Category: News

Over 145,000 Pennsylvanians cancel Affordable Care Act coverage amid monthly cost spikes

(Credit for Photo: Photo of the Pennie Logo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) More than 145,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped Affordable Care Act coverage in recent months after premiums increased sharply, marking a steady decline in enrollment that state officials say could continue into 2026.

About 60,000 of those residents have left the state’s health insurance marketplace, known as Pennie, since the close of open enrollment on January 31, according to state data through April.

Pennie officials said the decline was expected after Congress declined to extend federal tax credits that had reduced monthly premium costs for many enrollees.

The expiration of those credits caused premiums to more than double on average, with even steeper increases in some parts of the state.

State estimates suggest as many as 150,000 Pennsylvanians could ultimately lose health coverage as a result of the changes.

Pirates ace Paul Skenes is making flirting with no-hitters a habit during dominant stretch

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes slowly sauntered back to the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout at the end of the top of the eighth inning on Tuesday night, his loping and deliberate strides giving the PNC Park crowd plenty of time to rise for the kind of standing ovation that’s becoming commonplace at the end of his starts.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner tipped his cap, then disappeared from view for a quick debrief with Pirates manager Don Kelly.

Sure, the competitor in Skenes wanted the opportunity to go back out for the ninth in search for the first complete game victory of his big league career. The remarkably mature 23-year-old who is constantly trying to keep things in perspective knew better.

His first pitch of the eighth, a fastball, hit just 93.7 mph, pedestrian by his standards.

So Skenes told Kelly he was done after 98 pitches and eight innings of two-hit brilliance and the chance for that elusive shutout had to wait. Skenes quietly gave way to Gregory Soto, who got the final three outs of a 3-1 win over Colorado that pushed Skenes’ record to 6-2 and whittled his ERA to 1.98.

“It’s a long season,” Skenes said. “That was start nine out of 32, 33 and then hopefully eight or nine more after that. So, just got to see the big picture.”

One that seems to be growing ever brighter for Skenes. Two years and a day after his electric major league debut, Skenes is somehow surpassing the outsized expectations that followed him to Pittsburgh.

Consider this: Skenes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Rockies, the third time in his last four starts he hasn’t allowed a hit until the fifth or later.

Colorado spent six innings flailing away against Skenes before Mickey Moniak’s sinking line-drive single to left-center with one out in the seventh. Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz stretched out every inch of his 6-foot-7 frame to make the grab, only to see it bounce a foot or two in front of his glove.

“I ran so hard that I’ll tell you right now, I would not run after my kids like that,” Cruz said afterward with a laugh.

And while the Pirates remain without a no-hitter since Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon teamed for a 10-inning masterpiece in July 1997 — nearly five years before Skenes was born — there’s a growing sense that it’s not a matter of ‘if’ Skenes will make history, but when.

Kelly turned to pitching coach Bill Murphy at one point as Skenes was retiring 18 of his first 19 hitters and admitted he felt like he was enduring a flashback of sorts to his time as a player in Detroit in the early 2010s, when it seemed like Tigers ace Justin Verlander could do no wrong.

“You were shocked when he gave up a hit,” Kelly said. “And Paul is on that type of run right now. Just the way that he’s throwing the ball, the command in the zone too, and then to be able to mix it up with all of his pitches. Impressive to watch.”

The rookie whose fastball would hit triple-digits with ease has dialed back a bit on the velocity, focusing more on placement and a deep repertoire that keeps opponents off balance. By his count there are seven different pitches he can call upon at any time.

Nearly all of them were working against Colorado. Skenes struck out his first six batters. Willi Castro tried to break Skenes’ rhythm by laying down a bunt to lead off the third.

The ball bounced right back to Skenes, who tossed it to first and said “nice bunt” to no one in particular as the PNC Park crowd booed the attempt.

Skenes didn’t boo. He just thought “it was kind of funny” and then went back to work while becoming the first Pirates pitcher since 1961 to have consecutive starts of eight innings or more while allowing two hits without issuing a walk.

It’s heady territory to be clear. Not that Skenes wants to talk about it. He prefers to bury himself in the process and let the results speak for themselves.

“He’ll tinker with stuff. Wind up. Stretch. Pitches. Pitch grips,” Kelly said. “It’s just really, honestly, the way he goes about it every day, whether it’s with the actual pitching or his conditioning, the way he gets after in the weight room. It’s amazing to watch.”

