Consumer Affairs

Driven by $8.1 billion in manufacturing, the Lehigh Valley's Gross Domestic Product grew to a record $50.2 billion in 2022. The region's economy now ranks above Vermont and Wyoming.

Chances are, you'll still be able to find a tree, it just might take a little extra work — and you might want to get it soon. Roger from Unangst Tree Farms explains the ins and outs of why this problem, a decade in the making, is now causing tree farms and stands to sell-out when it's barely December.

Hosted by LehighValleyNews.com health and wellness reporter Brittany Sweeney, guests include patients, physicians, a nutritionist and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley.

An expansion of the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program “delivers the largest targeted tax cut for Pennsylvania seniors in nearly two decades,” according to the Department of Revenue.

The state Public Utility Commission announced a proposed settlement that also requires the Allentown-based utility company to absorb about $16 million in costs associated with corrective actions. It still requires approval by PUC commissioners.

The property at 5494 Schochary Rd in Lynn Township dates to 1874 and has been occupied by long-term owners — until now. And it might not be on the market for long.

The monthly report from the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors shows home sales down 32 percent in September from September 2022. Low inventory and higher mortgage rates are to blame, officials say.

The public transportation service provider will take two phases to restore the fare of its 31-Day Pass as the public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended.

The average price for a gallon of gas in the Lehigh Valley was $3.87 this week. That's below the Pennsylvania average of $3.92 per gallon but up slightly more than 11 cents from last week, according to AAA.

The August report from the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors shows a drop in new listings and closings. The median sale price for the month reached $336,500.

Bethlehem’s Pembroke Choice project is giving residents “the opportunity to plan what the next generation of their neighborhood looks like,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said Saturday.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania rose about 14 cents this week, from $3.261 to $3.405.

Mega Millions is making changes to its lottery game starting as soon as its April 8 drawing. Changes include an increase in the ticket price and retiring add-on features, and replacing them with new features that Mega Millions says will benefit players.

Crayola began its annual million crayon giveaway on Monday, where visitors can assemble a free 32-count box of their favorite colors — including, for the first time, eight colors discontinued over the last three decades.

On Wednesday in Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity continued her cross-state tour of informing residents about Money Match, a program that returns unclaimed money and property that belongs to them.

YWCA-Bethlehem will hold its annual Pop-up Prom Shop this Saturday.

Said LANTA planning and scheduling manager A.J. Jordan, “LANTA Planning Department is consistently working to make sure changes impact riders as little as possible."

Things are looking up for the southern end of Lehigh County, officials agreed Thursday at an annual municipal update event at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

No seat belts are needed to attend the auto show, the largest display of new SUVs, pickups, and cars from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, plus Honda, Toyota, Nissan Ford, and Dodge.

Officials from the Transportation Security Administration visited Lehigh Valley International Airport Tuesday with a collection of simulated bombs in tow.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley hosted a town hall to detail how federal budget cuts could impact Medicaid care in Lehigh County on Tuesday.

William Donner, an anthropology professor at Kutztown University, led a presentation over the weekend on the history of what was once known as the country's oldest folk festival. He lectured at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.