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Pa. attorneys: Gays, like children, can't marry

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Marriage licenses given to same-sex couples in the state are invalid because the couples were barred from marrying, just like 12-year-olds, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's attorneys said Wednesday. Corbett's administration has filed a lawsuit seeking to block same-sex marriage licenses in suburban Philadelphia, where Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes has issued more than 150 to gay and lesbian couples since July 24.

Judge apologizes for comments in teen's rape

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- A Montana judge on Wednesday stood by his decision to send a former teacher to prison for 30 days for raping a 14-year-old girl who later killed herself, but said he "deserved to be chastised" for his comments about the young victim. District Judge G. Todd Baugh sentenced former Billings Senior High School teacher Stacey Rambold to 15 years, then suspended all but 31 days and gave him credit for one day already served.

The PE Sneak Peek: Aug. 28

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Wednesday: * Police find a bubbling meth pot in an early-morning raid, and as many as six suspects are in custody. It's the second bust in as many days in the area. Read our online report and get more in Thursday's edition. * Guns will be banned this fall from the biggest fair in the area. But what about knives? Get the details. * A military morale liaison gets a happy welcome home. Get a look at his escort.

Police seek 4 fugitives from Coal Twp. juvenile facility

COAL TWP. - Police say four residents of the Secure Building at Northwestern Academy attacked an employee, stole his keys and then locked him in a room early Wednesday before fleeing. Now police are looking for: * Sean Watson, 19, Eighth Street, Bowie, Md. * David Rosario, 18, Ninth Street, Reading * a 16-year-old male from Washington, D.C. * and a 15-year-old male from the Harrisburg area.

Some school districts quit healthier lunch program

After just one year, some schools around the country are dropping out of the healthier new federal lunch program, complaining that so many students turned up their noses at meals packed with whole grains, fruits and vegetables that the cafeterias were losing money. Federal officials say they don't have exact numbers but have seen isolated reports of schools cutting ties with the $11 billion National School Lunch Program, which reimburses schools for meals served and gives them access to lower-priced food.

Facebook: Governments demanded data on 38K users

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government agents in 74 countries demanded information on about 38,000 Facebook users in the first half of this year, with about half the orders coming from authorities in the United States, the company said Tuesday. The social-networking giant is the latest technology company to release figures on how often governments seek information about its customers. Microsoft and Google have done the same.

The PE Sneak Peek: Aug 27

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy: * The battle against meth goes on with another bust. This time, the suspect is a woman with a criminal history. See our online report for ongoing coverage. * Officials are still working to identify two people killed in a fiery wreck. We'll bring you the latest. * Underage drinking, drunken driving, shoplifting -- there's a long list of suspects at local judges' offices, and we'll round them up for you.

Cops: 'Shopaholic' stole $19G from Pa. cheerleaders

BETHEL PARK, Pa. (AP) -- Police say a woman who confessed to being a "shopaholic" has stolen more than $19,000 from a cheerleading group she once headed. But attorneys for 41-year-old Mary Schneir, of Bethel Park, say the missing money is more akin to a "short-term loan" which the woman is working to repay. Those comments were made after Schneir waived her right to a preliminary hearing Monday on theft charges.

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