Category: News

Discovery Channel star talks worldwide adventures on Beaver County Radio

SCOTT TADY

PITTSBURGH — TV personality Josh Gates bring an evening of legends, mysteries and tales of adventure to Byham Theater on Friday.

The host of Discovery Channel’s smash-hit “Expedition Unknown,” Gates appeared Wednesday on “The Beaver County Radio Morning Show.”

To hear his interview, press “play”:

Tickets are on sale now for the all-ages show at TrustArts.org, in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, or calling 412-456-6666.

Gates also is executive producer of  “Expedition Unknown,” which follows his global journey to explore archaeological discoveries, historic mysteries and scientific breakthroughs. Gates immerses himself in each story, conducting his own investigations, showcasing the work of dedicated explorers while also highlighting vibrant cultures and fascinating destinations. Armed with a degree in archaeology, a quick wit and a hunger for adventure, Gates travels to some of the most remote corners of the planet in immersive, hilarious, and thrilling journeys.

An avid scuba diver and photographer, Gates has participated in sub-sea archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, and his wanderlust has taken him from sweltering African deserts to the icy shores of Antarctica. To date, he has set foot in more than 100 countries, has scaled “the roof of Africa” on Mt. Kilimanjaro, and climbed Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas.

For five years, Gates also helmed and co-executive produced the hit Syfy Channel series, “Destination Truth.” Each week, Gates and his intrepid team set out to investigate age-old legends. The show features remote and often never-before-filmed locations, from the distant mountains of Bhutan to the uncharted jungles of Papua New Guinea.

 

He holds degrees from Tufts University in Archaeology and Drama, serves as a trustee on the governing board of the Archaeological Institute of America, and is a fellow of The Explorers Club — a prestigious organization dedicated to the advancement of exploration and field research.

 

Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Offer Maker’s Mark Calligraphy Program for Father’s Day Gifting

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Fine Wine and Good Spirits)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently announced that a professional calligrapher will be at select Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) locations to personalize bottles of Maker’s Mark bourbon with custom messages in celebration of Father’s Day. This special program is combined with a curated tasting by a Maker’s Mark Diplomat, who will guide guests through the full Maker’s Mark portfolio and will share insights into what makes the bourbons that will be offered so exceptional. If you want to participate, you must be at least 21 years old.

According to a release from Fine Wine and Good Spirits, here are the products available for these events and the schedule for them:

  • Maker’s Mark Straight Bourbon (code 8454; now $29.99 – save $3)
  • Maker’s Mark 46 Straight Bourbon (code 3368; $39.99)
  • Maker’s Mark Straight Bourbon Cask Strength (code 97041; $46.99)
  • Maker’s Mark Private Select Straight Bourbon FWGS Exclusive Barrels (code 19698; now $69.99 – save $10)

FW&GS Premium Collection locations will host the events on the following dates:

  • Village Square, 5000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park, on Friday, June 19, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Metroplex, 2426 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, on Friday, June 19, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Columbus Commons, 1940 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 2:00 PM
  • Robinson Town Centre, 1106 Park Manor Boulevard, Pittsburgh, on Saturday, June 20, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

NASA unveils Artemis III astronauts to test technology for a future moon landing

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This undated photo provided by NASA Tuesday, June 9, 2026, shows the Artemis III crew including, from left, Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik and Frank Rubio, posing for an official portrait. (Bill Stafford/NASA via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — NASA on Tuesday revealed the crew for its Artemis III mission, the next step in the space agency’s plan to eventually land astronauts on the moon.

The announcement came two months after Artemis II’s record-breaking trip around the moon that surpassed the distance record of Apollo 13.

NASA’s Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas and the European Space Agency’s Luca Parmitano won’t fly to the moon or land on the surface. Instead, they’ll orbit Earth while practicing docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

“To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to deliver the lunar landers. The two-week demo is targeted for 2027. Blue Origin suffered a recent setback when its massive rocket exploded during an engine-firing test on the launch pad in Florida, shaking nearby homes and illuminating the sky with an orange fireball.

NASA’s Jeremy Parsons said the setback is a learning opportunity and that the space agency is confident Blue Origin’s rocket will be ready in time.

NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon’s surface for the first time since the 1970s. A recent revamp of the program announced by Isaacman aims to fast-track it similarly to the Apollo era, adding the upcoming spaceflight around Earth before eyeing a lunar landing in 2028.

“We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space,” said Bresnik, Artemis III commander.

Added Douglas, mission specialist: “My brain — it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full.”

In May, NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four companies, including Blue Origin, to build landers, rovers and drones for a future moon base. Isaacman said the goal of the moon base is to lay the foundation for a Mars expedition.

Injured Pirates rookie shortshop Konnor Griffin is hoping to start a throwing program soon

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin singles off Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley, driving in a run during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin’s right forearm strain is improving, and the 20-year-old is optimistic he’ll be back soon.

Griffin initially reported discomfort in his forearm after a loss to the Chicago Cubs on May 27. He appeared as a designated hitter over the next two games before going on the 10-day injured list on May 31.

The team thought his stay on the IL would be brief, though the timeline for his possible return was pushed back after the nature of the injury turned out to be a little more severe than the club anticipated. Griffin is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday but remains out indefinitely.

