(File Photo: Source for Photo: St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt celebrates as he rounds third after leading off the baseball game with a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes in the first inning in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — JJ Wetherholt led off with a home run against Pirates ace Paul Skenes, and the St. Louis Cardinals finished off a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 10-5 win on Thursday.
Skenes (4-2) fell to 0-5 against the Cardinals after allowing five runs, four earned, in five innings. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner’s brilliant April finished with a rare dud, as Pittsburgh’s losing streak hit five.
The 23-year-old had been masterful after a shaky performance on opening day, allowing only three runs over his last five starts. The Cardinals matched that in the first inning alone.
Wetherholt, who grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs, sent a cutter into the right-field seats three pitches into the game. Jordan Walker followed three batters later by turning on a sweeper that scraped over the left-field wall, marking just the second time in Skenes’ 62 big league starts that he surrendered multiple homers in the same inning.
Alec Burleson finished with three hits and drove in three runs for the Cardinals. Wetherholt, Walker, Nolan Gorman, and Pedro Pages had two hits each. Nathan Church added a two-run double during a five-run eighth to give the Cardinals some breathing room after the Pirates had cut a four-run deficit to one.
Gordon Graceffo (2-0) won in relief of starter Hunter Dobbins, who didn’t make it out of the fifth inning in his first major league start since tearing the ACL in his right knee last summer while playing for Boston. Dobbins was acquired in December’s trade that sent Willson Contreras to the Red Sox.
Bryan Reynolds had two hits and drove in three runs for the Pirates. Brandon Lowe hit his eighth homer for Pittsburgh, which played sloppy defense behind Skenes to head into May with its promising start to the season in danger of slipping away.
Up next
Cardinals: return home to welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend.
Pirates: host NL Central rival Cincinnati to start a three-game weekend series on Friday.
May gets merry, with plenty of fun concerts headed to Western Pennsylvania.
Here’s the concert calendar for May and beyond:
JERGEL’S RHYTHM GRILLE
May 4: Scott Patterson
May 8: Crack The Sky
May 9: Buckethead
May 18: Buckcherry
May 19: Samantha Fish
May 21: Nazareth
June 9: Jackrabbit with Dermot Mulroney; June 13: Devon Allman Blues Summit; June 22: Ana Popovic; June 24: Whey Jennings; July 5: Quiet Riot; July 9: Mike Tramp of White Lion; July 12: Chris Kirkpatrick, O-Town, LFO, BBMak and Ryan Cabrera; July 13: Robert Jon & The Wreck; July 30: Tiffany; Aug. 1: Everclear; Aug. 8: Buzz Poets; Aug. 25: Ugly Kid Joe; Sept. 16-17: Leonid & Friends; Oct. 4: Stryper; Oct. 8: Here Come The Mummies; Oct. 14: Tab Benoit.
Scott Patterson of “Gilmore Girls” fame brings his rock band to Jergel’s Rhythm Grille.
STAGE AE
May 12: Ashnikko
May 15: Black Veil Brides
May 22: Ryan Bingham
June 1: Taking Back Sunday; June 10: Mt. Joy; June 13: The Clarks; June 14: Dance Gavin Dance; June 22: Passion Pit; June 23: Young The Giant; June 24: Trombone Shorty; June 27: Insane Clown Posse; July 10: Louis Tomlinson; July 12: Bob Dylan; July 23: O.A.R.; Aug. 2: Black Keys; Sept. 1: Sierra Ferrell; Sept. 18: Black Label Society; Sept. 20: Tucker Whitmore; Sept. 22: Sam Barber; Sept. 23: Rainbow Kitten Surprise; Sept. 25: Caamp; Oct. 10: Sugar; Oct. 6: Interpol; Oct. 20: Jesse Welles.
