FILE –  (AP Photo/Alberto Mariani, File)  

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that since its implementation, the Free School Breakfast Program has served more than 23 million breakfasts to students across the Commonwealth.

 

“Research shows that when students get proper nutrition, they are both physically and mentally prepared to learn and therefore, perform better in school,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “By continuing to offer free breakfast to all students, we are fueling healthy minds and bodies while reducing stigma related to food insecurity in our schools.”

 

Last week in his budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the importance of the program and proposed $38.5 million in funding to continue providing universal free breakfast through the 2023-24 school year. Rather than a one-time influx, Governor Shapiro’s proposal provides ongoing, sustainable state funding for free breakfast in the years to come, because students learn and grow better on a full stomach. The Governor’s budget proposal would also allow students who qualify for reduced meals to receive lunch at no cost.

 

Under the program, PDE will use the existing meal reimbursement program to pay schools for the difference between the free federal reimbursement and paid or reduced-price meal reimbursement so that no student has an out-of-pocket cost for a reimbursable breakfast and students eligible for reduced lunch can receive a school lunch at no cost to their families. Reimbursement applies only to standard breakfast and lunch served at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

 

Interested schools that do not currently participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs can find information for applying on PDE’s website.

 

The Free School Breakfast Program ensures that all students have access to a healthy, nutritious meal to start the school day and eliminates the stigma associated with free and reduced-price breakfast that may deter eligible students from participating.

 

On average, more than 455,000 free breakfasts are served each day in Pennsylvania schools. There are 3,129 schools that participate in the program, serving more than 1.6 million students. Since the program began, school breakfast participation is up overall, with participation doubling among students who would usually have to pay full price.

 

According to the School Nutrition Association, students who eat breakfast are more likely to reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math, score higher on standardized tests, have better concentration and memory, and be more alert and maintain a healthy weight.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 15, 2023 10:43 A.M.  

(Hopewell Township, PA) The teachers contract was  set to expire on June 30, 2022, but no agreement has been reached, and teachers are working under the old contract, according to Solicitor John Salopek. Mr. Salopek’s statement came after a few residents said they heard the teachers were working with no contract. He told the residents, “Be cautious of rumors.” He said progress is being made in the talks to reach a new contract. He told those present that 3 board members are also involved in the ongoing negotiations. If the teachers were to strike they would give Superintendent Dr. Jeff Beltz 48 hours notice and he would notify the proper district officials about the operation of classes in the district’s buildings. The next negotiations are on Monday, March 20, 2023.

The image above shows a long table filled with approximately 25% of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Story and photos by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published March 15, 2023 7:26 A.M. 

(Darlington Township, PA) State Representatives from across the state met yesterday at the Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department for a hearing featuring state and local leaders. Approximately 25% of PA’s House of Representatives were in attendance, as well as a large group of community members. State department leaders stated that there are still questions to be answered regarding the derailment. They reported that less people have been contacting them for their services, a number that is now in the teens after being in the hundreds.
Results were given for an ACE Survey completed by 143 residents, and the most common answer was 68% said they wanted to know if it was safe to plant a garden. State Rep. Jim Marshall asked if there has been any diagnosis for people health symptoms, Dr. Debra Bogen of the Department of Health said its too early to say if people health symptoms are connected to the derailment or not. When asked about long term health effects, the Department of Health said they are taking priority to monitor and conduct health assessment surveys rather than analyzing anybody’s actual health. 87 first responders were also given the survey, with around half reporting ear/nose/throat symptoms.
Whether or not Norfolk Southern is still being relied on for any information, Rich Negrin of the DEP replied “zero percent” of their information is being trusted, noting that they are still receiving their information to compare alongside alternate reports. When asked where waste soil from the site is being taken, there was a brief pause before it said that the EPA knows where it is going and it is being worked out, with no further details other than they were pretty sure none of it was coming to Pennsylvania.
Local leaders Rep. Josh Kail, Rep. Rob Matzie, Rep. Jim Marshal led the hearing. Darlington Township leaders and County Commissioner Dan Camp participated in the local panel, speaking on behalf the County Commissioners although Jack Manning and Tony Amadio were in attendance. Norfolk Southern was contacted but did not attend the meeting.
Photos from the hearing:

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Each Beaver Falls City Council meeting provides a printed copy of the agenda that explains what the councilmembers will be voting on. However, at their March 14 meeting, the majority of discussion came from what wasn’t printed on the paper.

That which was printed on the paper did get taken care of in quick fashion, as the board unanimously approved General Fund expenditures at an amount of $624,321.07. The ARPA parcels to be purchased by the city were also approved, as several properties in the city will be obtained for future development. A repository purchase for a property on 10th Avenue was approved, and the board was enthusiastic about a request to use 7th Avenue parking spaces on May 14 for a race car show to be held between 8th and 10th Streets.

Less enthusiasm was shown when the board received the update on the no-show by the contractors hired to build the fences at the 37th Street Ballfield, the final step in the renovation of the ballfield funded by Beaver County grants. The update was provided by city engineer Tony Sadaka, who stated that the next move would be to contact the contractors before either asking the County to invoke a performance bond to hire new contractors if necessary. Until the fences are completed, the ballfields will not be ready for full-time usage.

Fire Chief Mark Stowe, following his regular report, spoke about the plan for the city to purchase properties for the sake of initial blight removal and potential further development. Stowe pointed out that the Mount Washington section of the city “will be blight-free” following the purchase of three properties that will be torn down, and that the plan is to continue that process with un-salvageable property buildings in the downtown Beaver Falls area.

