FILE – President Joe Biden speaks from the Treaty Room in the White House on April 14, 2021, about the withdrawal of the remainder of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has formally announced he’s running for reelection in 2024. Biden made the announcement Tuesday. The Democratic president is asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and set aside their concerns about extending the run of America’s oldest president for another four years. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term. Biden is betting his first-term legislative achievements and 50-plus years of experience in Washington will count for more with voters. Biden faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination but a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for March 2023.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 4.2% in March. The U.S. unemployment rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point from February to 3.5%. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate was two-tenths of a point below its March 2022 level, and the national rate was down 0.1 percentage points over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was up 5,000 over the month. Resident employment rose by 12,000 over the month and unemployment fell by 7,000.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 12,500 over the month to a new record high of 6,108,900 in March, beating the previous record of 6,096,400 set the month prior. Jobs increased from February in seven of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+4,500). Professional & business services rose to a record high level.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 159,000 with gains in all 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+52,000) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors with three other supersectors adding over 16,000 each.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published April 25, 2023 9:44 A.M. 

(Ambridge, PA) The Ambridge School District has announced they have filed a federal lawsuit against Norfolk Southern. The district claims the company was negligent and exposed their buildings and residents to a toxic mix of chemicals. This makes Ambridge the third local district to file suit, following Blackhawk and Western Beaver school districts.

Gas prices are a penny lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.812 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.812
Average price during the week of April 17, 2023                                               $3.822
Average price during the week of April 25, 2022                                               $4.186

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.850.      

The recent increases in oil costs took a break this past week, with the price of oil falling into the upper $70’s per barrel. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose less than a nickel to hit $3.66. Today’s national average is 22 cents more than a month ago but 46 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased from 8.94 to 8.52 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased slightly by 1.3 million barrels to 223.5 million barrels. Lower demand, alongside growth in stocks, would typically push pump prices down; however, elevated oil prices over the past month pushed them higher.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $1.70 to settle at $79.16. Oil prices fell amid ongoing market concerns that future interest rate increases could tip the economy into a recession, likely leading to reduced oil demand and prices. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels to 466 million barrels last week.

Meanwhile, U.S. refineries are returning to service from extensive winter/spring maintenance. The EIA said total input rose last week by 330,000 barrels per day to 16.44 million barrels per day, putting it above this time last year. More refinery operations will be restarted in the next three weeks, with some planned work extending into June.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released a new interactive mapping tool that shows final sample results from soil and water testing conducted by DEP in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment on February 3, 2023. Pennsylvanians can use this tool to review sampling results in the vicinity of the derailment.

“Results so far indicate that the chemicals from the derailment have not been detected in either soil or water, and we will continue to sample to ensure that there is not any contamination spreading from the derailment site,” said Rich Negrin, Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. “This map is an excellent tool to show the scope of the sampling that we have done and to be able to reassure people that their water and their soil are safe. We are thrilled that the results so far do not show signs of contamination in Pennsylvania from this derailment, but we are going to remain vigilant and continue our monitoring to ensure that any contamination from the derailment site does not spread.”

The map shows key details from the derailment including the derailment location and the 2-mile radius that had been evacuated. Final sample results from soil, surface water, private drinking water wells, and public water system wells are available.

“Farmers depend on healthy soil and water to produce food that is safe for their families and customers,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “We commend the Department Environmental Protection for working diligently and carefully to review and validate results of water and soil testing. The Department of Agriculture has been present, listening to area farmers so that we can take the critical step of validating their concerns. This interactive map will be valuable to all Pennsylvanians who depend on healthy soil and water for their lives and livelihoods.”

“The Department has been on the scene since the first hours after the derailment, and we will continue to stay in affected communities as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians that their air, water and soil are safe. said Negrin. “We have been in touch with the landowners and residents that have had these tests conducted, and we will be continuing to take samples and update this map with final results as they are available.”

Samples were tested for chemicals of concern identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Unified Command. Additional chemicals will be tested in future rounds of sampling. The map also includes a time-lapse feature to show where and when samples were collected. Additional sample locations and dates will be added to the map as they are available.

The DEP interactive map can be found at https://gis.dep.pa.gov/OhioDerailmentTesting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D, PA-17) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act to support first responders on the front lines of hazardous train derailments. After the Norfolk Southern train derailed this winter, local emergency responders, firefighters, and members of law enforcement risked their own lives and wellbeing to protect their communities and respond to the derailment. Due to the size and severity of derailments, the clean-up response can quickly surpass the budget of local first responder organizations, especially if they need to pay workers overtime, replace damaged equipment, or purchase supplies.

This new legislation would create a new fund—paid for by companies that ship and carry these materials—to provide emergency responders, firefighters, and law enforcement with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs as well as compel railroads to notify local officials and emergency response groups when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.

“When massive rail corporates derail in communities, it’s local governments and first responders who are left to pay the bill, clean up the mess, and protect the public,” said Congressman Deluzio. “It is time to pay them back with more than gratitude, and I am proud to partner with Representative Fitzpatrick on this legislation. The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act will help communities across the country better prepare for future derailments with improved information-sharing and will cover the cost of damaged equipment, overtime pay, and more—all paid for by the companies that ship and carry these materials. No community should be left footing the bill for corporate negligence and greed; we need real accountability.”

