HARRISBURG — Sen. Joe Scarnati's formal swearing-in as Pennsylvania's next lieutenant governor is scheduled for next week.

Scarnati will be administered the oath of office by Superior Court Judge John Cleland at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3.

His office is describing the event as a small gathering of his family and staff in the Senate chamber.

Scarnati, a Jefferson County Republican, is assuming the office following the death earlier this month of Catherine Baker Knoll, a Democrat from Allegheny County.

Scarnati will also maintain his seat in the Senate, where he is president pro tempore.

IMPERIAL — Airlines operating out of Pittsburgh International Airport will pay higher lease and landing fees next year, but less than had been called for.The Allegheny County Airport Authority says it decreased costs for 2009 by $3.4 million and is passing that on to airlines. The new rates take effect in January.The adjustments came after airlines asked the authority to see if it could reduce costs in its initial budget.The airline fees are charged to the 13 airlines at the airport to cover debt service and operating costs.Airlines will pay a landing fee of $3.22 per 1,000 pounds, up from $2.50. Terminal fees will be about $141 per square foot, up from $110. Ramp fees will be $549 a linear foot, up from $197.

PITTSBURGH — Penn State University's endowment has dropped about $300 million in value from $1.6 billion in June to about $1.3 billion in October, but President Graham Spanier said investment practices prevented even larger losses.Spanier told a Pittsburgh newspaper in an e-mail exchange this week that its endowment is diversified and conservatively managed.Penn State doesn't rely on its endowment to support its operating budget. Instead, it uses the money for needs such as student scholarships, endowed professorships and graduate assistantships.

PITTSBURGH — Former President Bill Clinton spoke to about 400 people in Pittsburgh at a private fundraiser for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.Ravenstahl says Clinton spoke Wednesday at the $500-a-plate fundraiser because the Pittsburgh mayor supported Sen. Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primary.About 350 people paid to attend the invitation-only event at the Omni William Penn hotel. Some elected officials attended for free. Ravenstahl says Clinton spoke about the national economy and its impact on cities.Ravenstahl wants to have $1 million in his campaign fund by the end of the year. The Democratic primary for the mayoral election will be in May. At the moment, no one other than Ravenstahl has declared their candidacy.

SHARON — A whooping cough outbreak has sickened 32 people at an elementary school. The state Department of Health said it inoculated more than 550 parents, students, and staff in the West Middlesex School District.The respiratory bacterial infection also known a pertussis is highly contagious. Symptoms usually include a long series of coughs followed by a whooping noise, vomiting, or breathing problems.Health Secretary Michael Huff said it's important to immunize children against the disease.