Allentown News

Officials are working to develop a comprehensive strategy to address a housing crisis, one that could deepen with Lehigh Valley the fastest-growing region in Pennsylvania.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined local legislators at the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown on Friday to talk about the BOOST Program that will fund after-school programs across Pennsylvania. State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, developed it.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by Allentown reporter Jason Addy and Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski.

Allentown school directors will hold public interviews in August for candidates interested in filling a board vacancy created by the recent resignation of Daysell Ramirez.

Allentown City Council members unanimously backed a ballot question that — if approved by voters — would open the door for the deed-transfer tax to be raised for the first time in decades.

The Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival will return to Allentown on Sunday, July 28. It kicks off at noon at North Fifth and Hamilton streets.

Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton have teamed up with Lehigh Valley Health Network to make the Lehigh Valley a Blue Zone. The initiative was launched this week and will take the next few years to earn the certification.

Lehigh Valley International Airport officials cut the ribbon Thursday on a new restaurant. Two more new eateries will open there later this year.

After a school board member submitted their plans to resign, citing "bullying" and "issues with transparency," the Allentown School Board must make it official in a vote at its Thursday meeting.

Taxpayers will foot the bill for lawyers on both sides if issues between Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and council end up in court.

U.S. Specialty Formulations, based in Allentown, announced Wednesday it would expand its biopharma facility by $15 million. As a result, the expansion could add over 100 jobs to the area.

Valley Youth House announced it received a $1 million gift from the Topper Foundation. The nonprofit agency plans to place the money in its endowment fund to support local programs.