Pennsylvania lawmakers wrestle anew with major gambling bill
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Top Republicans in Pennsylvania’s state Senate are pressing sweeping gambling legislation that would allow slot machine-like terminals in thousands of bars, restaurants, nonprofit social clubs and other businesses that hold liquor licenses. Under a draft amendment, more than 10,000 bars, restaurants, hotels, golf course clubhouses and nonprofit social clubs with liquor licenses would be able to install the so-called video gaming terminals. No Senate vote had been scheduled as of Tuesday. A major trade association for bars and restaurants supports it. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, also bills it as a way to get thousands of unregulated cash-paying game terminals out of a wide array of establishments in Pennsylvania.

AP-NORC poll: Nearly all in US back criminal justice reform
By COLLEEN LONG and HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans overwhelmingly want clear standards for police on when officers may use force and consequences imposed on officers who do so excessively. That’s according to a new poll from the The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that finds Americans favor significant changes to the country’s criminal justice system. Americans are largely united behind the idea that action is required: 29% think the criminal justice system needs “a complete overhaul,” 40% say it needs “major changes” and 25% say it needs “minor changes.” Just 5% believe no changes are necessary.

(Cranberry, Pa.) A Tractor Trailer hit a bridge and caught on Fire on the Pa Turnpike this morning.

10:53 am

ROAD CLOSURE: The

I-76 westbound is closed between Cranberry exit 28 and New Castle exit 10 due to a vehicle fire at milepost 13.3. Detour: I-79 north, to US 422 west, to I-376 east, re-enter the #paturnpike at New Castle.

The Turnpike Twitter Page Reports that: ROAD CLOSURE:   @PA_Turnpike

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — There has been some improvement in the well-being of Pennsylvania’s children over the past year, but many still lack health insurance and live in poverty, according to a new report.

The 2020 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows the Keystone State has slipped from 17th to 20th among states, across 16 indicators of child well-being. Kari King, president and CEO at the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, noted that while the state is in the top 10 for education, issues like the percentage of children living in single-parent households and families’ economic well-being continue to be barriers.

“While we have improved slightly in terms of the number of children living in high-poverty areas as compared to last year, overall it’s showing that we’re not making enough progress,” King said.

With 17% of children living in poverty, the state ranks 23rd in the nation for economic well-being and 26th in the category of “family and community.”

The report showed improvement in 3 of the 4 indicators of children’s health. But King pointed out that, across the state, there are still more than 120,000 children without health insurance.

“We’re looking to develop some targeted strategies where we think there might be more impacted communities that aren’t accessing health insurance,” she said, “making sure that their parents are aware that coverage is available, particularly through the Children’s Health Insurance Program.”

According to the report, 4% of Pennsylvania children are uninsured.

King cautioned the data for the report was gathered before the COVID-19 pandemic, which means there could be some significant changes in the future that affect children’s well-being – including access to childcare as parents return to work, and kids’ health.

“A lot of well-child visits weren’t able to occur during the pandemic, so we’re seeing declines in places, like immunization rates,” she said. “So, there’s going to be a lot of work that a follow-up report later this year will highlight for us.”

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.)  A four lot consolidation  on Beaver and Creston Avenues in Woodlawn Park and a five lot consolidation  on Edgewood Street, also in Woodlawn park were unanimously approved by Hopewell Commissioners  last night.  Both are  zoned R-3 residential . The commissioners said that eventually  homes will be built at the sites..

Man wronged in past by police saves officer from burning car
By CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press
A Pennsylvania man is being credited with saving a Uniontown Police officer’s life after he helped pull him from a burning car Sunday night. Daylan McLee said he didn’t hesitate to save a human life. The 31-year-old Black man has had several bad interactions with police officers, having filed a wrongful arrest lawsuit against Pennsylvania State Police after he spent a year in jail before being acquitted in a situation where video showed he had disarmed a gunman, not pointed a gun at officers. McLee said Monday he wants more people to look at individuals and not judge all police based on one interaction.

Starbucks adds plant-based meat to US menu
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
Starbucks is adding plant-based meat to its U.S. menu for the first time. The Seattle-based coffee chain says a breakfast sandwich made with imitation sausage from California-based Impossible Foods is now available at a majority of its U.S. restaurants. The sandwich comes with egg and cheese and is served on a ciabatta bun. Starbucks said earlier this year it would add fake meat to its menus worldwide as part of an effort to reduce its environmental impact. In April, it began selling lasagna, pasta and wraps made with Beyond Meat crumbles in China. It also introduced a Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich in Canada in February.

(Hollywood, CA.) Could Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton return to one of his most popular roles as Batman?  The Hollywood Reporter is saying that is a good possibility as Keaton is reported to be in talks to do just the in the new Warner Bros. DC Movie, “The Flash.”  Keaton could also appear as Bruce Wayne in other DC-oriented films, The Hollywood Reporter says.

Keaton was raised in Coraopolis and Forest Grove and attended Montour High School before studying speech for two years at Kent State University.

Some of Keaton’s famous rolls were in Night Shift (1982), Mr. Mom (1982), Johnny Dangerously (1984) Beetlejuice (1988). Keaton also starred as Hunt Stevenson in the film Gung Ho that was filmed in Beaver County in 1985 and was on the big screen in 1986. Keaton made his debut as Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” and the 1992 sequel “Batman Returns.”