[naviga:h3]Union says insurers’ dispute could affect troopers[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — The union representing state troopers says a contract dispute between Western Pennsylvania health giants UPMC and Highmark could have a negative impact on troopers and their families.

The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association said Monday that its contract expires next year, while UPMC could stop accepting Highmark insurance at in-network rates at the start of July.

The union is concerned that troopers and their families could have to pre-pay for treatment at UPMC facilities for six months or longer.

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro sued UPMC last week, seeking to prevent it from ending a business relationship with Highmark Health.

UPMC has said state law doesn’t give Shapiro’s office authority to force private parties into contracts.

A UPMC spokesman referred to its previous statements on the dispute.

[naviga:h3]Synagogue shooting suspect pleads not guilty

PITTSBURGH — The man charged in the synagogue massacre pleaded not guilty to hate crimes and other counts Monday, but his new lawyer — a prominent death penalty litigator — signaled he might be open to a plea deal.

Robert Bowers, a truck driver who authorities say gunned down 11 people at Tree of Life Synagogue, appeared in federal court with attorney Judy Clarke, who expressed hope the case will be resolved without a trial.

Clarke is known for negotiating plea deals that helped some of the nation’s most infamous killers avoid death row, including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph and Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner, who killed six people and injured 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. A jury sentenced marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, whom Clarke represented, to death.