(A man shops at a supermarket on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in New York. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by a hefty three-quarters of a point for a second straight time in its most aggressive drive in three decades to tame high inflation. The Fed is tightening credit even while the economy has begun to slow, thereby heightening the risk that its rate hikes will cause a recession later this year or next. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — After going backward from January through March, the U.S. economy probably didn’t do much better in the spring. On Thursday, the government will reveal just how weak economic growth was in the April-June quarter — and perhaps offer clues about whether a recession may be approaching. The report comes at a critical time: On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a sizable three-quarters of a point for a second straight time in its push to conquer the worst inflation outbreak in four decades. The Fed is aiming for a notoriously difficult “soft landing”: A slowdown that manages to rein in rocketing prices without triggering a recession.

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer
JetBlue has agreed to buy Spirit Airlines in a $3.8 billion deal, a day after Spirit and Frontier Airlines agreed to abandon their merger proposal. JetBlue will acquire Spirit for $33.50 per share in cash, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash payable once Spirit stockholders approve the transaction. There’s also a ticking fee of 10 cents per month starting in January 2023 through closing.

(File Photo of Aliquippa Municipal Building taken by Mark Peterson)

Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News
(Aliquippa, Pa.) The City of Aliquippa Council met for a work session on Wednesday night and approved a grant for $275,000.00 for road improvements. The application for the funding was submitted to the county in March and approved by the county commissioners and CDBG. .

(File Photo)
By COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press
DENVER (AP) — A wealthy dentist accused of shooting and killing his wife in their cabin at the end of an African safari trip has denied that he killed her. Larry Rudolph took the stand Wednesday at his murder trial in Denver federal court. He said an unfamiliar shotgun they brought with them accidentally went off, wounding Bianca Rudolph as she packed in a hurry to leave and return home. Prosecutors allege Rudolph killed his wife of 34 years to be with his girlfriend. But Rudolph testified that he and his wife had an open marriage and he didn’t face pressure to leave his wife.

(File Photo of State House in Harrisburg, Pa.)
By BROOKE SCHULTZ Associated Press/Report for America
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Four Pennsylvania universities say they will follow through with tuition increases despite calls from House Republicans to roll back the price hikes. The lawmakers, including Sen. Doug Mastriano, the GOP nominee for governor, argue Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln and Temple are receiving federal funds and do not need to increase tuition. The universities did not receive a bump in funding in this year’s state budget. Instead, through one-time federal funds, the universities will split about $30 million. Three of the universities’ spokespeople said Wednesday the one-time funds will likely go toward college affordability.

(File Photo)
MONONGAHELA, Pa. (AP) — State police say an armed man shot and killed by a western Pennsylvania police officer over the weekend had fired at a home where a gathering was taking place. A state police spokesperson told the (Washington) Observer-Reporter that 29-year-old Cody Bennett had been kicked out of the Monongahela gathering and returned with a gun, firing into the air and toward the house. Monongahela police were called shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday and state police said Bennett fired at and hit a police cruiser, and he was later shot by a city police officer. He was pronounced dead about an hour later at a hospital. State police are investigating.

(AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Leave It to Beaver” actor Tony Dow has died. Agent Frank Bilotta says Dow died Wednesday at age 77. As Wally Cleaver on the beloved sitcom that ran on CBS and ABC from 1957 to 1963, Dow helped create the popular and lasting image of the 20th century American teenager. Wally was the just-a-little-wiser big brother of “Beaver” Cleaver, played by Jerry Mathers. Dow would revive the role of Wally in a 1980s sequel series and also worked as a television director. Dow announced in May that he had been diagnosed with prostate and gall bladder cancer. Bilotta, who represented Dow in his work as a sculptor, confirmed his death in an email to The Associated Press.

(File Photo)

(Slippery Rock Twp., Lawrence County Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that they were called to the Sheetz on Route 422 in Slippery Rock Twp., Lawrence County around 11:35 PM last night for a report of some stealing from the store.
Upon arriving and investigating is was determined that 31-year-old Kathleen Minerd of New Castle stole several food and drink items from the store values at $21.52.
She is being charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct.
Minerd was then taken to the Lawrence County Jail and charges will proceed through the local magistrates office.

(Center Twp., Butler County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler reported via release that a 19-year-old man is accusing his great uncle of sexually abusing him when he was 9 years old and lasting for for about a five-year period until he was 14.
Troopers said in the release that , Perry Malacaman a retired Catholic Priest allegedly assaulted the victim approximately 10 years ago in Center Township, Butler County.
Malacaman who would of been between the age of 74 and 79 during the assaults is currently a resident of Beckley, West Virginia, and a retired Catholic priest of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Parish in Beckley.
He is facing criminal charges including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of a minor, and indecent assault as Troopers continue to investigate.

(​Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane restrictions on Route 68 in Industry Borough, Beaver County, will occur today and Friday, July 28-29 weather permitting.