Category: News

Lawmakers now hold fate of regulations waived amid pandemic

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — With voters shifting major new responsibilities to them, Pennsylvania’s state lawmakers are now tasked with deciding whether hundreds of state government regulations waived during the COVID-19 pandemic should be reinstated. This massive review is fueled by Tuesday’s referendum in which voters curbed the governor’s emergency powers by approving constitutional amendments that give lawmakers much more power over disaster declarations. A key component of a disaster declaration is a governor’s authority to waive a regulation. On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf renewed the disaster declaration, his fifth straight in response to the coronavirus. Under the provisions of the constitutional amendments approved Tuesday, it will expire in three weeks.

Pennsylvania firing vendor that mishandled virus data

Pennsylvania is firing a company that performed COVID-19 contact tracing and exposed the private medical information of tens of thousands of residents. That’s according to the state health secretary. Employees of Insight Global used unauthorized Google accounts to personal information about residents who had been reached for contact tracing. The state had planned to drop Insight Global once its contract expires at the end of the July, but the Health Department told House Republicans on Thursday that it will terminate the contract early, on June 19.

Pennsylvania Terminating Vendor Insight Global That Mishandled Virus Data

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania is firing a company that performed COVID-19 contact tracing and exposed the private medical information of tens of thousands of residents. That’s according to Republican state lawmakers, who released a statement from the state Health Department on Thursday. Employees of Insight Global used unauthorized Google accounts to personal information about residents who had been reached for contact tracing. The state had planned to drop Insight Global once its contract expires at the end of the July, but the Health Department told House Republicans on Thursday that it will terminate the contract early, on June 19.

US Congressmen Lamb, Doyle and Senator Casey Introduce The Freight Rail Innovation Act

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17), a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, was joined by Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) to introduce the Freight Rail Innovation Act.  Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.  The bicameral legislation would establish a Freight Rail Innovation Institute, comprised of a university research partner and locomotive manufacturer, with the goal of developing zero-emission locomotives.

“This legislation is a perfect example of Congress working together with industry and academic leaders to develop new and innovative transportation technologies,” said Lamb.  “This federal funding could be used locally in Western Pennsylvania to accelerate the development of hydrogen-powered locomotives, creating jobs in the energy industry and boosting our local economy.”

“This legislation will invest in alternative energy freight rail technology and lower emissions, incentivize more and longer lasting private investment in energy solutions, contribute to research and development in Pittsburgh and create jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania. I look forward to seeing its inclusion in future infrastructure legislation,” said Casey.

“Investing in innovative technologies like fuel cell locomotives and more efficient rail operations won’t just make our freight transportation sector the cleanest in the world, it will enable us to move more freight, grow our economy, and create thousands of new good-paying jobs,” said Doyle.

The Freight Rail Innovation Act would carry out a research and development program to:

  • Develop technologies necessary for the design, development, manufacturing, and operation of zero-emission battery and hydrogen-powered freight locomotives;
  • Develop technologies that enhance freight rail safety, efficiency and utilization; and
  • Accelerate the deployment of zero-emission locomotives, including passenger locomotives, as well as support supply chains; advance freight and logistics systems; and related workforce development and education innovations.

The legislation also includes Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements for institute grant recipients, and requires a 50% non-federal match.

Visit Lamb’s website to learn more about the Freight Rail Innovation Act.

Pennsylvania Reports 50% Of Adults Are Fully Vaccinated

Pennsylvania reports 50% of adults are fully vaccinated
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is marking a milestone, with 50% of adults statewide now considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Wolf administration says it will lift an order requiring unvaccinated people to wear masks in public once 70% of Pennsylvanians aged 18 and older are fully vaccinated, meaning at least two weeks beyond their last required dose. That percentage stood at 50% on Thursday, according to federal data. The pace of vaccinations has been slowing for weeks. State Health Department data shows Pennsylvania ordered only about a quarter of the vaccine doses to which it was entitled last week, signaling a steep drop-off in demand.

