A new world weather agency forecast says it’ll likely be so hot in the next five years that there’s a 40% chance the globe will push past the temperature limit set by the Paris climate agreement. Thursday’s report by the World Meteorological Organization doubles the chances it gave last year for one year to be 2.7 degrees warmer than pre-industrial times. The Paris climate accord tries to prevent that much warming, but already Earth has warmed 2.2 degrees. The report also sees continued drought in the U.S. Southwest and more strong Atlantic hurricanes.

Federal data representing all 67 counties:

• According to the CDC, as of Thursday morning, May 27, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 57.3% of its entire population, and the state ranks 9th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.
• According to the CDC, as of Thursday morning, May 26, 52.7% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated while 70% have received their first dose.
• According to the CDC, as of Thursday morning, May 26, Pennsylvania ranks 5^th among all 50 states for total doses administered.

Statewide data representing the 66 counties within the Department of Health’s vaccine jurisdiction:

• Vaccine providers have administered 10,385,967 total vaccine doses as of Thursday, May 27.
• 4,589,247 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 58,400 people per day receiving vaccinations.
• 1,589,315 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
• 6,178,562 people have received at least their first dose.

• This week, a total of 10,749,200 doses will have been allocated through May 29:
  • 297,520 first/single doses will have been allocated this week.
  • 297,520 second doses will have been allocated this week.

• To date, we have administered 10,385,967 doses total through May 27:
  • First/single doses:  6,178,562 administered
  • Second doses:  4,207,405 administered

Fully vaccinated people may choose not to wear a mask indoors or outdoors unless the business or organization requires it, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped last week to 406,000, a new pandemic low and more evidence that the job market is strengthening as the virus wanes and economy further reopens. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that applications declined 38,000 from 444,000 a week earlier. The number of weekly applications for jobless aid — a rough measure of the pace of layoffs — has fallen by more than half since January.

After a year of coronavirus lockdowns, the start of summer beckons with vacation plans made possible by relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. But a severe worker shortage brings a warning for travelers: Expect delays and pack a little patience. Lifeguards and hotel housekeepers are in short supply. So are rental cars. And don’t count on having a fruity cocktail at the hotel Tiki bar. The labor shortage is hitting the nation’s tourist destinations just as they try to rebound from a year lost to the pandemic. It threatens to derail the travel industry’s recovery even as many Americans are itching to get away again at last.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators have outlined a $928 billion infrastructure proposal that’s a counteroffer to President Joe Biden’s more sweeping plan. The two sides are struggling to negotiate a bipartisan compromise and remain far apart on how to pay for the massive spending. The GOP offer would boost spending by $91 billion on roads and bridges, $48 billion on water resources and $25 billion on airports. The Republicans want to tap unused COVID-19 funds to help pay for it. The senators say the offer delivers on “core infrastructure investments” that Biden has focused on as areas of potential bipartisan agreement. But their plan is likely to be met with skepticism by Democrats and the

Experts say employers can make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, with some exceptions. Employers generally have wide scope to make rules for the workplace, including safety measures. That doesn’t necessarily mean you would get fired if you refuse, but you might need to sign a waiver or agree to work under specific conditions to limit any risk you might pose to yourself or others.  Still, many employers might not want to require vaccination because of the administrative burden of tracking compliance and managing exemption requests. As a result, experts say many employers will likely strongly encourage vaccination without making it mandatory.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is asking U.S. intelligence agencies to “redouble” their efforts to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins. After months of minimizing the possibility the coronavirus emerged from a lab accident, Biden’s administration is responding to U.S. and world pressure for China to be more open about the outbreak. Biden said Wednesday there’s insufficient evidence to conclude “whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident.” Biden directed U.S. national laboratories to assist with the investigation and called on China to cooperate. Biden held out the possibility a firm conclusion may never be known. China on Thursday accused Biden of playing politics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans are ready to deploy the filibuster to block legislation establishing a commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. Thursday’s would be the first successful use of a filibuster this year to halt Senate action. That’s despite both a bipartisan effort to salvage the bill and a last-minute push by the mother of a Capitol Police officer who died after the siege. The filibuster is a time-honored Senate tradition that requires a vote by 60 of the 100 members to cut off debate and advance a bill. With the Senate evenly split 50-50, Democrats would need support of 10 Republicans to move to the commission bill.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa City Council met via ZOOM Wednesday night for its work session and approved Fire Chief Dave Foringer’s request to purchase new air packs for the department.  He reported he has 40 old cylinders and will try and  find someone to take them and dispose of them.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has dropped its legal action against more than 40 restaurants accused of defying state orders to close indoor dining and maintain social-distancing protocols. The Health Department had filed two separate complaints alleging that restaurants were violating Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic restrictions. Wolf had imposed the indoor dining ban in December in response to a winter surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Health Department officials say the pandemic has since eased, with nearly all restrictions to be lifted on Memorial Day.