Category: News

Nick Yorke’s walk-off single lifts the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Baltimore Orioles 3-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds (10) scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Nick Yorke singled home Bryan Reynolds in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Reynolds doubled against Ryan Helsley (0-1) with one out. Baltimore then intentionally walked Ryan O’Hearn to bring up Yorke, who had entered as a pinch runner in the eighth. Yorke worked the count to 2-2 and fouled off a couple of pitches before Helsley delivered a 99 mph fastball that home plate umpire Dan Iassogna ruled a ball.

Helsley tapped his head to initiate an ABS challenge but the Orioles were out of them after failing on a pair of challenges earlier in the game. Yorke took the next pitch and lined a shot over the head of Baltimore left fielder Dylan Beavers to lift the Pirates to their fourth straight victory.

Reynolds had two of Pittsburgh’s eight hits. Jake Mangum delivered a game-tying run with an infield single in the eighth.

Dennis Santana (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth to set the stage for Yorke.

Adley Rutschman had two hits for Baltimore. Beavers and Leodys Taveras each drove in a run for the Orioles, who have dropped four of five. Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso went 0 for 4 and is now hitless in his last 11 at-bats.

The Pirates tied it in the eighth thanks to some shaky glove work by the Orioles. Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna reached when Baltimore third baseman Colby Mayo couldn’t wrangle a soft tapper. Yorke came on to run for Ozuna and made it to third via two groundouts and scored when Orioles second baseman Blaze Alexander couldn’t cleanly field Mangum’s chopper to the left side of the infield.

Shane Baz limited the Pirates to just one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander — a former first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017 — missed out on his first victory with the Orioles since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay when Baltimore’s defense faltered late.

Up next

The series wraps up on Sunday. Chris Bassitt (0-1, 8.31 ERA) starts for Baltimore against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft (0-1, 3.00).

Teenager Konnor Griffin dazzles in debut as Pirates edge Orioles 5-4 for third straight win

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin hits an RBI double, his first Major League career hit and run, during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin debuted in style. The 19-year-old Pirates shortstop delivered an RBI double in his first big league at-bat as Pittsburgh held off the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Friday.

Griffin, called up on Thursday and the consensus top prospect in baseball, looked every bit the part during an electric afternoon at PNC Park.

He laced a double to center field off Kyle Bradish (0-2) in the bottom of the second, then showcased his speed while racing home on a single to shallow right field by Jared Triolo.

The teenager, the youngest player to make his major league debut at shortstop since Alex Rodriguez did it at 18 for Seattle in 1994, also drew a walk and handled all of his defensive chances without an issue as the Pirates won their third straight. Griffin became the first Pirate under 20 to reach base twice in his debut since Bobby Del Greco in 1952.

The sellout crowd at PNC Park, which opened 25 years ago, or a full half-decade before Griffin was born on April 24, 2006, roared when Griffin was introduced during the pregame ceremony. The roars drew even louder when he took an 85 mph curveball from Bradish and sent it rocketing to the fence in center field.

Triolo, who moved from short to third after Griffin’s promotion, had a pair of hits and his first RBI of the season. Ryan O’Hearn, Henry Davis and Oneil Cruz also drove in runs for the Pirates.

Mitch Keller (1-0) allowed two runs and six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Gregory Soto gave up a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson with two outs in the ninth, but rebounded by striking out former New York Mets teammate Pete Alonso to pick up his first save with Pittsburgh.

Henderson finished with three hits for Baltimore. Dylan Beavers and Blaze Alexander had two hits apiece for the Orioles. Bradish was touched for four runs and six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in four innings.

Up next

The series continues Saturday when Baltimore’s Shane Baz (0-0, 6.75 ERA) faces Pittsburgh’s Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0).

McDonald’s launching new value menu items soon

(File Photo of the McDonald’s Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) McDonald’s is launching new value menu items and meal deals which will be available starting later this month. Starting on April 21st, the expanded McDonald’s McValue Menu will be available at participating restaurants around the country. A news release from that company on April 2nd states that these offers include an entire menu of items running less than $3 each, a breakfast meal deal for $4 and lunch and dinner meal deals starting at $5. McDonalds also has the McValue Menu that was launched in 2025 and these deals build on it. The restaurant also has Extra Value Meal menu items, which feature options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. According to a report from the Beaver County Times, here is what to know about the new deals from McDonald’s:

Here’s an overview of the new McValue offerings:

  • Under $3 menu
  • $4 breakfast meal deal
    • Sausage McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit, served with Hash Browns and a small McCafé Premium Roast Coffee
  • Lunch and dinner meal deals for $5 or $6
    • McChicken Meal Deal for $5 or a McDouble Meal Deal for $6 – each comes with 4-piece McNuggets, small fries and a small soft drink

The new under $3 menu at McDonald’s will feature at least 10 menu items available throughout the day, the chain said.

