HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court will take its first crack at whether a governor can force power plant owners to pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, or whether he first needed approval from a Legislature that opposed the plan. Hanging in the balance is Pennsylvania’s effort to become the first major fossil fuel-producing state to adopt carbon pricing. On Wednesday, the state’s highest court will hear arguments on whether a lower court was right to halt Pennsylvania’s participation in a multistate consortium that imposes a price and declining cap on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The way the justices react could give hints as to how they might ultimately rule.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published May 24, 2023

(Beaver Falls, PA) Beaver Falls City Council met last night. Council started the meeting with a proclamation of the celebration of 143 day, a statewide day to share acts of kindness with on another inspired by Fred Rogers. Council went on to approve a list of general fund expenditures at a cost of $320,704.19. It also revealed that a stop sign installation is being planned for 6th Avenue and 20th Street. Council will meet again on September 12th at 7pm.

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. Biden would veto a House GOP bill that aims to restrict asylum, build more border wall and cut a program that allows migrants a chance to stay in the U.S. lawfully for two years, an administration official said Monday, May 8. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden was getting nowhere with Congress on immigration. So administration officials looked outside the U.S. for solutions. They sought to portray immigration not as one of America’s most intractable problems, but as an issue for the entire Western hemisphere to address. It was a shift in focus that plays to Biden’s faith in the power of global diplomacy. And it’s one that may hold more promise for making progress, particularly as smuggling networks increasingly steer migrant families from around the world up through the dangerous and often deadly Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama.

FILE – An historical marker at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., is seen on Feb. 21, 2023. Authorities could temporarily seize firearms and background checks would be expanded for gun buyers, under two bills passed Monday, May 22, 2023, in the Pennsylvania House, where Democrats are using their razor-thin majority to push gun-control measures after a yearslong standstill in the politically divided government. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Authorities could temporarily seize firearms and background checks would be expanded for gun buyers, under two bills passed in the Pennsylvania House. The two measures were both approved Monday, and now go to the Republican-controlled Senate. Democrats are using their razor-thin majority in the House to back gun-control measures after a yearslong standstill in the politically divided state government. The party describes the bills as relatively moderate measures to cut down on gun trafficking, suicide deaths, accidental shootings and day-to-day violence. Republicans oppose them, saying they punish law-abiding gun owners.

(New Brighton, PA) The New Brighton Borough Real Estate Tax Office will be closed on Saturday, May 27 through Friday, June 16.  Modified summer hours will begin on Monday, June 19, with the office being open every Friday from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM and the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.  Appointments are recommended and can be scheduled by emailing the tax collector at fortune@newbrightonpa.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) convened the first meeting of his Veterans Advisory Council (VAC). A Navy and Iraq War veteran himself and member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, this wider group of Western Pennsylvanian veterans will advise Congressman Deluzio on issues relating to veterans’ policy, veterans’ services, and veterans’ care.

“I am thrilled to announce my Veterans Advisory Council and am thankful for their service—past and present,” said Rep. Deluzio. “These VAC members represent a wide range of communities across PA-17, military branches, and experiences in and out of uniform. I am grateful for their willingness to step up once again for our community and advise me in the best ways to support our fellow veterans.”

The Veterans Advisory Council will meet quarterly and is staffed by Congressman Deluzio’s Constituent Services Representative Ken Aquiline, a Marine Corps veteran himself.

The Mission Statement of Congressman Deluzio’s Veterans Advisory Council is as follows:

The Council will advise the Congressman on relevant policy and promote awareness of veterans’ issues within the Seventeenth District community. Additionally, the council will work together to address challenges and opportunities facing our servicemembers, veterans, and their families. It will also help preserve the honor due to all veterans and actively recognize distinguished veterans and advocates on behalf of the Congressman.

The members of the VAC include the following:

• Chris Anderson, United States Navy
• Megan Andros, United States Army
• Brigette Bethea, United States Army
• Dwight Boddorf, United States Marine Corps
• Chris Cieslak, United States Army Reserves
• Carl Curtis, United States Marines
• Bart Farzati, United States Air Force
• Tammy Garcia, United States Air Force
• Jessica King, United States Marine Corps
• Kenneth Nagel, United States Navy
• Craig Romanovich, United States Army veteran
• Lee Wagner, United States Marine Corps
• Bart Womack, United States Army

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, May 27, 2023, through Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Gas prices are four cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.690 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.690
Average price during the week of May 15, 2023                                                $3.730
Average price during the week of May 23, 2022                                                $4.700

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Beaver County is $3.766  

As next week’s busy Memorial Day travel weekend approaches, gas prices are relatively stable, increasing a penny over the past week to $3.54 for a gallon of regular unleaded. A decline in demand and the low cost of oil are the main factors. Today’s national average is 13 cents less than a month ago and $1.05 less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand declined from 9.30 to 8.91 million barrels per day last week. The drop has reduced pressure on pump prices. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.4 million barrels to 218.3 million barrels.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by $1.97 to settle at $72.83. Oil prices rose amid growing market optimism that global energy demand is rebounding, particularly since China is recovering faster than originally expected following the lifting of its COVID restrictions. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories increased by 5 million barrels to 467.6 million barrels last week.

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

Photo – Hopewell swatting false alarm. March 2023. (Curtis Walsh)
Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published May 23, 2023 9:30 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) Six officers responded in six minutes when a swatting call came in stating that there was an active shooter at the high school. The commissioners,bby adopting a resolution supports and recognizes the selfless and heroic service of the officers and leadership of the Hopewell Township Police Department and their invaluable contributions in upholding justice, enforcing the rule of law, and protecting our community and thank each officer and their families for their extraordinary dedication and service on March 29, 2023.  Police Chief Don Sedlacek supervised and directed  the efforts of 18 responding law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal direction with distinction.