(Kyodo News via AP)
By MARI YAMAGUCHI, CHISATO TANAKA and FOSTER KLUG Associated Press
NARA, Japan (AP) — Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of Japan’s most powerful politicians, has died after being shot during a campaign speech. Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech Friday in Nara in western Japan. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital. The 67-year-old Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020. Police arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack, which shocked people in a country known as one of the world’s safest.

(File Photo of Josh Kail)

(Harrisburg, Pa.)  Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) announced the 2022-23 budget, which totals $42.8 billion, passed the House Thursday. He released the following statement on how this budget stands up for taxpayers:

“As we prepare for an incoming recession and look to alleviate financial pressures from Pennsylvania families, we must use funding wisely so we can invest in our communities without sacrificing our future. I am pleased to report there will be no new taxes and fees after we deposited $2.1 billion into the Rainy Day Fund, bringing the total to a historic $5 billion, as well as preserve $3.6 billion in the General Fund for future budgets.

“In order for Pennsylvania to be open for business, this budget will officially reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) from a job-crushing 9.99% to 8.99% this year and 0.5% each year until it reaches 4.99%. Earlier this year, the House passed my momentous legislation addressing this very issue, one which hasn’t seen a cut since 1995. Time and time again, Pennsylvania has missed out on opportunities to attract new employers due to poor policies. This measure puts us closer to where our economy needs to be.

“As a father and member of the House Education Committee, I will never stop fighting for our students so they can receive the best education this Commonwealth has to offer. This budget features historic to basic education. It also sets aside $405 million, a 45% increase, for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) so kids have better educational opportunities. The budget also addresses school safety and security; mental health; charter school regulations; early childhood education; special education; and low-performing schools, among others.

“Pennsylvanians will also see relief as this budget creates the first state child care tax credit to support working families, a one-time 70% enhancement of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program for seniors, and additional money for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist with higher energy costs and inflation. We continue to support our state’s top industry, agriculture, by adding $2 million to increase the PA State Food Purchase Program.

“This budget is responsible and forward thinking. It helps job creators, allows children to properly acquire education and protects our families. And though it is certainly not a perfect budget, I am pleased to see bipartisan support on this measure.”

(File Photo of Aaron Bernstine)

(Harrisburg, Pa.)  Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Beaver/Lawrence) today voted “no” on the state budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23. Bernstine issued the following statement regarding his negative vote.

“As Pennsylvania families struggle with record inflation and rising prices of gas and groceries, I will not support a state budget that spends 10.7% more than last year. Taxpayers deserve fiscal responsibility from Harrisburg during these difficult economic times. Unchecked government spending only paves the way for future tax hikes and more reckless borrowing.”

(File Photo)

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Shaun Tedrow, age 40, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.
According to information presented to the court during the guilty plea hearing, on May 1, 2020, Tedrow, who was on parole from a prior conviction for Indecent Assault, was found in possession of hundreds of videos and digital photographs depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, many of whom were under the age of 12 years.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for November 10, 2022. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Tedrow has been ordered by the court to remain in custody pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

(Photo of Maliyah Streit provide by Patterson Twp. Police)

(Patterson Twp., Beaver County, Pa.)  Patterson Township Police Department have located a 13-year-old white female named Maliyah Streit.  Police sent out a release early Thursday morning stating that Striet’s was last seen in the Patterson Township / Beaver Falls Area on 07/06/2022 at 9:00pm and that she was possibly endangered.

Police said late Thursday afternoon said via release that she was located and is safe.

No other information about the incident has been released.

(Photo and Story by Sandy Giordano)

(Photo and Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio)

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council issued a letter  of support to nonprofits working with youth this summer at Wednesday night’s meeting.  Summer Learning Week is July 11-15, 2022