Lehigh County News

Nearly a year after the Biden administration designated xylazine as an "emerging threat" to the United States, Gov. Josh Shapiro classified it as a schedule III drug, making unauthorized possession a crime in Pennsylvania. Experts say the move has partly served to clear the way for new illicit substances to enter the drug market.

Allentown's Redevelopment Authority is applying for up to $2.5 million that could be used to rehab 10 single-family homes for low-income residents.

Despite not being approved for human consumption, veterinary tranquilizers are infiltrating the illicit drug supply in Pennsylvania. Harm reduction specialists and health care professionals say these overdoses can't be approached solely with naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.

Newhard Farms Corn Shed opened Tuesday for sweet corn sales. While it opened a few days later than in recent years, there's expected to be a good supply this season.

The bill would limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, beginning in 2026.

Xylazine, an animal-grade tranquilizer that's not approved for human use, has taken Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply by storm. Known on the streets as "tranq," it accounted for almost 1 in 4 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania by 2023. Last year in Lehigh County, it was a contributing cause of death in 20 of the 112 deadly overdoses, or 17.9 percent of cases.

The funding comes from the commonwealth’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Known as "tranq" on the streets, an animal tranquilizer named xylazine infiltrated drug supplies throughout Pennsylvania since 2019. Its presence in the Lehigh Valley has grown, with deadly consequences.

WLVR's Brad Klein talks with Bethlehem's Backyard Astronomy Guy, Marty McGuire about planetary viewing in this week's Watching the Skies. Leading into the first week of July, viewers can snag a better view of the planet Mercury just after sunset.

The Clean Trucks PA Coalition report identified more than 600 schools, childcare centers, playgrounds and parks near major roadways and trucking corridors across the state.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to halt a federal appeals court ruling that the votes be counted.

Browne, of Allentown, says he is proud of his work on the state Senate Appropriations Committee.

A state court recently ordered the ballots to be tallied. Still other justices disagree on the matter.

The rise in rental prices is exceeding the rise in the rate of inflation, according to an expert.

Lehigh County was expected to certify primary election results on June 1 but will now wait.

None of the results of Lehigh County's November election have yet to be certified.

The Pa. Department of State has offered some guidance, officials say.

The ruling could impact the race between Lehigh County judicial candidates Republican David Ritter and Democrat Zachary Cohen.

Kevin Dellicker won in two of the four counties needed to carry the race.

Parkland School Board member Jarrett Coleman maintained a razor-thin edge over the veteran lawmaker.

The six-way race included three Democrats and three Republicans.

The Allentown City Council member will face Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. in November's general election.