(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on April 20th, 2026)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The official 2026 NFL Draft Welcome Center activation space was unveiled yesterday at the Pittsburgh International Airport. City and county officials were on hand for the opening of the larger-than-life photo installation inspired by the official NFL Draft stage which welcomes all passengers arriving at that airport. This was revealed in time for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in the Steel City this Thursday through Saturday.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Vehicles move past signs that indicate payment methods for driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the entrance ramp in Gibsonia, Pa. in this file photo from Aug. 30, 2021. Gov. Tom Wolf gave final approval on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, to legislation aimed at getting owners or operators of some 25,000 vehicles to pay their overdue bills for turnpike usage, The law that could trigger the suspension of thousands of vehicle registrations early next year. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation today sponsored by Senator Camera Bartolotta called Senate Bill 1273 and also approved a package of commercial driver’s license (CDL) bills strengthening safety standards sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-30). This bill clarifies that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission may share time-sensitive information collected through its automated tolling system with law enforcement in specific situations.This includes cases that involves Amber Alerts and Missing Endangered Person Advisory System alerts, which is where rapid access to vehicle data can be critical.
(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release today that forty-one-year-old Randall Sennett of Leetsdale was arrested for possessing suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia in Aliquippa on February 26th, 2026. Sennett was found with the drugs at 1:41 a.m. after he was stopped at the 700 block of Sheffield Avenue for a vehicle code violation.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Geneva College, Posted on Facebook on April 21st, 2026)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver Falls, PA) The Geneva College Athletic Department recently selected DJ Damazo to be the new head men’s basketball coach after a nationwide search. Damazo will replace Jeff Santasiero, who retired after this past season after 30 years as the head coach of the Golden Tornadoes and 38 years on the men’s basketball staff. Damazo returns to his alma mater for this opportunity, because he graduated from Geneva in 2013. He also played basketball for Geneva and was a two-year starter. He began his coaching career at Blackhawk High School as an assistant before serving as a graduate assistant at Eastern University for two years. He was then hired as the head coach at Valley Forge University in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 2017 and led the program for four years. He turned a team that with a 3-17 record into one that posted its highest win total in the program’s Division III history, while also finishing fifth in NCAA Division III in scoring in his final season. Damazo has served as an assistant coach at Grinnell College in Grinell, Iowa for the past five seasons, which included the best three-year stretch in its program’s history, including the recently completed 2025-26 season in which the program achieved the most wins in program history of 22. Grinnell won two Midwest Conference Championships during Damazo’s tenure and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament both seasons.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network (AHN), Highmark Health announced today that Mandy Ranalli has been named the organization’s Chief Development Officer to lead all of the fundraising activities for AHN. Ranalli most recently served as the vice president of Major and Principal Giving for the Children’s National Hospital Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most respected children’s hospitals. Before that, she worked as the associate vice president for Major, Principal and International Giving at that same foundation to cultivate relationships with grateful patients and foundations around the world. Ranalli is a Western Pennsylvania native who is returning to a city she knows well because from 2007 to 2019, she served in various fundraising and leadership roles at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, which included roles leading the major, principal and corporate engagement programs. She also spent three years at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals and pediatric programs in the United States and Canada, including at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie. Ranalli will work with executive and clinical leadership to advance the philanthropic strategy for one of Pennsylvania’s largest academic health systems in her new role. She will also oversee the operations of AHN’s existing trusts (Alle-Kiski Medical Center Trust, Forbes Health Foundation, Saint Vincent Hospital Foundation for Health and Human Services, Suburban Health Foundation, and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation).
BEAVER — A new, free exhibit at the Beaver Area Heritage Museum tells the untold stories of the people and never-before-seen archaeological artifacts from a pivotal time when, in the nation’s earliest years, nearly the entire U.S. Army was based at Fort McIntosh in Beaver.
On view until December, the interactive “Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archaeology” invites visitors to learn what soldiers experienced during a remarkable chapter of the Revolutionary era, and how personality quirks and clashes among the leaders shaped its legacy.
From December 1784 to November 1785, the troops stationed at Fort McIntosh — with only small detachments at Fort Pitt and West Point — represented the core of the first permanent body of the United States Army. In this moment, the site played a defining role in the establishment of the nation’s first peacetime standing army.
“This exhibit during the America 250 commemoration connects Beaver directly to the founding story of our nation in a way few people realize,” Mark Miner, chairman of Beaver Area Heritage Museum, said. “It’s not just local history — it’s national history — it happened right here, and we want the world to know it.”
“We wanted to create an experience that sparks curiosity — especially for young people in our community,” Stacey Ivol, director of the Beaver Area Heritage Museum, said. “Through hands-on elements like the children’s dig and the real stories behind these artifacts, we hope to inspire the next generation to explore history, ask questions, and see their connection to the past.”
