5 stories to follow: Dec. 19

Here's your daily look at five stories to know about:

1. Pa. health care premiums: Some experts are concerned about the price of premiums under Gov. Tom Corbett's Medicaid expansion plan. The issue is expected to be a major focus of a series of hearings about Corbett's "Healthy Pennsylvania" plan, which begin today in Erie. Another hearing is slated for Jan. 3 in Philadelphia.

2. Drones: The development, research and use of unmanned aerial vehicles is already taking off in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

3. Pastor's fate: A United Methodist pastor will learn today whether he will be defrocked after officiating at his son's wedding to another man. Rev. Frank Schaefer is scheduled to meet with church officials today in Norristown.

4. Early-education grants: Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the six states that will receive a combined $280 million in grants for early-learning programs, federal officials will announce today. Other states getting the Race to the Top-Early Challenge funds are Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and Vermont.

5. Immigrant tuition in N.J.: New Jersey legislators are expected to pass a so-called tuition equality bill today, which would make undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state college tuition rates. Gov. Chris Christie has said he would veto the bill in its current form because its benefits are too generous, but he supports the idea of making higher education more affordable to students brought the United States illegally as children.