Criminal Justice

A juvenile suspect has been charged with misdemeanor counts as a result of a state police investigation of sewing needles in food at the Giant.

The four men, ages 21-22, shouted racial slurs at the victim before following him home and attacking him, according to investigators.

Charges against Christopher Ferrante can head to trial in Northampton County Court. The case has dominated the district attorney race between incumbent Terry Houck and challenger Stephen Baratta.

Authorities say an employee at the Giant supermarket at 7150 Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township put sewing needles into grocery items. The juvenile worker has been identified and charges are pending.

University police are looking for information on a screaming incident that occurred on Lehigh's campus over the weekend.

Police found no evidence that a 21-year-old Allentown man was trying to steal from vehicles before he was fatally shot last month by a resident, who was also fatally shot, authorities announced Tuesday.

Joseph Roy, the superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, is being sued in federal court by Liberty High School Assistant Principal Antonio Traca. Roy says he has never struck a district employee. Read the complaint here.

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck, running for a second term, has said his office reduced crime by 25% since he took office. State statistics tell a more complicated story.

The buyback, coordinated by District Attorney Terry Houck, trades $50-$200 grocery gift cards for unwanted weapons.

Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro wants to create a new bank account to fund the State Police without taking money away from road repairs.

Erie officials on Monday said they are imposing a three-day suspension on a city police officer who was captured on video kicking a woman during a protest in the wake of the George Floyd killing.

Legislation aimed at reducing police brutality in Pennsylvania is moving through the state House.The move comes a week after Black lawmakers protested on the chamber floor, calling for action on more than a dozen proposals.

Calls for reform in police departments echo across the country. The city of Allentown has begun conversations with Black Live Matter activists who want to see increased transparency from law enforcement.

Members of the Lehigh Valley Black Lives Matter chapter met with Allentown’s mayor and head of law enforcement last week with demands for increased police transparency and use-of-force policy reforms.

Justan Fields, a 36-year-old full-time worker, student and father of two, said he thought only 10 people would show up. Instead hundreds rallied and marched to city hall demanding social justice.

Ramona is a 5-year-old companion dog at the Lehigh County Courthouse. Her role is to help ease the trauma of testifying in court.

Local members of Black Lives Matter say they will meet this week with Allentown’s mayor and police chief to discuss ways to increase diversity in the police department Allentown’s head of law enforcement says policing needs to change.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf took steps yesterday to address violence and oppression against people of color. Wolf outlined a plan to…