October 25, 2021 at 11:11 AM
Shining a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety threat that continues to rise. As of Oct. 14, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received 7,186 laser strike reports for 2021, exceeding the 2020 total of 6,852. This marks the highest number or reports since 2016.
Many types of high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots, many of whom are flying airplanes with hundreds of passengers. People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents. The FAA has issued $120,000 in fines for laser strikes during 2021. Violators can also face criminal penalties from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft can temporarily blind a pilot and, not only affects the crew, but also endangers passengers,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.
To identify laser strike trends, the FAA developed a visualization tool, using the Tableau software platform that shows laser strike data from 2010 to 2020 and highlights trends by geographic area, per capita data, time of day and year. The FAA shares the information to draw attention to the dangerously high rate of laser strikes on airplanes. Laser report data by year can be downloaded on the FAA’s website.
The FAA remains vigilant to raise awareness about the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft and encourages the public to report laser strikes to the FAA and local law enforcement agencies.
Please watch our video about the dangers of lasers, visit our web site and read our fact sheet for more information on laser strikes.

October 25, 2021 at 10:37 AM
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Authorities say a driver lost control during a Texas drag racing event and slammed into a crowd of spectators, killing two children and injuring eight other people. A 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy were killed Saturday at an event called “Airport Race Wars 2” at the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport. The organized event was attended by thousands and involved drivers speeding down a runway as they competed for cash. The injured victims were taken to various hospitals, including a 46-year-old woman who was in critical condition. The majority of the other injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Kerville is about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer
October 25, 2021 at 10:30 AM
Moderna says its low-dose COVID-19 vaccine is safe and appears to work in 6- to 11-year-olds. It is the second U.S. vaccine aimed at eventually being offered to children. Already the Food and Drug Administration is considering kid-sized doses of the Pfizer vaccine for elementary school-aged children — and if regulators give the OK, shots could begin early next month. As for Moderna, the company said half-dose shots induced strong levels of virus-fighting antibodies in youngsters, with temporary side effects such as fever and fatigue.

By KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer
October 25, 2021 10:26 AM
LONDON (AP) — Former Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower Frances Haugen is answering questions from lawmakers in the United Kingdom who are working on legislation to rein in the power of social media companies. Haugen said Monday that Facebook is making online hate and extremism worse and outlined how it could improve online safety. She spoke before a parliamentary committee scrutinizing the British government’s draft legislation to crack down on harmful online content. Haugen told lawmakers how Facebook Groups amplifies online hate, saying algorithms that prioritize engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes. She says the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views.

by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
October 25, 2021 at 9:56 AM
(Slippery Rock Twp., Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were dispatched to Cheeseman’s Fright Farm in Slippery Rock Twp. on Friday night around 9:10 OM for a report of a stolen vehicle.
Upon investigating it was learned that a 46-year-old man from Hubbard Ohio had his 2011 Ford F-350 stolen by an unknown person. The suspect fled in the scene in an unknown direction. the truck had Ohio registration plate number HEG6916. State Police in New Castle are asking anyone with information to call them at the New Castle Barracks.

by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
October 25, 2021 07:53 AM
(Ellwood City, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they are investigating after they received a report of theft by deception of a 56-year-old Ellwood City man.
Troopers are reporting that an unknown person contacted the man and told him that he had an outstanding warrant and that he needed to pay $3000.00 to have the warrant taken care of or he would go to jail. The victim bought $1000.00 worth of Visa Debit cards and provided the numbers and PIN to the suspect.
State Police are continuing to investigate at this time.

by Frank Sparks, News/Program Director
October 25, 2021 at 07:20 AM
(Moon Twp., Pa.) The National Weather Service in Moon is now confirming that a total of 8 tornadoes, including two in Beaver County, tore through western Pennsylvania Thursday night, October 21, 2021 .
Tornadoes were confirmed in New Galilee, Franklin Township, Hampton Township, Peters Township, Hopewell Township, Washington County, Mt. Nebo, Butler and east of West Finley.
Both Tornados that hit Beaver County were EF-1 and caused moderate damage in both communities.

(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
October 25, 2021 at 06:13 AM
(North Strabane Twp., Pa.) 56-year-old Holly Ann Davis, of Canonsburg was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 79 in North Strabane Township early Sunday morning.
According to the state police, Davis was heading north on I-79 when she was hit head-on by 26-year-old Kristina Coyne, from Washington Pa.. Coyne was driving the wrong way going south in the north bound lanes.
Just prior to the crash, Washington County 911 started receiving calls from drivers seeing a vehicle going the wrong direction, south in the northbound lanes.
Coyne was flown to the hospital for treatment, and her condition is currently unknown.
I-79 was closed down for several hours while police investigated.

October 25, 2021 at 5:55 AM
By BRIAN SLODYSKO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional ethics watchdog has concluded there is “substantial reason to believe” that the wife of Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly used nonpublic information gained through her husband’s position in Congress to purchase stock last year. That could violate federal law and House rules. A report issued Thursday by the Office of Congressional Ethics details the April 2020 purchase of stock in an Ohio steel maker. The company had threatened to shut down a plant in Kelly’s district unless the Trump administration granted it trade relief, which the administration did. Kelly’s wife Victoria purchased stock before that information became public and later sold it for a profit. Kelly’s office did not respond to a request for comment.