HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania casinos want to expand their smoking areas, with at least one casino saying smokers gamble more than nonsmokers.

The state law banning smoking in most public places allows casinos to designate 25 percent of floor space for smokers to play slot machines. The law took effect in September, but allowed for a 90-day comment period for casinos to provide revenue figures comparing revenues from smoking and nonsmoking areas.

Those figures aren't out yet, but David LaTorre, a spokesman for The Meadows near Washington, says machines played by smokers did twice as much business as those played by nonsmokers.

The Meadows wants to increase its smoking area to 50 percent. Presque Isle Downs near Erie and Philadelphia Park also want to increase smoking areas.

HARRISBURG — The number of homes cut off from their heat-related utility service rose this winter.The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission said Tuesday that the number has risen to more than 17,700 heading into winter, and includes homes that are using a fire-prone source.That's up 5 percent from more than 16,800 households last winter.A spokesman for the state's gas and electric utilities says the companies have worked painstakingly to get everyone on to their service.However, the spokesman, Michael Love, says the utility commission survey is inaccurate because it counts households twice where both electric and gas service is off.He also said the number of disconnected households in Philadelphia would be lower, but the state welfare department has been slow to distribute financial assistance to low-income households there.

HOOKSTOWN — State police say a 9-year-old boy was present when his father was fatally shot by another member of their hunting party.State police Sgt. Erik Hermick says 21-year-old David Logan was in a group of hunters who were pushing deer toward 35-year-old Duane Smith, of Frankfort Springs, on Saturday afternoon. Police say Logan fired at a deer from more than 40 yards away and the bullet instead hit Smith.Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission are trying to determine if criminal charges are warranted.Smith died at the scene, about 25 miles west of Pittsburgh.