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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Tentative SEPTA pact announced
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
Gov. Rendell and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady late last night announced a tentative agreement to end the four-day-old transit strike that has paralyzed the region.
In Burlco, hundreds arrive early to get H1N1 flu vaccine
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
They started lining up at 8:30 a.m. for free H1N1 vaccinations at a Westampton clinic that wasn't supposed to open until 2 p.m.
Jobless rate rises to 10.2 percent in October
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
The numbers are remarkable: Nearly 16 million Americans are without work. The unemployment rate is 10.2 percent. And 190,000 more jobs were lost in October, an outcome worth cheering only when compared with the month-by-month carnage that has brought the nation its biggest employment crisis in 26 years.
Amid walkout, extra workout
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
At 7:20 yesterday morning, Craig Holm and his wife, Karen, stuffed hand warmers into their gloves to combat the autumn chill, and mounted their bikes for the 15-mile journey from their home in Bryn Mawr to their jobs in the city.
Ft. Hood suspect a man of contrasts
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
FORT HOOD, Texas - As if going off to war, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan cleaned out his apartment, gave leftover frozen broccoli to one neighbor, and called another to thank him for his friendship - common courtesies and routines of the departing soldier. Instead, authorities say, he went on the rampage that left 13 people dead and 31 injured.
Ground breaking to begin on Penn Project
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0000
The University of Pennsylvania will begin construction today of its epic 24-acre Penn Park, the centerpiece of its 30-year master plan involving land it acquired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2004.

Today's Tribune-Review

Allegheny County executive vetoes bill for fee on nonprofits
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato wrote that the fee would violate the state's Home Rule Charter and Charter Law by expanding the county's taxing powers.
Worshippers gather to pray at Maryland mosque attended by Fort Hood gunman
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Members of the mosque said they knew little of Hasan, who attended prayers, worked on his laptop in the library, and apparently contributed little else to a community center that serves as many as 5,000 people during Muslim holy days.
Republican wins may mark big change in Westmoreland County
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
It's been 20 years in the making, but Westmoreland County Republicans finally had their day in Tuesday's general election. Despite being outnumbered by nearly 50,000 Democratic voters, GOP candidates scored an unprecedented number of wins.
Soldiers feel 'betrayed' by slaughter at Fort Hood
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
They say they are saddened after witnessing the cold-blooded murders of 13 people at the Texas Army base by the suspected gunman, Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.
Native of Pittsburgh among Fort Hood dead
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Juanita Warman, who worked as a nurse to pay her way through the University of Pittsburgh, was one of the 13 people who died at the Army base in Texas.
Abortion, illegals issues could delay health vote
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500
Democrats sought to ease concerns over funding for abortion and illegal aliens on the eve of a health-care floor debate. But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer raised the possibility that today's planned vote could be delayed.

Centredaily.com: Local

Debt woes put brakes on Village
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:12:00 -0500
The Village at Penn State retirement community has stopped paying its monthly debt services to bond holders, saying it needs the money to pay for daily operations and repairs, according to officials.
More PSU students seeking assistance
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:09:00 -0500
UNIVERSITY PARK — A growing number of Penn State students are applying for financial aid, even as a smaller percentage of those seeking help are from low-income families.
Trustees revive plans for children’s hospital
Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:08:00 -0500
UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State trustees on Friday approved final plans for construction of a $206 million Children’s Hospital in Hershey, 11 months after it put the project on hold.

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