Category: News

Savannah Guthrie makes offscreen visit to NBC’s “Today” show for the first time since her mother went missing

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Savannah Guthrie visits the Today show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Savannah Guthrie made an off-camera appearance Thursday at NBC’s “Today” show studios to thank colleagues for their support since her mother Nancy went missing from her Arizona home a month ago.

The “Today” show said Guthrie, a longtime co-host of the morning news program, plans to return to the air at some point but “remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home outside Tucson on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities believe the 84-year-old was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will.

The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of their mother, but solid information in the case has been hard to come by.

Savannah Guthrie has been a co-anchor of the venerable NBC morning show since 2012. One of her former colleagues, Hoda Kotb, has returned to “Today” to fill in while Guthrie has concentrated on finding her mother.

Former Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin gets a new job as a senior assistant with the Arizona Cardinals

(Caption and Credit for Photo: Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin laughs with the media before mandatory mini-camp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Lucy Schaly/Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Glendale, AZ) A source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler today that former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is joining the staff of the Arizona Cardinals as a senior assistant. Austin was the defensive coordinator of the Steelers for four seasons and he was the last assistant from the staff of former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to find a new job. Patrick Graham, who was previously the defensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders, replaced Austin as the defensive coordinator for the Steelers.

Lifesteps Announces Open Registration for Fall Preschool (PA Pre-K Counts) in Armstrong, Beaver, & Butler Counties

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Lifesteps)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Butler, PA) According to a release in Butler today from Lifesteps, it is now accepting registrations for the 2026-2027 PA Pre-K Counts program, serving qualified families in Armstrong, Beaver, and Butler Counties. Preparing children for kindergarten by supporting their academic, emotional and social development in a nurturing learning environment is what this high-quality preschool program is designed to do. Pre-K Counts is a program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that provides children that are turning three or four years old by their district’s kindergarten cut-off date access to structured, play-based learning that is led
by certified teachers. Lifesteps classrooms focuses on confidence-building, early literacy, math readiness and social skills so it can help children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. You can visit the Lifesteps webiste by clicking here for details regarding eligibility and information about application. According to that same release from Lifesteps, families that are enrolled in Lifesteps’ Pre-K Counts program benefit from:

  • Families enrolled in Lifesteps Pre-K Counts program benefit from
  • Certified teachers
  • Evidence-based curriculum and assessment
  • Small class size options
  • Family engagement and support services
  • Safe, inclusive, welcoming learning environments
  • Half-day (3 hours) and Full-day (5.5 hours) options
  • Daily meal and/or snack included

Enrollment is open to families that are income-eligible, but space is limited, so apply early to secure placement for the 2026-2027 school year.

Highland Middle School Kids of STEEL Program to Receive Grant Support from P3R

(File Photo of the Blackhawk School District Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) Highland Middle School in the Blackhawk School District will welcome Maria DeCello of P3R and the Kids of STEEL program on March 12th, 2026, during the team’s regularly scheduled practice as the school receives grant funding to support its growing youth running program. The Highland Middle School Kids of STEEL program prepares student-athletes and their families to participate in events that are associated with the Pittsburgh Marathon that takes place each spring. Students train together while building lifelong habits centered on goal setting, physical activity, and teamwork through the program. DeCello will present grant funding from P3R to support the continued growth and success of the Highland Middle School program. The funding will help provide resources that ensure more students and families can participate in training and upcoming race events during the practice on March 12th, 2026.

Allegheny Health Network’s Cardiovascular Institute Opens Clinic Dedicated to Congenital Heart Disease in Adult Patient Populations

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, (AHN), AHN Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh announced the launch today of its comprehensive Adult Congenital Heart Center, which is a regional resource for patients with abnormal heart chamber structures, holes in the heart, malformed valves and other heart defects. This center is led by Allegheny Health Network’s Nael Aldweib, MD, who is a board-certified cardiologist that specializes in congenital heart disease and heart failure. Up to 2.4 million Americans have some form of congenital heart disease (CHD), and that number continues to grow, according to the American Heart Association. 

Andrew McCutchen, 39, and the Texas Rangers make agreement for his minor league contract

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sept. 6, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)

(AP) The Texas Rangers and outfielder Andrew McCutchen agreed to a minor league contract.

As part of the deal announced Friday, the 39-year-old would make $1.5 million this season while playing in the major leagues if he’s added to the 40-man roster.

McCutchen has three weeks of spring training to show the Rangers he’s worth a spot. They’re well-positioned in the outfield with rising standouts Wyatt Langford in left field and Evan Carter in center field and veteran newcomer Brandon Nimmo in right field.

Still, Carter was limited by injuries to 63 games in 2025, so depth is a concern that McCutchen could help alleviate. His right-handed bat could also serve as a natural complement at the designated hitter spot, where left-handed hitter Joc Pederson is slated for the bulk of the playing time.

McCutchen played the last three seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club that drafted him in the first round in 2005 and promoted him in 2009 for his major league debut. McCutchen played his first nine years in MLB with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams and winning the 2013 National League MVP award while becoming one of the most popular players in that franchise’s history.

McCutchen bounced around with four other teams between 2018 and 2022, before reuniting with the Pirates. He played in 135 games last season, with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .700 OPS. When the Pirates reported to spring training last month, general manager Ben Cherington publicly kept the door open to bringing back McCutchen, but the signing of veteran Marcell Ozuna effectively eliminated a spot on their roster for him.

“No matter what, Andrew’s a Pirate and certainly our desire will be to continue to have a really strong relationship with him into the future, whatever that looks like,” Cherington said then.

Penn State fires women’s basketball coach Carolyn Kieger after seven seasons

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Penn State head coach Carolyn Kieger directs her team against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Columbia, S.C., Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(State College, PA) Penn State fired their women’s basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger yesterday after seven seasons. Kieger finished with an 84-123 record. The Lady Lions had an 11-18 record this season with a 4-14 record in Big Ten play and did not make the 14-team field for the Big Ten conference tournament. According to Penn State, it will conduct a national search for its next coach. 

Leadership Beaver County Applications Now Open

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to a recent release from the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, applications are open now for Leadership Beaver County.

Click here to find more information about applying for this opportunity and to apply.

Leadership Beaver County is a cohort-based program that has a maximum of twenty participants which is designed for existing and emerging leaders whose primary residence or professional work is in Beaver County with sessions being held at various locations throughout Beaver County. Each of its cohorts meets from September through May, from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. and it is usually on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

AAA Gas Price Update: Prices Continue Upward

(File Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell,  Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to AAA, today’s national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.32, which is 34 cents more than Monday and 42 cents higher than a month ago. Today’s national average is the highest since September of 2024. Some tips that AAA recommends for Pennsylvanians and beyond to improve vehicle gas mileage can be found below, according to a release from AAA East Central in Pittsburgh:

The Daily Drive

  • Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
  • Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible.
  • Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle.
  • Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
  • Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, let off the gas early and allow the vehicle to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
  • Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
  • Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell by cliking here.

Ownership, Maintenance, and Repairs

  • Keep tires properly inflated. Under inflated tires reduce fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
  • Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
  • Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility by clicking here as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.