PPG PAINTS ARENA
May 5: Bring Me The Horizon
May 19: Bruce Springsteen
May 23: Don Toliver
June 11: 5 Seconds of Summer; June 16: Megan Moroney; June 23: Alex Warren; June 30: Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire; July 7: Benson Boone; July 11: Meghan Trainor; July 20: Zayn; July 30-31: Nate Bargatze; Aug. 13: Zac Brown Band; Aug. 20: Zach Top; Sept. 8: Kacey Musgraves; Sept. 29-30: Olivia Rodrigo; Oct. 1: Red Clay Strays; Oct. 28: “Worlds Collide Concert Tour” featuring stars from the “Descendants,” “ZOMBIES” and “Camp Rock” films; Nov. 7: Jim Gaffigan; Nov. 12: Sombr; Dec. 21: Andre Bocelli.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band perform on tour at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
PALACE THEATRE
May 3: The Jaggerz, Chuck Blasko’s Vogues, The Skyliners and Pure Gold
May 19: ZZ Top (sold out)
June 5: Cinderella’s Tom Keifer; June 20: Foghat; July 22: Stewart Copeland; July 23: Air Supply; Aug. 2: Richard Marx; Aug. 30: George Thorogood; Sept. 23: Celtic Thunder; Sept. 27: Brian Regan; Oct. 15: Micky Dolenz.
The Jaggerz.
BYHAM THEATER
May 1: Heather McMahan
June 12: Josh Gates
Oct. 17: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Nov. 28: Jim Brinkman
CARNEGIE OF HOMESTEAD MUSIC HALL
May 5: Melissa Etheridge
May 8: Gino Vannelli
May 28: Airplane! Live With Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays
June 3: Robert Earl Keen; June 7: Napoleon Dynamite – A Conversation with “Napoleon Dynamite’s” Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, & Jon Gries; June 9: Ben Folds; June 13: The Rascals; June 19: Patton Oswalt; June 27: Christopher Cross; July 6: The Church; July 11: Taj Mahal; July 18: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs; July 30: Amy Grant; Oct. 9: Marc Maron; Oct. 13: Bruce Hornsby; Nov. 4: Judy Collins.
CITY WINERY PITTSBURGH
May 1: Howie Day
May 2: Eric Bellinger
May 10: Willie Nile
May 14: Jana Kramer
May 16: Stephen Lynch
May 27-29: Lyle Lovett
May 30: The Silencers
June 7: Tyler Hilton & Kate Voegele: Celebrating the Music of “One Tree Hill”; June 9: Rita Wilson; July 14: Rita Wilson; Sept. 23: Ron Pope.
ROXIAN THEATRE @ CITIZENS
May 14: Sevendust
May 18: Altar Bridge
May 27: The Toadies
June 3: Corinne Bailey Rae; June 9: Coheed & Cambria; June 16: Jinjer; June 25: String Cheese Incident; July 16: Trampled by Turtles; Aug. 12: Courtney Barrett; Sept. 29: Public Image Limited; Nov. 28: Punchline
TIMBER ROCK AMPHITHEATER
May 14: Larry The Cable Guy
May 28, Jo Dee Messina
May 29: Gary Allan;
June 4: Jamey Johnson; June 12: Niko Moon; June 19: Brantley Gilbert; June 20: Umphrey’s McGee and moe.; July 17: Blackberry Smoke; July 31: Jeff Foxworthy; Aug. 22: Dylan Scott; Aug. 28: Travis Tritt.
THUNDERBIRD CAFE
May 2: Bahamas
May 12: Marc Broussard
May 22: Southern Culture on The Skids
June 14: North Mississippi All Stars; June 23: S.G. Goodman.
MR. SMALLS THEATRE
May 2: Afghan Whigs
May 7: Pete Thorn
May 22: Donna The Buffalo
June 2: Built to Spill; June 22: Kurt Vile; July 30: Cat Power; Sept. 26: Ben Harper.
UPMC EVENTS CENTER, MOON
May 11: Bilmuri
June 15: Yellowcard, New Found Glory, Plain White T’s.
