[naviga:h3]Wolf, lawmakers take up budget[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is returning to Harrisburg as Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican lawmakers are set to resume face-to-face meetings to discuss a three-week-old budget stalemate.

No major votes were expected today.

The Democratic governor and Republicans who control the Legislature are sparring over competing budget proposals. Wolf is seeking a multibillion-dollar tax increase to deliver a record funding boost to schools and wipe out a long-term deficit that’s damaged Pennsylvania’s creditworthiness.

The stalemate has left the state government without full spending authority. That includes payments to schools and nonprofits and county agencies that help administer Pennsylvania’s social-services safety net.

[naviga:h3]Mother could face death penalty[/naviga:h3]

ALLENTOWN — Prosecutors say they plan to seek capital punishment for a young mother accused of having killed her 20-month-old son by pushing him off a bridge into a river.

Johnesha Monae Perry, 20, of Allentown was arraigned Monday in Lehigh County on homicide and child endangerment charges in the May death of Zymeir Perry.

Police say Perry kissed her son on the forehead before pushing him off the bridge and into the Lehigh River 52 feet below. Two Allentown police officers recovered the baby about 700 yards downstream, but he was taken off life support six days later.

Defense attorneys say they will focus on Perry’s mental state.

[naviga:h3]Man wants new trial in Craigslist slaying[/naviga:h3]

SUNBURY — A newlywed husband convicted along with his wife in the stabbing death of a stranger who prosecutors said was lured through a Craigslist ad is seeking a new trial.

The (Sunbury) Daily Item reports that 23-year-old Elytte Barbour argues in court documents filed Monday in Northumberland County that he wasn’t the “mastermind” behind the slaying.

Barbour and 19-year-old Miranda Barbour pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in the November 2013 stabbing death of 42-year-old Troy LeFerrara of Port Trevorton.