State News-Friday, Dec. 1st

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The largest union at Philadelphia's two biggest newspapers says it's moving toward a contract agreement and plans to keep negotiating today. Brian Tierney, chief executive of the papers' owner, Philadelphia Media Holdings, says in a late-night statement that "a great deal of progress is being made."

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) - A newspaper reports that a second man accused of running a gambling ring with former Philadelphia Flyers player Rick Tocchet will be in court today to enter a guilty plea. The Star-Ledger of Newark says New Jersey businessman James Ulmer will enter his plea to charges of promoting gambling and conspiracy. He faces about a year in a county lock-up.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A court may yet decide whether the state's nonprofit Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers should have five billion dollars in surplusses amassed, or whether the nonprofits should lower health premiums. The insurers say their surpluses are necessary to ensure their solvency in an emergency.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Chester County election officials today plan to issue a preliminary certification of a race that would give Democrats a majority in the state House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years. If the results stand, they would give Democrats a 102-101 majority.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Two West Point graduates who have been flying Navy jets in Iraq and Afghanistan recently have an easier assignment tomorrow: They'll swoop overhead in a high-speed flyover at the start of the annual Army-Navy football game. Lieutentant Commander Paul Campagna says he'll be rooting for Army, his alma mater, even though he now flies for the Navy.