State News-Monday, Sept. 18th

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities are searching for a gunman who shot five Duquesne University basketball players, three of whom remain hospitalized this morning. Police say two players had been walking near a dormitory yesterday when they encountered a man who apparently had been disruptive at a student union dance. The players attempted to pacify him and walked away but were shot.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Opening statements are set for this morning in the trial of two businessmen accused of ignoring safety warnings about a pier that collapsed in Philadelphia six years ago. The collapse sent dozens of nightclub customers into the Delaware River, killing three women. Prosecutors say pier-owner Michael Asbell and nightclub operator Eli Karetny ignored warnings and hid damage.

FREDERICK, Pa. (AP) - A fourth case of Legionnaire's disease has been confirmed at a retirement community in Montgomery County. An assisted-living resident of the Frederick Mennonite Community was hospitalized after being diagnosed with the bacterial illness Friday. That prompted officials to cancel weekend celebrations marking the 110th anniversary of the community.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania is poised to adopt pollution standards that would require new cars to be cleaner-burning a year from now. The standards will also put the state in lockstep with California's efforts to impose even more stringent requirements by 2009. Two state oversight boards are set to meet in the coming weeks to decide whether Pennsylvania should follow California standards.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - This Wednesday, major shareholders of Sovereign Bancorp will get their first chance to confront the board of directors about a controversial acquisition deal they opposed.In June, Banco Santander Central Hispano S.A. finalized its purchase of a 19-point-8 percent stake in Sovereign for 2-point-4 billion dollars in cash.