FILE – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is flanked by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., left, and Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., as he talks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, March 24, 2023. House Republicans are set to approve a sprawling energy package that counters virtually all of President Joe Biden’s agenda to address climate change. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have passed a sprawling energy package that would counter virtually all of President Joe Biden’s agenda to address climate change. The bill approved Thursday would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects. It would boost production of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers, cellphones and other products. Democrats call the bill a giveaway to big oil companies. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the bill is “dead on arrival” in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Biden has threatened a veto.

This photo provided KSTP, emergency personnel respond to the scene of a train derailment early Thursday, March 30, 2023 in Raymond, Min. A train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire and nearby residents were ordered to evacuate their homes, authorities said. (KSTP via AP)

Authorities say a train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in Minnesota and residents within 1/2 mile of the crash were ordered to evacuate from their homes. Kandiyohi County Sheriff Eric Tollefson says in a statement that the BNSF train derailment was reported about 1 a.m. Thursday in Raymond, about 100 miles west of Minneapolis. BNSF said 22 cars derailed and four caught fire, but there were no injuries. BNSF says there was no other hazardous material in the cars. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN that about 14 cars were carrying hazardous materials. BNSF said ethanol was the only hazardous material. Several federal agencies are responding to the crash and Gov. Tim Walz plans to visit the site Thursday.

The Supreme Court building is seen on Capitol Hill, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is grappling with whether a man serving a life sentence for his role on an international “kill team” should get a new trial. The justices heard 90 minutes of lively arguments Wednesday about a situation that sometimes arises in criminal trials with more than one defendant, when one person’s confession might also implicate someone else on trial. Adam Samia, who was convicted of a killing a real estate broker in the Philippines, was tried with two other men who carried out the attack. One of the men confessed to his role and also implicated Samia. The Supreme Court has previously imposed limits on the use of a confession in these circumstances.

FILE – The OpenAI logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying output from ChatGPT, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Boston. Are tech companies moving too fast in rolling out powerful artificial intelligence technology that could one day outsmart humans? That is the conclusion of a group of prominent computer scientists and other tech industry notables who are calling for a 6-month pause to consider the risks. Their petition published Wednesday, March 29, 2023, is a response to San Francisco startup OpenAI’s recent release of GPT-4. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Are tech companies moving too fast in rolling out powerful artificial intelligence technology that could one day outsmart humans? That’s the conclusion of a group of prominent computer scientists and other tech industry notables such as Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak who are calling for a 6-month pause to consider the risks. Their petition published Wednesday is a response to San Francisco startup OpenAI’s recent release of GPT-4, a more advanced successor to its widely-used AI chatbot ChatGPT that helped spark a race among tech giants Microsoft and Google to unveil similar applications.

FILE – The overdose-reversal drug Narcan is displayed during training for employees of the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), Dec. 4, 2018, in Philadelphia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved selling overdose antidote naloxone over-the-counter, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, marking the first time a opioid treatment drug will be available without a prescription. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved selling overdose antidote naloxone over-the-counter, marking the first time an opioid treatment drug will be available without a prescription. Wednesday’s approval is for Narcan, a name-brand version of naloxone sold by Emergent BioSolutions. How much this will impact a nationwide overdose crisis is not clear, even though better access to naloxone is a priority. The decision means Narcan can be available at convenience and grocery stores, but its price isn’t clear. For many people who use drugs, naloxone is already available from community groups — and that’s not expected to change.

FILE – Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., leaves an intelligence briefing on the unknown aerial objects, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 14, 2023. A person close to Fetterman says he’ll return to the Senate in April, two months after the freshman Democrat sought inpatient treatment for clinical depression. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A person close to Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says he’ll return to the Senate in April, two months after the freshman Democrat sought inpatient treatment for clinical depression. The person, who was not authorized to discuss Fetterman’s plans and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday that Fetterman will return the week of April 17. It wasn’t immediately clear when Fetterman will leave Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he checked in Feb. 15. The 53-year-old Fetterman was still recovering from the aftereffects of a stroke he suffered last May when he went to Walter Reed. Doctors say post-stroke depression is common and treatable.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Norfolk Southern has completed their first $1 million in reimbursements to Pennsylvania fire departments, first responders, and Beaver County Hazmat. This initial $1 million from Norfolk Southern is part of the funding Governor Shapiro secured in reimbursements for equipment that was damaged or contaminated during the response and remediation to Norfolk Southern’s train derailment in East Palestine. Fire companies from Beaver, Lawrence, and Washington Counties responded to the derailment and the controlled vent and burn – and Governor Shapiro is working to ensure they receive any and all funding they need.

