UNDATED (AP) —  A new bill from Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart seeks to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination while also carving out protections for religious organizations. The bill, introduced Friday morning, would shield LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, education and other public services. It also creates exemptions for religious organizations to act based on beliefs that may exclude those of different sexual orientations or gender identities. The bill comes amid a debate about balancing LGBTQ rights with religious freedom. Democrats in the House and running for president support a more expansive anti-discrimination bill while Republicans warn about a risk to religious freedom.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man whose life sentence in prison was just commuted by Gov. Tom Wolf may be facing arrest. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said Friday that the Delaware County district attorney’s office notified the state prison system that it plans to detain 54-year-old David Sheppard when he’s released. Fetterman’s calling it prosecutorial abuse of power. Sheppard’s life sentence was commuted Thursday by Wolf, but he’ll still have to spend a year in a halfway house. Sheppard has an outstanding warrant on a 1992 shoplifting charge in Delaware County. Sheppard was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a deadly pharmacy robbery in Philadelphia in 1992 .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders is promising to invest $150 billion to bring high-speed internet to “every household in America” while breaking up and better regulating monopolies he says currently limit access to drive up their profits. The Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate unveiled a plan Friday to provide that funding in infrastructure grants and technical assistance to states and municipalities through climate initiatives from the Green New Deal. He also says he’d require all internet service providers to offer a “Basic Internet Plan” providing “quality broadband speeds at an affordable price.”

Birth control pills work great if women remember to take them every day…but missing doses can mean a surprise pregnancy. Now scientists have figured out how to pack a month’s supply into one capsule. The trick: a tiny star-shaped gadget that unfolds in the stomach and gradually releases the drug. The experimental capsule is still years away from drug-stores…but researchers are now reporting that it works as designed in a key test in animals. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is investing 13-million dollars for further development of the once-a-month pill, in hopes of eventually improving family planning options in developing countries.

North Korea is threatening to resume insults of President Donald Trump and consider him a “dotard” if he keeps using provocative language, such as referring to its leader as “rocket man”. Choe Son Hui – the first vice-foreign minister – issued the warning via state media days after Trump spoke of possible military action toward the North and revived his “rocket man” nickname for North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un. The comments come as prospects dim for a resumption of nuclear diplomacy between the two countries. In recent months, North Korea has hinted at lifting its moratoirum on nuclear and long-range missle tests.

(All photos of the display and Lauralee Burnecke and volunteer Rose Marie Kaldon Kendall taken by Sandy Giordano)

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is tomorrow. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports on how the day is being commemorated here in Beaver County. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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A centuries-old European holiday has made its way to Pittsburgh’s Market Square. People stomped through Christmas Village, celebrating Krampusnacht, which is the darker side of the holiday season. Many participants showed off their creativity by dressing up in costumes and as Krampus, the counterpart to St. Nick.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration says a first round of testing drinking water in Pennsylvania for the toxic chemicals known as PFAS doesn’t indicate widespread contamination. Wolf’s administration said Thursday that one of 96 sites sampled tested above the federal health advisory level for two PFAS chemicals. The administration says that lone site is a manufacturer of electrical resistor components. Sites being tested are near a potential source of PFAS contamination, such as military bases and landfills. In addition to sampling, Wolf’s administration is marshaling millions of dollars to help improve water treatment in areas in suburban Philadelphia with contamination.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker accused of bilking a charity she founded out of more than a half-million dollars is telling legislative leaders she’s resigning as of next week. Philadelphia Democratic Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Turzai Thursday saying she disputes many of the allegations against her. She says she’s resigning in part to focus on her criminal defense. State prosecutors allege the 53-year-old freshman’legislator spent charity funds on luxury items, travel and personal expenses. Johnson-Harrell says her resignation will take effect on Dec. 13.