Environment & Science

Lehigh Valley's 'Spooktacular' Hot Air Balloon festival is on Friday through Sunday and there's a lot more going on than just balloons

Monkeypox is getting a name change in parts of the country, but the change has not made its way to the Lehigh Valley yet. New York City’s health department recently announced it now will refer to the infectious viral disease as MPV.

The Lehigh Valley's fall cooldown came right on schedule, said Ryan Reed, a specialist at the state Bureau of Forestry. “Cold and dry are two of the best stimuli to bring on great fall colors.”

Two Allentown doctors who helped treat more than a dozen carbon monoxide-poisoned kids in are now sharing the story.

The spray drying services company is required to submit a detailed corrective action plan 15 days from the date of the letter, Oct. 4, explaining why the violations occurred and how they will be prevented in the future.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds announced that the city will conduct a feasibility study for a new South Bethlehem Community Center.

A new recycling facility in the Easton Area will aim to sort recyclables from trash, avoiding contamination that renders an entire load a fate that sends it off to the landfill.

Hurricane ravaged Florida continues to get help from Red Cross volunteers from the Lehigh Valley. One Lehigh County woman said she’s been asked to extend her two-week deployment, as more help is needed.

Maybe you woke up this morning wondering, "What is escovitch fish?" (Maybe you didn't?) We answer that and more in this daily list of useful information chosen to inform and enhance your day.

The first frost is possible in the Lehigh Valley this weekend, and October is trending colder than average, meteorologists say. What will it feel like by Halloween?

The Kline’s Island Sewer System, or KISS, regional wastewater plan has been approved by more than a dozen Lehigh County municipalities. Now, it's up to the state Department of Environmental Protection to approve it.

The survey, part of a project out of Lehigh’s Climate Resilience Center, is open until mid-December. As an incentive, residents who complete the survey will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

This week on Watching the Skies, WLVR's Brad Klein and Bethlehem's "Backyard Astronomy Guy" Marty McGuire dissect online misinformation circulating about an approaching comet. The third interstellar comet ever detected, combined with the long-running government shutdown, slowed NASA's response to the solar phenomenon, only fueling theories about the comet.

Amid the celebrations and family gatherings, residents can be mindful of their decisions this Thanksgiving, instituting small changes that could make a big difference during one of the most wasteful times of the year.

The nonprofit water and wastewater utility on Friday asked customers in its service area to voluntarily reduce their water use by 5% amid persistently dry conditions.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday reviewed a draft of its Industrial Land Use Guide, highlighting key points of concern and some potential mitigation strategies to address bigger, more utility-intensive uses.

City officials gathered Thursday in the City Hall’s rotunda for an annual update on the city’s Climate Action Plan, a document that outlines strategies to decrease carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Chicago area was digging out last week after a band of lake-effect snow buried the Windy City, dropping up to a foot in some areas. Could the Lehigh Valley be far behind?

For November, we’re taking a look at comets, with three getting a lot of attention as they pass through our inner solar system.

The new role with the public utility and wastewater authority is aimed at strengthening transparency, community engagement and collaboration with regional partners.

The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council is working on a survey for residents about containerization, an effort to decrease litter across the city.

A 4-H'er from Walnutport and his horse, Skipa Star Goer, placed first in the pleasure horse driving class during the show, held late last month in Harrisburg.