For breakfast, customers can get a Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Biscuit, Sausage Burrito, Hash Browns or a medium McCafé Premium Roast Coffee off the under $3 menu.

Those looking for lunch or dinner can get the following off the menu: McChicken, McDouble, 4-piece chicken McNuggets, small fries, and a medium soft drink.

Throughout the year, McDonald’s said it will spotlight select favorites on the under $3 menu at a lower price. First, the Sausage McMuffin will be $1.50 and the McDouble will go for $2.50.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro raises state record of over $10 million so far in 2026

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s reelection campaign confirms that it raised more than $10 million in the first three months of 2026, which sets a new state record for that reporting period. According to a top Shapiro campaign official, the total more than doubles the previous benchmark for a Pennsylvania gubernatorial race at this stage. The official states that the haul puts the campaign
in a strong financial position after ending 2025 with over $30 million in cash on hand.

Sheetz and the Pittsburgh Pirates launching “Home Runz for Hunger” campaign this season to help out the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

(File Photo of PNC Park)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Sheetz and the Pittsburgh Pirates launched a new initiative for the 2026 season called the “Home Runz for Hunger” program to support local food security efforts. Sheetz will donate $100 for every home run hit by the Pirates at PNC Park this year to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This will begin this afternoon when the Pirates take on the Orioles for the team’s 2026 home opener. Each donation of $100 allows the food bank to provide approximately 300 meals to residents in need. The 2026 season marks the first year Sheetz will serve as the official home run activation partner of the Pirates, which expands a relationship between them that began in 2024.

Police: Large amount of marijuana seized in Rankin Borough drug bust

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Police confirm that a large amount of marijuana was seized from a home in Rankin Borough yesterday during a drug bust and an investigation into narcotics violations is why a warrant was issued. According to the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department, officers executed a search warrant that day at a home along Rankin Boulevard with the assistance of the Pitcairn Police Department and the Swissvale-Braddock Hills Regional Police Department. Police stated that that officers seized a quantity of marijuana and a gun that was later found to have been stolen. A photo from the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department shows what appears to be a large amount of marijuana packed into multiple plastic bags and two large containers. A specific amount of marijuana that was seized was not given by police. Police also confirm that a 28-year-old man from Rankin will be facing multiple charges in connection with the drug bust. The man’s identity was not revealed at this time and it’s unclear at this time what specific charges he will face.

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts capture Earth’s brilliant blue beauty as they leave it behind

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image provided by NASA shows a downlink image of Earth taken by NASA’s Artemis II astronaut commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet’s brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon.

NASA released the crew’s first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century.

The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule’s windows. The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds.

As of midmorning Friday, Wiseman and his crew were 90,000 miles (145,000 kilometers) from Earth and were quickly gaining on the moon with another 168,000 miles (270,000 kilometers) to go. They should reach their destination on Monday.

The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping. They fired Orion’s main engine Thursday night that set them on their course.

They’re the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones suffers injury and is out for the season

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Penguins’ Caleb Jones skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Pittsburgh, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones is now out for the rest of this NHL season with an injury. Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed this recently. Jones had one assist in seven games for the Penguins. However, he suffered a lower-body injury, which caused him to miss several months. The NHL suspended him for 20 games on February 4th, 2026 because he tested positive for a performance enhancing substance. 

Route 68 Long-term Closure Begins Monday in Beaver County

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester Township, PA) PennDOT announced the long-term closure of Route 68 (Adams Street, Virginia Avenue) in Rochester Borough and Rochester Township will begin on Monday, April 6th weather permitting. Route 68 will close between the Rochester Roundabout at Adams Street and Jefferson Street at Virginia Avenue around-the-clock through mid-November beginning at approximately 7:00 A.M. Crews will conduct concrete curb removal and replacement, drainage upgrades, full-depth roadway reconstruction, line painting, shoulder improvements, signal and intersection updates, and other miscellaneous construction activities. Local traffic will have access to both homes and businesses during this construction. Traffic will be detoured, and according to a release from PennDOT District 11, here is the detour route for this work:

Posted Car Detour

East of the Closure

  • From the Rochester Roundabout, take the North 18/To North 65 exiting point onto Brighton Avenue
  • Turn right onto Jefferson Street
  • Follow Jefferson Street to Route 68 (Virginia Avenue)
  • End detour

West of the Closure

  • From Route 68 (Virginia Avenue), turn right onto Jefferson Street
  • Turn left onto Brighton Avenue
  • Enter the Rochester Roundabout
  • End detour

