Saying he wasn't pleased by his own decision, the judge presiding over the criminal case against the Orie sisters on Tuesday ordered that the two women be tried separately. (Today)

An Allegheny County Common Pleas judge this morning agreed to sever the trials of state Sen. Jane Orie and her sister Janine Orie, who were scheduled to go to trial at the end of this month on charges they misused the senator's legislative staff to run an election campaign. (Yesterday)

The defense attorney for state Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, is asking for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate alleged leaks from the grand jury. (Yesterday)

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will assume growing responsibility for a refurbished Point State Park in coming years, eventually taking over all maintenance and security from the city. (Yesterday)

D. Raja, the Republican candidate for Allegheny County executive last year, is poised to join the run for state Sen. John Pippy's seat south of Pittsburgh. (Yesterday)