Consumer Affairs

Allentown pet stores can no longer sell guinea pigs after city council approved a ban last week. Council members, though, voted down a measure to also prohibit the sale of betta fish in city stores.

The event, held at Lehigh University's Stabler Arena, drew a crowd of both car enthusiasts and those vaguely interested.

Bethlehem Water and Sewer Resources Director Edward Boscola says the city's water meters don't lie. But consumers who got outrageously high bills with no findings of leaks aren't buying it.

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to eliminate its rules on commissions. That will have an impact on real estate professionals' fees — and perhaps supply a jolt to the tepid housing market.

Fabric and crafts giant Joann announced its bankruptcy filing Monday and said it expects to shift to private ownership following financial restructuring over the next several weeks.

Bethlehem City Council’s public works committee is set to meet Tuesday to discuss resident complaints from the past year about costly — and sometimes prohibitively expensive — water bills.

Users of Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms in several countries were experiencing login issues caused by a technical issue that was resolved after a few hours.

Sen. Bob Casey called out big corporations during a stop in Easton on Thursday, saying their pursuit of profits has kept inflation high. Leading economists are warming to the once fringe theory of "greedflation."

St. Luke's officials said Thursday that the family practice on Front Street in Hellertown is "at capacity."

The 4th annual Winter Village in Easton brought in over 56,000 visitors from over 20 states.

A Lehigh Valley man was hunting when the lithium ion battery in heated insoles in his boots caught fire. A surgeon from Lehigh Valley Health Network said these incidents are causing devastating burn injuries.

"Too many families are discovering that their gift was emptied by a scammer before it was ever used. We should not allow criminals to take advantage of this season of generosity," State Sen. Lisa Boscola said.

General real estate taxes will stay flat in South Whitehall Township next year, its fire tax will rise 0.28 of a mill and residents will see a new 0.1% income tax to fund open space preservation.

After persistently dry, windy weather last year triggered concerns over the longevity of holiday trees, this year’s crop is shaping up well, Lehigh Valley growers said, with many different varieties available.

UGI Utilities Inc. on Wednesday announced a smaller-than-expected increase in the purchased gas cost rate beginning Dec. 1.

Customers should understand that generation/supply typically make up 40% to 60% of a utility bill, the PUC said, with variables such as weather, usage and efficiency of a home heating system factoring in.

Here's some spots where you can pick up a free turkey courtesy of community organizations and nonprofits. There's also a big turkey collection drive happening Friday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

Federal health officials say 31 babies in 15 states have been sickened in a growing outbreak of infantile botulism tied to ByHeart infant formula. ByHeart recalled all of its products sold throughout the U.S. No deaths have been reported. Health officials say parents and caregivers who have the formula in their homes should stop using it immediately and dispose of the product. Botulism is a rare but serious disease that can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms can take weeks to develop. The most recent case was reported Nov. 11.

The state Public Utility Commission will conduct hearings in December to gather public input on a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities Corp.

Holiday lights will illuminate the Lehigh Valley Zoo and Coca-Cola Park while Christmas City decks the hall with Moravian traditions this holiday season.

Community Bank announced in June it would assume seven Santander Bank branches in the Lehigh Valley by the end of 2025. In November, the company announced that acquisition is now complete.

The draft plan is the product of a series of well-attended public-input meetings over the past year.