Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier provided an update on Pennsylvania’s new Unemployment Compensation (UC) system, which went online yesterday. During the first day, more than 75,000 individuals successfully filed for more than 141,000 claim weeks totaling $59,390,550 in benefits.

“Yesterday was a historic day for Pennsylvania, and while we did have some individuals encounter issues, many individuals were able to file successfully,” said Acting Secretary Berrier. “Our team was able to rapidly identify the issues that did occur and get fixes in place within 24 hours of the launch. We’re continuing to resolve some smaller issues, but we’re in a very good place, especially compared to other states that experienced longstanding issues after their own transition to a modernized UC system. Most importantly, we are on track to get payments into the hands of unemployed Pennsylvanians soon.” 

Statistics 

As of 1:20 PM today, 123,258 individuals filed weekly claims through the new unemployment system. An additional 8,930 individuals filed new claims.

The waiting room was briefly in effect in the morning but as of 2:00 PM no wait times were reported.

“As anticipated, we experienced a surge of individuals visiting the new UC system immediately after its launch was announced,” said Acting Secretary Berrier. “The waiting room prevented the site from becoming overloaded and allowed individuals to continue filing without any breaks, which is exactly what we wanted it to do.”

Issues Identified and Statuses 

L&I staff worked overnight to put fixes in place to resolve two outstanding issues that were identified yesterday.

The default payment type for all users appeared to be set to “debit” due to data about payment preference not arriving from the Pennsylvania Treasury until after the first payment is made. Users will receive their payment through their previously selected method. Users now also have the option to change their payment method for future payments.

Some individuals experienced issues with the new Keystone ID. L&I staff worked overnight to implement system updates, which resolved Keystone ID issues for many individuals. A second update is expected soon to further resolve Keystone ID issues for claimants.

In researching reports of Keystone ID issues, L&I found that some individuals are mistakenly trying to log into the new UC system using their login for the legacy system, which used a PIN. Individuals are asked to first make sure they are using their correct Keystone ID information, which is a username and password that is used across multiple Commonwealth platforms, such as PA CareerLink®. Video guides on creating and logging in with a Keystone ID can be found here. 

One New System Check Enhancement Tracker Update 

L&I continues to investigate questions and concerns about the new UC system. One new issue was added today to the UC System Check Enhancement Tracker, which provides the public updates on issues as they are identified and resolved.

• Some PEUC claimants with existing claims are unable to file continuing weekly claims because the system is incorrectly marking their claim status as “inactive.”

Mitigation efforts are underway for this issue. The UC System Check Enhancement Tracker will continue to be updated as issues are resolved.

Filing Timeline 

The new UC system allows individuals to file anytime during the claim week, which begins at 12:00 a.m. Sunday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Unlike the legacy system, which was inaccessible during certain hours and on Saturday to allow for claims processing, the new system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Individuals can also file for the current claim week during the next eight weeks, which provides ample time to ensure all individuals are receiving the payments they are eligible to receive.

Filing by phone, also called IVR, will come online Thursday as the next phase of the transition to the new UC system. Individuals with an existing claim do not need a Keystone ID to file using IVR and will instead be asked to provide secure information such as their PIN and Social Security number.

Resources 

L&I has provided a library of resources to assist users with familiarizing themselves with the new system, including user guides for claimants and employers and topic-specific instructional videos. L&I is also offering a series of workshops, with upcoming workshops on:

• Thursday, June 10 at 6:00 PM for Claimants (English)
• Thursday, June 10 at 7:30 PM for Claimants (Spanish)

Recordings of each workshop will be uploaded to this page on www.uc.pa.gov.

Programs on the new system are Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Historic information for individuals who have filed on the Extended Benefits program will also be on the new system.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is not affected by the change to the new system.

For more information and updates on unemployment benefits programs, visit www.uc.pa.gov or follow L&I on Facebook or Twitter. 

(Beaver, Pa.) Sheldon Jeter Jr’s trial is set to begin Today in Beaver County Court before the Honorable Kim Tesla. Jury selection in the trial was completed on Wednesday morning. The trial is expected to take several weeks. The sole focus of the trial is on the murder of Jeter’s friend and roommate Tyric Pugh. The pair lived together with others on Orchard St. in Aliquippa.

The jury will decide if Jeter is guilty of killing his childhood friend in Aliquippa on May 15, 2020. Investigators say that Jeter’s trial will focus on that day when Pugh was found dead lying on Kiehl Street in Aliquippa after being shot multiple times. Investigators found seven spent .380 shell casings lying on the road around Pugh’s body and surveillance video showed a vehicle they believe belonged to Jeter.

