Kail responds to Shapiro “he doesn’t remember his own campaign promises”

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 19, 2024 1:33 P.M.

(Beaver County, Pa) Governor Josh Shapiro was a guest on Beaver County Radio last week, when he made a comment suggesting he did not know who State Representative Josh Kail is. Shapiro was asked about Kail’s comments towards him, which included calling him a “California Democrat”. Kail responded Monday to the remarks made by the Governor.

“Look about a year ago, the governor and I worked together on the East Palestine train derailment situation. My office is right above his office in the capital, but what’s more concerning to me isn’t that he doesn’t remember who I am, what’s more concerning to me is that he doesn’t remember his own campaign promises, his campaign promise to cut taxes and his budget this year is adding new taxes.

He had a campaign promise to advocate for school choice, in his budget this year, he is actually cutting school choice measures across the commonwealth. In his campaign, he said now is not the time to enter into the regional greenhouse gas initiative. When in fact, his administration is appealing the decision to ensure that we stay in this initiative, which is essentially a carbon tax, an energy tax on all consumers in Pennsylvania. It’s concerning to me that the governor’s memory has lapsed to the point where he’s not going to be remembering his campaign promises.

But over the course of the next few months, we will make sure that he does remember them and hopefully we can get some of these initiatives done.”

Beaver County Chamber’s Monday Memo: 02/19/24

We’re CELEBRATING the extra day in February
WITH A GIFT TO YOU!
Purchase your Gala Ticket(s) by February 29th and save!
This new #MemberBenefit is EXCLUSIVE to B-Club!
Schedule A Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cuttings are a great way to support new businesses in
Beaver County and network for free! To schedule a Ribbon Cutting, contact
Molly Suehr at msuehr@bcchamber.com.
Submit your member news to msuehr@bcchamber.com
Calling all Small Business Owners!
Join us for a 2-hour event dedicated to businesses like yours! Network with fellow entrepreneurs and get the latest updates on the exciting expansion of the Entrepreneurs Forever program, offered at no cost to you. Register Here
Congressman Deluzio visited BCRC!
Congressman Deluzio visited BCRC and witnessed firsthand how participants learn, work, and reach their goals. The team at BCRC is committed to advocating for and serving their participants.
Learn more about BCRC by visiting our new website here and by following us on social media InstagramFacebookLinkedIn
Wine, Wisdom & Wealth
Do you feel overwhelmed by all the financial opinions you hear?
Does fear hinder your progress in taking your next steps to achieving your financial goals?
Join Rebecca Haugh & Lisa Purk for Wine, Wisdom & Wealth on February 28, 2024, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Congrats to Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School’s Chief Executive Officer
Terrence Smith, M.Ed., Chief Executive Officer of Midland Innovation + Technology Charter School has been featured in PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools’s Black History Month.
Employee Appreciation Day is March 1st!
Share your appreciation with the ultimate gift for your valued employees. From practical and stylish apparel to trendy tech accessories, give the gift designed to convey gratitude and foster a culture of recognition in your workplace.
Browse more ideas,
Carnegie Library of Beaver Falls Concert Series
Honky Tonk Heros is Kicking off the Library Concert Series on March 30, 2024.
The Honky Tonk Heroes is the premiere outlaw country western band in the tri-state area. It’s said that Tony Barge sings Willie Nelson better than Willie!  He sings all the great classics from Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, etc. Tony Barge has 3 CD’s.  The band is well known for doing benefits for many different charity causes. Tony Barge performs at nursing homes to raise the spirits of its residents.
Beaver County Events is Offering Naming Rights!
Beaver County Events is offering special discounted sponsorship and advertising rates during February and March strictly for Chamber members. We are also offering a naming rights opportunity with a HUGE bonus – ANY chamber member that facilitates an introduction to a sponsor that purchases naming rights will receive a FREE one-year sponsorship valued at $7,500 for their business as a thank you!
EMAIL info@beavercountyevents.com or CALL 724-513-1792
for more information. Offer open to Beaver and surrounding counties.
Now Hiring! Want to see a list of job postings from members? Don’t forget to add your own posting to the job postings portal on our website.
In need of a product or service?
Head to our full membership directory available on our website, where you will find a trusted partner to do business with today.
Beaver County Chamber of Commerce
724.775.3944
525 3rd Street, 2nd Floor
Beaver, PA 15009
Beaver County Chamber of Commerce | 525 Third Street2nd FloorBeaver, PA 15009-2132

 

No injuries in I-376 ramp rollover accident

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 19, 2024 11:24 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) The Chippewa Township Volunteer Fire Department reports they were called to a rollover motor vehicle accident Saturday.
The accident occurred on a ramp of  I-376 at Wallace Run Road.
Fuel was reportedly leaking from the rolled over truck but no injuries were reported.
State Police in Gibsonia, who patrols the Turnpike, is investigating the cause of the crash.