Veteran’s Breakfast Club to Welcome ecretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough and Congressman Conor Lamb on May 26, 2021

The Veteran’s Break fast Club will be hosting a zoom breakfast with special guests  Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough and Congressman Conor Lamb Wednesday June 26, 2021 at 9:00 AM.  Veteran’s will be able to ask any questions they have or issues they’d like them to discuss that are V.a. Related by emailing them to todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org.  You can also email Todd with any questions you have about the event  at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org and plan to join us on Zoom on the 26th

 

 

U.S. Government Seizes 68 Protected Big Cats and a Jaguar from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe

U.S. Government Seizes 68 Protected Big Cats and a Jaguar from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe

The United States has seized 68 protected lions, tigers, lion-tiger hybrids, and a jaguar from Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe’s Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma, pursuant to a judicially-authorized search and seizure warrant, for ongoing Endangered Species Act (ESA) violations. The Justice Department will seek civil forfeiture of these animals and any offspring pursuant to the ESA’s forfeiture provision.

Pursuant to a court-approved stipulation in United States v. Lowe, et al., No. 20-423 (E.D. Okla.), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has conducted three inspections of Tiger King Park since mid-December 2020. During these inspections, the Lowes received citations for failing to provide the animals with adequate or timely veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, and shelter that protects them from inclement weather and is of sufficient size to allow them to engage in normal behavior. The Lowes were recently found in contempt after months of noncompliance with court orders requiring the Lowes, in part, to employ a qualified veterinarian and establish and maintain a program of veterinary care that meets the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. The United States alleges that these violations as to ESA-protected animals also constitute violations of the ESA.

“This seizure should send a clear message that the Justice Department takes alleged harm to captive-bred animals protected under the Endangered Species Act very seriously,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

“This important animal rescue operation of nearly 70 endangered and allegedly abused lions, tigers, and a jaguar shows how effective civil forfeiture can be when utilized in conjunction with statutes like the Endangered Species Act,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We are proud to have partnered with the Environment and Natural Resources Division to protect these amazing animals, and will work to ensure that they go to responsible animal preserves where they can be safely maintained rather than exploited.”

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforces the Endangered Species Act,” said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Office of Law Enforcement. “The law protects imperiled species, such as tigers, both in the wild and in captivity. We work jointly with our federal law enforcement partners to conserve and protect natural resources and we are pleased that we could provide our expertise to assist the U.S. Marshals and USDA officers. Together, we will ensure these animals receive proper care and rehabilitation.”

The case is being investigated by USDA and the Department of the Interior’s FWS. The U.S. Marshals were integral in executing the seizure warrant and securing the property, which allowed for the swift removal of the animals.

The case is being handled by Senior Trial Attorney Mary Hollingsworth, Trial Attorneys Briena Strippoli, and Devon Flanagan from the Environment and Natural Resources Division and Senior Policy Advisor Darrin McCullough of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. They are assisted by attorneys from the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

VIDEO: Beaver County Flag Football League Holding Championships This Weekend

After a year of wading in the murky waters of change and cancellations, it’s time for some football once again. Flag football, to be precise.

The Beaver County Flag Football League will be holding its championship matches on Saturday at Tony Dorsett Stadium in Hopewell, with ceremonies starting at 4:30 and going until sundown. There will be multiple food trucks and a live DJ on site, as the best of Beaver County’s flag-footballing K-through-9 youth will showcase their skills. Admission is free to the public, and masks are required.

BCFFL president Brad Robison joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to talk about the championship event, speaking about the long journey that it’s been for the league to reach this point. Robison talked about the platform that flag football gives for youth athletes in Beaver County, the emphases on safety and sportsmanship driven by the coaches and supervisors, and how such emphases can reshape the atmosphere of high school sports over the next decade.

To watch the full video, click on the Facebook feed below!

Friday with Dino! Teleforum Show Fun!

On Friday’s Teleforum show host Eddy Crow talks with Dino Capistrani of Concordia Visiting Nurses-the topic: Managing Arthritis Pain. Later in the program Eddy welcomes president/ceo of Heritage Valley Health Systems Norm Mitry  for the most up-to-date Beaver county vaccination news. Teleforum happens every weekday from 9 till noon on AM1230, AM1460, and 99.3FM presented by St. Barnabas.

Teen Baker Sweetens Lives Making Desserts For Those in Need

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO and EMILY LESHNER Associated Press
Vedika Jawa was 13 when she contacted a San Francisco Bay Area homeless shelter and offered to bake for its residents. They told her to come back when she was older. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she went all the way to the shelter’s CEO. That was the start of Bake4Sake, her student-run nonprofit that distributes baked desserts to those in need. During the coronavirus pandemic, her project grew more than ever. The now 16-year-old high school junior has enlisted more than 100 volunteers who work with 15 homeless shelters in 10 locations across the United States.