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Navajo leader: Redskins name not derogatory

WASHINGTON -- A leader of the Navajo Code Talkers who appeared at a Washington Redskins home football game said Wednesday the team name is a symbol of loyalty and courage -- not a slur as asserted by critics who want it changed. Roy Hawthorne, 87, of Lupton, Ariz., was one of four Code Talkers honored for their service in World War II during the Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The PE Sneak Peek: Nov. 27, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Wednesday: * The man who represented this area in Harrisburg for 16 years has died at the age of 86. See what we have so far and look for more Thursday. * Prosecutors are trying a second time to make their case stick against a woman charged with horrific crimes against a child.

Pregnant Pa. woman, girl stabbed, apt. set ablaze

LEVITTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- A pregnant woman and her 4-year-old daughter who both died Monday had been stabbed before a suspected arson fire at their suburban Philadelphia apartment complex, authorities said. Firefighters found 22-year-old Ebony Talley and her daughter R'Mani Rankins after responding to the 3:40 p.m. Monday fire at the Avalon Court apartment in Levittown, Bucks County officials said.

Man sues Pa. cops over stun gun incident on video  

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A man has sued a western Pennsylvania police officer who allegedly laughed along with other officers and paramedics as she repeatedly used a stun gun on him while handcuffed, an encounter captured on a 52-second cellphone video leaked to the some Pittsburgh-area media outlets. Thomas Jason James Smith, 28, of Millvale, filed the federal lawsuit against Millvale Officer Nichole Murphy, Chief Derek Miller, and the borough, which is just northeast of Pittsburgh.

Officer dressed as turkey patrols Vegas crosswalks

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A giant turkey is roving crosswalks in Las Vegas to squawk on drivers who don't yield to pedestrians. Officers dressed in Thanksgiving bird finery are walking across the road Tuesday as part of a sting operation. It's the fifth annual appearance of the safety mascot dubbed "Butterball One." Police waiting to the sides of the crosswalks are slapping drivers who don't stop with fines starting at $191.

The PE Sneak Peek: Nov. 26, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * A school bus crashes and lands on its side, sending 14 local youngsters to the hospital. See our online report and watch for more photos of the crash in Wednesday's edition.

Mall Santa Claus charged with groping elf

HINGHAM, Mass. (AP) -- A man who played Santa Claus at a Massachusetts mall has been barred from the shopping center after he was charged with groping an 18-year-old woman playing an elf. Herbert Jones was released on $1,000 bail after pleading not guilty Monday to indecent assault and battery. A judge ordered him to stay away from the Hanover Mall and barred him from playing Santa anywhere pending the outcome of his case.

Snow closes schools early

The following schools have announced plans to close early today, according to reports from whlmam.com and wnep.com: * Benton Area, noon. Evening activities are cancelled. * Berwick Area Schools, Secondary 12:15 p.m., Elementary 1 p.m.. No parent-teacher conferences or after-school activities. * Bloomsburg Area, Secondary 12:30 p.m., Elementary 1:30 p.m. * St. Columba School, Bloomsburg, 12:30 p.m. * Bloomsburg Christian, noon

Pa. police: horse shot while pulling Amish buggy

RONKS, Pa. (AP) -- Police in the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish country say a horse pulling a buggy is dead after being shot by someone in a passing vehicle. WHTM-TV reported that five people were inside the buggy when the shooting occurred Sunday night in Ronks in southeastern Lancaster County. The station says the car didn't stop after what sounded like a firecracker, and the horse was discovered to be injured when the buggy arrived at a farm about a mile away. It died before a veterinarian could arrive.

NE Pa. man charged with trying to kill dad in fire

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) -- A northeastern Pennsylvania man who police say set his family home on fire in hopes of killing his napping father has been arrested on charges including arson and attempted homicide. Scranton police say 46-year-old Kevin Brown set fires in five locations at the home on Friday afternoon, while his father, 78-year-old James Brown, slept in a second-floor bedroom.