Crews respond to Big Beaver fire Saturday

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published February 19, 2024 11:22 A.M.

(Chippewa Township, Pa) Chippewa Township Volunteer Fire Department released a statement that they responded Saturday morning around 7am to a residential structure fire in Big Beaver.
Crews on scene reported a working chimney fire with extension to the exterior wall.
They say a quick knock down was made and damage was limited to the outside of the structure.

 

 

Pennsylvania high court takes up challenge to the state’s life-without-parole sentences

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high court is taking a case to decide whether some automatic life sentences for those convicted of murder violate constitutional protections for defendants. The justices said Friday they will hear the appeal by Derek Lee, convicted of a 2014 killing. Lee argues the state’s life-without-parole law violates prohibitions in the Pennsylvania and U.S. constitutions against cruel punishment. Pennsylvania law makes someone liable for murder if they participate in a felony that leads to death, and life with no possibility of parole is currently the state’s only possible sentence for those convicted of second-degree murder.

Jaromir Jagr’s return to Pittsburgh ends with his No. 68 being retired — and catharsis

Former Pittsburgh Penguins player Jaromir Jagr, at podium to right, is joined by former teammates as he speaks during a ceremony retiring his uniform number before an NHL hockey game between the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have retired Jaromir Jagr’s iconic No. 68. The NHL’s second all-time leading scorer was on hand as his jersey was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. The 52-year-old Jagr spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1990 to 2001, helping the franchise win a pair of Stanley Cups. Jagr is the third Penguins player to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere. While Jagr has played for nine different NHL teams, he says he knows he will be forever linked with Pittsburgh.

Josh Shapiro Talks With Mike Romigh About Beaver County Schools, East Palestine, Dissenting Colleagues

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Eight days after the announcement of his budget proposal, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Mike Romigh on “The Live Mike” to talk about how the budget would benefit Beaver County and its surrounding areas.

One of the major focuses of Shapiro’s budget is education, and said that “no school district is worse off than they were last year” in regards to the funding they’ve received. Specifically, he stated that the new budget would create a 15% increase (~$2 million) for the Ambridge and Big Beaver Falls Area school districts.

“I think it’s also important to note the dollars aren’t just going into the bottom lines of school districts,” Shapiro told Romigh. “We’re investing in important things like meals for kids at school, mental health services for kids, [and] a new fund to rebuild schools that are crumbling or falling down.”

However, several Republicans in Congress have come against Governor Shapiro for this new budget plan, including several in Western Pennsylvania. One of the loudest has been State Representative Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), who has labelled Shapiro as a “California Democrat” following the announcement of the budget proposal.

When Romigh brough Kail’s comments to the Governor’s attention, he responded slyly by stating “I don’t know who this person is” in regards to Rep. Kail.

“I get there are certain politicians in Harrisburg who love to just be against everything that I’m for, but that doesn’t actually solve any problems,” Governor Shapiro added. “What we need to do is find common ground on education and a whole host of other issues.”

One of the biggest issues that Shapiro has been dealing with over the course of his first full year as governor is the recovery of East Palestine, Ohio following the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train on February 3, 2024. Shapiro told Romigh that he is still “angry” at Norfolk Southern for their response, and that he wants to continue the fight to hold them accountable.

“We’re going to continue to do what we’ve done, which is testing our water, our air, and our soil,” Shapiro stated, adding that they will publish the results so that the public may know the effects of the train derailment in the current moment. The Governor is also pushing to help reimburse first responders who responded to the disaster, including a $1 million “community fund” for Darlington Township and Lawrence County.

The negotiations for Governor Shapiro’s budget begin on February 20.

Penguins forward Jake Guentzel to miss up to four weeks with an upper-body injury

CHICAGO (AP) — The struggling Pittsburgh Penguins will have to claw their way back into the playoff race without star forward Jake Guentzel.

