'DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD' TO BE MORE "EDGY" THAN ORIGINAL MISTER ROGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD

Second-generation characters will deal with real-world issues a la 'Gossip Girl' or '90210'

OAKLAND - Parents expecting an animated take on 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' may be in for a shock in 2012, when PBS will debut a kids' show featuring second-generation characters that struggle with modern-day issues.

"We wanted to make it relevant for the 21st Century and a new audience," said executive producer Kevin Morrison. "To that end, all our characters are related to the old series regulars, but with more problems.

"For example, Prince Wednesday, whose father is King Friday, is wealthy and privileged, and he lets everyone know it," he said. "But as more and more neighborhood residents question the legitimacy of the monarchy, he has to find a purpose in life. Plus he has to find a pretty girl, marry her, and produce some heirs before that hairline recedes any further back."

Lady Elaine Fairchild's daughter will also have a significant storyline. "In the backstory we created for Miss Elaina, we didn't name her father. That will create inner turmoil for her, plus drama with her mama," Morrison said. "It'll be great TV."

Each episode will feature a theme, such as "'Let's think of something to do while we're waiting,'" said executive producer Morrison. "You can just imagine the different directions that could go, especially given that Daniel Tiger doesn't wear pants."

The show has been in development since 2006. "It's a long time to bring it to air, but I think it'll be worth the wait," Morrison says. "The American people are going to change their attitude about PBS' kids' shows when they see this."

MOCKINGBURGH POLL: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF BURRESS SIGNING WITH THE JETS?

87% - I was really looking forward to him helping make the Steelers' offense almost as old as the Steelers' defense

13% - He does realize he'll still be subject to New York State's gun laws, right?

MOCKINGBURGH POLL: SHOULD MIKE TOMLIN HAVE DINNER WITH PLAXICO BURRESS?

87% - Only if they're planning a "Scared Straight" program for the Steelers

13% - Only if Tomlin gets him to pay

NEW APP DEVELOPED BY CMU TELLS YOU WHEN YOUR BUS WILL ARRIVE

Pittsburgh edition will include special "The bus doesn't run here anymore" feature

OHIO SENDS ATTACK BLIMP INTO PENNSYLVANIA

Motive unclear; PA Governor vows revenge

GREENE COUNTY - In what is being called Ohio's Bay of Pigs, a surprise attack on Pennsylvania failed today when the Buckeye State's attack blimp crashed in Greene County. Despite the failure, Governor Tom Corbett called an emergency meeting of his defense team and mobilized the PA National Guard to the western border.

"This is an outrage," Corbett said today from an undisclosed location. "I thought we were friends. I guess they secretly resented us - after all, we're bigger, we have a bigger legislature, and we have the Steelers. They're stuck with the Bengals and Browns. That kind of hopelessness often leads to radicalization."

Political analysts were mystified as well. "Ohio's always been quiet and law-abiding, and seemed to get along with the other states," says Terry Madonna of Franklin & Marshall College. "But I think the whole Jim Tressel thing pushed them over the edge. Maybe they were out to kidnap Joe Paterno and take him to Columbus. It's a scary thought."

Corbett said it's too early to say what the Commonwealth might do in return. "We are keeping our options open, including taking away their EZ-Passes so they have to pay the higher tolls on the Turnpike. We may have been founded by Quakers, but we are not afraid of a fight."

"Ohio would be wise to remember that the Ohio River starts in Pitsburgh," the governor said. "Not only could we stop that river at the border, I think we might even want to rename it."

MOCKINGBURGH POLL: WHICH RECENT WEDDING HAD WAY TOO MUCH COVERAGE?

13% - William and Kate

87% - Ben and Ashley

MOCKINGBURGH POLL: SHOULD THE STEELERS OFFER A NEW CONTRACT TO TROY POLAMALU?

13% - Yes

87% - They better, or a lot of local women will be very, very angry

'WHEEL OF FORTUNE' DESIGNER ED FLESH DIES AT AGE 79

"There are no words," show's executive producer says

DAN ROONEY MAKES CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS IN MEN'S JOURNAL INTERVIEW

NEW YORK - Dan Rooney, former Steelers president and current US ambassador to Ireland, stirred controversy today in an interview to be published in the August issue of Men's Journal magazine. The 79-year-old posed shirtless while holding two of the guns he owns to illustrate the article.

The former president of the Steelers was named an ambassador in 2009, and he has traveled extensively during that time. "I've been to 24 of Ireland's 26 counties," Rooney said. "The other two, well, if they were on fire and I had to [urinate] on them to put them out, I wouldn't do it." White House spokesman Greg Aiello later issued a statement, saying, "We are not commenting on any aspect of this story."

Rooney also said it may be time for him to return to a role within the Steelers's organization. "Maybe I'll play quarterback," he said. "I may not be very mobile, but at least I know not to throw a pick on the opponent's side of the field and ask the 'D' to bail me out."

"I have not yet seen the article in Men's Journal nor have I spoken to Dad about his comments," said current Steelers president Art Rooney II. "We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time."

LOCAL MEN CALLING THE MILK TRUCK HOTLINE

Most just want to see a big boob, not the militant women

AMERICANS APPLAUD US WOMEN'S EFFORT DESPITE WORLD CUP LOSS

Apathy towards soccer to resume Monday morning

JAMES HARRISON STILL INVITED TO ROETHLISBERGER'S WEDDING

Location a secret until close to the wedding, and "He might not get the same directions everyone else does," says a source close to the groom

POST-GAZETTE BREAKS NEWS ON HAIR STYLIST FOR ROETHLISBERGER WEDDING

Pulitzer committee put on alert

PA SECRETARY OF HEALTH BUYS JACKETS FOR STAFF

MOCKINGBURGH QUIZ: MATCH THE PHOTOS WITH THE RIGHT CAPTIONS!

A) Surprisingly, charged with DUI

B) Surprisingly, never charged with anything

MOCKINGBURGH POLL: THE HINES WARD DUI MUGSHOT

In the early morning hours of July 9, Hines Ward was arrested for drunk driving in Georgia. What do you think of his mugshot?

87% - At least he's not smiling

13% - I find the 'Obey' t-shirt he's wearing ironic

36,942 CELEBRATE MEDIOCRITY AT PNC PARK

"The Pirates have been down so long, .500 is starting to look like up," one fan says

PITTSBURGH STEELS ITSELF FOR INFLUX OF MENNONITES THIS WEEK

LADY LIBERTY TAKES WEEKEND OFF; NYC'S JULY 4TH CELEBRATION CANCELLED

"It's always so crowded and noisy around the 4th in New York," statue says. "I thought I'd take a mini-vacation on the Susquehanna River and visit the good people of Pennsylvania."