“Emergency personnel that respond to devastating accidents, including train derailments, are the first line of defense for public safety,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act will ensure that the Department of Transportation is adequately communicating with local emergency response officials, improving coordination and preparedness. I am proud to join Representative Deluzio in introducing this legislation that will ensure our first responders have the resources they need before, during, and after hazardous derailments.”

“As the President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, I am proud to announce that we support the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act,” said Robert Brooks, President of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association. “We have a local that is now still without equipment lost to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Beaver Falls Fire Fighters Local 3539 is operating to this day down 13 sets of full gear, 10 self-contained breathing apparatuses and 10 face pieces for starters. That is a tremendous load for a fire department to overcome. With this legislation, the money needed would be immediately available to replace this equipment and replace manpower lost to illnesses related to the incident.”

The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also:

• Give the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) the ability to declare a “hazardous train event” after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health and safety.
• Allow the FRA to provide funding to help state and local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies cover costs related to their response to a hazardous derailment—and disburse that funding quickly.
• Provide emergency organizations the financial flexibility they need to protect their communities in the wake of a train disaster while maintaining their ability to respond to everyday issues.
• Require companies that ship and carry these materials would pay a fee into the fund, not the public.
• The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also direct the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, to develop regulations requiring that railroads notify local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.

Last month, Congressman Deluzio also introduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act to prevent future train derailments by improving rail safety protocols. The bill would also rail companies accountable for these disasters by increasing fines and more. Rep. Deluzio is also the lead co-sponsor of the DERAIL Act, which would strengthen the definition of a high-hazard flammable train and increase safety provisions for more freight across America.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 25, 2023 7:28 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) The City of Beaver Falls Drug Task Force Officers conducted surveillance and  investigation into drug sales by Quinmarr J. Cooper, 33 at 1817 5th Avenue in the city.  A search warrant was obtained for the residence with Cooper as the suspect, according to a press release from DA David J. Lozier.  Due to Cooper’s  past criminal history and the likelihood that he may possess firearms, Beaver Falls PD requested assistance from the Beaver County ESU Services Unit. Just after 6 a.m. Monday morning the ESU executed a search warrant  just after 6 a.m., on Monday, April 24, 2023.  The Beaver Falls Drug Task Force conducted a search of the residence and 2 cars associated with Cooper, DA Lozier reported. A substantial amount of suspected cocaine, suboxone, heroin/fentanyl, and drug packaging  materials were found along with 2 firearms (one stolen and one firearm with an obliterated serial number). According to the press release, Cooper has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. He was taken into custody and is lodged in the Beaver County jail pending a preliminary hearing set for May 2, 2023. He faces 3 felony counts  of drug possession with intent to distribute, 2 felony counts of firearms possession by a prohibited person, and 1 count of receiving stolen property plus  lesser charges.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Following a month of not having meetings (due to the Easter holiday), the New Brighton Area School Board met on Monday evening to begin putting pieces together for the 2023-24 school year.

Thirty staff members for summer school at New Brighton were approved unanimously approved by the board, based on the enrollment needs for the summer classes. Of those thirty, twelve were hired for high school classes, five for the middle school, and seven for the elementary school. The staff also consists of two special education teachers and four instructional assistants.

Additionally, the board approved seven new coaching hires in the athletic department, including three varsity head coaches: Lance Frederick (golf), Wes Remley (volleyball), and Michael Campbell (cross country). Also approved were one-year contract renewals to lease classroom space for the Head Start and Tiny Tots programs, a five-year Affiliation Agreement for student teaching between New Brighton and Duquesne University, and adoption of a budget for the Beaver County Career & Technology Center in the amount of $6,915,699.00.

The biggest move of the evening, however, came when the board authorized Superintendent Dr. Joseph Guarino to hire a School Police Officer (SPO) in consultation with school board president John Ludwig. Dr. Guarino said that the move had become necessary due to issues finding help through the New Brighton Police Department.

“We want to keep that through the borough,” Guarino said, “but they’ve been posting off and on since January that they’ve had zero candidates. So we’re at the point that we had to try make a shift. The Borough knows we’re doing it; they know that they still have an SRO, we have an SPO. They know that we posted both, and they’re supportive of us moving in that direction if we need to.”

The next New Brighton School Board meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 7:30 PM.

File – A man walks past the News Corp. and Fox News headquarters on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in New York. Fox Corp.’s hefty $787.5 million settlement with Dominion over defamation charges is unlikely to make a dent in Fox’s operations, analysts say. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Fox Corp.’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation charges is eye-popping, but the ultimate cost to the media company is likely to be much lower. Fox has several levers it can pull to help defray the cost of the settlement. It can deduct the settlement from its income taxes as a cost of doing business, something Fox has indicated it plans to do. Also, insurance is likely to cover some of the settlement. Fox has also said it doesn’t expect the settlement to affect its operations.

The entrance to a Bed Bath & Beyond store is seen in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. One of the original big box retailers, the company filed for bankruptcy protection on Sunday, following years of dismal sales and losses and numerous failed turnaround plans. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

NEW YORK (AP) — Bed Bath & Beyond — one of the original big box retailers known for its seemingly endless offerings of sheets, towels and kitchen gadgets — filed for bankruptcy protection, following years of dismal sales and losses and numerous failed turnaround plans. The beleaguered home goods chain, based in Union, New Jersey, made the filing Sunday in U.S. District Court in New Jersey and said it will start an orderly wind down of its operations including eventually closing its stores, while seeking a buyer for all or some of its businesses. For now, the company’s 360 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and its 120 Buy Buy Baby sites as well as its websites will remain open to serve customers.