[naviga:h3]Prison system sued over mail policy[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — Two federal lawsuits challenge new procedures for handling mail to inmates from lawyers in Pennsylvania’s state prisons imposed after dozens of employees sought medical help for suspected exposure to synthetic marijuana.

The ACLU and other groups sued Corrections Department executives Tuesday, arguing the policy “disregards the privileged nature of attorney-client communications” and compromises confidentiality.

Prison workers open and copy legal mail in the inmate recipients’ presence and provide photocopies.

The agency keeps originals for 45 days. The policy is among changes designed to stem smuggling that officials blame on paper soaked with the clear, odorless chemical.

[naviga:h3]Another GOP attempt rebuffed[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Supreme Court is dismissing another challenge by top Republican lawmakers from Pennsylvania to the legality of new congressional district boundaries imposed by the state’s highest court in a gerrymandering case.

The high court on Monday denied the case by House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati. It’s the third time the nation’s highest court has rejected such a GOP effort.

November’s election is being conducted on new court-drawn districts viewed as more competitive than the invalidated map drawn by Republicans to help Republicans win.