(File Photo)

(Butler County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Butler are reporting that 11th District Pa State Representative Candidate Jennifer Steels reported to them on May 1, 2022 that someone has been stealing her campaign signs around Butler County. The signs that have been stolen are valued at $240.00. State Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at the Butler Barracks at 724-284-8100.

(File Photo of Congressman Conor Lambs official photo)

(WASHINGTON (AP) )— President Joe Biden says the “basic fairness and the stability of our law demand” that the U.S. Supreme Court not overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. In a statement Tuesday, Biden said he would work to legislate the right to abortion into federal law. Politico released a draft opinion that suggested the court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case. A decision to overrule Roe would lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states and could have huge ramifications for this year’s elections. It’s unclear if the draft represents the court’s final word on the matter — opinions often change in the drafting process.

Locally here in Beaver County United States Representative Conor Lamb from the 17th District issued a statement giving his thoughts on the situation. Lamb said in a release that  “The draft Supreme Court opinion, which restricts women’s access to safe, legal abortion services, is outrageous.  I cosponsored and voted for H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act in the House, and the Senate must pass this legislation immediately to preserve these rights.”

BALTIMORE (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $40 million to help restore the Chesapeake Bay. The funding announced Monday comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It also will be used to promote environmental justice and counter climate change. It is part of $238 million targeted for the region over five years under the infrastructure law. EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe says the funding will help support ready-to-go projects throughout the 64,000-square-mile watershed. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Stewardship Fund will administer $25 million. The other $15 million will be distributed under the Most Effective Basins program to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Delaware, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
By JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is known for keeping secrets. Year after year, in major case after major case, there’s little beyond what the justices say during oral arguments that suggests how they will rule. That’s what makes the leak of an apparent draft of an opinion in a major abortion case a shock to court watchers. The draft published by Politico says that a majority of the court is prepared to overrule the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. There have been leaks before, but not of such magnitude. Only a handful of people have access to decisions before they’re published.

(Lifang Vision Technology via AP)
By PETER SMITH Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The caretakers of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh have big plans to transform the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. They announced plans on Tuesday for a center that will combat antisemitism and other forms of hate. The synagogue has been closed since Oct. 27, 2018. That’s when a gunman killed 11 worshippers from three congregations. The restoration project is being developed by architect Daniel Libeskind, who also oversaw planning for redevelopment of the World Trade Center site after 9/11. The Tree of Life plans include a restored sanctuary and new space for a memorial to the victims and a museum.

(File Photo)

(Greene Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver reported today that they took a report of a brown or burgundy truck with a white box on the back of it striking a mailbox on April 14, 2022 at 7:30 AM along US Route 30 in Greene Township, Beaver County.
The incident occurred in the area of Verobed Road. Troopers said that the witness stated that the truck didn’t have any identifiable markings that could be determined. They are asking anyone with any information about the incident to contact them at 724-773-7400.

(New Brighton, Pa.) The Beaver County Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association has announced that the New Brighton Farmers’ Market will open for the season on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The open air Market will again be located to the area adjacent to Diamond Milling at 313 Fifth Avenue. The Market will be open from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM every Tuesday through November 15, 2022
The Market will feature freshly picked vegetables and fruits and also plants for your home garden or landscaping needs. Everything is grown and sold by local Beaver County growers who appreciate your support to buy local.

Keystone State News Connection

May 3, 2022

Emily Scott

Pennsylvania stands ready to implement a new Biden administration federal rule on ghost-gun regulations at the state level.

Ghost guns are unserialized firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home, making them untraceable. The Biden regulation will ensure partially manufactured frames and receivers require a background check at the point of sale, along with requiring dealers and gunsmiths in the state to serialize and inventory any unregistered firearms coming into their businesses.

Gov. Tom Wolf said ghost guns are fueling the gun-violence crisis in Pennsylvania.

“The numbers don’t lie,” Wolf asserted. “Ghost guns are being seized and recovered from crime scenes at an alarming rate. Combined, the Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police have recorded 147 seizures of ghost guns already this year.”

The federal regulation will take effect 120 days from April 26, the date it was published in the
Federal Register. Gun deaths in the United States hit an all-time high in 2020, with more than 45,000 people killed from firearm-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Michael Muldrow, police commissioner of York, said they have already confiscated 10 ghost guns in the first four months of the year. He added ghost guns have made it more challenging to solve violent crimes and hold those responsible accountable.

“Gun violence is the number one threat our communities are facing throughout this county, across this state and around this country,” Muldrow stated. “And the one thing I hope we can all agree on, no matter what side of the line you may fall, is doing the things that we need to do to stop the flow of illegal guns into our neighborhoods.”

In 2019, Pennsylvania began classifying “80% receivers,” mostly-assembled frames often used to make ghost guns, as firearms, requiring a serial number and background check to purchase.

Keystone State News Connection

May 3, 2022

Emily Scott

Federal enforcement of REAL ID for commercial domestic air travel and other purposes will start one year from today, and Pennsylvania officials are advising residents to make a plan and get their necessary documents ready as soon as possible.

REAL ID is a federal law affecting how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.

Keith Brune, chief operating officer of Philadelphia International Airport, said it’s important to think ahead now for future travel plans in 2023, when you’ll be required to have either a passport or REAL ID to fly.

“We would encourage you to start the process for REAL ID sooner rather than later to beat that last-minute rush, which we’re sure is going to happen,” Brune urged. “It’s been a really long time since a lot of people have traveled, and we don’t want anybody showing up and end up being turned away.”

To date, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has issued approximately 1.6 million REAL ID products. Residents can order their REAL ID online if they have been pre-verified. Residents need to show their birth certificate or U.S. passport, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of current Pennsylvania address, and proof of all legal name changes.

It is not required for Pennsylvania residents to obtain a REAL ID and PennDOT continues to offer
standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs.

Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Pennsylvania and Delaware, said as you’re making summer 2022 travel plans, make REAL ID considerations a part of it.

“As your driver’s license comes up for renewal, make that decision as to whether or not you enjoy the convenience of domestic air travel using your driver’s license as that form of identification,” Tidwell advised. “We don’t want to see anybody’s trip ruined.”

Other options for obtaining a REAL ID include visiting any PennDOT center open for driver’s license services, or visiting one of the 13 REAL ID Centers in the state.