Biden aims for unifying speech at daunting moment for US
By AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
President-elect Joe Biden will take the stage for his inaugural address at perhaps the most difficult starting point for a president since Franklin Roosevelt began his first term by assuring a nation scarred by the Great Depression that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” But memorable turns of phrase like Roosevelt’s are more the exception than the rule when it comes to inaugural addresses. In a dark moment, Biden will aim to deliver a speech that reaches out to all Americans while trying to turn the corner on the rancorous presidential messages of the last four years.

WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first
By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief says it’s “not right” that younger, healthier adults in wealthier countries get vaccinated against COVID-19 before older people in poorer countries. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus kicked off WHO’s week-long executive board meeting by lamenting that one poor country got only 25 vaccine doses while more than 39 million doses have been made in nearly 50 richer nations. He says that “the world is on the brink of a moral catastrophic failure” in assuring access to vaccines. The WHO chief also raised the issue of the “profits” that drug makers can make in richer countries. Austria’s envoy raised questions about WHO’s program to get vaccines to poorer countries.

Biden picks Chopra, Gensler for financial oversight roles
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Rohit Chopra as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tapping a progressive ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren to helm the agency whose creation she championed. Chopra, a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, helped launch the agency after the 2008 financial crisis and served as deputy director, where he sounded the alarm about skyrocketing levels of student loan debt. The pick comes as Democrats are eyeing ways to provide student loan relief to millions of Americans as part of a COVID-19 relief package. Biden announced the move Monday, along with his intent to nominate Gary Gensler, the former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Sewickley, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a two alarm house fire in the 800 block of Centennial Avenue in Sewickley Monday morning.  Firefighters from several departments responded to the scene, according to police. No injuries were reported, and the cause hasn’t been determined. The family dog did not make it out and died in the fire.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hookstown, Pa.) PA State Police reported Sunday that   there was  a reported  theft of old vehicle parts from South Side Garage in Hookstown  last Wednesday night just after 8 p.m. Unknown persons in a red GMC Envoy stole rotors, drums, struts, and a hydraulic cylinder.  Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call PA State Police 724-773-7400.

(File Photo)

(Beaver County, Pa.) No injuries were reported  in a slip -n-slide fender bender in the area of Nova Chemical in Potter  Township Monday morning. In a separate accident Two cars had to be towed from the scene of  an accident  in the area of Phillips Street and Ridge Road in Economy  Borough. Beaver County 9-1-1 said there were no injuries in the accident.

The dispatcher reported that due to the snowfall overnight there are have been several slip and slides and fender bender accidents.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio news Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Hopewell, Pa.) Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer issued a report Saturday  that William E. Whiting, Jr., 84  was  identified as the victim found by firefighters  early  last Friday morning. at 5144 Mcintosh Drive  in Clearview Estates.   Firefighters were called to the scene  at   2:45 a.m. according to Beaver County 9-1-1.

Gov. Wolf Orders Commonwealth Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Senator Dave Arnold

Harrisburg, Pa. – In honor of Pennsylvania State Senator Dave Arnold, who passed away on Sunday, January 17, Governor Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds fly at half-staff immediately.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Arnold family following the passing of Senator Dave Arnold,” Governor Wolf said. “Dave was a dedicated public servant and conscientious leader who put the people of his district first, always. He fought hard every day for his constituents, even while he was fighting a terrible disease. Our commonwealth has lost a great public servant.”

Sen. Dave Arnold represented the 48th Senatorial District from 2020 to 2021 in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

The commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice. The United States flag has flown at half-staff since Thursday, December 31, 2020, in honor of former Governor Dick Thornburgh, and should remain at half-staff until sunset on Monday, January 18, 2021.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Pennsylvania lawmaker stricken with brain cancer dies
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state senator stricken with brain cancer has died. Republican Sen. Dave Arnold of Lebanon County died Sunday at home with his wife and daughter by his side, his family said in a statement. Arnold was 49. After serving 14 years as Lebanon County’s district attorney, Arnold ran for and won the state Senate seat in a special election in January 2020. During the campaign, he announced that he had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor. Arnold had also served on the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission and as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Arnold is survived by his wife Alicia and daughter Reese.