HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers in Pennsylvania say they are angry that millions of dollars to expand adult mental health services got cut out of state spending legislation, and are pushing to get it included now that the legislation is held up in a month-old partisan stalemate. The fight over the money comes as schools and counties report spikes in demand for mental health services on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, and say they don’t have the resources to support those in need. Funds for adults were left on the cutting room floor in a budget bill that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro says he will sign. The Senate Republican-authored budget bill instead pushed those dollars to student mental health. Democrats say that both should be funded.

Volunteers help assemble the 150-foot-long (45.7-meters-long) bologna sandwich at the Lebanon Area Fair on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Lebanon, Pa. Every footlong “bite” was sponsored at $100 per foot. The money was donated to Lebanon County Christian Ministries and their efforts to help people dealing with food insecurity in the Lebanon Valley. ( Daniel Larlham Jr. /Lebanon Daily News via AP)

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — An enormous Lebanon bologna sandwich billed as one of the world’s largest has been unveiled at a fair in central Pennsylvania. The 150-foot-long sandwich was created Tuesday night at the Lebanon Area Fair. Lebanon bologna is known for its distinct smoked and tangy flavor. Pennlive reports a large crew of volunteers, known as the “Bologna Security,” used 600 slices of provolone cheese and 1,200 slices of half-sweet and original Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna to create 900 sandwiches, or six sandwiches per foot. Every footlong “bite” was sponsored at $100 per foot. The money was donated to Lebanon County Christian Ministries and their efforts to help people dealing with food insecurity in the Lebanon Valley. Lebanon is 72 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

FILE – This Jan. 14, 2013 file photo shows Bam Margera at the LA premiere of “The Last Stand” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. Margera punched his brother in the face during an altercation at their home in the Philadelphia suburbs, then took off on foot, Pennsylvania State Police said Monday, April 24, 2023 in announcing criminal charges. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP, file)

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — “Jackass” star Bam Margera will stand trial on charges that he punched his brother during an altercation at their home in Pennsylvania in April. A judge made the ruling Thursday. Margera has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges. They include simple assault and making terroristic threats. He has been free on $50,000 bail and says he has been in drug and alcohol treatment. The judge has ordered him to undergo a drug screening Friday before returning to California. Defense lawyer Michael van der Veen calls the situation “a family matter.” Relatives say they just want to keep him alive.

East Palestine Train Derailment (Curtis Walsh)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The costs associated with Norfolk Southern’s fiery February derailment in Ohio have more than doubled to $803 million as the railroad works to clean up the mess and moves forward with all the related lawsuits. Norfolk Southern recorded another $416 million charge related to the East Palestine derailment on Thursday as part of its second-quarter earnings. Most of the costs are related to the cleanup of the hazardous chemicals that were released. The derailment prompted a national reckoning on railroad safety. The additional charges related to the derailment, combined with a 6% drop in the number of shipments the railroad delivered, more than halved the Atlanta-based company’s profit to $356 million.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 27, 2023 9:19 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Josh Trone is a part time fighter in the city, and the Fire Civil Service Commission recommended at Wednesday night’s work session that he be promoted to full time. City Council approved the status change. Council approved the commission’s request to update the age and residency requirements in the civil service rules and regulations.  The civil service will begin testing to hire new firefighters.

FILE – This image taken from police body cam video shows a police dog attacking Jadarrius Rose, 23, of Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Circleville, Ohio. An Ohio police department has fired an officer who released his police dog on a surrendering truck driver even after state troopers told him to hold the dog back. A statement issued Wednesday, July 26, 2023, by Circleville police said Ryan Speakman “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers” and that he has been “terminated from the department, effective immediately.” (Ohio State Highway Patrol via AP, File).

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio police department has fired an officer who released his police dog on a surrendering truck driver even after state troopers told him to hold the dog back. A statement issued Wednesday by Circleville police said Ryan Speakman “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers.” It said he has been “terminated from the department, effective immediately.” The firing came one day after Circleville’s police chief announced Speakman was put on paid administrative leave. The July 4 episode began when troopers tried to stop a semitruck that was missing a mudflap and failed to halt for an inspection. The nearby Circleville Police Department was called to assist.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event to establish the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants to see President Joe Biden impeached, and Trump’s allies in Congress and rivals in the 2024 presidential race are eager to join that fight. This week, the prospect of impeaching Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, emerged from the far corners of the GOP’s right flank to its mainstream. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says House Republicans “are absolutely within their rights” to consider an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick, says House Republicans “will leave no stone unturned.”

FILE – Yardley Makefield Marine Rescue leaves the Yardley boat ramp heading down the Delaware River on July 17, 2023, in Yardley, Pa. The family of a 2-year-old girl swept away along with another child by a flash flood that engulfed their vehicle on a Pennsylvania road is expressing gratitude at the discovery of a body believed to be hers. The body was found early Friday, July 22, in the Delaware River near a Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from where Matilda Sheils was carried away, authorities said Friday night. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, File)

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in Pennsylvania say the active search has ended for a 9-month-old boy swept away in a flash flood earlier this month. The flood also killed his 2-year-old sister and mother as well as four other people. Upper Makefield Township police said Wednesday they have “exhausted all means” of trying to find 9-month-old Conrad Sheils. Hundreds of people have been searching since what authorities called a “wall of water” swamped motorists July 15, including the South Carolina family heading to a barbecue. The father, grandmother and a 4-year-old boy survived but the two younger children and their mother were killed.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a request by lawyers for the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman to exhume the body of his father. Robert Bowers’ lawyers had wanted the body exhumed for a DNA test after prosecutors raised questions about paternity. Bowers is facing a possible death sentence after being convicted of killing 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue. Trying to persuade jurors to spare his life, the defense says Bowers has a family history of mental illness and has introduced evidence that his father was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The judge ruled Wednesday that the defense waited too long to make the exhumation request.

Colder weather may seem far off in the distance, but in the travel world, now is the time to think about cooler days and year-end holidays. According to AAA, many people wait to book holiday travel in September and October, but summer really is the best time to make holiday plans. By planning now, travelers have a better chance of finding the best deals and locking in the destination of their choice.

“When it comes to the holidays, more people seem to have a sense of adventure as they plan those special trips with loved ones,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “Travelers are eager to get their dream vacations on the books now whether it’s a family theme park vacation or a memorable trip abroad.”

Things to Remember When Booking Holiday Travel:

Book now before most families do. With summer vacations and camps in full swing, most people aren’t thinking about the holidays. Many families wait to book until early fall, when schools resume and they’re back into their routine. To ensure the best selection and prices, get holiday trips on the books now.

Nonstop flights fill up quickly. Most travelers want to skip layovers and get right to their destination. That means nonstop flights, especially those going cross-country and internationally, will fill up fast. Prices fluctuate, and the longer travelers wait, the fewer options are available for nonstop flights and premium seats.

Europe, cruises, and theme parks sell out in advance. European travel is booming this year and the holidays will be no exception. AAA travel advisors say touring Christmas markets in Europe is extremely popular and itineraries sell out in advance. River cruises are also in high demand during the holidays, along with Caribbean cruises.

More people are gifting experiences instead of presents. Travelers who are already thinking about the holidays might decide to give the gift of travel instead of presents. And after three years of a pandemic, many people are booking bucket list trips for the entire family like a holiday trip to Disney World.