UNDATED (AP) — A Philadelphia city commission says it’s investigating an event last month at which Muslim children were captured on video speaking in Arabic about beheadings and the liberation of one of Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy sites. The Commission on Human Relations confirmed Monday that it’s launched a probe into the event at the Muslim American Society’s Philadelphia chapter. The video uploaded to the chapter’s Facebook page shows two girls reading from a prepared text.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Democratic state lawmaker is drawing criticism for filming himself berating a woman demonstrator outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, calling her an “old white lady” and her protest “grotesque.” State Rep. Brian Sims posted the eight-minute-plus video on social media. It shows him peppering the woman with questions and criticism. In response the woman says little but takes out her rosary and clutches it. A Pennsylvania Republican leader is calling for the lawmaker to apologize.

A rally is planned today at the State Capitol to advocate for raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products. It’s expected around 650 members of the Tobacco 21 Movement will be in attendance asking lawmakers to raise the sales age to 21 from 18. It’s reported 12 other states have already made this change.

Four law enforcement members are being remembered in Harrisburg. The Fraternal Order of Police held a ceremony Monday at the Forum in Harrisburg for Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher Hill, York police officer Alex Sable, Philly Officer Raymond Diaz, and Sergeant Brian Cuscino from New Castle. Each died last year while on duty in Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Wolf and other top state officials were in attendance for the ceremony.

Drivers planning to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike this summer should be aware of a road work project starting this week. The turnpike will have lane restrictions in both directions between the Gateway and Cranberry interchanges starting at 8 p.m. The restrictions are expected to last until 6 a.m. and continue Monday through Friday. Work will take place Saturday nights if a make-up day is needed. This project is expected to continue through November.

Hundreds of nuclear power and construction trade workers rallied at the state capitol Monday in support of legislation that would help to prevent the premature and permanent closure of Pennsylvania’s nuclear power generation plants. The bill would update the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to recognize nuclear energy for its significant contribution to the state’s zero-carbon energy production, help control future electricity costs for consumers and ensure that existingnuclear power plants remain a viable source for Pennsylvania’s base load electricity supply. Cosponsor of the bill Rep. Dave Millard (R-Columbia), addressed workers at the event…

ccording to police in Irwin, Westmoreland County, what started as crystal ball readings and cleansing candles escalated to credit card fraud. 25-year-old Alexis Mitchell is facing multiple charges after police said she convinced an Irwin woman to sign up for a credit card, only to use the card herself to buy nearly $3,300 worth of furniture. According to court documents, the victim went to Mitchell in March after finding her online working under the name “Psychic Novena Saint.” The woman spent hundreds on a crystal ball reading, spiritual kit and cleansing candles, but Mitchell allegedly told the woman she needed to spend $3,800 to rid all her household possessions of evil spirits. Mitchell is facing multiple felony charges along with a misdemeanor charge of fortune telling.

A former Rochester man has pleaded guilty to creating and distributing child pornography. The Department of Justice announced Monday that 25-year-old Randolph Guy Gum pleaded guilty to three counts. Officials say in 2014, Gum either employed, used, persuaded, induced, entice or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct so he could photograph and film the minor. Gum then knowingly distributed the photos and videos over the internet in 2015.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29.