Posted Truck Detour

East of the Closure

  • From the Rochester Roundabout, take the Brighton Avenue exiting point toward North 18/To North 65
  • From Brighton Avenue, bear left onto West Madison Street
  • Turn right onto Delaware Avenue (Route 18)
  • Merge onto northbound Route 65/18
  • Turn right onto 13th Street
  • 13th Street becomes Sunflower Road
  • Sunflower Road becomes Marion Hill Road
  • Follow Marion Hill Road to Route 68 (Sunflower Road)
  • End detour

West of the Closure

  • From Route 68 (Sunflower Road), turn onto Marion Hill Road
  • Marion Hill Road becomes 13th Street
  • Turn left onto southbound Route 65/18 (3rd Avenue)
  • Take the left-hand ramp to South 18
  • Merge onto Pleasant Street
  • Turn left onto Rhode Island Avenue
  • Follow Rhode Island Avenue to the Rochester Roundabout
  • End detour

Shapiro Administration Announces $380 million in New Transportation Investments in Pittsburgh Region This Year

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bridgeville, PA) PennDOT District 11 officials highlighted more than 58 projects expected to be bid this year, along with 52 projects that will continue in 2026 in the three-county greater Pittsburgh region at an event in Bridgeville yesterday. These investments support the vision of Governor Josh Shapiro of a safe and reliable transportation network that connects people to opportunity and each other. PennDOT anticipates investing over $380 million in the region spanning Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties. According to a recent release from PennDOT District 11, here is some more information about these projects:

This investment includes improving over 1,200 miles of highways and working on 43 bridges. Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s Administration, 19,451 miles of roadway have been improved and work has advanced on 1,738 state and local bridges.

Because of the 2025-26 state budget signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, PennDOT is also investing $37.5 million this state fiscal year to pave and preserve less traveled, often rural roadways in 20 counties. This roadwork is made possible through Motor License Fund investments redirected from the Pennsylvania State Police while ensuring PSP’s critical mission continues. Work began last year and will continue this year, with $6 million being invested on nearly 20 miles in Beaver and Lawrence counties and making improvements possible five years faster than originally planned:

  • Milling, paving, shoulder repair, drainage and other upgrades on nearly 7 miles of Tuscarawas Road (Route 4028) in Ohioville Borough and Brighton Township, Beaver County in 2025.
  • Milling, paving, shoulder repair, drainage, and other work on nearly 4 miles of Market Street/Hollow Road (Route 551) and nearly 5 miles of Elmwood Avenue/Centennial Boulevard (Route 168) in South Beaver and Darlington townships and Darlington, Big Beaver, and New Gallilee boroughs, Beaver County planned this year.
  • Milling and resurfacing on nearly 2 miles of Route 551 (Enon Road) and over 2 miles of Route 351 (Vine Street) in Enon Valley Borough and Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County planned this year.

Notable projects that are expected to begin, continue, or conclude in Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties include:

New projects that will begin in 2026:

  • Route 22/30 over I-376 Parkway West Interchange project in Allegheny County, $57.93 million.
  • I-376 “Bathtub” Flood Control Improvement project in Allegheny County, estimated $31-35 million.
  • I-376 Parkway East – Edgewood to Churchill Betterment project in Allegheny County, $99.31 million.
  • Route 2114 McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge Preservation project in Allegheny County, $50.77 million.
  • Route 65 Country Club Bridge Replacement project in Beaver County, $9.45 million.
  • Route 422 – Business 422 to Butler County Betterment project in Lawrence County, estimated $19-21 million.

Ongoing projects that will conclude in 2026:

  • Route 28 Wrong Way Detection System in Allegheny County, $5.36 million.
  • I-376 Parkway East – Churchill to Monroeville Betterment project in Allegheny County, $70.17 million
  • Country Club Drive over Route 19 Bridge Replacement project in Allegheny County, $2.5 million
  • Liberty Tunnel Roof Replacement project in Allegheny County, $3.47 million.
  • Route 68 – Virginia Avenue to Adams Street Betterment project in Beaver County, $7.04 million.
  • Route 158 North Jefferson Street Betterment project in Lawrence County, $3.84 million.

Ongoing projects that will continue beyond 2026:

  • 51 Clairton Boulevard – Coal Valley Road to Lebanon Church Road Betterment project in Allegheny County, $19.85 million.
  • I-79 at Route 910 Wexford Interchange Improvement project in Allegheny County, $46.5 million.
  • I-376 Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project in Allegheny County, $95.07 million.
  • Route 2040 Curry Hollow Road Betterment project in Allegheny County, $28.16 million.
  • Route 2006 East Washington Street Bridge Replacement project in Lawrence County, $7.28 million.

As construction projects are underway in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers, and avoid all distractions.