State News-Wednesday, Jan. 17th

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Governor Ed Rendell is expected to get more specific today about his health care proposal. Yesterday, he said he wants the state to make health care more affordable for nearly one (m) million Pennsylvania adults who lack insurance. The Prescription for Pennsylvania plan is one of several initiatives the governor says he hopes to achieve in his second term.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Comcast Corporation and Duquesne Light Company were the most generous of the donors who paid for Governor Ed Rendell's inauguration for a second term. Both companies were listed in the inaugural program as "benefactors." Those are contributors of at least 100-thousand dollars to the inaugural festivities. Another 18 donors were listed as "patrons" who gave at least 50-thousand dollars apiece. They include Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- the largest state workers' union. More than two dozen ranked as "sponsors" by giving at least 25-thousand dollars.

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Blair County woman has told a jury that after she was beaten and raped by her former boyfriend, she found her six-year-old son fatally stabbed on the living room floor. The boyfriend, 26-year-old Nathan Shaw of Tyrone is on trial for the December 26th, 2005, murder and assault. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The woman has told jurors that Shaw came to her house and assaulted her. She says Shaw beat and choked Jared when the boy tried to help her. Shaw's attorney told jurors yesterday that Shaw does not deny he was responsible for the boy's death, but the killing was not intentional. The attorney says Shaw treated the boy as his son, taking him fishing and to football games.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - So much for keggers at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Some students are protesting a proposed new policy meant to curb alcohol consumption at university-recognized parties. The rules ban kegs and hard alcohol, and say no alcohol can be served after 1:30 a-m. Students will be required to register all parties with the university, have the university approve the guest list and allowing each person to bring just one six-pack of beer, which must be handed over on arrival. The rules will take effect February first and limit parties to Friday and Saturday nights. Students say the new rules will cripple the school's social life
and force students off-campus to drink. But the school says more students are drinking excessively and the school has an obligation to address the problem.