And he’s still just getting started. Skenes doesn’t turn 24 until later this month. His next turn in the rotation comes on Sunday when Philadelphia visits. When his towering No. 30 takes the hill against the Phillies, what happened on Tuesday night against the Rockies won’t matter. No one knows that better than Skenes.

“Every start is new,” he said. “And you can get humbled real quick.”

Getting hit, however, is another matter entirely.

AHN Allegheny General Hospital to Begin Major Exterior Restoration of Historic South Tower

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Inside the historic South Tower at Allegheny General Hospital, the hospital’s founders etched into a stone wall the words: “Erected for the benefit of mankind to save life, relieve suffering and conserve health.”

After nearly 90 years of serving that mission, the 22-story facility is set to undergo a multi-year, $36 million exterior restoration project aimed at preserving the building and extending its lifespan for future generations.

Contractors are expected to begin erecting scaffolding next month. The scaffolding will surround the tower in phases throughout the project’s four-year timeline.

The restoration will include repairs to the masonry façade and ornamental terra cotta, along with the replacement or restoration of more than 800 windows. Approximately 60,000 square feet of roofing at multiple elevations will also be repaired or replaced.

Hospital officials said the project will combine traditional craftsmanship with modern restoration techniques to preserve the structure’s historic features, including the cathedral windows at the top of the tower.

The project is expected to be completed in 2030. Mascaro Construction Company will serve as the general contractor.

Officials said patient care and hospital operations will continue uninterrupted during construction.

The South Tower has also recently gained national attention as the backdrop and inspiration for “The Pitt,” an HBO Max medical drama produced by Warner Bros. Television.

Pittsburgh Zoo to welcome new gorilla in exchange with Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced it will exchange gorillas with Franklin Park Zoo as part of a conservation breeding program.

Seven-year-old western lowland gorilla Frankie will move to Boston, while 33-year-old silverback Little Joe will come to Pittsburgh.

The exchange is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Gorilla Species Survival Plan, which aims to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of critically endangered gorillas in human care.

Zoo officials said Little Joe has been a longtime favorite at Franklin Park Zoo. Keepers describe him as “curious, intelligent and gentle,” noting he gets along well with other gorillas and young offspring. He is also known for quickly solving puzzle feeders to retrieve food.

Little Joe will become the silverback of the Pittsburgh Zoo’s gorilla family group, which currently includes females Moka, 29, and Ibo, 35, along with infants Charlotte, 3, and Bo, 2.

A typical gorilla troop consists of one mature male, several females, and their offspring.

Once Little Joe becomes acclimated to his new family, zoo visitors will be able to see the full troop together in the Tropical Forest Complex habitat.

Meanwhile, Frankie will join a newly formed bachelor group at Franklin Park Zoo alongside two other male gorillas close to his age and size.

Frankie was born at the Pittsburgh Zoo in 2018 to Moka. Keepers describe him as having “good vibes — playful and chill.”

U.S. Marshals find Pennsylvania fugitive living in the woods in Naples, Florida

(Credit for Photo: Photo of Joseph Christopher Mazzoni Courtesy of Southwestern Florida Crime Stoppers, (SWFL Crime Stoppers) Posted on Facebook on April 4th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Naples, FL) United States Marshals Service arrested a Pennsylvania fugitive Wednesday after finding him living in the woods behind a home in Naples.

According to a news release, 46-year-old Joseph Christopher Mazzoni had been wanted since March 9 by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Authorities said Mazzoni is a twice-convicted sex offender who was previously convicted in Delaware County on charges involving possession of child pornography. Officials said he was required to register as a Tier III sex offender under Megan’s Law.

Investigators believed Mazzoni was living in Florida and receiving assistance to avoid law enforcement detection.

Deputy marshals executed a search warrant Wednesday morning at a property in the 2300 block of Crawford Avenue in Naples after investigators determined Mazzoni may have been staying there.

After searching the property, authorities found Mazzoni living in a wooded area behind the home, according to the release.

He was taken to the Collier County Jail, where he is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

Elementary school homework assignment helps identify Pittsburgh-area bank robbery suspect

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) An alleged bank robber was taken into custody in Allegheny County thanks to a third-grader’s homework assignment.

CCBC Announces President’s and Dean’s Lists for Spring 2026 Semester

(File Photo of the CCBC Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) The Community College of Beaver County has released the names of 484 full-time and part-time students who earned Dean’s List or President’s List honors for the spring 2026 semester.