The team placed Guentzel on injured reserve before Thursday night’s game at Chicago with an upper-body injury. Guentzel, whose 52 points are tied with captain Sidney Crosby for the team lead, will miss up to four weeks.

Guentzel did not play the final 10 minutes of a 5-2 loss to Florida on Wednesday night. Head coach Mike Sullivan said afterward that Guentzel was being evaluated.

The setback is the latest blow for reeling Pittsburgh, which entered Thursday riding a three-game losing streak while falling off the pace in the race for one of the wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins were already playing without injured forwards Noel Acciari, Jansen Harkins and Matt Nieto, who are all on injured reserve.

Pittsburgh recalled forwards Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza and Valtteri Puustinen from their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to fill in.

Stock market today: Wall Street clings to thin gains as rollercoaster week comes to a close

(New York/AP) Trading on Wall Street was mixed early Friday as markets try to hold on to the thin gains made so far in what’s been an up-and-down week.

Futures for the S&P 500 gained 0.1% before the bell, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked down 0.1%.

Although earnings season is winding down, there are still more sales and profit reports coming in, along with an assortment of economic reports that have been moving markets.

A mixed set of data on the economy included a report Thursday showing sales at U.S. retailers weakened by more in January from December than expected. It was a striking drop in spending by U.S. households, whose strength has helped keep the economy out of a recession, even with high interest rates. The upside for financial markets is that it could also remove some upward pressure on inflation.

A separate report said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected, the latest signal of a solid job market despite high-profile announcements of layoffs.

Altogether, the economic reports helped send Treasury yields lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.24% from 4.27% late Wednesday.

Treasury yields have been swiveling. Stronger-than-expected reports on inflation, the job market and the overall economy have forced traders on Wall Street to delay their forecasts for when the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates.

The Fed has already hiked its main interest rate to the highest level since 2001. The hope is that high rates will squeeze the economy just enough to get inflation down to a comfortable level without causing a recession.

Coming later Friday are the government’s report on inflation at the wholesale level and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index.

Technology manufacturer Applied Materials was among the premarket gainers Friday, jumping more than 11% after posting better sales and profit than Wall Street was projecting.

Dropbox tumbled close to 11% in off-hours trading after the cloud storage company issued weak guidance for the first quarter, despite beating analysts’ fourth-quarter sales and profit targets.

Yelp, the the online business review site, fell more than 9% before the bell after it missed profit forecasts late Thursday.

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index traded near a record high, 35 years after it peaked and then plunged with the collapse of Japan’s financial bubble.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.9% higher, at 38,487.24. It has been hovering just below the record high of 38,915.87 that it set on Dec. 29, 1989, right before a plunge in share and property prices ushered in an era of slower, faltering growth. At its highest point Friday, it traded at 38,865.06.

Share prices have been pressing higher despite persisting signs of weakness in the Japanese economy, which fell into recession in the last quarter of 2023. Efforts to sustain growth at higher levels have had limited success, undermined by weak private investment and consumer spending.

Changes to rules regarding tax-free investment accounts have accounted for some of the runup in Japanese share prices. A weak yen has attracted bargain hunters, and stocks also have profited from investors shifting out of Chinese markets.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 2.5% to 16,339.96 and the Kospi in Seoul rose 1.3% to 2,648.76.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.7% to 7,658.30. Bangkok’s SET slipped 0.1% and the Sensex in India was up 0.6%.

Taiwan’s Taiex edged 0.2% lower a day after breaching a record high of 18,644.57 as major market mover TSMC, the world’s biggest computer chip maker, surged nearly 8%. That jump followed an upgrade by analysts of share price recommendations for Nvidia, whose main chip supplier is TSMC, due to expected growth in artificial intelligence.

In Europe at midday, Germany’s DAX gained 0.7% and the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.5%. Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 1.2%.

In other trading Friday, U.S. benchmark crude oil shed 54 cents to $77.49 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude, the international standard, gave up 71 cents to $82.15 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar rose to 150.24 Japanese yen from 149.94 yen. The euro slipped modestly, to $1.0771 from $1.0773.

On Thursday, the S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 5,029.73, squeaking past its all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9% to 38,773.12 and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.3%, to 15,906.17.