Good morning! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Pennsylvania. For questions about the state report, contact the Harrisburg Bureau at 717-238-9413.
A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date.
UPCOMING:
SUPREME COURT-BIRTH CONTROL
WASHINGTON - Supreme Court justices are weighing whether corporations have religious rights that exempt them from part of the new health care law that requires coverage of birth control for employees at no extra charge. The case being argued at the Supreme Court on Tuesday involves family-owned companies that provide health insurance to their employees, but object to covering certain methods of birth control that they say can work after conception, in violation of their religious beliefs. By Mark Sherman. SENT: About 530 words.
VATICAN-US-POPE
VATICAN CITY - Where should Pope Francis visit next year? The USA, of course, where the pope’s “message needs to be heard” during a massive church celebration of the family in Philadelphia, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter made their pitch to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, whose Pontifical Council for the Family is helping organize the Sept. 22-27 meeting. By Nicole Winfield. SENT: About 320 words.
WINTRY WEATHER
BOSTON - As the East Coast shivers through an unusually cold early spring, parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England are bracing for a nor’easter that could bring additional snow. The National Weather Service says a powerful low pressure system will develop off the Mid-Atlantic coast Tuesday night. Where and how much snow falls will depend on the storm’s track, according to the weather service. But, cold temperatures and windy conditions will cover the Mid-Atlantic states north into New England.
HUNTING VIOLATIONS-SELF-INCRIMINATION
HARRISBURG - A Pennsylvania appeals court has voided the conviction of a man for violating a state law that requires people to answer truthfully when a game warden asks them about a dead animal. The defendant had argued the law was a violation of his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. By Mark Scolforo.
CARNEGIE HEROES
PITTSBURGH - The Carnegie Hero Foundation announces the 22 latest recipients of its award for heroism, founded by Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. UPCOMING: About 350 words by 3 p.m., though members are asked to HFR until 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
With:
-BC-PA—Carnegie Heroes-List.
SKIDDING 76ERS
SAN ANTONIO - Brett Brown and the young Philadelphia 76ers are closing in on some dubious NBA history. Austin Daye had 22 points, Tim Duncan added 19 and the San Antonio Spurs earned their 14th straight win with a 113-91 victory Monday night that sent the 76ers to their 25th consecutive loss. Philadelphia will face Houston on Thursday with the distinction of being a loss shy of tying the NBA single-season record for consecutive losses set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010-11. By Raul Dominguez.
AP Photos.
AP MEMBERS:
MEMBER EXCHANGE-HOSPITAL CUDDLERS
PITTSBURGH - Sister Mary Kay Hammond will never know the name of the tiny, swaddled baby boy she recently cradled against her chest at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield. She knew nothing about his parents, why he was hospitalized, where he will live or when he could go home. The only thing she knew was that the blond infant was alone in his crib and crying. “His name doesn’t matter, not one iota,” said Hammond, one of 15 volunteers with West Penn’s Baby Cuddler Program. “The only thing that matters is that I hold him and make him feel better. “Hey there, pumpkin,” she said softly to the squirming boy. “Is this better?” The child settled against her chest and fell asleep. Baby cuddling programs here and elsewhere are more than just cute photo ops for hospitals and retirees. They help cure sick babies, many of whom are born addicted to drugs and require lengthy hospital stays, hospital officials said. Chris Togneri, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
MEMBER EXCHANGE-STRANDED TRAVELERS
HAZLETON - Two travelers stranded in a strange town found answered prayers and love in Greater Hazleton during an exhaustive journey. Linda Salisburg and Stephen Bell, from Conway, N.H., trying to move to warmer weather in Florida, found nothing but numerous breakdowns due to a faulty fuse in their RV. In Connecticut, their disabled vehicle cost them money they saved - $1,300 for a tow truck and then money to repair it. And then it broke down and left them stranded in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Hazle Township. Unable to pay for repairs and unable to receive assistance because they are not residents, Bell and Salisburg and their two canine pals were stranded for weeks but found comfort at the hands of strangers. Amanda Christman, The (Hazleton) Standard-Speaker.
IN BRIEF:
APIRING TEACHER KILLED, BODIES IN PARK, HOMELESS MAN KILLED, INMATE DEATH, FIVE SHOT IN BAR, PLAYING ARMY-SHOOTING, ELDERLY MAN BOUND, HOME INVASION ROBBERY-SHOOTING, CHILD DIES IN SHOOTING, ASBESTOS-ESTATE THEFT CHARGES.
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MARKETPLACE: Calling your attention to the Marketplace in AP Exchange, where you can find member-contributed content from Pennsylvania and other states. The Marketplace is accessible on the left navigational pane of the AP Exchange home page, near the bottom. For both national and state, you can click “All” or search for content by topics such as education, politics and business.
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