The exhibit features a host of man-made artifacts unearthed from the original fort site during the digs of 1974–1975, but stored away ever since. They have been organized, analyzed, and prioritized by professional archaeologists and cultural resource specialists with Michael Baker International. These materials highlight how modern archaeology deepens and refines our understanding of the past.
A new interactive children’s dig station offers younger visitors a hands-on way to experience the process of archaeological discovery, conduct their own mini digs, log their finds, and take home their treasures.
The Museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m., along with select additional Sundays throughout the season.
By combining decades of research with new discoveries and interpretation, the exhibit strengthens Beaver as a destination for national historical tourism — and invites visitors to see it with a fresh perspective.
Beaver Area Heritage Museum has a new exhibit, “Fort McIntosh: Its People and Archeology.”
This exhibit has been made possible through the support of Heritage Valley Health System, Community College of Beaver County, the Spanos Group of Raymond James, The Wright Promise, and IBEW Local 712.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Leon Smith, named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, stands in front of his classroom at Haverford High School, in Havertown, Pa. on Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa)
HAVERFORD, Pa. (AP) — A high school history teacher in Pennsylvania who helps students look inward to find their strengths and outward to find community inside and outside the classroom has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.
Leon Smith, 46, has spent his entire 25-year career at Haverford High School, where he teaches Advanced Placement classes in U.S. history and African American studies. He describes himself as a “warm demander,” someone who sets high expectations while surrounding students with love and support. Often, that means recognizing hidden talents and bringing them to the forefront, he said in an interview Monday.
“An adult can tell you that they see something in you that maybe you didn’t see in yourself,” he said. “I love to do that for students. When I see ambition, when I see talent, I let them know that so that they can hopefully pursue that goal and achieve their dreams.”
Smith starts each class with a community building exercise — on Monday, he asked his students to talk about a song that made them happy. One shared a track that reminded him of a family vacation. Another recalled music she listened to with friends before they went their separate ways. The exercise helped settle the students before the discussion shifted to a harder question: When, if ever, should the United States enter a war happening far away?
“We want to make sure that our students can think critically, that they have empathy, that they can understand the nuance and complexity that goes into making decisions,” he said. “My hope is that when they leave my classroom, that they can be civically engaged, that they can make sure that they can create a society that they can be proud of.”
Smith also extends his teaching to outside the school, taking students to the state Capitol each year to engage with policymakers. That won him praise from the organization behind the award, the Council of Chief State School Officers, which also cited his emphasis on the inclusion of multiple perspectives in history.
As the Teacher of the Year, Smith will spend a year promoting the pivotal role educators play in shaping the next generation.
“They’ve moved societies. They have empowered activist movements. They’ve helped people to figure out what they want to do when they group up,” he said. “They’ve had a tremendous impact, and my hope is that people are inspired to join that legacy.”
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, center, stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Stamford, CT) Sources confirmed to ESPN today that former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is joining NBC’s Sunday night pregame show, “Football Night in America,” as an NFL studio analyst. Sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that talks between Tomlin and NBC picked up steam in Augusta, Georgia two weeks ago. The Athletic first reported Tomlin’s hiring at NBC. The fifty-three-year-old Tomlin is the second former Steelers head coach to transition into broadcasting, joining his predecessor, Bill Cowher, who was hired at CBS as a studio analyst in 2007 after stepping down from the Steelers. Cowher never returned to coaching. Tomlin stepped down as the head coach of the Steelers on January 13th, 2026 after nineteen seasons with the team and was the longest-tenured head coach of a North American professional sports franchise prior to his resignation. Tomlin had a 193-114-2 record in the regular season, a record of 8-12 in the postseason and never finished below .500 during his NFL head coaching career.
PITTSBURGH — The NFL will host an expansive lineup of activities for the 2026 NFL Draft, taking place April 23–25 in Pittsburgh.
The Draft will transform the city’s North Shore and Point State Park into a free, three-day celebration of football, community and culture, bringing the next generation of NFL stars to one of the country’s most iconic football cities while celebrating Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.
Here’s a guide to pick your fun:
Draft Theater and Main Stage
Located just outside Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, the Draft Theater and Main Stage will be where all 32 club selections will come to life across three days. Fans will be steps away from the action, as prospects are drafted and welcomed to their new teams on the Draft Stage.
Presented by Bud Light, Two iconic Pittsburgh landmarks will connect the expansive Draft campus. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to vehicle traffic and serve as a pedestrian-only fan corridor linking the North Shore and Downtown, while the Gateway Clipper riverboats will provide transportation between Draft locations on Friday & Saturday, offering fans a uniquely Pittsburgh way to experience the event.
Draft Day 1 – Thursday, April 23
To kick off the celebrations, 17 Draft prospects will walk the NFL Draft Red Carpet presented by Toyota. The Red Carpet begins at 5 p.m., with portions televised as part of ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage.
