(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department, Posted on Facebook on June 3rd, 2026)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(North Sewickley, PA) A banquet and recognition were held yesterday at the North Sewickley Fire Hall to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department. Guests included County Commissioners Tony Amadio and Jack Manning.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department, Posted on Facebook on June 9th, 2026)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver Falls, PA) Several Beaver County fire departments have been taking part in a Pump Operations I & II series in the city of Beaver Falls over the last few weeks. This is in preparation for firefighters that are taking the Driver/Operator Pumper certification exam at BC3 Public Safety Center in Butler at the end of the month.
(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at today’s Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the County Courthouse. County Commissioner Jack Manning highlighted what the Commissioners did during their trip to Harrisburg last week during the Commissioners’ report of the session. Manning got to talk with department heads that represent Governor Josh Shapiro and PennDOT, as well as other representatives. Manning brought up that the Commissioners spoke with them about how the success of jobs in Beaver County are increasing, and he praised that just in the past year or so, the county has gained or secured almost 900 new jobs. Manning specifically mentioned five different companies that have either expanded, retained or help make new jobs in the county. Manning also expressed that he and Commissioner Tony Amadio also went to a banquet and recognition yesterday that celebrated 150 years of service from the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department at the North Sewickley Fire Hall and congratulated that department. They are Kenson Plastics, McCarl’s, Mitsubishi, Stoelzle Glass and VERSATEX. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles went over a few of the twenty-one resolutions that are on an agenda for tomorrow during the solicitors’ report of the session. These included $128,000 going towards various libraries across the county and an agrgeement with an appraiser so the Commissioners can sell some properties that the county owns throughout this county, consult work for borough communities and main streets throughout the county, and various placement services. Fedeles also let the audience of the session know that the parking garage at the County Courthouse is still closed. The date that it will reopen is unknown at this time, but Fedeles noted that once the official date to open is given by the contractor, the Commissioners will let people know when it will be available to be used again. Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury also stated during the Department Head Report of the session that the Jenny Lee Tri Cup triathlon will take place at Brady’s Run Park this weekend and this is the fifth year that the park has hosted this event. The preview will be held on Friday and the races will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Caltury noted that about 3,000 racers from across the country will be participating and the road at Brady’s Run Park will be closed from about 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Commissioner Amadio also asked near the end of the session where the America250 bell that was made for Beaver County is currently, and Catury said it is in the Merrick Art Gallery until it will be returned on Friday.
(File Photo of the UPMC Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The largest health system in the Pittsburgh region is making job cuts. A UPMC spokesperson confirmed yesterday that the company is cutting about 200 jobs. UPMC did not say in what departments the layoffs are happening in; only that cuts are “primarily among those who are not in clinical or member-facing roles.” UPMC also confirmed that it is giving severance pay and benefits to affected employees. A statement from Michelle Hart, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner on behalf of Magee Nurses and Advanced Practitioners United, SEIU Healthcare PA, notes that UPMC is also eliminating 300 open positions.
(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania House Health Committee heard testimony in Harrisburg today on legislation introduced by State Representative Rob Matzie called House Bill 2270. This bill would create a single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator model for all of the state-funded healthcare programs in Pennsylvania. Matzie also helped to lay the groundwork for the passage of Act 77 of 2024, which brought greater oversight and transparency to the practices of PBMs: third-party administrators that decide which drugs that consumers can receive, at what price, and how much dispensing pharmacies are reimbursed. According to Matzie, more action is needed as Pennsylvania’s small mom-and-pop pharmacies continue to fail as a result of PBM practices that favor large chains.
SCOTT TADY
PITTSBURGH — TV personality Josh Gates bring an evening of legends, mysteries and tales of adventure to Byham Theater on Friday.
The host of Discovery Channel’s smash-hit “Expedition Unknown,” Gates appeared Wednesday on “The Beaver County Radio Morning Show.”
To hear his interview, press “play”:
Tickets are on sale now for the all-ages show at TrustArts.org, in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, or calling 412-456-6666.
Gates also is executive producer of “Expedition Unknown,” which follows his global journey to explore archaeological discoveries, historic mysteries and scientific breakthroughs. Gates immerses himself in each story, conducting his own investigations, showcasing the work of dedicated explorers while also highlighting vibrant cultures and fascinating destinations. Armed with a degree in archaeology, a quick wit and a hunger for adventure, Gates travels to some of the most remote corners of the planet in immersive, hilarious, and thrilling journeys.
