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

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.0% in May, the lowest rate on record (back to January 1976). The U.S. unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point from April to 3.7%. The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point below its May 2022 level, and the national rate was up one-tenth of a point over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was up 1,000 over the month. Resident employment rose by 9,000 over the month and unemployment fell by 9,000.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 7,900 over the month to a new record high of 6,122,500 in May. This was the fifth month in a row that jobs have set a new all-time high level. Jobs increased from April in nine of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in professional & business services (+3,700), which rose to a record high level.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 151,500 with gains in all 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+47,800) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A truck driver who spewed hatred of Jews has been convicted of storming a Pittsburgh synagogue on a Sabbath morning and fatally shooting 11 congregants in an act of anti-Semitic terror for which he could be sentenced to die. 

The guilty verdict Friday against Robert Bowers was a foregone conclusion. 

Bowers’ lawyers conceded at the trial’s outset that he attacked and killed worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. 

Jurors must now decide whether the 50-year-old should be sent to death row or sentenced to life in prison without parole. The penalty phase will start June 26.

(photo provided by PSP)

Harrisburg, PA – The two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers shot yesterday in Juniata County were identified by PSP today. Tpr. Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. was killed and Lieutenant James A. Wagner was wounded in separate encounters with the same shooter.

Tpr. Rougeau was assigned to the Troop G, Lewistown Station and enlisted in the PSP in June 2020 as a member of the 160^th cadet class. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Troop J, York before transferring to Troop G, Lewistown in March of this year. He was 29 years old. He becomes the 104^th member of the PSP to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the line of duty. His photo is included.

Lieutenant Wagner is currently listed in critical condition at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Lt. Wagner, age 45, is assigned as the station commander at the Troop G, Bedford Station. He enlisted in the PSP in September 2002.

“This is a tragedy for the Pennsylvania State Police,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the PSP. “We ask for your continued prayers for not only our Troopers, but also their families.”

The shooter, identified as Brandon Stine, age 38, of Thompsontown, Juniata County, was killed in an exchange of gunfire after the shootings. He initially arrived at the Troop G, Lewistown Station around 11:00 a.m. armed with a rifle and fired shots at patrol vehicles in the parking lot, leading to the search for him.

Anyone interested in donating to assist the troopers’ families can send a check to the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) at 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The check should be made out to the “Survivor’s Fund,” with the name of the trooper written in the “memo” portion of the check.

The image above shows swimmers in Bradys Run Lake.
Story and photos by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published June 18, 2023 3:01 P.M.

(Beaver Falls, PA) Triathletes from 32 states and 3 countries of the age 19 and under converged on a 2 day event hosted by Beaver County Tourism for the second year in a row on Fathers Day weekend. The event took place at Bradys Run Park. The triathletes swim, bike, and run through the park. It is a USA triathlon sanctioned and National qualifying event.

Teigan Miller, a coach from Washington D.C.

Guest article by Larisa May. Published June 18, 2023 2:48 P.M. 

(Brighton Township, PA) Dozens of classic cars and trucks gathered at St. Barnabas’s facility on Dutch Ridge Road on June 17 for the first car cruise of the summer “Cruisin’ on the Ridge” series. The event series is being hosted by Beaver County Radio and Pennsylvania Hot Rod and sponsored by St. Barnabas Health System.

The event also served as the grand opening of Beaver County Radio’s new studio location. The station said goodbye to its Beaver Falls studio and started broadcasting from the new location Friday, June 16.

Like at most car cruises, owners sat by their vehicles ready to answer questions from curious passersby. Some even opted to wear outfits matching their cars.

Ron Price, the proud owner of a blue 1955 Ford Thunderbird was one of many who happened to complement his shirt with his car.

“It wasn’t fully intentional,” Price said, “but it does go well with it.”

Cars weren’t the only vehicles on display. Several vintage trucks were spotted at the event, many in eye-catching colors. Eventgoers could also see a small 1990 pink motorized toy car styled after a Chevy Corvette parked in its own parking space. A few cars being showcased were for sale, allowing those interested in entering the classic car market an opportunity to take a peek for themselves.

Some long-time Beaver County residents may remember the car shows hosted at St. Barnabas’s Beaver Meadows Assisted Living Facility. The event has grown since then, leading to the switch to the bigger location. The show is now held at the former Micheal Baker headquarters in Brighton Twp, which was acquired by St. Barnabas in 2018.

Various makes and models of classic cars and trucks were on display for viewers, with live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon. Food trucks served hungry guests, who were served an array of food from Bruster’s ice cream to funnel cakes and lemonade.

St. Barnabas hosted raffles throughout the day for assorted baskets and gift cards. Most notable was the Louis Vuitton handbag raffle, with 100 tickets being sold for $50 each. The proceeds from the raffles are going towards St. Barnabas’s “Free Care Fund” which provides aid to patients who cannot afford their care.

This is the first of four car cruises to be held at the facility this summer. The car shows will be hosted every third Saturday of the month from June through September from 12-5 P.M. The next one will be July 15 at 4301 Dutch Ridge Road. For more information, those interested can call (412) 719-4950.

Reach the reporter at larisamay01@gmail.com or on Twitter @LarisaMay01.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) It was a perfect middle of June day to celebrate the brand new Beaver County Radio Studios as part of the inaugural “Cruisin the Ridge” car Cruise presented by Pennsylvania Hot Rod and Beaver County Radio. This was cruise number one of four for the 2023 Cruising Season.  Beaver County Radio General Manager Frank Sparks welcomed the crow to start opening ceremonies. Brighton Twp. Board of Supervisors Chairman John Curtaccio welcomed Beaver County Radio to Brighton Twp. followed by Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning and President and CEO of  St. Barnabas William Day Spoke. Pastor David Grove delivered the invocation and Dawn Savage sung the national anthem. Air Heritage’s c-47 Vintage WWII airplane “Luck of the Irish” flew over as Dawn was singing.

After opening ceremonies the Dawn Savage Band performed live for the crowd and on Beaver County Radio.

Check out the video below followed by pictures of the event.

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with his “Investing in America Cabinet,” in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, May 5, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden opened his 2020 presidential run at a Pittsburgh union hall. The first political rally of his reelection campaign is being held at a union gathering on the other side of Pennsylvania, punctuating just how much the president is counting on labor support to carry him to a second term. The symmetry is no accident. Rallying labor activists on Saturday at Philadelphia’s Convention Center can help Biden’s campaign ignite early enthusiasm — and organizing muscle — that may eventually boost Democratic voter turnout in the city’s fast-growing suburbs and other key parts of battleground Pennsylvania, which in 2020 helped him flip the state four years after it backed Donald Trump.

FILE – (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — After three years, the pandemic-era freeze on student loan payments will end in late August. It might seem tempting to just keep not making payments, but the consequences can be severe, including a hit to your credit score and exclusion from future aid and benefits. More than 40 million Americans will have to start making federal student loan payments again at the end of the summer under the terms of a debt ceiling deal approved by Congress. Millions are also waiting to find out whether the Supreme Court will allow President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan to go ahead. But payments will resume regardless of what justices decide.