US jobless claims reach a pandemic low as hiring strengthens
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 340,000, a pandemic low, another sign that the job market is steadily rebounding from the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Jobless claims dropped by 14,000. Vaccinations for COVID-19 have been supporting the job market by encouraging businesses to reopen or expand hours and consumers to return to restaurants, bars and shops. In response, employers across the country have been boosting hiring to meet a surge in consumer demand. Still, a resurgence of cases tied to the highly contagious delta variant has clouded the economic outlook.

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters has committed $41,000 toward scholarships and on-campus events at Point Park University. The scholarships prioritize first-year students with demonstrated financial need in the Rowland School of Business and the School of Communication with an interest in broadcast media careers.

Sixteen deserving students will receive $2,000 each – eight for the Fall 2021 semester and eight more for Fall 2022. In addition, the PAB will take part in a Future of Broadcasting Day this fall, which will include a panel event for high school and college students, guest speakers in classrooms and a PAB scholarship recognition event. In addition, $9,000 will go toward a Broadcast Media summer camp for high school students in 2022.

Bernie Ankney, Dean of the School of Communication, said Point Park is grateful for the PAB’s support for its students.

“This money will go a long way toward helping students gain access to a first-rate education and pursue their careers in broadcast media,” he said.  “We are honored that the PAB thinks highly enough of our programs to work with us.”

The eight recipients for the Fall 2021 semester are:

• Jonah Sommers, Pittsburgh — Broadcast Production and Media Management
• Natalie Matvya, Turtle Creek, PA – Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
• Erin Yudt, Sharpsville — Journalism
• Michael Jeniskis, Canonsburg — Public Relations and Advertising
• Aniya Uqdah, Philadelphia — Marketing and Sales
• Grace Lorince, Mount Pleasant — Broadcast Production and Media Management
• De’Ante Johnson, Turtle Creek – Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
• Addison Diehl, Greensburg — Journalism

The PAB represents around 368 radio and 38 TV stations in Pennsylvania – all broadcast media is free, over the air and licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. Owners and operators include ABC, Audacy, CBS, Fox, Forever Media, iHeart Media, NBC and PBS, as well as individually owned stations. In each broadcast station, the people in front of the camera and microphones, as well as those behind the scenes, work with a commitment to serve their community.

“The PAB is delighted to offer scholarship support to help enable these students to consider the excitement and challenges as broadcasters who inform the public of current affairs and help keep our communities safe,” said Joe Conti, president of the PAB. “Programs such as the Future of Broadcasting Day and Broadcast Media Summer Camps are a wonderful opportunity for current broadcast leaders to return to the classroom and vividly portray the current affairs of Pennsylvania broadcasting. These educational exchanges offer a lifetime of contact and mentorship for students joining the dynamic career of broadcasting.”

Paige Beal, Associate Professor in Rowland’s Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Program, said it’s important that these scholarships be available to students in both Rowland and the School of Communication.

“As a former radio and TV professional, I have seen firsthand the many people working behind the scenes with journalists and radio personalities,” Beal said. “Radio and TV stations are made up of professionals with communication skills and business skills who work together every day.”

Pennsylvania residents interested in applying for these scholarships can go here for more information.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Wednesday night Aliquippa City Council  observed a moment of silence   to remember Former Aliquippa Mayor the late Mayor Danny Britza who died Sunday at the age of 82. He served in many capacities, councilman, mayor, state auditor, and city treasurer.  He started his career  in the city of Aliquippa in 1963., retiring  from his treasurer’s position in 1992.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Vehicles are speeding, and trying to beat the red lights on Brodhead Rd. and Kennedy Boulevard passing school buses  and is a cause for concern by residents in the area of Admiral and 21st Street in Aliquippa . The residents expressed their concerns and a petition was presented to  Aliquippa City Council at Wednesday night’s meeting.  The city is looking into the situation to see what can be done in the area where there are small children and elderly residents. The residents were thanked for their input and concerns that they presented. One resident said, “We are fed up with the situation .”

(Photo Courtesy of US Army Corps of Engineers)

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District declared a state of emergency due to flooding conditions impacting the Monongahela River and its tributaries, Sept. 1, 2021.

This emergency declaration authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake support emergency response activities caused by the natural disaster.

The Pittsburgh District may provide support to local communities in need, and repair or rehabilitate flood control projects damaged during the state of emergency.

“If communities request support, we can provide assistance under this declaration,” said Al Coglio, the chief of emergency management for the Pittsburgh District.

The act also authorizes the Pittsburgh District to provide resources if requested, which can include technical assistance, sandbags, sandbag machines, water pumps and other flood-fighting supplies or equipment. The act does not include provisions for labor, transportation or fill materials.

All authorized costs associated with the emergency response are funded by the federal government.

The Pittsburgh District’s Emergency Operations Center remains active. To request support, please contact the Pittsburgh District emergency operation center: (412) 395-7150 or celrp-eoc@usace.army.mil.

Parnell gets Trump endorsement in Pennsylvania Senate race
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is endorsing in Pennsylvania’s crowded U.S. Senate field, backing Republican Sean Parnell in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive Senate contests in next year’s election. Parnell, a former Army Ranger who penned a memoir of his service in Afghanistan, was already getting enthusiastic support from Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., before Trump’s Wednesday endorsement. Parnell became politically active in recent years, running unsuccessfully for Congress last year and landing a coveted speaking slot at the 2020 Republican National Convention. The Democratic field includes Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, who narrowly beat Parnell last year.

Pennsylvania’s carbon plan clears last regulatory hurdle
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The centerpiece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight climate change has passed its last regulatory hurdle in a fight pitting Democrats, nuclear power plant owners and the renewable energy sector against Republicans, fossil fuel-plant owners, blue-collar labor unions and heavy industry. The plan to impose a price on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants in Pennsylvania won a 3-2 vote from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission on Wednesday. The jury is out on whether it would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A key feature is that it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for clean energy and energy efficiency programs.

A deeply divided Supreme Court is allowing a Texas law that bans most abortions to remain in force. The court’s action for now strips most women of the right to an abortion in the nation’s second-largest state. In an unsigned order just before midnight the court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal from abortion providers and others that sought to block enforcement of the law that went into effect Wednesday. The Texas law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks and before most women know they’re pregnant.

Pennsylvania’s carbon-pricing plan at last regulatory hurdle
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The centerpiece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight climate change will confront its last regulatory hurdle in a fight pitting Democrats, nuclear power plant owners and the renewable energy sector against Republicans, fossil fuel-plant owners, blue-collar labor unions and heavy industry. The plan to impose a price on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants in Pennsylvania is going before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission on Wednesday. The jury is out on whether it would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A key feature is that it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the state, possibly to flush into clean-energy subsidies and energy efficiency programs.