Lehigh County News

In this week's episode of Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about the Lehigh Valley's "packed primary" and the highly contested races to keep an eye on.

Drivers who have been ticketed for school bus camera violations say the process to contest them needs to change. PennDOT said thousands of citations across seven Lehigh Valley school districts are still awaiting hearings.

Lehigh County Authority officials in mid-April sent the Kline’s Island Sewer System, or KISS, regional wastewater plan for municipal review. It's the next step in a years-long process to make much-needed upgrades to wastewater infrastructure.

More than 48,000 people have requested a mail-in ballot in Lehigh and Northampton counties ahead of Tuesday's primary election. Even if thousands of those never get turned in, it should mark an increase from the 2021 local primary.

Republicans Roger MacLean and Mike Welsh have spent less than $8,000 combined on their race. Meanwhile, their Democratic opponent Josh Siegel has amassed more than $180,000 in his war chest. The primary election is Tuesday, May 20.

About 9,000 fans watched Cosmic Baseball at Coca-Cola Park on Friday night. The game pitted Tri-City Chili Peppers and GloMojis wearing glow-in-the-dark uniforms and caps illuminated by UV light.

Twelve billboards have been posted in and around the city, several at high-traffic areas like Route 22, Interstate 78 and the turnpike. They’re part of a campaign from More Perfect Union.

The funding — totaling $3.4 million across 23 counties — is part of the Fresh Food Financing Initiative. It follows the cancellation of $13 million in contracted funding through the USDA’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance program.

Cuts to Medicaid reimbursements could harm Lehigh County residents and create a budget gap, a new report from the county controller's office found.

Two area community colleges are expanding their dual enrollment programming, which enables high school students to better prepare for college and careers. The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $14 million in Dual Credit Innovation Grants to 15 public institutions of higher education to increase their programming.

A community healing garden is now open to patients and the public at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg. Peter Yenawine, along with the Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital and master gardeners, teamed up to create the space incorporating native and medicinal plants.

The new sportsplex in South Whitehall will have 47 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, along with basketball and volleyball courts. It's in the old Westend Racquet Club.

Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley has joined a group of local organizations and schools that plans to partner with local farmers to develop a strong local and sustainable food infrastructure to provide balanced, nutritious food to the region’s ever-growing population.

A revitalization project at the community center and its new board have brought new life, restoration, and new events to the Alburtis area meeting place

The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. The schedule includes nature walks, live animal presentations, monarch butterfly tagging, music and more.

The South Whitehall Planning Commission recommended final approval for Phase 1B of Ridge Farms.

Upper Macungie planners recommended preliminary approval to a plan for 132 residential apartment units and a daycare facility. It would be located at 8739 Hamilton Blvd.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) reached an affiliation agreement. The two have worked together before, but the healthcare providers say this will ensure patients get the care they need closest to home.

South Whitehall Police Chief Glen Dorney requested the purchase of four new Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. But commissioners had questions about the long term benefits of the new model.

Lehigh Valley Breathes, a Valley-wide effort, aims to measure air quality. From the collected data, officials said they will make recommendations for improvements.

Lower Macungie Township is getting $250,240 for traffic signal improvements by PennDOT's Green Light-Go program — part of a series of upgrades on major roads in the Wescosville area.

A new Wawa may come to 1810 PA Route 309 in South Whitehall. The plan first came before the township in 2021, but the developer needed to revise its design.