OAKS THEATER
May 7: Al Di Meola
July 9: King’s X; Aug. 7: BoDeans.
CRAFTHOUSE GRILL
May 18: Powerman 5000
May 31: Adelitas Way.
June 4: Saving Abel.
PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER
June 7: Teddy Swims; Aug. 21: Koe Wetzel; Sept. 17: Phil Wickham; Oct. 9: Johnny Blue Skies.
HEINZ HALL
June 2: St. Vincent with the PSO; July 3: Derek Hough; July 22: Harry Connick Jr.; Oct. 6: Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra; Dec. 8: Leslie Odom Jr.
ACRISURE STADIUM
June 5-6: Morgan Wallen; Aug. 29: Bruno Mars.
PNC PARK
July 3: Noah Kahan
PAVILION AT STAR LAKE
June 10: MGK; June 14: Mumford & Sons; June 17: Chris Stapleton; June 20: Kid Rock; June 23: Godsmack; June 26: Riley Green; July 3: Jack Johnson; July 17: Motley Crue; July 18: Tim McGraw; July 24: Dave Matthews Band; Aug. 1: “Weird” Al Yankovic; Aug. 2: Ne-Yo & Akon; Aug. 7: Five Finger Death Punch; Aug. 8: Parker McCollum; Aug. 14: Goo Goo Dolls; Aug. 20: Billy Idol; Aug. 24: TLC, Salt-N-Pepa; Aug. 25: Kesha; Aug. 29: Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson; Sept. 3: Rufus Du Sol; Sept. 15: Breaking Benjamin.
YOUNGSTOWN FOUNDATION AMPHITHEATER
July 10: Jason Aldean; July 11: Eric Church; Aug. 9: Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule; Charley Crockett, Sept. 19.
CITIZENS LIVE AT THE WYLIE
Oct. 2: Wiz Khalifa; Oct. 3: Styx; Oct. 4: Foster The People; Oct. 6: Two Door Cinema; Oct. 7: Freya Skye; Oct. 8: Matt Matthews; Oct. 9: Chelsea Handler; Oct. 10: Modest Mouse; Oct. 16: Boyz II Men; Oct. 20: Tedeschi Trucks; Oct. 21: The Story So Far; Oct. 23: Smokey Robinson; Oct. 31: Aries Spears; Nov. 2: Glorilla; Nov. 7: Sting; Nov. 12: Jack White; Nov. 15:Wyatt Flores; Dec. 2: Steven Wilson Jr.; Dec. 3: Sabaton.
RIVERS CASINO
June 19: Theresa Caputo; Sept. 11: Colin Jost.
Others
June 18: Shane McAnally, Oaks Theater, Oakmont; June 27: Dustin Lynch, Beaver County Boom on The Bridge, Bridgewater.
Dustin Lynch will headline Beaver County Boom on The Bridge.
(Pittsburgh, PA) A second Pittsburgh Pirates fan is suing the team over a fight involving a game-day employee at PNC Park on May 4, 2025.
Video of the incident shows a confrontation between a fan and an employee during a Pirates game.
The lawsuit was filed by Joshua Gardner, who alleges that he and a woman bumped into each other and exchanged words before she sought out Raymond Stroud III, a nearby security guard.
According to the complaint, Gardner, Patrick Egan — who filed a separate lawsuit — and Stroud argued before the situation escalated into a physical altercation. The lawsuit alleges that Stroud punched Egan multiple times and struck him with a belt. Gardner also claims he was punched during the incident.
Both Gardner and Egan are seeking damages from the Pirates.
In a statement, the team said Stroud’s behavior was “entirely unacceptable” and that he was immediately suspended.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission advanced a proposed model tariff in Harrisburg today for large-load customers, including rapidly expanding data centers, with a 5-0 vote at its public meeting.
The commission adopted a motion from Chairman Steve DeFrank modifying a draft final order, with a revised version expected to be issued in the coming days.
