Category: News

Gas Prices Jump in Western Pennsylvania This Week

AAA: Gas Prices Jump in Western Pennsylvania This Week
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is 10 cents higher this week at $2.708 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.708
Average price during the week of January 11, 2021                                  $2.605
Average price during the week of January 21, 2020                                  $2.838

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.750      Altoona
$2.759      Beaver
$2.802      Bradford
$2.795      Brookville
$2.678      Butler
$2.721      Clarion
$2.670      DuBois
$2.756      Erie
$2.635      Greensburg
$2.762      Indiana
$2.644      Jeannette
$2.705      Kittanning
$2.574      Latrobe
$2.783      Meadville
$2.711      Mercer
$2.508      New Castle
$2.720      New Kensington
$2.799      Oil City
$2.678      Pittsburgh
$2.679      Sharon
$2.759      Uniontown
$2.798      Warren
$2.587      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Since the beginning of the year, the national gas price average has increased 13 cents. Today’s average is $2.38. That is a nickel more than last week. However, still cheaper year-over-year by 17 cents.

The last time the nation saw a substantial January pump price increase was in 2009. That year, the national gas price average jumped 23 cents inside of the first 3 weeks of the year. At that time U.S. gasoline demand and supply were lower and crude oil prices had been increasing, similar to today.

Gas prices have been rising this year as crude oil prices continue to increase — last week pricing as high as $53/barrel. The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports show gasoline demand remains low at 7.5 million b/d, which contributed to a 4.4-million-barrel increase to gasoline supply, for a total of 245 million barrels.

The higher price of crude oil is outweighing sustained low gasoline demand and a build in inventory. Should these trends continue, motorists can expect to see prices continue to climb through at the least the end of the month.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Aliquippa Women on Trial for 2019 Overdose Death of a New Brighton Man

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver Pa.) Melinda R. Crisci, 31 0f Aliquippa is  on trial in Beaver County Court   in connection with the overdose death of Stephen Naim, 54 of New Brighton on Christmas Eve 2019.  According to court records Crisci supplied the  deceased with heroin and fentanyl , causing his death.

Witnesses began testifying Tuesday afternoon and the trial is to continue  on Wednesday before Common Pleas Court Judge Mitchell Shahen .
Naim’s brother James was an Aliquippa Police officer and was killed   2 decades ago  while on patrol in  Linmar .

Gov. Wolf Congratulates, Thanks Dr. Levine Following Nomination by President-Elect Biden 

 

Today, Governor Tom Wolf released the followed statement on Dr. Rachel Levine’s nomination to serve as assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Rachel Levine on her appointment by President-Elect Biden to serve as his assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Dr. Levine is a highly skilled and valued member of my administration and she will be greatly missed.  She has been a wise and dedicated partner during this pandemic and throughout her career with the commonwealth. I couldn’t be prouder of the tireless work she’s done to serve Pennsylvanians and protect the public health.

“During her tenure at the Department of Health, Dr. Levine was instrumental in establishing the state’s medical marijuana program, bringing national awareness to opioid use disorder, and highlighting and promoting the need for adequate medical care and access for the LGBTQ community. Over the past year, her steady hand and calm approach were critical to managing Pennsylvania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Her work for our commonwealth has been transformational and I appreciate it more than I can say. I and the people of Pennsylvania owe her a debt of gratitude for her leadership, strength and dedication to protecting every person’s health amid unprecedented circumstances – and, at times, amid hateful distractions. Dr. Levine is both competent and compassionate, and never lets the anger or fear of others sway her from her goals.

“Thank you, Dr. Levine, for your commitment, your example, and your legacy.”

The governor expects to make an announcement regarding Dr. Levine’s replacement later in the week.

Trump wishes Biden luck without naming him in farewell video

Trump wishes Biden luck without naming him in farewell video
By JILL COLVIN and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is offering rare, kind words to his successor in a farewell video as he spends his final full day in office preparing to issue a flurry of pardons in a near-deserted White House, surrounded by an extraordinary security presence outside. Trump says in the video released Tuesday that, “This week we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous.” He says: “We extend our best wishes. And we also want them to have luck. A very important word.” Trump in the video referenced the “next administration,” but did not utter Biden’s name.

