radioNOVO News for Altoona: June 18, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 06/18/26          LAWYERS FOR LUIGI MANGIONE PLAN TO USE A PSYCHIATRIC DEFENSE AT HIS UPCOMING STATE TRIAL FOR THE KILLING OF UNITED HEALTHCARE C-E-O BRIAN THOMPSON. A JUDGE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT MANGIONE WILL CLAIM HE SUFFERED FROM EXTREME EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE.          IF A JURY ACCEPTS THE DEFENSE, IT WOULD REDUCE A POTENTIAL CONVICTION FROM MURDER TO MANSLAUGHTER, LOWERING HIS MAXIMUM SENTENCE TO 25 YEARS. PROSECUTORS SAY MANGIONE METICULOUSLY PLANNED THE AMBUSH, AND THE JUDGE WARNED THE DEFENSE TO HAND OVER THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE QUICKLY AHEAD OF THE SEPTEMBER TRIAL.          MORE THAN 184-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN NATURAL GAS IMPACT FEE REVENUE IS HEADED TO BLAIR COUNTY AND ITS MUNICIPALITIES.          THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE NEARLY 144-THOUSAND-500 DOLLARS, WHILE 25 MUNICIPALITIES WILL SHARE MORE THAN 39-THOUSAND DOLLARS, BEGINNING IN JULY.            THE FEES ARE PAID BY DRILLING COMPANIES, WITH 60 PERCENT RETURNED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IMPACTED BY DRILLING ACTIVITY. THE REMAINING 40 PERCENT SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA’S MARCELLUS SHALE LEGACY FUND.