FILE – Hunter Biden walks along the South Lawn before the pardoning ceremony for the national Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House in Washington, Nov. 21, 2022. Lawyers for President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, have asked the Justice Department to investigate close allies of former President Donald Trump and others who they say accessed and disseminated personal data from a laptop he dropped off at a Delaware computer repair shop in 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer for President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, has asked the Justice Department to investigate close allies of former President Donald Trump and others who accessed and disseminated personal data from a laptop that a computer repair shop owner says was dropped off at his Delaware store in 2019. The request was made in a letter Wednesday. In a separate letter, Hunter Biden’s attorneys have also asked Fox News host Tucker Carlson to retract and apologize for what they say are false and defamatory claims made about him on-air. The request for a criminal inquiry comes as Hunter Biden faces his own tax evasion investigation by the Justice Department.

FILE – The access road to President Joe Biden’s home in Wilmington, Del., is seen from the media van on Jan. 13, 2023. A new poll shows that more U.S. adults disapprove than approve of the way President Joe Biden has handled the discovery of classified documents at his home and former office. Yet that seems to have had little impact on Biden’s overall approval rating. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll shows that more U.S. adults disapprove than approve of the way President Joe Biden has handled the discovery of classified documents at his home and former office. Yet that seems to have had little impact on Biden’s overall approval rating. The new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds 41% of Americans say they approve of how Biden is handling his job as president. That’s about the same as the 43% who said that in December. In the new poll, 77% of Democrats approve of how Biden is handling his job, while 91% of Republicans disapprove.

Colombian shaman Taita Pedro Davila, leads an ayahuasca ceremony with Hummingbird Church, in Hildale, Utah, on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. Following the traditions of his grandfather in Colombia, Davila prays, chants, and sings in Spanish and the language of the Kamëntsá people over the psychoactive brew before serving it to individual participants. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

HILDALE, Utah (AP) — Growing numbers of people are flocking to U.S. churches that center their practice around a psychedelic tea known as ayahuasca. Organizers and their legal advisers argue a 2006 Supreme Court ruling protects them from prosecution and participants say they are taking part in a religious service. Some experts raise concerns that the benefits of ayahuasca haven’t been well studied. Many who attend the ceremonies, which can last for days, argue their experience on the illegal substance brings them closer to God than they ever felt at traditional religious services. Surveys have also found many come away feeling better afterwards, with some saying it helped with depression and problems with risky substance use.

FILE – Democratic National Committee chair attends a DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting Dec. 2, 2022, in Washington. A week after bitter divisions dominated a national Republican gathering, Democrats holding their own meeting are anxious to showcase just how much they agree on. There will be no party chair fight since Harrison isn’t up for reelection until 2025.(AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bitter divisions dominated a recent national Republican Party gathering. And come this weekend, Democrats are holding their own meeting, and they’re eager to showcase just how much they agree on. There’ll be no party chair fight since Jaime Harrison isn’t up for reelection. There’s no candidate jostling for a White House bid since President Joe Biden is expected to seek a second term. And there’s no national reckoning after a surprisingly strong midterm showing. The only real point of contention for the Democratic National Committee is an overhaul of the 2024 presidential primary calendar. But even that’s largely moot because Biden isn’t expected to face a major challenge for the nomination.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking public input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its online survey found at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.

“In 2021, 1,230 people died on Pennsylvania roadways. Many of these deaths could have been prevented simply by buckling up, slowing down, paying attention, and driving sober,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll. “The results from this survey help us better understand the public’s attitude on highway safety, and potentially allow us to adjust our efforts to reduce crashes and fatalities.”

The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through February 28 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous.

PennDOT partners with educational and enforcement grantees to deliver programming each year to help prevent crashes, fatalities, and injuries on our roadways. This survey seeks information on motorists’ behavior behind the wheel to help inform program planning. This voluntary survey covers several topics including seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, as well as bicycle, pedestrian, and motorcycle safety.

The survey was first implemented in 2010 as a requirement for federal funding. Though no longer required, the survey helps PennDOT better understand participants’ attitudes on highway safety and potentially allows us to adjust safety activities as we work to reduce crashes and fatalities.

PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests more than $25 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support behavioral safety programs.

For more information on PennDOT’s highway safety efforts visit, www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

For more information on traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries, visit the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool.

For more information on PennDOT’s plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways, read the Pennsylvania Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

PennDOT’s media center offers social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

The public can join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BeSafePA. Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 12:25 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) At Wednesday night’s council meeting Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane reported that 3 teens under the age of 15 were arrested for possession of stolen guns, he told council, “It’s getting crazy the parents aren’t involved. “Babies are having babies.” Some kids have nowhere to sleep, and there is no juvenile detention center since Allencrest closed several years ago. The teens have been stealing guns, drugs, and money, and there have also been thefts from local stores. Two fatalities were reported where stolen guns were used in the murders, the chief said.
Car doors should be locked and the doors at your home, and any items in the vehicles should not be in view of anyone attempting to break in.
Residents are urged to call 9-1-1 if you see something call Aliquippa Police immediately.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 12:20 P.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa City Council approved a motion to have Police Chief John Lane seek 3 new police vehicles to replace older model, high usage vehicles. The department has proceeds of over $34,500 from the salvage value of older vehicles, and the damaged vehicle will be replaced.
Council approved a motion to have Fire Chief Dave Foringer look into a lease purchase of a new fire truck. The delivery time may be 2 to 3 years, and he will continue exploring other companies’ proposals.
A Civil Service Board meeting will b beheld on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 7 p.m. to discuss combing the Civil Service Boards for police and firefighters.
The city’s work session is Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. Makin Engineers are to b represent to reveal the WAYFINDING signs design and their recommendations.

Photos courtesy of David Novak
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published February 2, 2023 10:30 A.M.

(Ambridge, PA) Don Larrick, Jr. Ambridge Fire Chief reported Thursday morning that the fire at 1514 Church Street that occurred on Wednesday morning, firefighters were dispatched at 12:50 a.m. It’s 4 unit complex, apartment complex at 1514 Church Street, the lone tenant, a male was able to get out safely.
The fire chief reported that there was heavy fire on the first and second floor hallway. Chief Larrick said it was a quick knock down, but extensive overhaul was needed. The chief said the fire is under investigation and he is working with the PA State Fire marshal.
The chief thanked all of the mutual aid fire companies for their assistance.

This combination of photos shows Missy Elliott, George Michael and Willie Nelson, who are among this year’s nominees for 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow and the late George Michael are nominees for 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a list that includes a mix of country, soul, hip-hop, metal, pop, rap-rock and grunge. The Cleveland-based institution announced Wednesday the 14 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, also including Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and Joy Division/New Order. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Phil’s handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — A furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town has predicted six more weeks of winter during an annual Groundhog Day celebration. People gathered Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned the groundhog from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow — and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early. The annual event in Punxsutawney originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. Meanwhile, New York City’s Staten Island Chuck made his prediction for an early spring during an event Thursday at the Staten Island Zoo.