Consumer Affairs

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.

Inversion is a natural phenomenon that causes bottom water to flow up to the top surface and surface water to drop to the bottom. It's causing some households' drinking water to smell and taste different.

Carpenter also matched the six nominations by fellow Pennsylvania native Taylor Swift, though several of Swift's nominations came in lessor categories such as Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group.

AAA East Central said that last winter season, it answered 259,423 calls about battery issues and replaced 57,051 batteries. It says now is the time to prepare your car for colder temperatures.

To avoid the hold, either walk inside to put the exact amount of your purchase on your card, or pay cash.

A perfect storm of inflation, housing market issues, and gas prices have created a climate in which people need food.

Experts have no idea when prices will begin to even out.

Borrowing money for a home or auto loan could also cost more.

Lehigh County had one of the largest percent jump in liquor sales in the state since the start of the pandemic.

As part of our occasional series on how local businesses are overcoming the challenges presented by the past year, consider this local theatre that found, even in the pandemic, the show must go on.

As part of our occasional series on how local businesses are overcoming the challenges presented by the past year, a local entrepreneur tells his story about launching a new brewery amid the pandemic.

WLVR’s occasional “Pivoting in Pandemic” series shares stories of how some local businesses have survived the challenges of COVID-19.

More than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Pennsylvania so far. To celebrate the hard-won milestones, some social media users have been sharing photos of their vaccination cards.

A proposal to provide tax breaks to manufacturers that use natural gas is splitting Democrats in Harrisburg.

Lehigh Valley financial adviser Gene Dickison, host of PBS30’s "More Than Money”, says he doesn’t expect to see decreased production of natural gas in the state.