,h3>House OKs bill to end food stamp program waiver[/naviga:h3]/

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives is advancing legislation to stop the state from getting waivers that allow food stamp recipients to continue receiving the federal benefit if they don’t meet work requirements.

The Republican-penned bill passed 108-79 on Tuesday, and headed to the Senate.

Under federal law, able-bodied adults who want to receive food stamps for more than three months at a time must work in some capacity.

However, states can ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to temporarily waive the time limit when unemployment is high or when jobs are tight.

Pennsylvania was among 33 states that received USDA approval for waivers. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf opposes the bill.

Most of Pennsylvania has a waiver, including all of northern and Western Pennsylvania, except for Centre County and most of Allegheny County.

[naviga:h3]Sanders to visit 2 days to boost primary candidates[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will make a two-day swing through Pennsylvania to rally with candidates in Democratic primary races.

Sanders’ campaign said he’ll start with a Friday evening event for lieutenant governor candidate John Fetterman in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Fetterman endorsed Sanders for president in 2016’s Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton. Sanders, however, didn’t endorse Fetterman in that year’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary.

Fetterman is among four Democrats challenging incumbent Lt. Gov. Mike Stack of Philadelphia in May 15’s primary election.

On Saturday, Sanders will campaign with Democratic congressional candidates Jess King in Lancaster and Greg Edwards in Allentown.

King is uncontested for the nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker. Edwards is running in a six-way primary to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent.

[naviga:h3]Hospital sorry for telling patients to get care elsewhere[/naviga:h3]

HERSHEY — A Pennsylvania hospital is apologizing for a letter it sent to patients with multiple sclerosis telling them to seek care elsewhere because of the recent departure of four doctors.

Penn State Health sent the apology letter Monday, telling patients that it remains committed to multiple sclerosis treatment at its hospital in Hershey despite the staffing issues. It says it has organized a team to help patients in the short-term and is looking to rebuild the department long-term.

On April 17, the health system sent a letter to 2,100 neurology patients advising them to seek alternate care options for multiple sclerosis.

Two of the departing doctors took new jobs, and two retired.

[naviga:h3]Police say woman tried to run over her ex-boyfriend[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Police say a woman who tried to hit her ex-boyfriend with her car while a baby was onboard has turned herself in.

A Pittsburgh newspaper reports Kearston Dixon missed her ex but hit two other pedestrians early Saturday morning outside a Pittsburgh bar. Her ex’s 9-month-old son was in the vehicle.

The 38-year-old Dixon faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault and child endangerment.

Witnesses told police the couple got into a fight and when he exited the car Dixon tried to hit him by doing doughnuts. Police said she struck two women, another car and a parking meter before fleeing. One victim had a broken hip, the other had a possible back injury.

Dixon was arraigned Tuesday and bail was set at $50,000.

[naviga:h3]Large tree falls onto school field during game injuring 10[/naviga:h3]

BELLEVUE — Authorities said 10 people were injured when a large tree fell onto a school field during a softball game, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.

Allegheny County emergency dispatchers said the tree fell onto the Northgate Middle/Senior High School field in Bellevue just before 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Officials said six of the 10 injured were taken to hospitals, several by ambulance. Injuries to one person were described as moderate.

The softball team from Williams Middle School, part of the Montour School District, was scheduled to play Northgate at 3:30 p.m.