State OKs use of gas drilling waste on hunting club road

20 Democratic senators blast steep price hike for EpiPens

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on the confirmation of a new Pennsylvania attorney general to replace the convicted Kathleen Kane (all times local): 5:15 p.m. Pennsylvania's new attorney general says there were a lot of difficult times under his now-convicted predecessor and that it's been hard for employees there to stomach so much negativity during two years of infighting and scandal. Bruce Beemer became attorney general Tuesday after a speedy and unanimous Senate vote and a swearing-in by the state's chief justice. Beemer was Kathleen Kane's top deputy, but he later clashed publicly with her and provided testimony that helped prosecutors to convict her. Beemer says the turmoil created distractions that made the office's job more difficult, but he says it didn't necessarily compromise the office's ability to do its job. Kane was convicted of leaking secret grand jury information to smear a rival and lying under oath to cover it up. She resigned Aug. 17 and faces prison time. Beemer will fill the remaining five months of Kane's term until a successor picked by voters is sworn in Jan. 17. _____ 3:15 p.m. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says his nominee to replace Pennsylvania's' convicted ex-attorney general has the experience and skills to begin healing an office racked by infighting and scandal. Bruce Beemer was confirmed speedily and unanimously Tuesday by the state Senate, and sworn in privately in Wolf's offices. Beemer was Kathleen Kane's top deputy, but he later clashed publicly with her and provided testimony that helped prosecutors to convict her. Wolf says Beemer is trusted by rank-and-file employees of the state's top law enforcement office and understands "better than anyone" how to restore public trust. Kane was convicted of leaking secret grand jury information to smear a rival and lying under oath to cover it up. She resigned Aug. 17 and faces prison time. Beemer left his post last month to become Wolf's inspector general. He'll fill the remaining five months of Kane's term until a successor picked by voters is sworn in Jan. 17. _____ 2:45 p.m. Pennsylvania lawmakers speedily replaced the state's convicted ex-attorney general with her former top deputy. Tuesday's Senate confirmation vote on Bruce Beemer was unanimous. Beemer was to be sworn in later Tuesday. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf nominated Beemer on Aug. 18 to head an office racked by infighting and scandal under Kathleen Kane. Beemer told senators he hopes to restore a sense of honor and integrity to Pennsylvania's top law enforcement office. Kane was convicted of leaking secret grand jury information to smear a rival and lying under oath to cover it up. She resigned Aug. 17 and faces prison time. Kane promoted Beemer to the top lieutenant's job, but he later clashed publicly with her and provided testimony that helped prosecutors to convict her. Beemer left his post last month to become Wolf's inspector general. He'll fill the remaining five months of Kane's term until a successor picked by voters is sworn in Jan. 17. _____ 7 a.m. Pennsylvania lawmakers are poised to replace the state's convicted ex-attorney general with her former top deputy. Tuesday's scheduled confirmation vote on Bruce Beemer comes nearly two weeks after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf nominated him to head an office racked by infighting and scandal under Kathleen Kane. Kane was convicted of leaking secret grand jury information to smear a rival and lying under oath to cover it up. She resigned Aug. 17 and faces prison time. Kane promoted Beemer to the top lieutenant's job, but he later clashed publicly with her and provided testimony that helped prosecutors to convict her. Beemer left his post last month to become Wolf's inspector general. He'll fill the remaining five months of Kane's term until a successor picked by voters is sworn in Jan. 17.

The Latest: New attorney general: Difficult times under Kane