Pittsburgh-raised and jazz-trained musical artist KELS will perform the National Anthem. Preceding the anthem, the James Weldon Johnson Foundation’s National Hymn Choir, featuring The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, will perform the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” conducted by Grammy Award-winning Jeffery Redding.
Steelers legends and current players will join NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to help kick off the night’s festivities and welcome fans to Pittsburgh.
On Thursday, as each prospect walks to the stage after hearing his name called on stage, a special art installation created by Pittsburgh-based mixed-metal artist Kim Fox will line the Player Walkway. Fox spent months handcrafting mixed-metal interpretations of all 32 NFL team marks, layering reclaimed wood, vintage maps, collected tins and found materials into a quiltlike pattern unique to each club with Easter eggs hidden in the pieces tied to the city.
Additionally, pop artist Burton Morris, a Pittsburgh native with Aliquippa family ties, is building a 32-piece installation for the Prospect Green Room, with each 20-by-20-inch panel mounted on a steel frame nodding to the city’s roots and finished with his signature energy lines in team colors and an authentic helmet fixed to the front.
Draft Day 2 – Friday, April 24
On the second night of the NFL Draft, the celebration continues with even more fan-centric experiences and the same high energy from the night before.
Across all three days of the NFL Draft, fans will experience a lineup of in-venue moments built to keep the energy electric. These interactive activations will feature team roll calls, t-shirt tosses, live fan cams and trivia. Fans will also have opportunities to win autographed footballs and helmets, take part in on-stage contests and enter for a chance at Super Bowl LXI tickets. Surprise guest appearances and player interviews will electrify the atmosphere, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
As part of the Day 2 festivities, Pittsburgh natives Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels will perform at 5:15 p.m. ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 as part of the NFL Draft Entertainment Concert Series presented by Bud Light. Multi-platinum, Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated Khalifa broke through with his major-label single “Black & Yellow,” while Michaels, a Butler native and iconic frontman of Poison, brings a multi-platinum-selling career in music spanning decades.
Bret Michaels, Wiz Khalifa and Kane Brown will entertain at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Draft Day 3 – Saturday, April 25
Day 3 of the Draft will put a special spotlight on Pittsburgh’s culture and community, offering a fun-filled day for families and fans. With an action-packed lineup of entertainment and local flair, this day will highlight the best the city and region have to offer.
Highlights Include:
Makers Market (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.):The NFL Draft Makers Market will spotlight over 14 local Pittsburgh businesses at North Shore, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fans can shop a curated mix of homegrown brands, artisans and makers, turning Draft weekend into a celebration of the city’s local community. Businesses include Brother Andre’s Cafe, Fancy Pants Popcorn, Good L’oven Cookie Shop, Kim Fox / Worker Bird, Love Pittsburgh Shop, Mi Empanada, Michael’s Table, Pittsburgh Pottery, Pittsburgh Worsh Company, Sandy Boo Delights, Sarris Candies, Slipfast Adornments, The Picked Chef and Uncle Jammys.
Topps Collector Celebration Day (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.): Topps is marking their return to the NFL in a big way at the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express by taking over Acrisure Stadium with an immersive, interactive celebration of football card collecting. The event will feature hands-on activations, live programming with athletes and NFL personalities, and plenty of opportunities to shop for cards of your favorite players and teams. Just like the NFL Draft Experience, the Topps Collector Celebration Day is a free, family-friendly event. An exclusive value box of the newly released 2025 Topps Chrome Football will be available for the first 1,000 fans through the gates.
After the Draft selections conclude on Saturday, global superstar Kane Brown will take the stage for a high-energy finale concert as part of the NFL Draft Entertainment Series presented by Bud Light. Following the success of his widely acclaimed 2025 record, “The High Road,” Brown continues to build on his multi-platinum, award-winning career.
All performances will take place at the Draft Theater adjacent to Acrisure Stadium. General fan viewing is free, and fans are encouraged to arrive early, as standing room will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
NFL Draft Experience Presented by American Express
Taking place all three days of the NFL Draft from April 23–25, the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express will be located at both the North Shore Draft campus, including on the field at Acrisure Stadium, and Point State Park, transforming one of Pittsburgh’s most historic and scenic public spaces into a vibrant hub of football, community and culture.
The NFL Draft Experience offers an exciting, immersive festival featuring interactive activations, such as the 40-yard dash, field goal kicks, catching skills challenges and more, alongside NFL Hall of Fame exhibits. Fans can meet NFL stars and legends, including Steelers players, and capture unforgettable moments with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 59 Super Bowl rings. The Play 60 Zone will host NFL FLAG drills, skills challenges and football clinics for younger fans. With activities for all ages, the NFL Draft Experience is the ultimate celebration of football, culture and community.
