[naviga:h3]Dow, DuPont plan to merge[/naviga:h3]

DOVER, Del. — Dow Chemical and DuPont will attempt to merge in an all-stock deal that would create a colossal chemical producer worth $130 billion, before splitting into three separate companies.

The deal announced today is being billed a merger of equals, to be called DowDuPont. The plan is to then split DowDuPont into three companies, one focused materials, one on agriculture and the last on specialty products.

Dow CEO Andrew Liveris will become executive chairman of the newly formed DowDuPont board of directors.

[naviga:h3]Medicaid sign-up hits landmark in Pa.[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf says the sign-up of 500,000 Pennsylvanians for health care under the Medicaid expansion are part of keeping a campaign promise he made in last year’s election campaign.

Wolf joined state Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and health care advocates to mark the milestone Thursday at a news conference at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Dallas said the state’s uninsured population dropped from 14 percent in 2013 to 8 percent this year.

[naviga:h3]Lawmakers OK CHIP renewal[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers are sending a bill to the governor that would extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for two more years, and move the program from the Insurance Department to the Department of Human Services.

The House voted unanimously Thursday to renew the program that covers more than 150,000 Pennsylvania children who aren’t eligible for Medicaid. Monthly premiums are based on their family’s income.

The federal government is expected to pay 90 percent of the cost to shift CHIP into Human Services.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman said he’ll sign the bill.

[naviga:h3]GM ignition payouts approach $600M[/naviga:h3]

DETROIT — Lawyers hired to compensate victims of General Motors’ faulty ignition switches have paid out $594.5 million to settle 399 eligible claims.

The numbers were released Thursday in a final report from compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg.

A total of 4,343 claims were filed with the GM fund. Only 9.2 percent were deemed eligible for payments, including claims for 124 deaths and 275 injuries.