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?

Hunters Sharing the Harvest, Pennsylvania’s venison donation program, has since 1991 built a network of deer processors and food pantries across the state, donating nearly 2 million pounds of venison. Deer rifle season begins Saturday.

Widespread heavy rains moved out of the Lehigh Valley early Wednesday, with the storm expected to bring a wintry mix across New England and the interior Northeast on the day before Thanksgiving.

Lehigh Valley Zoo will welcome red pandas in 2024 as part of its effort to introduce new species to the zoo.

The Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence is open to any commonwealth business, farm, government agency, educational institution or nonprofit organization that has developed or participated in a project that promotes environmental protection and stewardship. Applications are due by Jan. 3.

When state officials announced a series of in-person and virtual meetings there were no in-person meetings slated for the Lehigh Valley, even though the region is the third largest metropolitan area in the commonwealth. A meeting in Allentown has been added to the schedule.

A decade or so after buying his South Whitehall Township home in the late 1960s, Fred Buse started recording the average temperature, precipitation type and amount, as well as any animal sightings in his backyard to study and track the health of the local environment.

Saturn is close to the moon tonight. You'll need binoculars or a small telescope to make out the rings.

A significant storm is set to soak the region this week, and it will come during the peak travel days ahead of Thanksgiving. Some areas could even see wintry precipitation.

While the goal is to transition communities to clean energy while creating jobs, there are still many unknowns about the projects. Even though there are two hubs slated for Pennsylvania, it could be a while before the Lehigh Valley’s residents begin to feel any impacts.

First introduced by state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh Valley, in 2015 and approved by the Senate in July, the bill would increase the fine and direct any monies collected towards bald and golden eagle conservation efforts across the commonwealth.

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.

Pre-Thanksgiving storm ahead: Your best-laid plans to hit the road for the holiday could be upended next week, forecasters warn.