Media blackout set as strike date nearsHARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and its faculty union have agreed to a media blackout while they try to negotiate a contract before Wednesday’s strike deadline.The state system and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties jointly announced the blackout on Saturday. Both sides say they’re hopeful that minimizing distractions will help them reach a new deal.The union says about 5,500 faculty and coaches at 14 state-owned universities will strike at 5 a.m. Wednesday if they don’t reach a deal.The last faculty contract expired June 30, 2015.The key issues appear to be proposed health insurance cost increases and the schools’ greater use of temporary faculty.

Teen’s train death ruled accidentalPLUM — Authorities say the death of a teenage girl struck by a train as she was walking on railroad tracks near Pittsburgh has been ruled accidental.Police in Allegheny County said Ciara Hasselman, 17, was walking on Bessemer Lake Erie Railroad tracks in Plum near the Oakmont Country Club pedestrian bridges.Superintendent James Morton said the girl didn’t move from the tracks “despite numerous signals from the train” and was struck shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday. She was pronounced dead just before 6 p.m. Saturday at Forbes Regional Hospital.

Body recovered in river after crash TARENTUM — Authorities say a body was recovered after a man jumped into the Allegheny River following a police chase and a crash.Police in Allegheny County say a driver nearly struck a pedestrian and sideswiped several parked cars in Tarentum early Sunday, then crashed at the base of the Tarentum bridge. A resident told police that the driver asked for help, then ran and jumped into the river.The county medical examiner’s office identified the body as that of 19-year-old Sequorri Smith of Arnold. A ruling on the cause and manner of death are pending.