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State lawmakers blow through the budget deadline

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s politically divided legislature will miss the state’s legal deadline to pass a budget for the new fiscal year, even as both sides met behind closed doors in hopes of compromising on a spending plan.

Without the Democratic governor’s signature on a new budget, the state loses some of its spending authority starting Tuesday, particularly on discretionary payments, such as those to vendors, counties, public schools and grant applicants.

Man shot firefighters after they asked him to move his vehicle

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A man who started a wildfire, then fatally shot two firefighters and wounded another in northern Idaho,  attacked the first responders after they asked him to move his vehicle, a sheriff said Monday.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris offered new details about the Sunday confrontation at Canfield Mountain, just north of Coeur d’Alene, a popular recreation area. He said Wess Roley, 20, who was living out of his vehicle, had once aspired to be a firefighter and had only a handful of minor contacts with area police.

Bryan Kohberger reaches plea deal in killing 4 University of Idaho students

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty, an attorney for one victim's family said Monday.

Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of Kaylee Goncalves, confirmed that prosecutors informed the families of the deal by email and letter earlier in the day, and that his clients were upset about it.

2 killed in sniper ambush on Idaho firefighters

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Two firefighters were killed Sunday when they were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community.

Crews endured a barrage of gunfire over several hours in what the governor called a “heinous” assault. No arrests were announced.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later.

Sheriff Bob Norris said officials didn’t know if anyone else was shot.

1 dead, 2 injured in Philadelphia explosion

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — One person died and two others were injured after an explosion damaged several homes on Philadelphia’s north side early Sunday, according to authorities.

Firefighters responded to a report of an explosion just before 5 a.m., according to the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Daniel McCarty, the department’s executive officer, said there was extensive damage to about five homes, including collapsed structures. One person died and two others who were rescued were hospitalized. McCarty said one was reported stable while the other was in critical condition.

At 100, this globetrotting Catholic priest stillbcelebrates daily Mass

BLUE BELL, Pa. (AP) — Throughout his remarkable lifetime, the Rev. James Kelly has baptized thousands of people, married thousands more, ministered to the sick in hospitals, and traveled the world extensively. He became friends with an opera superstar and, yes, even with a saint.

The longest-serving priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of his ordination and his 100th birthday. He’s grateful to have reached these milestones, but nearly didn’t after experiencing a health challenge last year that required life-saving surgery.

Chief Justice Roberts warns against heated political words about judges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts, speaking at a moment when threats against judges are on the rise, warned on Saturday that elected officials’ heated words about judges can lead to threats or acts of violence by others.

Without identifying anyone by name, Roberts clearly referenced Republican President Donald Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York when he said he has felt compelled to issue public rebukes of figures in both parties in recent years.

Israeli strikes kill at least 72 people in Gaza as ceasefire prospects move closer

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes killed at least 72 people across Gaza overnight and into Saturday, health workers said, as ceasefire prospects were said to be improving after 21 months of war.

Three children and their parents were killed in an Israeli strike on a tent camp in Muwasi near the southern city of Khan Younis. They were struck while sleeping, relatives said.

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