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                Stephanie Kasulka/LehighValleyNews.comWith SNAP benefits delayed in November and the holidays approaching, Lehigh Valley residents can help or get help. Here's where to find food pantries, volunteer opportunities, and donation info.
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                Micaela Hood/LehighValleyNews.comU.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, has organized a food drive while pinning the ongoing government shutdown on Senate Democrats. SNAP benefits that help feed millions of low-income Americans are hours away from expiring.
 
Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute now offers treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib) with a new system that uses pulsed electrical fields to target problematic heart muscle cells instead of extreme heat or cold.
        
        
    Health & Wellness News
    
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                        Good Shepherd Rehabilitation is introducing groundbreaking robotic exoskeleton technology in the Lehigh Valley. The device helps people who may have suffered a spinal chord injury, stroke, or other paralyzing conditions walk.
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                        The River Crossing YMCA in the Lehigh Valley is enrolling people for free programs this fall. The programs include health and wellness classes for veterans, those needing mental health assistance, those struggling with diabetes, and 7th grade students.
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                        For Overdose Awareness Day, Easton will host a march from the free bridge to the amphitheater where community advocates will be recognized for their efforts, followed by an evening event where authorities and experts will share their thoughts and experiences concerning overdoses.
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                        This time of year can be hectic for families sending kids back to the classroom. A culinary medicine specialist has some quick, easy ways to add nutrients into meal time.
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                        A bike repair station donated by the Whitehall Area Rotary Club was dedicated at the Ironton Rail Trail pavilion on Monday.
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                        The court is optimized to offer a brief but effective workout experience if needed. Users can exercise for 45 seconds, follow that with 15 seconds of rest and be through each zone around the seven-minute mark.
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                        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released new guidelines surrounding intrauterine device pain. A local doctor says talking about this with a medical professional is the key to a smoother procedure.
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                        There's often a spike in respiratory viruses and other illnesses as children head back into the classroom. A local infectious disease specialist is urging parents to take preventive measures despite vaccine fatigue.
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                        An eight-year-old girl dealing with a congenital heart condition cut the ribbon at Lehigh Valley Zoo to announce the American Heart Association of Greater Lehigh Valley and Berks County annual Heart Walk in September.
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                        “A Community Conversation: Path to a Healthier Valley” starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, and can also be watched streaming online on PBS39.org. The hourlong program touches on efforts to make the region a so-called "Blue Zone."
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                        The health of the Lehigh Valley is improving, but there is room to grow according to health experts. They are sharing where residents need to do better and how to get there.
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                        A cheaper, needle-free alternative to the EpiPen will soon be available following FDA approval. Neffy is a epinephrine nasal spray that can treat anaphylaxis.
 
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                        In an email, Allentown School District said mold spores were found in several elementary school classrooms. Remedial action has been taken, the district said in a release, and the classrooms will be tested ahead of the first day of school.
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                        Allentown received $1.5 million in grants from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study to address transportation safety and carbon emissions in the city.
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                        Two baby kangaroos from a Central Pennsylvania farm entertained residents at Fellowship Community retirement community in Whitehall Township on Friday.
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                        Administrators of the Northampton County-owned Gracedale nursing home shared a new strategic plan Thursday. One key priority: recruiting new nurses and nurse aides to fill hundreds of open positions.
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                        Six entrepreneurs pitched their projects to judges during StartUp Lehigh Valley event at Musikfest Cafe on Tuesday night.
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                        Community members gathered at Penn Pump Park in Palmer Township Tuesday morning to celebrate the recent ADA accessibility improvements funding via county grant programs.
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                        Between delayed state funding and federal cuts, Second Harvest Food Bank does not have enough food to meet demand, its leaders say.
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                        There's a new addition to Musikfest this year — SoberPlatz, an alcohol-free space on the SteelStacks Campus next to Air Products Americaplatz. Organizers said it will be a space for those in recovery, as well as the sober-curious, to find community and support.
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                        “A Community Conversation: Navigating Menopause” will be broadcast on PBS39 and streaming at PBS39.org. Topics of discussion include misunderstood myths, gaps in medical training, the toll on workplace performance, and the often-silent struggle women face.
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                        Juggling family, business and a new yoga career, Coopersburg's Roey Ebert gets creative with her usual grace
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                        Allentown police can hand out tickets to anyone caught swimming in natural waterways in the city, Mayor Matt Tuerk said, urging residents not to let a $100 fine “ruin your summer.”
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                        A developer's request to split an expansion project at a retirement home complex was approved by Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on Monday night.