HAZLETON — Mayor Jeff Cusat confirmed Friday the city has been approved by the state for Act 47 distressed status, a move Cusat pushed for to help pull Hazleton out of a dire financial picture. Representatives from the Department of Community and Economic Development held a hearing with council last month, and it appeared at that time the city was on the fast track to enter Act 47. “I don’t know why anybody is surprised,” Cusat said Friday of the distressed designation.