State News - Saturday Feb. 24, 2007

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An eight-year-old boy was hit by a SEPTA bus while crossing the street in Philadelphia's Kensington section. Police say Joey Lopes has been taken to Temple Children's Hospital with injuries to his head, neck and back. Investigators with the transit agency are still trying to figure out what happened. Family members say the boy had jumped a step in front of his mother and sister while crossing the street. They say the impact from the bus threw him about 30 feet. The boy is expected to make a full recovery.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's newest slots parlor is set to open next week. And officials at Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie say they'll be ready. An invitation-only test of the facility is taking place today and Monday. The casino says parking lots, shuttle buses and valet parking services will be ready to go when the casino opens to the public Wednesday. Officials say the casino has more than three-thousand parking spaces and five shuttle buses to ferry customers to the casino from the parking areas.

WYOMISSING, Pa. (AP) - Breast-feeding advocates plan to stage what they call a "nurse-in" today at the BerkshireMall near Reading. They are protesting the alleged treatment of Leigh Bellini, who says she was asked by mall security to, quote, "cover up" while she breast-fed her son last weekend. Pennsylvania does not have a law regarding breast-feeding in public places. The demonstration is scheduled for one o'clock this afternoon. Mall management has not commented on the issue.