PITTSBURGH — Republicans in Pennsylvania have nominated a political newcomer to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.

Tim Burns, 41, of Eighty Four is a millionaire businessman and a native of Murtha's hometown of Johnstown.

Burns beat out retired Army officer Bill Russell, who mounted a strong challenge against Murtha in 2008. Burns bested Russell 85 to 46 at a GOP meeting Thursday at St. Vincent College near Latrobe.

Burns will face Democrat Mark Critz in the May 18 special election to fill the remaining eight months of Murtha's term. Critz was Murtha's former district director.

Murtha died Feb. 8.

HARRISBURG — The six-week trial of former state Rep. Mike Veon and three ex-aides is nearing an end.Prosecutors are scheduled to give closing arguments today in the trial of Veon and co-defendants Brett Cott, Steve Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink. The jury then is expected to begin deliberations.Veon and his co-defendants are accused of diverting state resources and employees to wage political campaigns

NEW CASTLE — A hearing is set to resume on whether a 12-year-old boy can be tried as an adult on charges he killed his father's pregnant fiancee.Jordan Brown was 11 when he allegedly shot 26-year-old Kenzie Marie Houk in their New Galilee farmhouse in February 2009. Houk's unborn son also died.A defense psychologist testified last month that an adolescent's brain does not control impulses in a "mature way."Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto must decide whether Brown is tried an as adult and faces possible life in prison.