Environment & Science

Brad Klein reviews the week’s astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s "Backyard Astronomy Guy," Marty McGuire.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission last week released a draft of its Priority Climate Action Plan, a document almost a year in the making aimed at tamping down the region’s carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The National Weather Service issued the warning Saturday afternoon for parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties, extending into Carbon County.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Five farms, three in Lehigh County and two in Northampton County, were the latest to be included in the commonwealth’s Farmland Preservation Program, along with more than a dozen others across the state.

Some areas reported almost 14 inches of snow, with flakes the size of cotton balls. Other areas got just a few inches. Said a National Weather Service meteorologist: 'I completely understand the shock factor.'

The Lehigh Valley is under a winter weather advisory in effect from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, with a chance the snowfall that could overperform in parts of the region.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with journalists Molly Bilinski and Phil Gianficaro.

Presidents Day weekend is approaching, and historically the period has been prime time for big storms. That won't be the case Friday, but a few inches of snow are possible in the Lehigh Valley.

A Lehigh Valley resident was recognized as a “Volunteer of the Year” for 2023 by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit that focuses on litter cleanups and community improvements.

A little more than a month into Pennsylvania’s fall foliage season, both Lehigh and Northampton counties are predicted to be at peak color.

This week, a rare interstellar comet is passing through our solar system. It was detected by an array of telescopes designed to warn astronomers should a comet be on a collision course with Earth.

Lehigh University hosted a symposium examining ways to bolster electric and water systems to cope with the demands of data centers. Getting it right could mean hundreds of new jobs — and a place leading the next generation of technology infrastructure.

Easton celebrated renovations to Centennial Park on Friday afternoon, highlighting new equipment, a walking track, and a revamped basketball court.

Easton's sustainability coordinator and chair of the Environmental Advisory Council gave a presentation on the benefits of a Dark Skies initiative at city council's Wednesday meeting.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's comprehensive planning commission approved plans to expand the Plainfield Township landfill site Tuesday.

Ten months after a paranormal investigation at Miller Symphony Hall for TV show “Eric Mintel Investigates” was completed, the episode is premiering. The event also includes a costume contest, jazz duet, book signing and spirit readings.

Forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center say the region faces “equal chances” for above, near, or below-normal precipitation from December through February — meaning the odds of any outcome are roughly even.

This week, a look at the Orionid meteor shower. It peaks this week on Monday night-Tuesday morning.

Applications are open for the second Good Farmer Award U.S. Officials are looking for farmers with less than 10 years of experience who exemplify sustainable farming practices while contributing to community and environmental health.

Easton residents were surprised to see streetlights swapped to LED fixtures last week, and city officials have halted the Met-Ed conversion project to review details before continuing the project.

A crop farm in Lehigh County was included in the latest round of Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program. Twenty-three other farms across the state were also preserved.