Former Vice President Joe Biden says he never meant for the hugs and shoulder squeezes he has long doled out to women to cause them any discomfort. A Nevada Democrat named Lucy Flores says she felt uncomfortable in 2014 when she received a kiss on the back of her head from Biden, who’s considering whether to enter the 2020 Democratic presidential race. Democratic strategist Maria Cardona says Biden “has to acknowledge that his behavior made some women uncomfortable.”

A White House official turned whistleblower says dozens of people in President Donald Trump’s administration were granted access to classified information despite “disqualifying issues” in their backgrounds. That includes concerns about foreign influence, drug use and criminal conduct. The official, Tricia Newbold, says she compiled a list of at least 25 White House officials who were initially denied security clearances because of their backgrounds. But Trump aides intervened.

Pennsylvania officials are scheduled to release a report on how child welfare agencies handled the case of a teenager who endured years of abuse before her 2016 rape and murder. Sara Packer was sentenced to life without parole for plotting the death of her adoptive daughter, 14-year-old Grace Packer. Sara Packer’s boyfriend, who raped and strangled Grace, got the death penalty. Grace was abused in the years leading up to her murder, but officials allowed her to remain in Sara Packer’s home.

IT WAS WOMEN’S RECOGNITION DAY AT CAREER LINK AT THE BEAVER VALLEY MALL ON FRIDAY. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO WAS THERE. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

:

VIETNAM VETERANS WERE HONORED AT THE PITTSBURGH COMMISSARY IN MOON TOWNSHIP ON FRIDAY. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO WAS THERE. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

 Civil-liberties and immigrant-rights organizations say the new Pennsylvania State Police immigration-enforcement policy blurs the line between state police and federal immigration authorities. Andrea Sears reports…

The “lobbyist room” at the back of Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives chamber is now closed. For decades, lobbyists could sit in chairs, watch floor proceedings on TV, print out copies of bills and send messages to lawmakers in the chamber through House pages. It was, perhaps, a vestige of a clubbier time decades ago when lobbyists are said to have mingled with lawmakers during voting sessions. The House’s chief administrative official says he decided it isn’t appropriate.

Lincoln Park and the Midland community will sponsor a celebratory parade and ceremony today honoring the Lincoln Park Leopards boys basketball team for winning the PIAA 3A Championship on March 23 in Hershey. At 1:00 this afternoon, the celebration will begin with a parade immediately followed by a ceremony in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School gymnasium. The parade will begin at the far end of town and end in front of the Lincoln Park main building. Immediately following the parade, attendees are invited to enter the gym where the team will be recognized by key members of the community and government — a longstanding tradition for state championship teams across Pennsylvania. Again….this will take place on Midland Avenue for the parade – from First Street by the playground to the front of the main Lincoln Park building. A ceremony will immediately follow in the gymnasium. The community is invited to attend the event and celebrate the Lincoln Park Leopards.

AN ALIQUIPPA MAN FACES A HEARING ON DRUG CHARGES TODAY. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS MORE. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…