Pa. School District Threatens to Take Custody If Parents Don’t Pay Students’ Lunch Bills

Parents in a Pennsylvania school district are being threatened with losing custody of their children if they don’t pay their school lunch debt. A letter was sent to parents in Wyoming Valley West, near Wilkes-Barre. It said the district will take them to court for failing to provide food for their children. The district is owed more than $20,000 by about a thousand families. Legal experts said the letter is legal, but the chances of a child being taken away are slim.

2020 Dems Grapple with How to Pay for ‘Medicare for All’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential candidates appealing to progressive voters with a call for “Medicare for All” are wrestling with the thorny question of how to pay for such a dramatic overhaul of the American health care system. Bernie Sanders, its chief proponent, says such a remodel could cost up to $40 trillion over a decade. But his rivals who support his plan have, so far, offered relatively few firm details about how they’d pay for it beyond raising taxes on top earners.

Trump Officials Weigh Delay of Abortion Curbs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has told federally-funded family planning clinics it may be willing to delay enforcement of a controversial rule that bars them from referring women for abortions. Two people who attended meetings between the Department of Health and Human Services and clinic representatives told The Associated Press officials said there may be more time to comply. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because there is no final decision. HHS says its policy has not changed.

Iran, US Clash Over Claim that US Downed Iranian Drone

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — President Donald Trump says there is “no doubt about it” that a U.S. warship destroyed an Iranian drone, despite Iranian denials that it lost an unmanned aircraft. Trump is speaking from the Oval Office Friday about the incident Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. His comments come a day after announcing that the USS Boxer took defensive action after an Iranian drone came within 1,000 yards (915 meters) of the warship and ignored multiple calls to stand down.

Florida Sheriff to Investigate Epstein’s Work Release

MIAMI (AP) — A Florida sheriff has launched an internal investigation into wealthy financer Jeffrey Epstein’s time spent out of jail under a work release program after he was convicted of sexually abusing underage girls. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said Friday that the inquiry will focus on whether deputies assigned to monitor Epstein violated any rules or regulations while he was out on work release.

Democrats Questioning Robert Mueller to Focus on Obstruction

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats who’ll question former special counsel Robert Mueller next week say they need to “work together” because their time will be limited. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley serves on the intelligence committee and says he and his colleagues must make the Mueller questioning “as productive as possible.” Democrats want to direct attention to what they see as the most egregious examples of President Donald Trump’s conduct while Republicans say “the American people have moved on.”

Man Scales Several Floors Down Side of 19-Story High-Rise Building in Philadelphia to Escape Fire

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man scaled several floors down the side of a 19-story high-rise building in Philadelphia to escape a fire that injured four residents and three police officers. The fire at the Holden Tower broke out Thursday night. It apparently started in a trash chute, spreading heavy smoke to all floors of the building. Firefighters soon responded and brought the blaze under control in about an hour. All residents were able to escape the building, with some carried out by other residents.

Revenue from Regulated Gambling in PA Climbs to New Record High

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Revenue from regulated gambling in Pennsylvania climbed to a new record high above $3.3 billion in the just-completed fiscal year. Figures released Thursday show revenue rose by nearly $60 million, or almost 2%. Slot machine play at the state’s 12 casinos grew by $26 million and newly legal sports betting and fantasy sports contests contributed another $43 million. Table games play shrank by $10 million. Revenue at Pennsylvania’s commercial casinos was No. 2 last year, second to Nevada.

Penn State Keeps In-State College Tuition Flat Across University System for 2nd Year

MEDIA, Pa. (AP) — Penn State is keeping in-state college tuition flat across the sprawling university system for a second year and for the third time in five years. The school’s board voted Thursday for a plan that will maintain full-time tuition for lower-division Pennsylvania resident undergraduates at its main campus at about $17,400 annually. Out-of-state college students at the University Park flagship will have to pay $660 a year in additional tuition.

Oklahoma Man Accused of Raping 4-year-old Child in McDonald’s Restroom

A 37-year-old Oklahoma man has been jailed on rape complaints after authorities said he sexually assaulted a 4-year-old girl in a bathroom at a McDonald’s play area, which the child was visiting during a day care field trip. Midwest City police say a day care worker knocked on the locked bathroom door Tuesday after the girl didn’t return promptly. A police affidavit says a man eventually came out and said, “I was just washing my hands.” The child told workers the man, identified as Joshua Kabatra, sexually assaulted her. McDonald’s said in a statement that it’s “deeply disturbed” by the allegations and that it’s cooperating with police.