An avid scuba diver and photographer, Gates has participated in sub-sea archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, and his wanderlust has taken him from sweltering African deserts to the icy shores of Antarctica. To date, he has set foot in more than 100 countries, has scaled “the roof of Africa” on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and climbed Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas.
For five years, Gates also helmed and co-executive produced the hit Syfy Channel series, “Destination Truth.” Each week, Gates and his intrepid team set out to investigate age-old legends. The show features remote and often never-before-filmed locations, from the distant mountains of Bhutan to the uncharted jungles of Papua New Guinea.
He holds degrees from Tufts University in Archaeology and Drama, serves as a trustee on the governing board of the Archaeological Institute of America, and is a fellow of The Explorers Club — a prestigious organization dedicated to the advancement of exploration and field research.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Fine Wine and Good Spirits)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently announced that a professional calligrapher will be at select Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) locations to personalize bottles of Maker’s Mark bourbon with custom messages in celebration of Father’s Day. This special program is combined with a curated tasting by a Maker’s Mark Diplomat, who will guide guests through the full Maker’s Mark portfolio and will share insights into what makes the bourbons that will be offered so exceptional. If you want to participate, you must be at least 21 years old.
According to a release from Fine Wine and Good Spirits, here are the products available for these events and the schedule for them:
FW&GS Premium Collection locations will host the events on the following dates:
(File Photo: Source for Photo: This undated photo provided by NASA Tuesday, June 9, 2026, shows the Artemis III crew including, from left, Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, posing for an official portrait. (Bill Stafford/NASA via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) — NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency’s plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon.
The announcement came two months after Artemis II’s record-breaking trip around the moon that surpassed the distance record of Apollo 13.
NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency’s Luca Parmitano won’t fly to the moon or land on the surface. Instead, they’ll orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.
“To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to deliver the lunar landers. The two-week demo is targeted for 2027. Blue Origin suffered a recent setback when its massive rocket exploded during an engine-firing test on the launch pad in Florida, shaking nearby homes and illuminating the sky with an orange fireball.
NASA’s Jeremy Parsons said the setback is a learning opportunity and that the space agency is confident Blue Origin’s rocket will be ready in time.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon’s surface for the first time since the 1970s. A recent revamp of the program announced by Isaacman aims to fast-track it similarly to the Apollo era, adding the upcoming spaceflight around Earth before eyeing a lunar landing in 2028.
“We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space,” said Bresnik, Artemis III commander.
Added Douglas, mission specialist: “My brain — it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full.”
In May, NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four companies, including Blue Origin, to build landers, rovers and drones for a future moon base. Isaacman said the goal of the moon base is to lay the foundation for a Mars expedition.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin singles off Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley, driving in a run during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin’s right forearm strain is improving, and the 20-year-old is optimistic he’ll be back soon.
Griffin initially reported discomfort in his forearm after a loss to the Chicago Cubs on May 27. He appeared as a designated hitter over the next two games before going on the 10-day injured list on May 31.
The team thought his stay on the IL would be brief, though the timeline for his possible return was pushed back after the nature of the injury turned out to be a little more severe than the club anticipated. Griffin is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday but remains out indefinitely.
Griffin, who made his big league debut in early April as a teenager and quickly signed a nine-year deal with the team, was seen by multiple physicians. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said imaging of Griffin’s right (throwing) arm indicated the UCL was “stable.”
While Griffin indicated he hoped to start a throwing program as early as Wednesday, Tomczyk indicated any throwing activity won’t begin until Griffin meets with the medical team “in the coming days.”
Griffin, who turned 20 on April 24, was hitting .270 with four home runs, 22 RBIs and 14 stolen bases at the time of the injury.
“Just trying to take a little break and really make sure I don’t hurt myself worse and just take our time with it,” Griffin said in the Pittsburgh clubhouse before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s still middle of the season, so we’ve got some time to rehab and get back and be ready to roll towards the last half.”
Griffin, who pitched in high school before being drafted in the first round of the 2024 draft, said he’d never experienced any issues in his throwing arm before but made it a point to be proactive in bringing it to the attention of the club’s medical staff.
“I think we caught it at the right time, where I’m not going to have to miss the whole year,” he said. “I can just miss just a couple weeks and try to be back out there as soon as possible.”
(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that a thirty-nine-year-old Pittsburgh man was charged after crashing his vehicle in Findlay Township on Saturday. According to police, Mouanes Alrifaie was fatigued while driving home from work on I-376 East at 8 a.m. He then left the road before eventually hitting a guide rail. There were no reported injuries.