Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Allentown officials are asking voters to authorize them to one day raise the tax rate paid when properties are bought and sold in the city.

It was a packed house at the Emmaus Theatre for a special early screening of the documentary film "War Game" starring former government officials Wednesday.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump were locked in a 48% to 48% tie in a poll of likely voters released Wednesday by Muhlenberg College's Institute of Public Opinion.

A state appeals court is upholding a lower court's finding that a Republican-controlled county in Pennsylvania violated state law when election workers refused to tell voters whether their mail-in ballot in April's primary election would be counted. The case is one of several election-related lawsuits being litigated in Pennsylvania, a hotly contested presidential battleground state. Tuesday's decision by a Commonwealth Court panel upheld a Washington County judge's month-old order.

The film "War Game," produced by an Emmaus High School graduate, simulates what it would be like if a full insurrection really came to pass.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris discuss what makes a poll scientifically accurate, including a breakdown of how political polls are conducted.

Republicans have seen their numbers swell in Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, but they still lag behind the total number of registered Democrats in the state and region.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made his first campaign stop in the Lehigh Valley, addressing more than 1,500 people at Freedom High School's gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz wowed the crowd with a campaign speech at Freedom High School in Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, is making his first visit to the Lehigh Valley since Vice President Kamala Harris introduced him as her running mate against former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance.

Tom Shortell and Chris Borick discuss the areas likely to be included in the state budget, including education funding, school vouchers and a possible bailout for SEPTA.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is scheduled to deliver his budget proposal for 2025-26 to a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He is expected to seek more money for public schools and public transit.

A lifelong Bethlehem resident announced her run for City Council Monday. With strong city ties and a commitment to inclusiveness, she said, she aims to build on Bethlehem’s growth and address key local issues.

Rachel Leon, a member of Bethlehem City Council, will run for another term in office, she said Thursday.

The Trump administration directive, rescinded Wednesday, could have put tens of millions of dollars at risk across the Lehigh Valley, speakers said Friday outside the Lehigh County Government Center.

Democrat Geoff Brace, who represents the county’s 4th District, announced his plans to seek another term.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week Megan talks to environment and science reporter Molly Bilinski and Northampton County reporter Ryan Gaylor.

In a speech in Bethlehem on Thursday, Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski formally announced her run for county executive. The county's incumbent executive endorsed her for the post, and will help fund her campaign.

Crampsie Smith said she will focus on fiscal management, smart growth, neighborhoods, infrastructure.

James Fuller, a resident of Allen Township, announced this week he will run to join the Northampton County bench.

David Holland, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and nursing professor at East Stroudsburg University, will run for Northampton County Council as a Democrat, he announced Wednesday.

The long-time Upper Saucon Township resident is a former supervisor and currently serves in several township roles.