The very first “Ask The Commissioners” of 2016 is set to air Thursday on Teleforum with Mike Romigh. It’ll also be the the first “Ask The Commissioners” featuring the new county board of commissioners. It’ll also be the first “Ask The Commissioners” in which Republicans have held a majority on the board. Democratic incumbent Tony Amadio will join Republican Dan Camp for the program, where it’s a tradition for Beaver County Radio listeners to call in and ask the commissioners anything they want to know about county government. New commissioners chairman Sandie Egley will not be there due to a scheduling conflict. Some of the topics that are expected to come up during Thursday’s show include the county budget, county employee salaries and the current hiring freeze. Tune on Thursday morning at 9:05 for Ask The Commissioners on Teleforum with Mike Romigh on 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA.

Democratic Governor Tom Wolf says he’ll ask the Republican-controlled Legislature for another $200 million for public schools next year. Meanwhile, he’s still fighting for more school aid in this year’s budget. Wolf made the announcement  a week before he delivers next year’s budget proposal to lawmakers.

A bill that would help Pennsylvanians convicted of minor offenses to have their criminal record erased has been approved by the state legislature. The bill is now on its way to Governor Wolf for his signature.

Western Pennsylvania authorities warn they’re seeing a surge of overdoses, possibly tied to a batch of heroin. At least a dozen non-fatal ODs have been reported in Washington County since last weekend, with 15 similar cases in Cambria County since Monday.

Union steelworkers have ratified a new three-year contract with U.S. Steel. The deal covering 18,000 workers does not raise pay but increases the profit-sharing percentage for workers.

An early morning shooting in Mckeesport has wounded a woman and a 4-year-old child. Police say someone fired several shots into the back of a home, with some of the shots going through the walls and hitting the victims. Both are expected to survive.

Koppel borough council is looking to buy a former church for its baseball field. Council president Tom Vannoy tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that they are in the process of finalizing plans to buy the former Queen Of Heaven Catholic Church because of a nearby baseball field connected with the property. Vannoy says the diocese required them to buy the entire property in order to get the ball fields. He says the both the ball field and the building have a very rich history. Vannoy tells us that boro and police services also could be relocated to the church building but he says no decision on that will be made until the property is thoroughly examined.  He expects the purchase to be finalized within a month.