Pennsylvania gambling revenue fell by more than 20% in 2020

Pennsylvania gambling revenue fell by more than 20% in 2020
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Beset by state-ordered closures during the pandemic, casinos and other gambling operators in Pennsylvania reported a drop in 2020’s revenues of more than one-fifth the previous year, even as their take from online gambling and sports betting skyrocketed. Pennsylvania’s 13 operating casinos, fantasy sports operators and truck stops took in $2.65 billion in gross revenue in 2020, compared to $3.4 billion taken in by 12 casinos in 2019, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said. That was a drop of 22%. Not including sports wagering, fantasy sports or truck stops, Pennsylvania’s casinos drew $2.4 billion, a drop of 26% from $3.3 billion.

Pennsylvania expands vaccine eligibility to 65 and older

Pennsylvania expands vaccine eligibility to 65 and older
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania is expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine in the initial phase of the rollout to include people age 65 and over as well as younger people with serious health conditions that put them at higher risk. State health officials made the announcement Tuesday. The Health Department says its updated coronavirus vaccine plan tracks recommendations from the federal government, but it’s uncertain how the expanded rollout will work given the slow pace of vaccinations so far and limitations on supplies. The major expansion comes amid word that the state’s top health official, Dr. Rachel Levine, is President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to be assistant secretary of health.

Feds say charges over stolen Pelosi computer being prepared

Feds say charges over stolen Pelosi computer being prepared
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A federal prosecutor says a woman accused of trespassing at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot by supporters of President Donald Trump will likely be charged with stealing a computer from the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A federal magistrate judge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, ruled Tuesday that Riley June Williams will remain in a local jail for at least two more days before he will decide whether she should be released on bail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby told the judge that federal prosecutors are preparing additional felony charges against Williams of stealing government property and aiding and abetting. Williams’ lawyer argued for her release and against a delay.

AG Shapiro leads Coalition of 9 Attorneys General in Federal Lawsuit to Protect Tipped Workers

HARRISBURG—Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of nine attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the last ditch effort by the Trump Administration to allow employers to withhold tips from their employees.

The lawsuit challenges a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) rule that unlawfully seeks to remove the limit on non-tipped work a tipped worker may complete and still receive only the tipped minimum wage, $2.13 per hour federally and $2.83 per hour in Pennsylvania. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the federal law establishing a baseline of critical workplace protections, such as minimum wage and overtime, for workers across the country. It permits employers to take a credit against their minimum wage obligations for the tips workers receive.

For thirty years, USDOL regulations have capped the amount non-tipped work a tipped worker may do at twenty percent of their working time called the “80/20 rule.” The new rule eliminates that cap, among other provisions. Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania led a coalition of nineteen state attorneys general in a comment opposing the proposed rule.

This is the second time the PA Office of Attorney General has sued Trump’s Department of Labor. When USDOL tried to make it easier for employers to escape liability for violating workers’ rights, AG Shapiro partnered with New York Attorney General Letitia James, and others, and had the rule struck down.

“This new rule issued by the U.S. Dept. of Labor is indefensible and would result in tipped workers doing more work for less pay all in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “Businesses and employers are struggling and need real relief during this pandemic but it cannot come out of the pockets of their employees. My office will continue to fight for workers in Pennsylvania and across the country to earn fair pay for a fair day’s work.”

The coalition asserts that the rule contradicts the text and purpose of the FLSA, and that the USDOL violated the rulemaking process requirements, including failing to analyze the impact the rule would have on tipped workers. In addition, the rule fails to justify its departure from the longstanding 80/20 rule. The states argue that the rule will harm the states by reducing income tax revenue, increasing public benefits expenditures, and imposing administrative costs.

As so many businesses and their employers — especially restaurants — struggle through this pandemic, the coalition argues relief should come from the federal government and not at the expense of workers.

The suit was co-led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and joined by Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and New Yor