President Donald Trump’s tirade against the late GOP Sen. John McCain is leading some members of his own party to say-  this time, the president has gone too far. Many Senate Republicans have been reluctant to criticize the president directly, but several have issued or tweeted statements praising McCain, who died in August. Among them is Senate Majority Leader MItch McConnell, who, without mentioning Trump, called McCain a “genuine American hero.” McCain spent more than five years imprisoned and tortured in Vietnam. Veterans have joined in the chorus of criticism, saying they can’t understand why Trump would speak with so disrespectfully about a man who suffered years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, devoted his life to public service, and died of brain cancer seven months ago. One such veteran – Vietnam vet Terry Barker – tells the Los Angeles Times that even though he voted for Trump and agrees with his politics, the president “should just let it go”.

Prosecutors are expected to wrap up their case against a white former East Pittsburgh police officer charged in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager. Michael Rosfeld’s trial continues today into its third day in a Pittsburgh courtroom. Rosfeld fired three bullets into 17-year-old Antwon Rose II. After prosecutors rest their case, the defense is expected to call an expert witness on the use of deadly force.

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s recent meeting with Stacey Abrams, a former lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, has sparked speculation the two could team up for a presidential run in the upcoming election. Biden has yet to publicly announce his candidacy for president, but stories in recent days have claimed he is preparing to launch a campaign. CNN reported earlier this week, meanwhile, Biden is looking to choose a running mate early in his campaign, making his meeting with Abrams more notable. A Biden aide told the network that bringing a running mate onboard earlier than normal would show voters Biden is serious about unseating President Donald Trump.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is expected any day now to present his report on his investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Trump says the report should be released to the public, although he has disparaged it as “ridiculous.” Trump has repeatedly insisted there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia.

AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE MAY 21ST PRIMARY, BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONENT SANDY GIORDANO INTERVIEWED MICHAEL ROSSI, A CANDIDATE FOR BEAVER COUNTY PROTHONOTARY. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

Lawmakers and Down syndrome advocates rallied in Harrisburg on Wednesday in support of legislation that would protect unborn children from being aborted because they have been diagnosed with Down syndrome. Under current Pennsylvania law, an abortion can be performed prior to 24 weeks gestational age for any reason if a doctor deems it is necessary, except if the woman’s sole reason is to select the sex of the child. This legislation would expand the exception to prohibit aborting the child solely due to a prenatal diagnosis that the unborn baby has Down syndrome. House Bill 321 is similar to legislation approved in a previous session of the House. House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is joint prime sponsor of the legislation to ensure protection for unborn Down syndrome babies…

Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor has announced he’ll bring his ‘Recreational Marijuana Listening Tour’ to Beaver County later this month. John Fetterman will be in the auditorium on the Penn Sate-Beaver campus in Center Township on Sunday, March 31st from 2 to 3:30 p.m. State legislators and the Beaver County Commissioners have also been invited, according to a press release from the office. Tonight…Fetterman will be at Slippery Rock University in Butler County in the McKay Education Building auditorium from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fetterman made a commitment this year to visit all 67 counties in the state to listen to residents’ thoughts on whether the state should legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.

PennDOT will hold an informal event today to highlight infrastructure investments occurring this year in Beaver, Lawrence and Allegheny counties. District 11 Executive Cheryl Moon-Sirianni, along with other PennDOT representatives, will present projects planned for the 2019 construction season for Beaver and surrounding counties. The information will be presented in a meeting set for today at the PennDOT Engineering District 11 Office on Thoms Run Road in Bridgeville.

PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane restrictions on Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in Freedom Borough will begin today, weather permitting. Single-lane restrictions will occur in both directions of Route 65 in the area of the 3rd Avenue Bridge to southbound Route 65 and the southbound Route 65 Bridge to 3rd Avenue as crews conduct inspection activities. Restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Thursday, March 28. Additionally, narrowing will occur on ramps in this location.