Students named to the President’s List earned a semester grade-point average of 3.75 or higher while completing at least 12 credit hours of graded coursework. Dean’s List honorees earned a GPA between 3.25 and 3.74 under the same credit requirements.

According to a release from CCBC, here is the full list of these honorees:

The following full-time students were named to the President’s List:
Johnna Adams
Batule Altahawi
Sydney Anderson
Cadence Bailey
Brianna Begly
Kenyan Bell
Mohammed Beqqi
Chase Blackburn
Mia Blakeslee
Ashley Boots
Nathan Bosh
Johnathan Brady
Ella Brunton
Danica Burns
Ryan Cain
Maria Callaghan
Austin Callihan
Matthew Caratelli
Lillian Carreon
Anthony Carter

Carmyn Catley
Victoria Ceriani
Matthew Chirico
Darcell Cleckley
Ella Clerici
Ryleigh Clyde
Ardyn Colaizzi
Carly Condes
Dillon Crooks
Cammie Crouse
Joel Cunniff
Jessica Davis
Nicodemus Davis
Sydney Davis
Amanda DeDominicis
Chelsey Dekleva
Gianni Dietz
April Dupree
Zachary Durcan-Slaninka
Carter Dyke

Declan Eaton
Elizabeth Elias
Carson Emerick
Nevaeh Faytak
Armando Ferri
DeLana Fox
Olivia Galusha
Faith Ganoe
Dominic Garay
Alivea Gimbus
Leah Godwin
Thaddeus Gonzalez
Jordan Grant
Alexa Grantz
Aleena Gray
Chelsie Gruver
Catessa Guadagnoli
Dakota Gural
Gavin Haugh
Dana Havey

Taylor Hazlett
Jack Heiser
Kyra Hemskey
Tyler Hepler
Moises Hernandez
Amber Hickman
Maxwell Hill
Noah Hilliker
Anna Hineman
Niya Ingram
Reyad Jaber
Brendan Jones
Ryan Kelly
Kole Kerestes
Baylee Kirkham
Annabelle Komlos
Taylor Kosinski
Kasaya Krause
Cameron Kriberney
Shawn Kristophel

Matthew Kwok
Validus Lauzon
Rylee Lavelle
Heather Lawrence
Emily Layne
Lindsey Lehman
Aidan Los
Zaynah Makowiecki
Kimberly Malatesta
Brittany Maldonado
Zachary Marti
Elizabeth Martin
Samwise Mason
Sage Kylie Mateer
Halina Matijevich
Jordan Mcclain
Aidan McConnell
Jacob Mersing
Shane Mickey

Savannah Milligan
Madison Murtha
Dylan Myers
Emily Niglio
Preston Norman
Charles Nourigat
Jacqueline Ohl
Jarett Pence
Louis Peronis
Branden Plowman
John Porter
Joseph Pruszenski
Gianna Rankin
Kyle Rine
Sheldon Rini
Omar Rivera
Curtis Runyan
Rachel Sabat
Austin Safreed

Jason Sammartin
John Samosky
Jiovonni Santella
Nathan Scarpone
Lucas Scheidemantle
Nathan Sciaretta
Jacee Serak
Willie Simmons
Arielle Simonds
Aashna Sinha Roy
Logan Smith
Tysheal Smith
Jacob Snatchko
Catherine Spiker
Jack Stablow
Kodiak Stobart
Abigail Stowe
Helgalie Suh
Louis Suh

Adisyn Thompson
Nicole Vo
Colton Wayne
Jacob Weiman
Jillian Weiss
Carl Wendt
Skylar Westerman
Eric Westover
Chloe Wijnen-Riems
Allie Williams
Sarah Windsheimer
William Wright
Aiden Yakovich
Sean Yates
Matthew Yurkowski

The following full-time students were named to the Dean’s List:
Jaelynn Anderson
Elijah Ansell
Hailey Antoline
Trey Armstrong
Shane Beck
Luke Bonidie
Leah Buffington
Empress Cain
Domenic Catanzarite
Ethan Colvin
Kaiden Cribbs
Kenniece Crumb
Travis Cunning
Angelina Darcy
Lauren Davids
Lillyanna Davis
Jacquelynn Demacio
Riley Durkin
Kora Eaton
Sianna Falk
Sarah Firich

