Consumer Affairs

Shannon Torres, a customer service representative with the U.S. Postal Service, shared tips and tricks to make sure gifts arrive on time and intact.

Less than 50 people qualify under the program's current criteria, according to Allentown officials.

More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses.

FirstEnergy sought to raise local customers' electric bills by more than 9%, but the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission blocked the higher rate.

The precautionary measure across Pennsylvania comes at no cost to farmers. While the virus hasn't been reported in commonwealth cattle, other states have seen a marked uptick in cases.

Crayola celebrated its 10th annual "64 Seconds of Color Shopping Spree," pairing three local children with Marines to spring the store and collect as much merchandise as they could carry, with the company providing matching contributions to local Toys for Tots programs.

For the sixth year, Lehigh Valley Health Network is sponsoring free two-hour parking in the Main Street and South Bethlehem areas for Saturday parking during the holiday season, starting Nov. 30.

Sheetz will offer its holiday price slash on Unleaded 88 fuel this year. The deal will be available at five of six Lehigh Valley Sheetz gas stations, unlike the July 4 promo that was not offered anywhere this year.

VEPO, a water meter solutions company in Astoria, New York, has been contracted by the City of Bethlehem to help change out 24,000 old water meters — a quick 15-minute appointment — by 2027.

Easton City Council tabled a bill which would pool police fuel savings stemming from their switch to hybrids for a senior property tax rebate, with several members citing that they would like to see the results of a financial study for the city before committing to the legislation.

LCCC graduates must be enrolled full-time, attend classes in person, and maintain a 2.0 GPA for 12 consecutive quarters in order to transfer credits.

Lehigh Valley International Airport had its best four-month start to the year since 2004 in terms of total passengers passing through, officials said Thursday. Air cargo volumes, meanwhile, declined year-over-year.

The thunderstorm Thursday morning packed heavy wind gusts, rain and hail in some spots. It ended almost as suddenly as it began. PPL reported 22,000 without power in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

North Whitehall supervisors will host a conditional use hearing on Wednesday, June 5, for a revised plan of the controversial Rising Sun subdivision.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced the fine after approving a consent agreement with casino operators Wednesday. The 10 incidents occurred over a 22-month period, regulators said.

Gas prices are up about 10 cents a gallon in Pennsylvania from this time last year, and up 11 cents in the Lehigh Valley region, according to AAA.

The Da Vinci Science Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony before opening its doors to the public on Wednesday. The brand-new facility is located at 815 Hamilton St. in Allentown.

The Coopersburg Farmer Market will be open on Sundays starting June 2 through Oct. 27.

Lehigh Valley Transportation Study officials laid out the next steps to getting the process started for resuming passenger rail service in the Lehigh Valley — if that's what they choose to do.

Easton Public Market will celebrate its eighth anniversary on Friday, May 17, with a special party featuring vendors, the band A Few Good Men, and a fundraiser benefiting Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.

A bi-annual safety report for general hospitals ranks a portion of the Lehigh Valley as one of the best patient safety areas in the nation. The report grades the facilities on how well they prevent medical errors, accidents and infections.

An agreement between "car-sharing" company Turo and the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority won final authority approval Tuesday.