Investigators say when they went to Jeter’s home, they found a weapon matching the shell casings found at the crime scene. Jeter’s attorney has denied that Jeter has any involvement in the case.
The trial is expected to last for many weeks according to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier.

By SETH BORENSTEIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Reporters traveling to the United Kingdom ahead of President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip were delayed seven hours after their chartered plane was overrun by cicadas. The Washington, D.C., area is among the many parts of the country confronting the swarm of Brood X, a large emergence of the loud 17-year insects that take to dive-bombing onto moving vehicles and unsuspecting passersby. Weather and crew rest issues also contributed to the flight delay. Even Biden wasn’t spared. The president brushed a cicada from his shoulder as he chatted up his traveling press corps before he boarded Air Force One for the flight to Europe.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier reported this Wednesday morning  that Sheldon Jeter Jr’s murder trial will begin Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Beaver County Court  before the Honorable  Kim Tesla. Jury selection in the trial was completed on Wednesday morning. The trial is expected to take several weeks. The sole focus of the trial is on the murder of Tyric Pugh, who lived with Jeter and others on Orchard St. in Aliquippa.

Jeter is accused of killing his childhood friend Tyric Pugh in Aliquippa on May 15, 2020 of 2020.  Investigators say that Jeter’s trial will focus on May 15, 2020 when Pugh was found dead lying on Kiehl Street in Aliquippa after being shot multiple times. Investigators found seven spent .380 shell casings lying on the road around Pugh’s body and surveillance video showed a vehicle they believe belonged to Jeter.

Investigators say when they went to Jeter’s home, they found a weapon matching the shell casings found at the crime scene. Jeter’s attorney has denied that Jeter has any involvement in the case.

(Photo taken by Beaver County Radio’s Matt Drzik)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano and Frank Sparks, Program/News Director

(Beaver, Pa.) A Beaver resident called Beaver County Radio Wednesday morning to inform us of Police activity with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Beaver County ECU Unit on Turnpike Street in Beaver on Wednesday morning. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano spoke with Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier on Wednesday Morning  and he said  that there is no comment on this morning’s drug raid  by the ESU at a rental  property located at 455  Turnpike Street.  According to unconfirmed information obtained by Beaver County Radio the tenant of the property and not the owner was involved in the raid.

The caller to Beaver County Radio Wednesday stated that this residence has been a problem for over a year and they have been working with law enforcement to resolve the drug issues in their neighborhood involving the tenant. The caller also stated that officers raided another location in Butler this morning that is connected to this incident. He said “Hopefully now our neighborhood can get back to Normal”

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio as this story continues to develop.

(Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Curtis Walsh)

(Beaver Falls, PA)  The Beaver Falls City Council met last night and had multiple items on the agenda.  One item in particular was the announcement of a historical marker to be placed in Beaver Falls.  The state chose Beaver Falls as one of the places to receive a Historical Marker to pay respect to Chinese Americans that came to the city to work during the 1800s.  The Marker is set to be placed near Keystone Profile sometime in September and more details will be available soon. The Council approved a second reading to enter into an agreement with the Housing Alliance of PA as well as approve a list of general fund expenditures totaling $231,645.16.  Also on the agenda was the appointment of Neal Mcdowell to the Beaver Falls Board of Recreation and the hiring of Chayme Chunchick as probationary officer.  Recommended by the safety committee, council also approved a closure of 7th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue on the 18th from 5pm to 10 pm for a bike night.

Beaver County District Attorney David J. Lozier reported a short time ago that there is no comment on this morning’s drug raid  by the ESU at a rental  property located at 455 Turnpike Street. According to an unconfirmed report the renter was involved in the bust, not the owner of the property.

Ambridge Mayor Dave Drenowski announced at last night’s meeting that PNC Bank has closed and its employees have been furloughed. He informed  council he made every effort  to keep the bank in the borough.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) PA State Police at the Rivers Casino are reporting that an unknown male suspect dropped his wallet without knowing while leaving a slot machine on Sunday June 06, 2021 around 5:40 PM.

Troopers say via release that a patron found the wallet at the slot machine and turned it into Rivers Casino Security. Security stated that when they check the wallet for ID they located a small baggie of suspected Crystal Meth. Security contacted Rivers Surveillance and video showed the suspect dropping his wallet when he exited the machine. Surveillance stated in the release that the suspect was exiting the parking garage via the rear entrance as a passenger in a vehicle. Troopers made contact with unidentified suspect who stated that the wallet was his and the baggies was indeed crystal meth. but he was holding it “For a Friend”. The unidentified male suspect was taken into custody and issued a lifetime ban from the casino and was escorted off the property. Charges are pending waiting for lab results.