Chloe Garing
Ryder Goe
Mackenzie Gould
Ryder Graff
Chrisanti Guzman
Dennis Habrle
Ashley Harnish
Chase Hartle
Joshua Hatton
Brianna Huntington
Jackson Hyson
Mark Kavic
Nataley Keefer
Baylor Kirsch
Maggie Laemmle
Courtney Lang
Joshua Lanzoni
Athena Lawrence
Evanna Lay
Cornell Lee
Aybree Long

Noah Lovett
Tressa MacPherson
Baiel Mamanov
Victoria Mann
Eliza Marcano
Angelina Martin
Will Martin
Elizabeth McDonald
Amber Miles
Joshua Mitko
Maria Mundy
Bailey Nicol
Sara Powell
Lamire Redman
Kaitlin Richko
Rylee Ringhoff
Josie Russell
Santino Sapone
Cristiana Schaefer
Victoria Schinke
Jessica Schriner

Madison Sherlock
Amariana Short
Elizabeth Spilsbury
Abigale Stewart
Haley Stough
Joseph Szyjko
Camryn Thomas
Eric Thomas
Shane Tillia
Jake Troiano
Addison Walker
Jada Ward
James Wetzel
Janaey Wilkinson
Samuel Williams
Ryan Withers
Teresa Zieg

The following part-time students were named to the President’s List:
Phoenix Alexander
Alivia Arlof
Emily Bauknight
Madison Beckman
Kady Beeman
Kylie Beggs
Ian Benson
Susann Bishop
Alison Bittner
Colton Blank
Rachel Bourque
Gannon Bowles
Mairin Bowles
Chardae Bowser
Michelle Brawley
Benjamin Briscoe
Norman Brown
Bristol Bruno
Devlin Burkett
Shaneese Call
Marissa Camp
Destiney Campbell
Max Campisano
Hadley Carlisle
Alaina Cerilli
Kate Chambers
Rameses Ciccone
Crisi
Elise Clark
Seanna Conklin
Andrew Corfield
Melissa Crawford
Rachel Curcio
Alexander Dablock
Drake Davis

Anna Dawes
Bryson Deal
Emily Deane
Benjamin Demascal
Alayna Dunn
August Dyer
Hailee Elkins
Hailey Essary
Connor Fausnaught
Gavin Felix
Kaycie Foster
Austin Fryer
Mary Gorman
Daisy Greene
Joseph Griffin
Lauren Grove
Dante Gural
Bryden Haberman
Ava Hankey
Kristina Hauser
Hunter Hazelwood
Luke Hellmann
Madi Henry
Jack Hickman
Richard Hildebrand
Chloe Horter
Stacie Howes
Kameya Jackson
Terra Johnston
Kaylee Jones
Regan Jung
Jeramy Katenhusen
Reily Kim
Molly Klepal
Quinton Kokladas

Hadassah Korty
Hayley Koty
Jake Lasko
Kaitlin Lawson
Jett Leipheimer
Logan Magill
Sophia Magistro
Carter Marshall
Karen McAfee
Rene Mcdeavitt
Garen McDonald
Annette McGraner
Madison McIlroy
Megan Michel
Zachary Mitchell
Tabitha Mixon
Mackenzie
Mohrbacher
Carter Moore
Drake Moore
Liam Moreau
Osmairy Morillo
Heidi Nelson
Roxanne Parker
Addison Parrish
Brooklynn Parrish
Carli Pauvlinch
Isabella Pawlo
Natalia Pereira
Mackenzie Petrella
Evan Piatek
Madelyn Platts
Abby Probst
Maya Quintana
Ethan Rahr

Melissia Reynolds
Jah’Nauri Riggins
Kiley Ross
Annaliese Schultz
Joanna Seaman
Paul Seifer
Emma Sewall
Tanner Shaw
Jacob Skibinski
Matthew Smith
Joshua Smyrl

Savannah Soriano-
Clark

Carmen Spara
Andrew Spratt
Charles Stefanik
Morgan Till
Heather Ulan
Robert Umpleby
Hudson Vennum
Addison Vines
Kaylee Wallace
Peyton Ward
Zayden Weatherly
Gregory Webb
Alex Weisz
Caliante West
Brooklyn White
Bradley Wilson
Lauren Winters
Kristopher Yohe
Ashley Zanella
Shannon Zawislak
Robert Ziegenfus, Jr.
Maria Ziemkiewicz

