HARRISBURG -- State officials are putting out the warning: The state's budget situation is bad and getting worse, and lower-than-expected revenues will force painful reductions in state spending. (Today)

HARRISBURG -- A state health care reporting agency, which has won national praise for its work in holding down health costs, has been spared once again. (Today)

HARRISBURG -- A college education in Pennsylvania takes a major bite out of the income of the state's poorest families, according to a state Department of Education report released yesterday. (Today)

HARRISBURG -- A state health care reporting agency, which has won national praise for its work in holding down health costs, has been spared once again. (Today)

A government watchdog group has asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate whether Democratic Leader Bob Mellow's appointment to an insurance company's board should preclude him from voting on a proposed merger between Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Inc. (Today)