LANCASTER — A pregnant woman who refused to get a flu shot due to her fear of miscarrying has been fired from her job with a health-care company.

Dreonna Breton worked as a registered nurse for Horizons Healthcare Services in central Pennsylvania. The company requires all personnel to get the influenza vaccine.

Breton contends the immunizations may not be safe enough for pregnant women. She suffered two miscarriages earlier this year, and doesn't want to risk a third.

Company spokesman Alan Peterson says it's unconscionable for a health care worker not to be immunized. He also says pregnant women are more susceptible to the flu.

Breton offered to wear a mask during flu season. But the 29-year-old was fired Dec. 17.

HARRISBURG — Flu season appears to be in full swing in Pennsylvania, with health officials reporting outbreaks in at least half the regions of the state.The state Health Department confirms nearly 1,200 cases of influenza between Sept. 29 and Dec. 21.The hardest-hit areas are in Western Pennsylvania, led by Allegheny and Blair counties.Flu is usually the worst in January or February, although last year the illness hit the U.S. very hard in early December.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year's flu season landed about 381,000 people in the hospital nationwide. That's the most since at least 2005.

LANCASTER — A central Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to beating a star of the TV series “Amish Mafia.”Imir Williams admitted Thursday to assaulting and stalking girlfriend Esther Schmucker, who appears on the show based in Lancaster County. Authorities say Williams repeatedly punched Schmucker on Oct. 31 at her Strasburg home, breaking her nose and several teeth.Williams had been jailed for the past seven weeks. He was released on bail recently. Williams was placed on probation for three years and ordered to have no contact with Schmucker.Williams is not on the television program.