Nonbelievers’ challenge to House prayers allowed to proceed
HARRISBURG, PA. >> A federal judge in Pennsylvania is keeping alive a lawsuit by nonbelievers who want to be allowed to give invocations at the start of state House sessions.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner ruled Friday the case will continue on the claim that the practice violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution’s First Amendment, prohibiting the establishment of religion by the government.
The judge says that part of the lawsuit argues the policy favors believers in God over nonbelievers and excessively entangles the House in religious judgment.
He dismissed portions of the case that alleged violations of people’s right to free speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the law.
A spokesman for the House majority Republicans says the practices began 335 years ago and they believe they’re constitutional.
5 hurt in driveby shooting in Chester; police seek suspects
CHESTER, PA. >> Police say five people were injured in a drive-by shooting, and they’re looking for the vehicle and its occupants.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported (http:// bit.ly/2oSZLr9 ) the incident occurred about 8 p.m. Friday in Chester.
All the victims are said to be in stable condition at a hospital.
Police say A 21-yearold man was shot four times, a 30-year-old man was hit once in the leg, a 31-year-old man was wounded twice in the back and a 22-year-oldman was struck in the left leg. The fifth victim, a 44-year-old woman, was injured in the face from shattered glass.
Authorities haven’t said if they’ve determined a motive.
Pittsburgh police say they wounded man armed with shotgun
PITTSBURGH >> Pittsburgh police say an officer shot and wounded a man who was carrying a shotgun.
The Pittsburgh PostGazette reports the victim of the early Saturday shooting in East Liberty was alert and conscious when he was taken to a hospital.
Police say they were called to investigate a man in a hooded sweatshirt with a shotgun at about 1:30 a.m.
Authorities haven’t said why the man was shot, or disclosed his identity or the officer’s name. A shotgun was recovered.
The officer has been put on administrative leave.
Deadline nears for Pennsylvania absentee ballot applicants
HARRISBURG, PA. >> Officials are urging Pennsylvania voters who want an absentee ballot for the primary election not to wait until the last minute.
Secretary of State Pedro Cortes is reminding people that the application deadline is May 9 to be able to vote in the May 16 primary.
Completed ballots have to be received by county elections offices by Friday, May 12, and it’s not enough to have it postmarked by that date.
State election rules limit absentee ballots to people deployed with the military, state residents attending out-of-state colleges or universities, people who are injured or disabled, and people who will be out of town on election day.
Details about the ballots and how to submit them are available on the Department of State’s voting website .
Police say officer shot man suspected of stealing vehicle
YORK, PA. >> State police say a man suspected of stealing a sport-utility vehicle was shot by a York City police officer after he rammed a police vehicle.
Authorities said 30-year-old Terry Diffenderfer of York Haven was shot early Saturday after officers cornered him in the vehicle in a parking lot.
One of the officers suffered minor injuries.
Diffenderfer’s condition wasn’t available.
A state police spokesman says the matter’s being investigated and charges are expected against him. Diffenderfer didn’t appear to have a listed phone number.