Photos provided by Commonwealth Media Services

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil kicked off the 2023 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2023 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“I love this time of year and how it brings people together, and I’m so excited to light my first Christmas tree as Governor — a beautiful Douglas Fir from Carbon County,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “No matter what holidays you celebrate, I hope all Pennsylvanians get a chance to spend time with loved ones and count their blessings. Lori, our children and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with 1,250 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by Pre-K for PA students and Pennsylvania Department of Aging seniors from across the Commonwealth.

The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, Reverend Anjel Scarborough of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hershey, PA, and dozens of Pre-K for PA students and staff for the holiday celebration.

The Central Dauphin High School Choir led the audience in singing Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance. In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is another 20-foot Douglas fir – also from Crystal Spring Tree Farm – located outdoors on the Capitol steps.

The tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the tree on the Capitol steps will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through January 8, 2024.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane and shoulder closure on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in the City of Aliquippa, Beaver County, will begin Wednesday, December 6 weather permitting.

A single-lane and shoulder closure in each direction on the I-376 bridge that carries traffic over Bunker Hill Road will occur around-the-clock from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 15. Crews will conduct milling and concrete deck overlay work.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:38 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) At the Hopewell School Board meeting Tuesday night, Dan Engen, president of Draw Collective did a relaunch of a feasibility study of the facility master plan. The last one was in 2019. On January 15, 2024 the full district staff will assemble, and the next meeting will be with the department heads.

Story by Sandy Giordano with contributions by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:29 A.M.    

(New Brighton, Pa) A fully involved structure fire destroyed a residence in New Brighton. Several fire departments assisted New Brighton at a duplex on the 700 block of 10th Avenue Tuesday night. According to Beaver County 9-1-1, all residents were evacuated from the structure and the Red Cross is assisting the residents. We have no additional details at this time.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos already has a new gig. Fresh off his historic expulsion, the former congressman has opened a Cameo account where the public can pay $200 for a personalized video message. Screenshots of his account with the bio “Former congressional ‘Icon’!” started to spread online Monday and by the afternoon, users were posting clips of Santos offering advice, blowing kisses and making jokes about Botox. Santos was expelled from the House on Friday following a scandal-plagued tenure in Congress and a looming criminal trial. He is only the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden applaud during the 46th Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is spending most of this week raising money for his reelection campaign. Biden is traveling to Boston on Tuesday to schmooze with donors at three fundraisers. One of the events features a concert by singer-songwriter James Taylor. On Friday, Biden will hit Los Angeles for his first fundraisers there since actors and screenwriters ended their strikes. The Democratic president also has a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., this week and one in Philadelphia on Monday. The burst of fundraising comes as the holiday season sets in and as candidates make their final pushes to raise money before the fundraising quarter ends on Dec. 31.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks along the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are regrouping after getting drilled in an upset loss to Arizona. The Cardinals pushed Pittsburgh around for most of the final three quarters in a 24-10 victory that dropped the Steelers to 7-5. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin called his team’s performance “subpar.” The Steelers lost a chance to create a little breathing room in the AFC playoff chase with the setback. Pittsburgh will move forward without quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett is out indefinitely after undergoing right ankle surgery. Mitch Trubisky will start when the Steelers host struggling New England in Week 14.