Carnegie Mellon University among schools Pentagon may block from reimbursement of tuition

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A Carnegie Mellon University sign is displayed outside Baker Hall on the university’s campus in Pittsburgh, June 7, 2019. Carnegie Mellon University and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation, named for a home-building supplies entrepreneur and his wife who built their fortune despite early struggles, hope a $150 million initiative will support a new generation of students trying to achieve that American dream. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is one of many top universities across the United States of America that may be blocked by the Pentagon to block military members from using tuition aid there, which was what the Pentagon expressed last week. A statement from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the schools as being biased against the U.S. military and sponsoring “troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries.” The memo that was signed by Hegseth rolled out the new policy impacting over 30 universities and schools, which includes CMU, the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and MIT. According to a statement from the Pentagon, starting with the 2026-27 academic year, they will discontinue graduate-level professional military education, fellowships, and certificate programs. 

Jason Lando sworn in as the new police chief of Pittsburgh

(Photo of Jason Lando Courtesy of Justin Guido/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Jason Lando was sworn in as the new chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in the Steel City on Friday. Lando is a Pittsburgh native who was unanimously approved to be appointed for this position on February 4th2026 by the Pittsburgh City Council after spending over twenty-one years as a commander with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Lando also attended the Tree of Life Synagogue when he was growing up and directed operations there during the worst anti-semitic shooting in United States history on October 27th, 2018.

Pittsburgh International Airport almost reaches its record of diverted flights in 2025

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh International Airport received 443 diverted flights in 2025, which nearly reached its record of 463 that was set in 2018. According to airport officials, the increase in diversion traffic followed intense thunderstorms in June and July that disrupted operations at major East Coast airports. The diversion rate at the Pittsburgh International Airport exceeded its 2018 pace and the five-year average by the end of July of last year. 

State Rperesentative Aaron Bernstine Announces State Grants for Fire, EMS Services in Butler, Lawrence Counties

(File Photo of State Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) According to a release from Representative Aaron Bernstine’s office on Friday, Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced that day that fire and emergency response organizations throughout the 8th Legislative District have been awarded nearly $244,000 in grants from the state of Pennsylvania. This funding comes from an ongoing grant program which is created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). Projects that are eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire safety, or reduction of existing debt. All of the funding comes from proceeds from slot machine gaming and not General Fund tax revenue. According to the aforementioned release from Bernstine’s office, the following grants were awarded:

Lawrence County:

  • Borough of Ellwood City Fire Department – $13,251.
  • Chewton Volunteer Fire Department – $12,220.
  • Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department – $13,663.
  • Enon Valley Community Volunteer Fire Department – $12,014.
  • New Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Department – $12,014.
  • Pennsylvania Medical Transport Inc. – $15,000.
  • Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department – $13,475.
  • Volant Volunteer Fire Company – $14,282.
  • Wampum Volunteer Fire Department – $12,426.
  • Wurtemburg-Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department – $13,457.

Butler County:

  • Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company – $14,694.
  • Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company – $12,633.
  • Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department – $13,251.
  • Portersville Muddy Creek Volunteer EMS – $15,000.
  • Portersville Muddy Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department – $13,251.
  • Prospect Volunteer Fire Department – $14,075.
  • Quality Emergency Medical Service – $15,000.
  • West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department – $14,075.

Allegheny County Health Department reminding organizations to apply for permits for fish fries

(File Photo of a Friday Fish Fry Guide Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) The Allegheny County Health Department is now reminding organizations that they need to apply for fish fry permits as the Lenten season will soon be underway on Ash Wednesday this Wednesday, February 18th. The Allegheny County Health Department has asked that permits would be submitted as soon as possible to allow for processing and inspection. Applications can be completed online by clicking here with a fee of $45 and the Allegheny County Health Department states that there is a checklist that is attached that helps organizations make sure they are using the best practices for food safety. 

Pothole Repair Efforts Underway on State-owned Roadways throughout the Southwestern Region

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: “Broken asphalt pavement resulting in a pothole, dangerous to motorists. Shot with shallow dof. ….recent addition”)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that weather permitting, pothole repair efforts are underway on state-owned roadways in the southwestern region. PennDOT crews are routinely conducting pothole repair operations to state-owned roadways when they are not providing winter services. Crews will address the roadways with higher traffic first and then as soon as possible, the secondary routes will be addressed. These repairs are considered temporary because long-lasting asphalt is not available until temperatures that are warmer occur. 

Closings to know for Presidents Day of 2026

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Sept. 11, 2002, file photo, the sun rises on Mt. Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, S.D. as the flag is flown at half staff in honor of the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the United States. President Donald Trump is planning to kick off Independence Day weekend in South Dakota with a show of patriotism _ fireworks popping, fighter jets thundering overhead and revelers crowding beneath a piece of classic Americana _ Mount Rushmore. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Today is Presidents Day, which is a federal holiday in the United States of America. This means that all banks, government offices, post offices and the stock market will be closed. Grocery stores, retail stores and restaurants are more likely to be open. 

Watch and talk ‘Stand By Me’ with its stars in Pittsburgh

BEAVER COUNTY RADIO STAFF

PITTSBURGH — Watch a special “Stand by Me” screening with three of the film’s stars, who afterward will share their favorite memories of making that classic coming-of-age movie.

“Stand By Me” co-stars Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and WIl Wheaton will appear
 live on stage March 13 at Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland, inside Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum.
“Stand By Me” co-stars Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman and Wil Wheaton (from left) will talk with fans in Pittsburgh.
As part of a small East Coast run, the three reunited will engage in an intimate, live conversation for fans of one of the most beloved films of a generation.
“Together, Corey, Jerry and Wil will revisit the summer that changed everything — on set and on screen — and also share heartfelt reflections on working with their friend and co-star, the late River Phoenix, whose iconic performance continues to resonate with audiences around the world,” a press release for “Stand by Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later,” said.
 
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are at etix.com.

Improvements to traffic signals coming to a major intersection in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Oscar Portan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-traffic-lights-7007930/)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure has been awarded a grant of $805,533 to replace and modernize traffic signals at a major intersection in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, the intersection at Fifth Avenue and Dithridge Street. This funding, is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and will support safety upgrades there. The Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Grant Program is where the grant was issued through. This initiative uses revenue generated from red light violation fines to fund road safety enhancements across Pennsylvania. The intersection that is targeted for the project has a history of several crashes over the last five years, which includes a fatal incident in 2020. Safety improvements planned for the intersection include new LED streetlighting and countdown pedestrian signals that are equipped with audible tone indicators. Engineers are also planning to install larger LED traffic light signal heads for better motorist visibility. The project also features the installation of concrete bumpouts that are designed to shorten crosswalk distances for pedestrians while slowing down vehicles as they turn. Pittsburgh officials expect to implement the technology later this year at additional high-risk corridors. The proceeds from traffic fines will also be used to fund further investments in life-saving projects.

Winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket worth just over $889,000 sold in Zelienople

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Zelienople, PA) winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 Quick Cash ticket was recently sold for yesterday’s drawing at a BP at South Main Street in Zelienople that was worth $889,273.50. It matched all five balls drawn, 7101217 and 37. According to Pennsylvania Lottery officialsanyone with a jackpot-winning Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket should either call 1-800-692-7481 or your nearest Pennsylvania Lottery office for further instructions. Over 19,300 other Cash 5 with Quick Cash tickets also won prizes in the drawing yesterday.