Officials said the action is part of an ongoing effort to establish a clear and consistent framework for managing significant new electricity demand while protecting existing ratepayers and maintaining grid reliability.
The model tariff follows an extensive review process that included an en banc hearing, multiple rounds of public comment, and input from stakeholders such as utilities, large-load customers, consumer advocates, policymakers and community organizations.
According to a release from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, here is more information about this action:
Framework for Managing Large Load Growth
Today’s action builds on the Commission’s work to address the rapid expansion of large load customers and the potential impacts on infrastructure planning, system capacity, and customer costs.
The model tariff is designed to provide guidance to Pennsylvania’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) as they evaluate and serve new large load customers, with a focus on transparency, consistency, and long-term system planning.
Key Areas Addressed
While the final details will be outlined in the forthcoming order, the model tariff framework, as amended by today’s motion, addresses several key areas, including:
Definition of Large Load Customers
Establishing guidance for identifying customers with significant electricity demand that may have a material impact on the grid. Tariff provisions will apply to customers over 50 MW individually or 100 MW in the aggregate.
Cost Responsibility and Ratepayer Protection
Reinforcing the principle that customers driving new infrastructure needs should be responsible for the associated costs, helping to reduce the risk of cost shifting to existing residential and small business customers. As outlined in Chairman DeFrank’s motion, costs of utility upgrades necessary for interconnection will be recovered directly from large load customers.
Financial Protections and Project Viability
Incorporating requirements for deposits, collateral, and other financial assurances in amounts sufficient to fully cover infrastructure upgrade costs in order to mitigate the risk of stranded costs from projects that do not proceed or do not meet projected demand.
Interconnection Planning and Timelines
Providing structure and expectations for interconnection studies and system planning to improve transparency and support timely project development. The tariff includes provisions to have utilities conduct interconnection studies within six months.
Contract Terms and Exit Provisions
Establishing guidance on contract structures, including provisions related to load ramping and early termination, to support cost recovery and system stability.
Public Interconnection Queue
Establishing a dedicated website at each EDC which lists large load customer interconnection applications by date, zip code, MW, and interconnection stage.
Infrastructure Development and Cost Allocation
Addressing how utilities and large load customers share responsibility for system upgrades, including permitting large load customers the option to self-construct facilities thereby insulating ratepayers from costs.
Why This Matters Now
The rapid expansion of data centers and other large load customers has introduced new challenges for utilities and regulators across the country, including how to:
Plan for significant increases in electricity demand
Ensure the grid can reliably serve both new and existing customers
Prevent shifting the cost of new infrastructure onto current ratepayers
Today’s Order positions Pennsylvania to address these challenges proactively, with a consistent, statewide approach to evaluating and serving large load customers.
Ongoing Process
The revised final order, which will include the full details of the model tariff and the modifications adopted by today’s motion, is expected to be released following completion of the Commission’s standard post-meeting review and drafting process.
The model tariff will serve as a framework for Pennsylvania’s EDCs, which may incorporate these guidelines into utility-specific tariff filings and future rate proceedings, subject to Commission review and approval.
The PUC will continue to monitor large load growth across Pennsylvania and work with utilities, stakeholders, and regional partners to ensure the Commonwealth’s electric system remains reliable, affordable, and capable of supporting evolving energy demands.
(Monaca, PA) The Idealized Science Institute will host a regional science conference for students in grades five through 12 on May 7 at Penn State Beaver, with opening ceremonies scheduled for 9 a.m. in the campus auditorium.
The nonprofit organization aims to provide students of all backgrounds with opportunities to engage in authentic scientific practice and develop the habits and skills of working scientists.
Students from Beaver, Butler and Allegheny counties will compete for scholarships in several categories, including middle school, non-seniors, seniors and first-time participants. Presentations will focus on physics and physical science.
The event will also feature a keynote speaker and a panel discussion with Penn State Beaver faculty and alumni of Freedom Area High School.
Original research projects from students in grades six through 12 will be showcased throughout the conference.
