The PA Department of Health’s Acting Secretary, Alison Beam, announced that the commonwealth’s mask order is a solid reflection of the same news announced by the CDC. That order from the CDC addressed a situation that a lot of people have been waiting for since the announcement of the vaccine; When will we be able to leave the mask at home? As of now, fully vaccinated citizens can resume activities prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or socially distancing themselves from others outside, or inside. Beaver Fall’s Save A Lot and Foodland in New Brighton do require masks until more information is released on matter, while some businesses such as Giant Eagle and the Beaver County Fruit Market, are requiring masks to prevent any contamination or spread of the disease within their stores to keep their employees and customers feeling safe while shopping for groceries and other household accessories. McMahon’s Cycle Shop, will keep the same mask policies that they have since the very beginning pandemic, and will continue do so until it’s very end. However some businesses such as the Beaver County Credit Union, Falls City Lumber Supply, and The Shoppe at Beaver Falls will not require a mask upon entry.

US jobless claims fall to 473K as more GOP governors bar aid
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000. That’s new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen. The decline — the fourth in the past five weeks — coincides with a rash of states led by Republican governors that have blamed generous benefits for a slowdown in hiring and are taking steps to cut off the extra aid.

Desperate for workers, US restaurants and stores raise pay
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. restaurants and stores are rapidly raising pay in an urgent effort to attract more applicants and keep up with a flood of customers as the pandemic eases. McDonald’s, Sheetz and Chipotle are just some of the latest companies to follow Amazon, Walmart and Costco in boosting wages, in some cases to $15 an hour or higher. The pay gains are, of course, a boon to these employees. But they could also contribute to higher inflation, if companies raise prices to cover the additional labor costs.

Street racing surges across US amid coronavirus pandemic
By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press
Illegal drag racing has exploded in popularity across the U.S. since the coronavirus pandemic began, with sometimes deadly consequences. Officials have reported a dangerous uptick from Oregon and New Mexico to Georgia and New York. Experts say TV shows and movies glorifying street racing had already fueled interest in recent years. Then shutdowns associated with the pandemic cleared normally clogged highways and gave those with a passion for fast cars more time to modify them and show them off. Police in many cities are now stepping up enforcement. And some states are fighting back with harsher punishments.

Fully vaccinated can drop the masks, skip social distancing
By ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The new guidance announced Thursday is a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life. President Joe Biden calls it “a great day for America.” The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but helps clear the way for reopening workplaces and schools. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says: “We have all longed for this moment.” The Pentagon said Friday fully vaccinated personnel no longer need to wear masks at Defense Department facilities.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf ordered all United States and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, May 15, 2021, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“On this day, we pay tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our commonwealth,” said Governor Wolf. “We honor them and their dedication to keeping our commonwealth safe.”

By order of the White House, the United States flag shall be lowered to half-staff and remain lowered until sunset on Saturday, May 15. 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.

Pennsylvanians may also shine blue lights to honor law enforcement officials on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17), along with Representatives Bob Gibbs (OH-7) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) introduced the bipartisan Providing Assistance for Vital Enhancements (PAVE) Act, legislation to authorize an additional $18 billion in emergency funding for state Departments of Transportation (DOT).

“Too many critical infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania have been delayed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lamb.  “Congress must act now to ensure these stalled transportation projects can get back on track and keep workers on the job.”

“The coronavirus pandemic severely reduced revenue streams for state transportation agencies, showing a clear need to support funding gaps for what everyone can agree is truly essential infrastructure.  Because states fund their transportation agencies through fuel taxes and tolls, the funding shortage has disproportionately affected those agencies.  Now that we are returning to normal, and surface transportation traffic is returning to pre-coronavirus levels, it is important we address this gap.  The PAVE Act ensures important projects are completed with fewer delays, keeps our major roadways safe, and workers on the job,” said Gibbs.

The PAVE Act is endorsed by the American Society of Engineers (ASCE), the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), the American Highway Users Alliance and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP).

In April, Lamb led a bipartisan letter along with Gibbs and Carbajal to House leadership advocating for this additional funding.  In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “As Congress considers comprehensive infrastructure legislation in the months ahead, we urge you to include additional dedicated funding for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs).  According to the most recent data from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), state DOTs will face a $28 billion budget shortfall from FY2020-2024 due to the pandemic.  We are pleased that the end-of-year omnibus bill (H.R. 133) included a critical $10 billion down payment in relief for state DOTs and urge you to provide the additional $18 billion needed.”

Visit Lamb’s website to learn more about the PAVE Act.

 

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today encouraged Pennsylvania consumers to learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) that was started by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the important role that affordable broadband plays in education, employment, health and other purposes as people are now relying on broadband access to the internet more than ever and EBB plays an important part in that affordability effort,” said PUC Chairman Gladys Dutrieuille.

 

The EBB uses $3.2 billion in federal funding Congress approved in December 2020 and gives qualifying households money to buy internet service or equipment to use the internet if they are eligible.

 

How Much is the Average EBB Support?

• The program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service.
• Eligible households can also get a one-time discount of up to $100 on equipment to use the internet. Equipment includes a computer or tablet if they contribute $10-$50 toward the price for the equipment.
• The benefit is limited to one service discount per month and one device discount per household; multigeneration households may each qualify separately although consumers should check the FCC’s webpage at GetEmergencyBroadband.org or the provider of this EBB program.
• This EBB is in addition to, not in place of, the current Lifeline Program that provides $5.25 a month to support affordable broadband service.

Who is Eligible for the EBB?

 

The program is income based. For example, it is open to Lifeline subscribers and households that currently participate in Lifeline, including consumers whose income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or who receive Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Housing or Veterans benefits. Consumers who receive free or reduced-price school lunch, or have received a federal Pell grant, are also eligible.

 

Eligibility for EBB also includes individual households with annual income up to $100,000 or dual households making up to $198,000 a year if they are impacted by COVID through a substantial loss of income since Feb. 29, 2020.

 

How Can Consumers Apply for the EBB?

 

Households should contact their broadband providers and ask if they participate in EBB or visit the FCC’s webpage at GetEmergencyBroadband.org for more information. Consumers also can visit the FCC website to see a list of participating Pennsylvania providers approved by the FCC if their broadband provider is not participating or if they would like another provider for EBB.

 

Enrollment has started on May 12, 2021. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the U.S Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.

 

The PUC is participating in a public presentation on the EBB program by the FCC and hosted by Penn State Extension on May 19, 2021, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. To register, you may click on this link.

 

About the PUC

 

The PUC balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

 

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.