Verizon plans to hire 200 full-time workers to staff a call center in downtown Pittsburgh.

The telecommunications giant plans to open the center in late May 2011. Workers there will provide customer support for its FIOS fiber optic broadband and video services.

The company says the jobs will rand from $12 to $27 an hour, depending on education and experience.

The company says a college degree is preferred but not required for the new jobs. Applicants with a technical background are also sought.

A defense attorney for Republican state Sen. Jane Orie wants a judge to dismiss some conflict of interest charges against her.The motions filed Monday will be heard Dec. 13 at an already scheduled hearing by Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning. Orie's attorney, William Costopoulos, has challenged the state's conflict of interest statute, saying it's unconstitutionally vague.In a related argument filed Monday, Costopoulos says the charges against Orie should be dismissed for that same reason, because he says it's impossible for a public servant to know when they're violating the law.

The Pittsburgh City Council has given preliminary approval to a ban on natural gas drilling within the limits of the Western Pennsylvania city.Council President Darlene Harris said the panel has concerns about the effects of drilling and industry chemicals on the health of residents. The measure was approved 8-0 Tuesday with a final vote expected next week.Councilman Doug Shields, who introduced the measure, said officials could not let the industry “run unabated throughout our cities, towns and natural environment.”