The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (pronounced ) is a state in the eastern part of the United States. One of the original Thirteen Colonies that founded the country, it is known as the Keystone State, which is appropriate given its central location among the original colonies, or the Quaker State. With industry making Conestoga wagons and rifles, and tobacco farms, it was a transitional area bearing characteristics of both the heavily industrialized North and the agrarian South.

Consequently, three Keystone State cities—Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York—served as capital of the new nation, with the Founding Fathers drawing up and signing the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is known as the cradle of the American Nation.

Pennsylvania has two coastal areas: 63 miles (100 km) of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles (92 km) along the Delaware Estuary. Philadelphia is home to a major seaport and shipyards on the Delaware River.

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Inquirer front page

Pfizer faces $103 million in Prempro damages
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
Pfizer Inc. has been hit with more than $100 million in two punitive-damage awards - one decided and the other unsealed yesterday - from Philadelphia juries.
Iraqi election dispute worsens
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
BAGHDAD - Iraq's national elections, scheduled for January and vital for the country's stability and for U.S. troop-withdrawal plans, could be delayed for weeks, or even longer, as parliamentary efforts to adopt electoral legislation that would apportion seats among sectarian groups broke down yesterday.
Sweeney becomes top lawmaker in N.J. government
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
TRENTON - Sen. Stephen Sweeney of Gloucester County will be the top lawmaker in state government after fellow Democrats chose him as Senate president yesterday.
Hamas, Israel eye deal on prisoners
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
JERUSALEM - Hamas leaders raced to Egypt yesterday amid signs of progress on a deal to swap hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for a captive Israeli soldier held by the Islamic extremist group for more than three years.
Rendell hot under collar, TMI 'back to normal'
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Amid renewed criticism from Gov. Rendell for a five-hour delay in telling emergency officials of a weekend radiation incident, Exelon Corp. said its Three Mile Island nuclear plant was "back to normal" yesterday.
FBI charges alleged arms trader, 12 others
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
It began in 2007 with the sale of stolen cell phones and PlayStation 2 systems to a fencing operation in Detroit, one with alleged links to the extremist organization Hezbollah.

Today's Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh council OKs one-time, $600K donation to libraries
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Pittsburgh City Council took the first step Monday toward ensuring all of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches will remain open next year by unanimously approving a one-time $600,000 contribution.
Bitter e-mails unlikely to stop climate change agreement
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Revelation of a series of embarrassing e-mails by climate scientists provides fodder for critics, but experts believe the issue will not hurt the U.S. climate bill's chance for passage or efforts to forge a global climate change deal.
Ex-Pittsburgh casino owner Barden in bankruptcy
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Majestic Star Casinos, which is owned by Detroit businessman Don Barden and once held the license to open a casino in Pittsburgh, filed for bankruptcy Monday to prevent creditors from seizing its assets.
Air travel to decline for Thanksgiving holiday
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Fewer travelers are expected to fly this Thanksgiving, compared to last year. AAA predicted a 7 percent drop-off, and the Air Transport Association forecast a 4 percent decline.
FBI building reflects integrity, strength of slain agent Hicks, mom says
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
More than 200 people gathered for a ceremony to rename the Baltimore FBI field office the "Sam Hicks Building" after the agent who was killed during a drug raid last year in Indiana Township.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl, wife announce separation
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced Monday night that he and his wife, Erin, have separated. The couple, who were high school sweethearts at North Catholic High School, married in 2004.

Centredaily.com: Local

Holiday kickoff shines bright
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:20:00 -0500
State College officially kicked off the holiday season Monday with its annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Pa. senators voice concerns on I-80 tolls
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:20:00 -0500
Ten state senators, including Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, have called on U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to reject a state proposal to toll Interstate 80.
A.M.BRIEFING
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:20:00 -0500
Livonia revives ‘Hunters’ Service’

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