Griffin, who made his big league debut in early April as a teenager and quickly signed a nine-year deal with the team, was seen by multiple physicians. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said imaging of Griffin’s right (throwing) arm indicated the UCL was “stable.”

While Griffin indicated he hoped to start a throwing program as early as Wednesday, Tomczyk indicated any throwing activity won’t begin until Griffin meets with the medical team “in the coming days.”

Griffin, who turned 20 on April 24, was hitting .270 with four home runs, 22 RBIs and 14 stolen bases at the time of the injury.

“Just trying to take a little break and really make sure I don’t hurt myself worse and just take our time with it,” Griffin said in the Pittsburgh clubhouse before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s still middle of the season, so we’ve got some time to rehab and get back and be ready to roll towards the last half.”

Griffin, who pitched in high school before being drafted in the first round of the 2024 draft, said he’d never experienced any issues in his throwing arm before but made it a point to be proactive in bringing it to the attention of the club’s medical staff.

“I think we caught it at the right time, where I’m not going to have to miss the whole year,” he said. “I can just miss just a couple weeks and try to be back out there as soon as possible.”

Pittsburgh man charged for single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported yesterday that a thirty-nine-year-old Pittsburgh man was charged after crashing his vehicle in Findlay Township on Saturday. According to police, Mouanes Alrifaie was fatigued while driving home from work on I-376 East at 8 a.m. He then left the road before eventually hitting a guide rail. There were no reported injuries. 

Aliquippa man arrested after driving in Aliquippa under the influence of alcohol

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a sixty-seven-year-old Aliquippa man was arrested for driving under the influence in Aliquippa on April 23rd. Kevin Kimbrough was stopped by police on the 900 block of Sheffield Avenue after committing a vehicle violation at 1:54 a.m. and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

PUC Releases 2026 Summer Readiness Reports from Electric Utilities and PJM

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released the 2026 Summer Readiness Overviews submitted by the Commonwealth’s major electric distribution companies (EDCs) and the regional electric grid operator, PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM) yesterday. The reports indicate that Pennsylvania’s electric utilities and PJM have completed extensive preparations for the summer season, including emergency response planning, infrastructure upgrades, storm hardening efforts, system maintenance and investments in technologies that are designed to improve reliability and resilience. 

Smoke seen coming from scrap yard outside of Enon Valley

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Enon Valley, PA) Firefighters were called to a scrap yard on Old Enon Unity Road outside of Enon Valley yesterday morning. Smoke was seen coming from the area and tankers were used to shuttle some water in. Firefighters worked for hours before the incident was resolved. 

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Bridge Washing Activities Begin Wednesday in Beaver County

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that washing activities on various bridges between Hopewell and Vanport townships will begin today, weather permitting. 

Starting today, PennDOT crews will conduct bridge washing operations on several I-376 bridges requiring lane restrictions in both directions between the Hopewell (Exit 48) and Beaver/Midland (Exit 38) interchanges from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM weekdays through early July. Restrictions may occur on associated ramps and intersections.
 

Additional lane restrictions for these activities will occur weekdays from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM in the following locations:
 

  • The ramp from Route 68 to Wolf Lane in Bridgewater Borough 
  • Route 3017 (Pleasant Drive) at the I-376 interchange in Center Township 
  • Route 3054 (Main Street) over I-376 between Pleasant Drive and Industrial Drive in Center Township 

The Los Angeles Dodgers erupt after Paul Skenes exits in a 12-3 romp over the Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates on second base after driving in a run with a double off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wilber Dotel during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andy Pages hit a two-run homer and added a sacrifice fly during a seventh-inning outburst against Pittsburgh’s bullpen as the Dodgers quickly pulled away once Pirates ace Paul Skenes exited in a 12-3 win on Tuesday night.

Skenes, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, allowed two runs and struck out seven in six innings. He retired Los Angeles star Shohei Ohtani all three times he faced the four-time MVP, getting Ohtani to ground out twice and fanning him once in his best start in nearly a month.

When Skenes left, the Dodgers pounced.

Dalton Rushing led off the seventh with a single off Wilber Dotel (1-0), advanced to third on a single through the hole by Alan Freeland and scored the go-ahead run when Pirates catcher Henry Davis’ attempt to pick Rushing off third hit the Dodger catcher instead and rolled away.

Things only got better for Los Angeles. Ohtani followed with an RBI-double and Pages hit his fourth home run in 12 career games against the Pirates to make it 6-2. A throwing error by Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe, a couple of bases-loaded walks, and Freddie Freeman’s 2,500th career hit — a sharp RBI-single to center — highlighted the rest of Los Angeles’ biggest inning since an 11-run outburst against St. Louis on June 2, 2021.

Will Klein (2-2) picked up the win in relief of starter Eric Laurer, who allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn hit back-to-back homers in the first to give Pittsburgh some early momentum. Pittsburgh managed just three hits the rest of the way to drop its fourth straight game and fall back to just one game over .500 at 34-33.

Skenes is now 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA over his last five starts.

Up next

The series continues Wednesday, when Ohtani (6-2, 0.74 ERA) goes for his fifth straight victory on the mound. The two-way superstar has allowed just one run over his last four starts. Jared Jones (1-0, 4.82) starts for Pittsburgh.