Latest news with #WFXP
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Energy summit coming to PA, planning for increased demand of AI technology
President Donald Trump is set to visit Pittsburgh next month for the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, organized by Senator Dave McCormick. The summit aims to bring together global leaders in energy and artificial intelligence to discuss Pennsylvania's role in powering AI technology. The state is gaining national attention for its potential to increase energy capacity to support the growing demands of AI. WQLN responds after House of Reps. votes to rescind public media funding Artificial intelligence technology requires significant energy to process and train its algorithms, which is driving the need for more data centers and infrastructure. 'To train the algorithms on this abundance of data, we need more computer power, we need more AI data centers, we need more infrastructure that can achieve that,' said Christopher Mansour, Chair of the Computer Information Science Department at Mercyhurst University. Senator Dave McCormick views the increasing energy demands as an economic development opportunity for Pennsylvania. The state offers relatively inexpensive real estate for building data centers, making it an attractive location for such developments. Todd Meyers, spokesperson for FirstEnergy Corp., highlighted Pennsylvania's advantages, stating, 'We have a supply of reliable electricity and importantly we're not really in harm's way most of the time for the really bad natural disasters.' While the technology is advancing rapidly, the necessary infrastructure, such as transmission lines and substations, takes considerable time to build. Meyers pointed out that large transformers used in substations are often custom-built overseas, with lead times extending over a year. The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit is expected to highlight the state's strategic position in the energy sector, potentially leading to increased investment and development in AI-related infrastructure. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA summer food insecurity — Local food bank aims to keep kids fed while out of school
As schools close for the summer in Northwest Pennsylvania, food insecurity becomes a pressing issue for many families. While summer is typically a time for children to enjoy a break from school, it poses challenges for parents struggling to provide meals that their children would normally receive at school. Erie County Library presents HistERIE Week as way to celebrate local history According to Feeding America's annual study 'Map the Meal Gap,' one in five children in Northwest Pennsylvania is food insecure. This statistic underscores the importance of summer feeding programs. 'It's a large number, it's a concerning number,' said Gregory Hall, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA. Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA is committed to addressing this issue by expanding its summer feeding programs. The food bank partners with schools and school districts to provide food assistance during the summer months. Gregory Hall explained, 'The way the programs work, we partner with schools, school districts in all of the counties that we serve. We work with them to get the backpacks to the kids in need in the summer and a lot of our partner schools have school food pantries as well.' St. George playground to become recreational park Food insecurity during the summer can lead to mental health problems, language and motor skill issues in young children, and academic regression. The food bank serves 11 counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania and has recently expanded its programs in Crawford, Forest, and McKean counties. Gregory Hall noted the challenges of rising grocery prices and limited access to food, stating, 'It's a two-fold problem. One is the costs and increases that we've seen over the past 5 or 6 years for grocery prices. The second we see is access. We talk about food deserts and maybe there's only one retailer in a region that folks can get food from.' Families in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Second Harvest's food help line for more information on available programs. Contact the Food Help Line at (814) 459-3663, ext. 117. Their team is able to assist in locating the nearest available program and to answer any questions they may have. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Onward and upward — 35th annual Thurston Classic takes off in Crawford Co.
The 35th Annual Thurston Classic, a free hot air balloon event, is captivating the skies over Crawford County this weekend. The event, named after a Meadville family with a rich history in ballooning, features 22 balloons flown by some of the country's most skilled pilots. PI Boat Tours offers update on Lady Kate absence 'I've been flying for 39 years and as you witnessed here, I still get excited watching these balloons fly, it's just magical,' said Alex Jonard, the Balloonmeister of the Thurston Classic. Crowds from near and far are gathering in Crawford County to witness the spectacle of the Thurston Classic. The festival has been a staple in the community since 1988, drawing large audiences to enjoy the vibrant display of balloons. Pilots convened early Friday morning to discuss weather conditions and ensure safe flights. 'It's much different than flying a fixed wing; we can't really power through things,' Jonard explained, emphasizing the importance of clear visibility and favorable wind speeds. Among the balloons is 'Tiny the Fire Dog' from Virginia, piloted by Henry Rosenbaum. 'You'll see us lay it out on the ground here now, the basket gets hooked up, and we stretch the fabric out,' Rosenbaum described the preparation process. The balloon, weighing 400 pounds due to extra fabric, offers a unique flying experience. Lake City Fire Company welcomes community for annual carnival Rosenbaum, who has been flying for over 30 years, likens the experience to a magic carpet ride, offering a 360-degree view from heights of up to 1,000 feet. The Thurston Classic continues to enchant visitors with its colorful displays and skilled pilots, maintaining its status as a beloved community event in Meadville. For more information about the event, click here. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Picking up the pieces — Community shows up to support tornado victims
A tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service has devastated a family farm in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, leaving the community rallying to assist in recovery efforts. The EF2 tornado struck the Seabury farm, causing significant damage and resulting in the loss of two horses. Volunteers from across the county and beyond have come together to help clean up and support the family in their time of need. The Seabury family took cover in their basement as the storm approached, as windows were blown out and cracks began to form on the interior walls. The aftermath revealed their farm decimated by the tornado. 'Me and my family, we worked to keep this farm running and every single day I've been out here, my whole life. It's been a real staple and to come home and see everything absolutely demolished is just really surreal,' said Nolan Seabury, son of the property owners. National Weather Service confirms EF2 tornado in Erie County Hundreds of volunteers have arrived with trucks, trailers, wood chippers, and disaster relief vehicles to assist in the cleanup efforts. They are picking up debris, cutting fallen trees, and providing essential supplies like food, water, and generators. Penelec crews have been working to repair power lines and install new utility poles to restore electricity to the area. 'In such a dark time it was really comforting and brought a lot of joy knowing my community really does have my back. We always try to be our best people, and it makes us to feel good that people are here to support us,' Nolan Seabury added. A volunteer group called 'All One' has mobilized to provide additional support, including cooking meals for workers and offering internet and electricity. They just a few of the many people doing their part. Logan Eschrich from All One Disaster Response commented, 'We also do disaster relief kits similar to the Red Cross and Salvation Army. We focus on a lot of small towns with the truck because sometimes small towns don't get looked at if there's a larger population affected.' WATCH: National Weather Service Cleveland in Erie Co. to investigate storm damage The community's response has been a beacon of hope for the Seabury family, demonstrating solidarity and support in the face of disaster. Efforts continue to restore the farm and aid the family in rebuilding their lives. The farm faces up to $100,000 in uninsured damages, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with recovery costs. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie Insurance impacted by weekend network outage, but what does that mean?
Erie Insurance is experiencing a network outage that has disrupted its systems, affecting online account access and customer care services. The outage began over the weekend and has continued, with Erie Insurance deploying all available resources to restore access as soon as possible. The company's website states that online account and customer care services are not operational for billing and coverage additions. Construction continues on Project NePTWNE water research lab at Blasco Library Christopher Mansour, Chair and Associate Professor of Cyber Security at Mercyhurst University, explained that network outages are common and sometimes require investigation to determine the cause. Mansour noted that companies like Erie Insurance, a Fortune 500 company, have extensive resources and connections, including third-party vendors, working to resolve the situation. New Aldi location approved in Millcreek Township He adds network outages can degrade business operations, affecting daily processes and customer interactions. Mansour emphasized that businesses often have plans in place to address technology-related incidents to quickly resume operations. Erie Insurance is actively working to resolve the network outage. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.