The meeting closed with comments from Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier, who complimented the city on its hard-working fire and police departments as well as its positive attitude. “You have the most positive community in Beaver County,” he stated. “You have the CDC which is moving and doing great things, you’ve got a main street that is growing…you are a leader in Beaver County in so many ways.” Lozier then went on to say that the County is willing to help in regards to the transitions for the fire and police departments in regard to technology upgrades and potential regionalizing of resources.

The next Beaver Falls City Council meeting is scheduled for March 28 at 7:00 PM.

(File Photo of Dale Reckless from MRS Physical Therapy during a recent appearance on Beaver County Radio) 

(Beaver Falls, Pa.)  Dale Reckless from MRS Physical Therapy in Bridgewater will discuss the “Prevention of common Lower Body Sports Injuries”. Dale will walk you through tips that Eddy Crow will demonstrate during the show. Tune in to see Dale Reckless’  monthly appearance on Teleforum with Eddy Crow at 9:10 AM Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

The phone lines will be open throughout the show to answer your questions about knee pain or any other ailment you made need advice about at 724-843-1888 and 724-774-1888.

The show is presented on all platforms of Beaver County Radio, on-air at 95.7 FM and 99.3 FM along with 1230 WBVP and1460 WMBA and on-line at beavercountyradio.com.

You can also click on the Facebook Logo below at show time to watch the show streaming live on the Beaver County Radio Facebook Page.

 

FILE – Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, announces the Biden administration is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams during an event at N.C. State University, Oct. 18, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C. The EPA on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, proposed limiting the amount of harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water to the lowest level that tests can detect. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator says a proposal for the first federal limits on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water could prevent thousands of illnesses. Per- and polyfluorinated substances are a toxic group of compounds knowns as PFAS that are linked to health issues including low birthweight and cancer. The EPA proposes limiting two common types of the compounds to 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that tests can detect. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says communities “have suffered far too long” from PFAS pollution. Environmentalists praise Tuesday’s proposal as a long-awaited public health protection. If finalized, the proposal would also regulate the combined amount of four other types of PFAS.

A worker organizes items at a Walmart Supercenter in North Bergen, N.J., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. On Tuesday, the Labor Department reports on U.S. consumer prices for February. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer price increases eased slightly from January to February but still pointed to an elevated inflation rate that is posing a challenge for the Federal Reserve at a delicate moment for the financial system. The government said Tuesday that prices increased 0.4% last month, just below January’s 0.5% rise. Yet excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 0.5% in February, slightly above January’s 0.4% gain. The Fed pays particular attention to the core measure as a gauge of underlying inflation pressures.

This Wednesday, March 1, 2023 photo shows a vial of Eli Lilly’s Humalog insulin in New York. Eli Lilly will cut prices for some older insulins later this year and immediately give more patients access to a cap on costs they pay to fill prescriptions. The moves announced March 1, 2023 promise critical relief to some people with diabetes who can face annual costs of more than $1,000 for insulin they need in order to live. Lilly’s changes also come as lawmakers and patient advocates pressure drugmakers to do something about soaring prices. (AP Photo/Pablo Salinas)

Novo Nordisk will start slashing some U.S. insulin prices up to 75% next year, following a path set earlier this month by rival Eli Lilly. The Danish drugmaker says that pre-filled pens and vials of long-acting and short-acting insulins will see price reductions. They include Levemir, Novolin, NovoLog and NovoLog Mix70/30. Novo also will drop the list price of some unbranded products to match lower prices of branded insulins. The price cuts go into effect Jan. 1. Eli Lilly and Co. said March 2 that it will cut the list prices for its some of its most commonly prescribed insulins.

Gas prices are a penny lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.758 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.758
Average price during the week of March 6, 2023                                               $3.767
Average price during the week of March 14, 2022                                             $4.378

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.696      Altoona
$3.760      Beaver
$3.849      Bradford
$3.777      Brookville
$3.710      Butler
$3.691      Clarion
$3.744      DuBois
$3.738      Erie
$3.779      Greensburg
$3.780      Indiana
$3.814      Jeannette
$3.802      Kittanning
$3.792      Latrobe
$3.787      Meadville
$3.867      Mercer
$3.660      New Castle
$3.763      New Kensington
$3.796      Oil City
$3.755      Pittsburgh
$3.631      Sharon
$3.684      Uniontown
$3.859      Warren
$3.697      Washington

Trend Analysis:

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline increased seven cents since last week to $3.47 even though demand and the global cost of oil have fallen recently. The higher prices are mainly due to the switch to summer blend gasoline, which can add five to ten cents per gallon. Today’s national average of $3.47 is three cents more than a month ago but 79 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand declined from 9.11 million to 8.56 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.1 million barrels to 238.1 million barrels last week. Although gas demand has declined, fluctuating oil prices have increased pump prices amid tighter supply.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by 92 cents to settle at $76.66. Crude prices dropped after the Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated that additional interest rate increases are likely. The market is concerned that rising interest rates could tip the U.S. economy into a recession, which would lower oil demand amid reduced economic activity. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels to 478.5 million barrels last week.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

A person stands in front of a Meta sign outside of the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Facebook’s parent Meta will slash another 10,000 jobs and will not fill 5,000 open positions as the social media pioneer cuts costs. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Facebook’s parent Meta will slash another 10,000 jobs and will not fill 5,000 open positions as the social media pioneer cuts costs. The company said Tuesday it will reduce the size of its recruiting team and then make further cuts in its tech groups in late April, and then its business groups in late May. The Menlo Park, California, company has been investing billions of dollars to realign its focus on the metaverse. In February it posted lower fourth-quarter profit and revenue, hurt by a downturn in the online advertising market and competition from rivals such as TikTok.