In addition to watching from the Draft Theater footprint, Acrisure Stadium will be open to fans looking to watch the NFL Draft onscreen and experience exclusive activations inside the stadium and on the field itself.
Additional Highlights:
Steelers Country: Steelers Country at the NFL Draft Experience presented by American Express will be a 12,000-square-foot interactive space located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Point State Park. The destination will celebrate the traditions of Steelers Nation while creating a centralized gathering place for fans to connect, engage and experience Draft weekend together.
American Express Fan Experience: At the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, American Express will pop up with an open-to-all fan experience (capacity limitations apply). Platinum Card Members can also make a reservation daily for a wristband to access select NFL-operated experiences and an on-site reservation to enjoy a session in the Card Member Lounge (reservations are limited). Eligible Card Members can enroll their Card in an offer valid for qualifying purchases at NFL Shop locations on-site at the NFL Draft. Terms apply.
NFL SHOP presented by American Express: As the official special event retail partner of the NFL, Fanatics is curating a robust merchandise assortment available at more than 10 locations throughout Pittsburgh’s North Shore and Point State Park. The flagship 13,000-square-foot NFL Shop tent will offer 250+ products featuring exclusive Pittsburgh-inspired collections and collabs, and Draft specific products from top brands including Nike, New Era, Mitchell & Ness and more. Fanatics is also tapping into Pittsburgh’s creative community at the 2026 NFL Draft, hosting a live art activation with local artist Jeremy Raymer, who will create one-of-one pieces from the brand’s Bridge to Greatness collection on-site for fans while supplies last. The NFL Shop is open all three days of NFL Draft Experience.
Fans can enjoy a variety of food options throughout the NFL Draft Experience, including local vendors in the Taste of Pittsburgh Presented by Heinz on the North Shore, with food vendors onsite to provide guests with a taste of Pittsburgh’s vibrant culinary scene and iconic local fare. A full list of vendors will be available in the NFL OnePass App.
Throughout the weekend, from April 23–25, a large-scale light projection on the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh will celebrate Pittsburgh’s football legacy and spotlight real-time draft picks nightly from 8 to 11 p.m., viewable from the public viewing area at Point State Park.
Fans are encouraged to register for free entry to the NFL Draft through the NFL OnePass app or at NFL.com/DraftAccess. NFL OnePass provides up-to-date information, exclusive content and access to giveaways, including a grand prize trip for two to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and all adults must register, with the option to include up to five children.
The NFL Draft will be fully accessible to all fans. Details on mobility assistance, parking, transportation and road closures are available via the Know Before You Go information on NFL OnePass.
Located next to Acrisure Stadium, the NFL Draft Theater will serve as the central hub where all 32 teams make their selections live over the three days of the Draft. The free, general admission theater viewing area spans over 250,000 square feet on the stadium’s east and northeast sides, and during the television broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and NFL Network, crowd shots from the stage will feature the renowned Pittsburgh bridges and waterways. Attending fans can enjoy the action live, in person, on multiple screens displayed throughout general admission, or within Acrisure Stadium for a Draft watch party.
NFL DRAFT SCHEDULE
DATE
TIMING
Thursday, April 23
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday, April 24
7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Saturday, April 25
12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The NFL Draft will be broadcast live on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and streamed on NFL+.
Limited VIP Ticket Packages for the NFL Draft are available through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL. Fans looking to further immerse themselves in the Draft can secure packages that combine seating in the Draft Theater with world-class service, official gifting and one-of-a-kind experiences. Visit www.OnLocationExp.com/NFLDraft to explore remaining packages.
For more information on the 2026 NFL Draft, including programming, special events and registration, fans should visit NFL.com/DraftAccess.
(Pittsburgh, PA) A lawsuit was recently filed against the Pittsburgh Pirates stemming from a fight between a fan and a game day employee which occurred at PNC Park on May 4th, 2025. Video showed the fan and the employee fighting during the Pirates’ game. That fan has now sued the Pirates and the employee. The lawsuit, filed in Allegheny County on behalf of Patrick Egan, alleges that during the fight, Egan suffered a concussion and facial injuries including a chipped tooth, a bloody lip and more. The incident began when Egan and his friend were accused of harassing a woman who worked at a concession stand. The game day employee, identified in the lawsuit as Raymond Stroud III, intervened in the situation. Egan states in the lawsuit that he was not involved in the altercation with the woman and that he did not harass her. Bystanders and other employees tried to break up the fight, but within moments, Egan was seen spitting on Stroud. He then took off his belt and started hitting Egan. After the fight, the Pirates said Stroud’s behavior was “entirely unacceptable” and he was immediately suspended. Police confirmed last year that no charges were filed in the wake of the fight. Egan is seeking damages for assault, battery, negligence, and invasion of privacy. The suit also alleges that the Pirates failed to release security surveillance video of the incident that would have showed that Egan did not harass the concession worker.
