NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is tacking a bit more onto its stupendous surge from a day before to keep it on track for a strong gain for the week. The S&P 500 was 0.6%, higher Friday, a day after soaring to its best day in more than two years. The Dow was down modestly. Markets got a boost after China relaxed some of its strict anti-COVID measures, while a report suggested inflation expectations among U.S. households haven’t moved much. Bond trading was closed for Veterans Day, while crypto prices sank again after a major trading exchange filed for bankruptcy protection.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Partisan control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives remains up in the air, two days after 101 Democrats and 100 Republicans were elected. As of Thursday there are two races in swing districts still unresolved. Both of the seats are held by Republicans in the General Assembly session that ends this month. It may be weeks before county elections officials finish vote counting to determine winners. If Republicans control the chamber, incumbent Republican Speaker Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County is likely to keep the top job. But House Democratic floor leader Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia is predicting she’s going to become the Legislature’s first female speaker.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Two people have tried in vain to glue themselves to Edvard Munch’s 1893 masterpiece “The Scream” at a museum in Norway’s capital. Police said no harm was reported to the painting of a waif-like figure appearing to scream. They said three people were detained in connection with Friday’s episode at the National Museum of Norway. Activists from the Norwegian organization Stop Oil Exploration say their group was behind the action. Climate activists have targeted famous paintings at other European museums in recent months.

(New Brighton, PA)  If you are planning on heading out to honor veterans today, the Beaver County Veterans Day parade will take place in New Brighton this year, kicking off at 10:30 Friday morning on 3rd Avenue.
Butler County Organizers announced that their parade has been cancelled due to weather.

AAA East Central honored local police departments today for their outstanding efforts to increase road safety for all motorists.  59 Western Pennsylvania departments received Platinum Awards, while an additional 48 departments were honored with Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.

“We are honored to recognize these local departments for their efforts in the Community Traffic Safety Program,” said Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor, AAA East Central. “Each organization has gone above and beyond their call of duty to make their community a safer place for motorists and residents.”

The Platinum awards were given to “Commendable Leaders” for their safety efforts and enforcement activities geared towards making communities safer. The recipients of the prestigious awards were police departments in: Allegheny County, Baldwin, Beaver, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Cambridge Springs, Canonsburg, Castle Shannon, Cecil, City of Pittsburgh, Clairton, Cranberry Township, Edgewood, Elizabeth Township, Etna, Findlay Township, Greensburg, Grove City, Hermitage, Homestead, Hopewell, Indiana, Jefferson Hills, McCandless, McDonald, Meadville, Millcreek Township, Moon Township, Mount Lebanon, Munhall, Neshannock, New Brighton, New Sewickley Township, Northern Regional, North Strabane Township, Ohio Township, Penn Hills, Peters Township, Pleasant Hills, Plum, Punxsutawney, Rochester, Shaler Township, Shenango, South Fayette, South Strabane Township, South Park, Swissvale, Upper St. Clair, Washington, and West View.  Sherriff’s Departments in the following counties were awarded with Platinum awards: Crawford, Allegheny, Washington; and Pennsylvania State Police Troops A (Greensburg), B (Washington), D (Butler), E (Meadville) and T (Somerset). 

Gold awards, the second highest recognition to be given, were awarded to police departments in: Butler, Chartiers Township, Cochranton, Connellsville, Clarion, Erie, Hampton Township, Heidelberg, Indiana County Sheriff’s Department, Linesville, Monessen, Rankin, Scott Township, South Buffalo Township, Southwest Greensburg, and Worthington.  

Silver awards were given to police departments in: Aliquippa, Allegheny County Port Authority, Beaver Falls, Bridgeville, Bridgewater, Carroll Township, Chatham University, Greentree, Monroeville, New Castle, North Huntingdon Township, University of Pittsburgh, and Waynesburg.  Sherriff’s Departments in the following counties were given silver awards: Greene and Venango.

Bronze awards were given to police departments in: Cumberland Township and Wilkinsburg.

AAA East Central conducts a variety of free highway safety programs throughout Pennsylvania focusing on all age groups.  The Club also partners with law enforcement and safety agencies on initiatives to improve the safety of the community and local highways.

Harrisburg, PA – With heavy widespread rainfall anticipated across the state Friday and overnight into Saturday due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) reminds Pennsylvanians to exercise caution during periods of heavy rain and be alert for potential flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas.

Rain is expected to begin tomorrow morning and continue throughout that day and overnight. The heaviest rain is expected in the northwest region of the state, which could receive between 4 and 6 inches of rain, with rates of up to an inch per hour during the heaviest downpours. Much of the state could receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain.

“Our crews have been preparing for days by clearing out debris around drainage inlets and under bridges while readying equipment,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “With the forecast amount of rain, we remind the public to not drive on roads that are covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway.”

Motorists should watch for ponding on roadways and flooding in poor drainage areas while traveling.

“Based on the current forecast, we’re not expecting widespread flooding due to this storm system,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “However, you should be aware for the possibility of flooding on roadways and plan out several routes to get to your destination so that you don’t put yourself, your loved ones and first responders in danger.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water because even shallow, swiftly flowing water can wash a car from a roadway. Also, the roadbed may not be intact under the water. Never drive around barricades or signs on closed roads – Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Anyone planning to travel should closely monitor weather conditions along travel routes. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.

(AMBRIDGE, PA) A four-story 39-unit housing building in Monaca has been awarded $1.2 million in state housing tax credit funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

“This marks another major state financial investment in our communities,” said Matzie, D-Beaver. “Since taking office I’ve worked here and in Harrisburg to leverage these kinds of investments to help fund local projects, and I am dedicated to continuing to do so. This is a very competitive funding program, and I want to congratulate Monaca, and all the people who worked to make this happen.”

The $1.2 million tax credit was awarded today by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement program.

More information on the tax credits is available at https://www.phfa.org/legislation/act105.aspx.

(Beaver Falls, PA) Some are without power in Beaver Falls this morning due to a blown transformer. Duquesne Light reports the outage has affected approximately 200 customers.