00:00Most low-income Pennsylvanians who qualify for utility discounts are not getting them.
00:06NewsRadio KDKA's Tamira Rush explains why in the newsroom.
00:10Paul, only about one in four eligible Pennsylvania customers receive utility bill assistance between 2014 and 2024.
00:17The programs can lower monthly bills and help customers avoid shutoffs.
00:21A new data-sharing system could make it easier to identify people who qualify.
00:27Consumer advocates in some utilities when eligible customers automatically enrolled, but the PUC has not approved that approach.
00:36The dispute is over whether customers' existing consent to share income information can also be used to enroll them automatically.
00:44In the newsroom, Tamira Rush News Radio, KDKA.
00:47One person died in a house fire late last night in Penn Hills.
00:50It was reported around 11.20 p.m. in the 400 block of Wilson Drive.
00:55Fire crews say the home was fully involved when they arrived and were not aware someone was inside until a
01:01neighbor told them.
01:02The body was found as firefighters were putting out hotspots.
01:05The house was destroyed.
01:07The fire marshal is investigating what started that fire.
01:10Three people were injured in a crash last night in Forest Hills.
01:13A motorcycle and a Nissan sedan collided around 8.45 p.m. at the intersection of Artmore Boulevard and Fillmore
01:19Road.
01:20A man on the motorcycle was taken to a hospital with critical injuries and the driver and a passenger in
01:25the sedan were in stable condition.
01:27Detectives say it appears the motorcycle hit the Nissan as it was making a left turn onto Fillmore.
01:33The city controller repeated on Tuesday a warning about Pittsburgh's financial condition.
01:38Speaking to the economic club, Rachel Heisler described it as delicate with little room for error.
01:43The city's budget deficit in 2025 was more than $44 million and Heisler expects a deficit of $25 to $30
01:51million this year.
01:52But she also told KDKA-TV there's a bright spot.
01:56Voluntary payments from non-profits like UPMC and Highmark.
02:00Last year, the number that these non-profit partners provided to the city in the form of voluntary payments was
02:06zero.
02:07So this is a big improvement over where we were last year and will go a long way in, you
02:13know, addressing these costs.
02:14Heisler credited the O'Connor administration for reopening the budget and the 2027 budget is expected to be released next
02:21week.
02:22Allegheny County Council approved a motion last night to give its solicitor a say in any solution for fixing the
02:28county's ailing pension fund.
02:29A judge gave the county a year to find a way to shrink the fund's $1.4 billion shortfall.
02:35Council President Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis wants council itself to have a voice in the matter.
02:41I have shared with council members also that another step that we will be taking is I will be putting
02:46together a special committee specifically to address pension to work with our solicitor in this regard.
02:53In other business, County Council declared September 25th Dolly Parton Day.
02:58They're honoring her on 9 to 5 in recognition of its song and movie 9 to 5.
03:03Well, it's not often a grocery store sale is in the news, but a Giant Eagle release about its 95th
03:08anniversary qualifies.
03:10Now, the chain is offering deep discounts on 50 items.
03:13Tomorrow through next Wednesday, the products will sell for 95 cents each.
03:17They include Sugardale bacon, Giant Eagle shredded cheese and certain Coca-Cola products.
03:22KDKA Sports, Jared Jones retired the first 16 batters with 9 strikeouts over 7 innings in a 2-0 Pirates
03:29win over the Cardinals last night.
03:31Detroit over the Penguins 7-4, dropping Pittsburgh's preseason record to 1-1.
03:36Up next, the Blue Jackets on Thursday at Columbus.
03:39Congratulations.
03:39Well, let's see you next week.
