On Tuesday, they revealed they are hiring a reporter focused on Taylor Swift. On Wednesday, they shared a posting for a dedicated Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter who will be employed through USA Today and The Tennessean, the company’s Nashville-based newspaper. Online criticism of these new roles come in part because of major layoffs at Gannett. The NewsGuild says that Gannett’s workforce has shrunk 47% in the last three years due to layoffs and attrition. Journalists, fans and academics shared their opinions on the controversial job postings with the Associated Press.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is releasing a report on what it needs to better understand unidentified flying objects from a scientific point of view. The space agency planned to release findings Thursday after a yearlong study into UFOs. Don’t get your hopes up. At the one and only public meeting in May, the independent team insisted there is no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial life associated with UFOs. No top-secret files were accessed. Instead, the group relied on unclassified data in an attempt to better understand unexplained sightings in the sky. NASA says there are so few high-quality observations that no scientific conclusions can be drawn.

In this image from video provided by CBS NEWS Philadelphia, law enforcement officers pose for a group photo with Danelo Cavalcante after his capture in rural Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. The murderer who brazenly escaped from a Pennsylvania jail was captured in the woods by a team of tactical officers, bringing an end to an intensive search that terrified residents as the fugitive broke into homes for food, changed his appearance and stole a van and rifle during two weeks on the run. (CBS NEWS Philadelphia KYW-TV via AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A group of two dozen officers posed for a photo with escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante, minutes after his capture. The photo has drawn criticism from policing reform advocates and some members of the public, who say it was inappropriate. The moment was captured by a KYW-TV news helicopter Wednesday. It shows the officers and federal agents gathered around the handcuffed escapee for a photo before loading him into an armed vehicle. A Pennsylvania State Police leader said he was “not bothered” by the photo. Experts say departments have inconsistent conduct directives that sometimes limit what officers can post to personal social media pages or share from on-duty or in-uniform events.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two men have been sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in a drive-by shooting in downtown Pittsburgh that left a toddler dead in his car seat. Twenty-five-year-old Markez Anger and 27-year-old Londell Falconer were both sentenced Wednesday in connection with their first-degree murder convictions last June. They were also sentenced to additional terms on other counts. Prosecutors said Falconer was driving as Anger fired more than a dozen shots at another vehicle near PPG Place in May 2022. At least one bullet hit 18-month-old De’Avry Thomas, who was in the back seat. Both defendants maintain their innocence and have vowed to seek new trials.

Keystone State News Connection – Danielle Smith

(Harrisburg, Pa) Pennsylvanians will soon see some financial relief with their property taxes and rent.

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed House Bill 1100 into law, expanding the state’s existing property tax and rent rebate program.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director for AARP Pennsylvania, said the expansion of the program will significantly boost property tax rebates for older adults, alleviating the financial burden for homeowners and renters. He said the yearly maximum standard will increase from $650 to $1,000 for individuals.

“This program, and this expansion of this program, which is the first in almost two decades,” Johnston-Walsh pointed out. “Both property taxes across the state, and rents have been increasing year after year. And that’s why AARP Pennsylvania fought so hard to expand the property tax rebate program.”

Johnston-Walsh pointed out the program will be adjusted for cost of living as it moves forward. The Keystone State is home to almost 3.5 million people age 60 and older.

Johnston-Walsh explained the program provides financial relief to those who need it most but also demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the needs of an aging population.

“The Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Shapiro, what they’re looking for is how do we keep people in their homes longer?” Johnston-Walsh emphasized. “How do we put more money in their pockets so that, you know, they’re able to put food on their table, pay for their medications, and also pay for their property tax and their rents?”

Shapiro and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich recently participated in a tele-townhall with AARP to answer questions from older Pennsylvanians about the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

Johnston-Walsh stressed they want to reach as many Pennsylvanians as possible to advise them of the program.

“To educate people letting them know that this expansion goes from $35,000 a year for homeowners to $45,000 starting in 2024,” Johnston-Walsh outlined. “And getting as many people to apply for it as possible, we know that there’s going to be nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvanians that will be eligible for the program next year.”

Johnston-Walsh added 400,000 people are already qualified and will get the increase. Pennsylvanian have until Dec. 31 to apply for the program. Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers and state legislators’ offices can also assist.

CANONSBURG, Pa. – Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers looking for solutions to improve their home’s energy efficiency and to reduce their overall energy costs can take advantage of two new energy-saving programs offered by the company. These initiatives are designed to work in tandem with the existing WarmWise energy efficiency programs for our income-eligible customers.

“Using energy more efficiently isn’t just the right thing to do—it can also save our customers money while keeping them warm and safe at home,” said Christine Rausch, Columbia Gas Energy Efficiency Services Manager. “Our new programs will help ensure all Columbia Gas customers have access to affordable energy year-round.”

The Online Energy Audit & Kit Program offers residential customers an opportunity to learn more about how their home uses energy. Customers receive personalized recommendations for saving money and reducing their energy usage. Once customers complete the audit, qualifying customers have the opportunity to receive a free energy efficiency kit which will help them start their savings journey.

The Energy Efficiency Rebates Program offers Columbia Gas residential customers the opportunity to apply for rebates to help offset the cost of higher efficiency ENERGY STAR® certified equipment, which helps customers save money and energy when replacing older, less efficient equipment. Rebate amounts include up to $100 off an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat, $400 off an ENERGY STAR certified natural gas tankless water heater, up to $1200 off an ENERGY STAR certified natural gas boiler, and $400 off an ENERGY STAR certified natural gas furnace.

Customers are encouraged to visit www.columbiagaspa.com/warmwise to learn more about these programs and access energy saving tips.

Columbia Gas also offers additional WarmWise programs including the Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) and the Audits & Rebates program, which are available to customers who meet certain income-eligibility guidelines. Customers can find out what programs they may qualify for by using our eligibility calculator at www.columbiagaspa.com/calculator or by calling 1-800-537-7431 to speak with a Columbia Gas representative.