 

Governor Shapiro continues to deliver on his promise to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts to the Commonwealth. Last month, Governor Shapiro secured an initial commitment from Norfolk Southern to pay for millions in damages to Pennsylvania and impacted residents in Beaver and Lawrence Counties, including covering costs to local responders.

 

“Norfolk Southern’s train derailment hurt communities in Western Pennsylvania, put our first responders at risk, and has taken up immense local and state resources,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Norfolk Southern must do better – and the entire cost of this derailment and its impact on the Commonwealth must be picked up by them, not the people of Pennsylvania. This critical funding will help make fire departments and first responders whole, and my Administration will continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts on our Commonwealth.”

 

“Our fire companies and first responders put their health and safety on the line for Pennsylvanians each day – we are proud of the good work they do and we thank them for their service,” said Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “In order to continue doing their jobs safely and effectively, our firefighters need the right gear. We urge Norfolk Southern to continue to swiftly reimburse our departments and their local partners for any damaged equipment.”

 

In addition to securing this critical funding for Pennsylvania fire departments and first responders, Governor Shapiro has led the way to ensure that Pennsylvania residents are receiving reimbursements for losses they incurred as a result of Norfolk Southern’s train derailment. Governor Shapiro is fighting for Pennsylvanians like those he met with in Darlington Township – who just this week received reimbursements for 20 dozen eggs they lost after the derailment. Pennsylvanians who want to apply for reimbursements should visit this link to learn how to apply as the Shapiro Administration continues working to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and secure funding for all damages to our Commonwealth.

 

The Shapiro Administration plans to maintain a long-term presence in Beaver County to continue assisting residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) staff are continuing to conduct the Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey among residents and first responders living near the derailment. The surveys help residents identify symptoms, experiences, and concerns about the impact of the train derailment on their lives.

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been conducting independent water and soil sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks within a two-mile radius of the East Palestine derailment. Concerned residents who are beyond the two-mile radius may reach out to DEP to request testing by calling 412-442-4000.

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture launched a hotline for concerned farmers and producers. Those who have questions or concerns can contact the hotline at 855-777-6735.

 

Visit the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s (PEMA) dashboard for more information about resources available to Pennsylvania residents.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published March 30, 2023 9:54 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The City of Beaver Falls has announced street sweeping will resume on April 3rd. They say residents should still follow the day listed for their block, although the time has been modified. Street sweeping in the city will now take place from 5am until 1pm. Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns issued a statement on Facebook saying the reason for the extended operation time is due to current staffing issues.  She stated that the daylight operations will be pursued for a trial period before making a final decision. Mayor Johns also said nobody will be ticketed during this transition.

Jacee Serak (Submitted by CCBC)

Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) proudly announces Jacee Serak as a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. Jacee was one of just 50 students nationally to receive $1,500 as part of her selection as a Gold Scholar, the top tier of the program.
A second-year business administration major and honors student, Jacee serves as vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, president of the Student Government Association, student representative to the Board of Trustees, and is a student intern in the Student Life Department.
“The Coca-Cola scholarship will greatly benefit me in the next chapter of my life,” said Jacee, who is planning to attend Pennsylvania Western University of California (PennWest Cal-U) to pursue a degree in Business Administration. “I am so grateful for the scholarship and proud to represent CCBC, which helped me achieve this honor.”
Through its Coca-Cola Academic Team program, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation recognizes 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. Students are nominated for the academic team by their college
administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
“We are so pleased that Jacee won this Coca-Cola Scholarship,” said Brittney Golden, CCBC Dean of Students. “Jacee has been an integral part of our campus community these last two years, especially in her role as Student Government President. She’s actively involved with many clubs and organizations on campus and serves as the student liaison each month at our Board of Trustee meetings. Jacee embodies
the spirit of our campus and is a wonderful representation of who our students are: dedicated and hardworking individuals who want to further their education and make a difference in our community!”
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst.

(Slippery Rock Township, PA) A Canadian National train derailed in Slippery Rock near Halston Road Wednesday.

Around 15 railcars are said to have derailed. They were all carrying iron ore and not dangerous. No fires or injuries took place. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.