(Pittsburgh, PA) A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new AHN Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute hub at the AHN Federal North building will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The new 10,000-square-foot facility will serve as the primary hub for AHN’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, expanding access to specialized mental health services and embedding behavioral health care within a comprehensive, multidisciplinary medical campus.
AHN clinicians and care teams, executives, institute leadership, and community partners are expected to attend.
Patient care at the new location will begin May 11. To schedule an appointment starting on that date, patients may call (412) 330-4429.
(West Mifflin, PA) Three Pennsylvania theme parks and four roller coasters in the state have made USA Today’s 10Best 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. These two top-ten lists of the best theme parks and roller coasters in the country were released yesterday. A panel of experts nominated their top picks and readers voted to decide the winners. The Best Theme Park for 2026 included Knoebels at No. 2, Kennywood at No. 4 and Hersheypark at No. 10. Knoebels in Elysburg was described on USA Today’s 10Best website as “the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park.” The West Mifflin spectacle of Kennywood was selected for its history and its iconic rides including the JackRabbit, Racer and the Thunderbolt. Hershey’s chocolate-themed park was selected for its resume of 121 acres and over 70 rides. The Best Roller Coaster for 2026 included Phoenix at Knoebels at No. 1, Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood at No. 2, Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer & Water World at No. 5 and Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark at No. 10. The Phoenix topped this list because of its 45 mile per hour speeds as well as its panoramic views of the hills that surround it. Phantom’s Revenge got the runner-up spot for its scary transition that brings riders very close to the Thunderbolt and its second drop, which is 85 miles per hour and 232 feet. Ravine Flyer II is located in Erie and it has a big bridge to make it cross over Pennsylvania Route 832. It was also selected because of facts like it being the fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster in Pennsylvania. Wildcat’s Revenge has the world’s largest underflip inversion along with going to 140 feet, hitting 62 miles per hour, and taking riders through four inversions and an 82-degree drop.
(Beaver County, PA) A year after a powerful storm caused widespread damage and outages in Western Pennsylvania, utilities and city officials say they are better prepared for future severe weather.
On April 29, 2025, a derecho with winds up to 90 mph left hundreds of thousands without power.
Duquesne Light Company said it has since introduced new technology to improve communication with customers during outages, including expanded text messaging alerts. The utility also said it has strengthened its ability to restore service by increasing available personnel and deploying tools to more quickly locate downed power lines.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) AAA has named the 2026 Lucid Gravity Touring as the overall winner and top midsize SUV in its 2026 Car Guide.
AAA said all category winners this year were either electric or hybrid vehicles.
Among other winners, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus was named the top minivan, while the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring was the only hybrid to win its category, taking top honors among small cars.
According to a release from AAA East Central, here are the winners of its car guide this year:
Category Winners
Category
Vehicle Name
Powertrain
Small Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring
Hybrid
Midsize Cars
BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe
Electric
Large Cars
Lucid Air Pure
Electric
Pickups
Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range
Electric
Minivans
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus
Electric
Small SUVs
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Electric
Midsize SUVs
Lucid Gravity Touring
Electric
Large SUVs
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Performance Limited
Electric
The AAA Car Guide includes comprehensive reviews of each vehicle based on 14 criteria, including advanced safety features, braking, fuel efficiency, infotainment usability, performance handling and ride quality. These vehicles are placed, scored and tested, scored in one of 8 vehicle categories by the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center (ARC).
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. Nearly all Americans agree that the rampant spread of misinformation is a problem. Most also think individual users, along with social media companies, bear a good deal of blame for the situation. That’s according to a new poll from The Pearson Institute and the Associated Press—NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (AP Photo/File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania is a step closer to allowing digital driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed two bills this week authorizing the technology.
One measure, sponsored by Manuel Guzman of Berks County, would permit digital vehicle registration cards. A second bill, introduced by Ed Neilson of Philadelphia, would allow residents to use digital driver’s licenses or state identification cards.
