Court returns fired official back to job

HARRISBURG — An appeals court says Gov. Tom Wolf overstepped his powers when he fired the director of the state’s open records office.

The Commonwealth Court today ordered Erik Arneson returned to the job with backpay and benefits.

Wolf fired the longtime Republican Senate aide just days after he became the executive director of the Office of Open Records.

Arneson’s lawyers argued lawmakers made it clear in the Right-to-Know Law that they wanted the job to be independent of the governor.

They cited the six-year term that outlasts a single gubernatorial term, the need to maintain a separation of powers within government and the open records office’s role in making quasi-judicial decisions.

Transgender appointee OK’d

HARRISBURG — A transgender woman has the approval of the state Senate to be Pennsylvania’s physician general in what one lawmaker calls a “history making” vote.

Dr. Rachel Levine unanimously won confirmation Tuesday.

House Rep. Dan Frankel, who co-chairs the Legislature’s LGBT equality caucus, called Levine’s confirmation a first for Pennsylvania because Levine is transgender.

The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate also unanimously confirmed Revenue Secretary Eileen McNulty.

Azalea cancels gay pride performance

PITTSBURGH — Iggy Azalea has canceled a performance at a Pittsburgh gay pride event after being criticized for making anti-gay and racist remarks on social media.

The 25-year-old Australian rapper known for the hit single “Fancy” said Monday her planned Saturday appearance at Pittsburgh Pride would distract from the event.

Azalea and the event’s organizer, the Delta Foundation, were under pressure from advocacy groups and elected officials who said her remarks were inconsistent with values of acceptance.

Azalea says she deeply regrets the remarks. She says comments made in her youth aren’t reflective of her character and her firm belief in equality.

By The Associated Press