The following part-time students were named to the Dean’s List:
Nicholas Adams
Kara Aland
Sara Aland
Makram Alqass Ishaq
Chloe Barney

Marcello Bertucci
Trent Bonfield
Ashley Bradford
Christopher Brown
Josephine Buckel

Ephraim Buzzard
Blaine Crislip
Brody Cunningham
Katelyn Daniels
Haleigh Deason

John Paul Dioguardi
Ashley Dourlain
Jessica Duncan
Henrik Elek
Connor Faas

Haley Faltenovich
Ava Farley
Giada Faulk
Cian Fitzgerald
Cameron Flinchum
Danyel Flinchum
Riley Fulk
Ava Funkhouser
Dominick Gaughan
Juliana Gillmeister
Emily Goberish
Hayden Grant
Kymorah Green
Kaitlynn Haley
Olive Hambe Epse
Notue
Piper Hannah
Vaughn Hartz-Puhac
Brody Hay
Mya Hazelwood
Ethan Henry
Keelibeth Hess
Kelsi Hildreth
Kayla Hilliard
Elizabeth Hoge

Shana Hormel
Jazsmin Hudson
Jacob Jasiewicz
Charlise Jesko
Reece Jesko
Kira Jones
Maison Keczmer
Miriam Kessler
Natalie Korol
Kaitlyn Kramer
Lauren Krug
Shawnda Leavelle
Gracyn Lee
Luca Lerch
Brady Linamen
Stela Majid
Katelyn Mathews
Dominick Mazzei
Jenna McGee
Peyton McIntyre
Maxwell Merwitz
Benjamen Meyer
Anthony Munizza
Brendan Murphy
Lukas Murphy

Mara Myers
Alexandra Nardick
Zeeshan Pandejee
Anastacia Papas
Dominic Pasquale
Lillian Payne
Anthony Persuitte
Lorenzo Pessolano
Reagan Peters
Gabriella Petrof
Alexis Petropoulos
Lyra Pflugh
Michael Pudina
Andrea Rabick
Hailey Reyes
Caleb Rossi
Adrien Rotondo

Rebecca Sadler-
Szczygiel

Ethan Shearer
Maura Sosack
Mike Sprankle
Ian Stafford
Lillian Statler
Benjamin Stebick

Kimberly Strope
Hayley Swinderman
Ella Tharp
Giovanni Thompson
Nathan Tonini
Anthony Tuschong
Eli VanDerMallie
Adaliya Vete
Madaline Villagomez
Ryan Vukovcan
Justin Wahy
Justin Walls
Aaden Walter
Mikalah Wetzel
Andrew Wheatley
Kayla Williams
Riley Wilson
Addison Wright
Tamara Wright
Paige Young
Maison Zilian
Amanda Zonker

These local ice cream shops will cool you down when the summer heats up

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Punks Ice Cream Shoppe, Posted on Facebook on May 10th, 2026, Photo of the Punks Ice Cream Shoppe Sign in Baden)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Summer weather means it’s time for ice cream, and local shops are serving up everything from classic vanilla and chocolate to creative seasonal flavors. According to the Beaver County Times, here is a short list of shops to visit to satisfy your sweet tooth:

Pennsylvania legislators push package of electric affordability bills

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Wind turbines stand in fields near Palm Springs, Calif, March 22, 2023. Electricity generated from renewables surpassed coal in the United States for the first time in 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration announced Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) As electricity costs are expected to rise this summer, Democratic lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House are advancing a package of bills to lower energy costs. Lawmakers say one in five households in the state has difficulty paying monthly utility bills. Representative Elizabeth Fiedler, who chairs the House Energy Committee, says the six-bill package is designed to ease financial pressure on families. She points out these affordability bills would help people feel less financially strained.  Fiedler’s bill, House Bill 2223, has already passed unanimously. It would require utility companies to upgrade existing transmission lines before building new infrastructure, a move supporters say could prevent higher costs for customers.

New Castle woman charged after two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported that a 54-year-old New Castle woman was charged following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday in Lawrence County.

According to police, Lesley Kerr was turning left from East Maitland Lane onto Lakewood Neshannock Falls Road in Hickory Township at about 1:32 p.m. when her vehicle struck another car.

Police said the other vehicle was driven by John Pauline, 91, of New Castle, who was stopped at a stop sign at the time of the crash.

No injuries were reported.