Lehigh County News

Lehigh Valley municipalities will get nearly $3.5 million in combined funding from the Green Light-Go and Multimodal Transportation Fund programs to upgrade traffic signals and improve transportation safety.

Locally, housing costs still remain lower than national averages, but data from real estate marketplaces compared with U.S. Census data in Lehigh and Northampton counties show housing affordability still is a struggle.

Garcia's work with the anti-violence nonprofit organization is fueled by her son's murder in 2012. Her goal is to keep his memory alive and reduce shootings in Allentown moving forward.

Of the thousands of stories covered and told in 2025, our staff picked some of their favorites. They included a bald eagle looking for love in the Hellertown area and an $11 million "sky dome" planned for Easton.

In 2025, LehighValleyNews.com readers gravitated toward stories that reflected mounting economic pressure, public safety concerns, environmental uncertainty and moments of sharp civic tension.

The Broken Record, whose decor and even food names follow a music theme, held a soft opening at its strip-center location at 6776 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township.

With the new year comes a new season of high school musicals, as hundreds of student performers begin rehearsals, hoping for a nomination at the 24th annual Freddy Awards.

Fewer than two dozen rank-and-file members from the Lehigh County Democratic Committee are set to nominate the party’s candidate for the Feb. 24 special election.

While the political news cycle can change on a dime, some clear stories appear in store for 2026, including the Lehigh Valley's congressional race.

For the first time, all three of the Lehigh Valley’s cities have a sustainability manager or coordinator, a role dedicated to sustainability initiatives and fighting the worsening impacts of climate change.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, has scheduled a telephone town hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, to hear concerns over the automated school bus enforcement program.

“Without their continued partnership and assistance, the outcomes of last night’s incidents would have been much different,” Capt. Jonathan Hammel said of mutual aid provided to Allentown Fire Department and city residents.

Subclade K, the new flu variant, emerged after U.S. pharmaceutical companies developed their vaccines for the current flu season.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, and 16 other Republicans voted for a Democratic bill to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act on Thursday night. Mackenzie called on senators to reject the House version but find a deal to keep the credits and reform the health care system.

A spokesperson for The Giant Company said the supermarket chain is transitioning to store-based fulfillment and discontinuing centralized fulfillment at its Giant Direct centers. The company is closing five centers in Pennsylvania, including one in Coopersburg, by April.

The victim, 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias of Allentown, died Nov. 21 after being run over near Emaus Avenue and South Fourth Street in Allentown. An Amazon delivery driver, 30-year-old Troy Johnson, is in Lehigh County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Kirk Chin Jr., 37, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, is charged with misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.

This week's episode welcomes former Lehigh Valley representatives in the U.S. House. Susan Wild and Charlie Dent join host Tom Shortell to discuss campaigning and the stakes in PA's 7th District.

The 110th PA Farm Show opens this weekend in Harrisburg. While this year's theme is “Growing a Nation,” officials are also spotlighting the crucial role of women in agriculture.

Aiden Gonzalez, of Bethlehem, is the latest Democratic candidate looking to represent Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

Taylor Stakes and Lee Christman were sworn in as new board members.

Lehigh County Commissioner Geoff Brace was re-elected as board chairman for a sixth year during the commissioners' reorganization meeting Monday.