State News-Wednesday, Jan. 24th

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A California legislator is butting heads with farmers over his proposed regulations to protect lettuce, spinach and other crops E. coli outbreaks. E. coli killed three people and sickened hundreds of others across the country in recent months. State Senator Dean Florez plans to introduce a bill February first that calls for a system to track produce from fields to store shelves.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The future of the Pittsburgh Penguins remains uncertain, although Governor Ed Rendell remains confident the team will stay put. Rendell says the state might ask the N-H-L to intercede if negotiations for a new arena in Pittsburgh break down. Rendell added the latest proposal is so good that he can't see the league allowing the Pens to leave.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Amtrak's new president wants to upgrade the passenger railroad's image. Alex Kummant tells The Associated Press that the much-maligned railroad is in better shape than he expected when he came aboard. But he says it should do more to capitalize on a growing appetite for rail travel fueled by high gas prices and highway congestion.

UNDATED (AP) - A rabbi and a United Methodist pastor are recovering after a kidney transplant in Philadelphia. Karen Onesti gave Andrew Bossov one of her kidneys. Both have congregations in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The religious leaders have known each
other for about four years.

UNDATED (AP) - Tonight's Powerball lottery drawing could mean a nearly quarter (b) billion dollar payday for a lucky ticket holder. The jackpot has climbed to 240 (m) million dollars. A single winner choosing the cash payment option would get an immediate 114 (m) million dollar payout.