BETHLEHEM, Pa. — In 2025, the readers of LehighValleyNews.com gravitated toward stories that reflected mounting economic pressure, public safety concerns, environmental uncertainty and moments of sharp civic tension.
Overall, our most-read stories of the year offered a snapshot of a region grappling with rising costs, shifting laws and deeply personal consequences of policy decisions and public behavior.
Few issues resonated more strongly than housing affordability, particularly among residents of manufactured home communities who warned that skyrocketing lot rents were pushing them to the brink.
Homeowners described choosing between paying rent and affording food or medication as annual costs skyrocketed.
Our coverage highlighted calls for legislative intervention and growing concern that a form of housing long viewed as affordable is becoming increasingly out of reach for seniors and working families alike.
Transportation and roadway safety
In the spring, our reporters put traffic and transportation under the microscope with a five-part series called "The Road Ahead."
Out of that reporting, DUI became a major focal point for readers after a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling reshaped how such cases are sentenced statewide.
A key decision barred prosecutors from counting participation in a diversionary program as a prior offense, forcing district attorneys and defense attorneys to rethink charging strategies and sentencing expectations.
This month, lawmakers stepped in to restore tougher penalties for repeat offenders.
Public safety concerns extended to local roads, and tragedy struck when several motorcyclists died after colliding with deer in Northampton County.
The incidents underscored the dangers drivers face on rural and suburban roadways and renewed awareness of wildlife-related crashes that occur with little warning.
And, everyday expenses tied to transportation also drew attention, particularly at the gas pump.
Pennsylvania continued to be one of the most expensive states in the country for gasoline, adding to the financial strain many households already felt from inflation.
Readers closely followed price trends and expert explanations as commuting costs climbed across the region.
And, they followed along during our months-long investigation into BusPatrol's school bus stop-arm camera program, which revealed how the private vendor's technology has generated thousands of citations in the Lehigh Valley and raised significant questions about transparency, oversight and revenue sharing.
We fought a prolonged legal battle under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law to obtain BusPatrol’s contract and financial records with the Allentown School District, highlighting how much public money is involved and prompting calls for clearer public data and potential legislative reforms.
Finally, readers showed strong interest in reporting on road rage and aggressive driving, as new research warned of a sharp rise in risky behaviors behind the wheel.
Studies showed significant increases in actions like cutting off other drivers, mirroring what many residents said they were already experiencing on Lehigh Valley roads.
Farms and food
Environmental and food security issues were also top of mind after a federal program that paired local farmers with food banks was abruptly canceled.
The move disrupted a system that helped move fresh produce from Lehigh Valley farms to families in need, raising concerns about hunger, farm sustainability and the fragility of programs that bridge agriculture and community support.
Change came to a local institution as well, when a longtime Allentown restaurant landmark was sold to a Bethlehem restaurateur.
The sale captured readers’ attention not only for its business implications but for what it represented emotionally — the passing of a generational torch for a place deeply woven into the city's identity.
Wildlife coverage struck a chord as well, particularly stories detailing the impact of avian influenza on bald eagles across Pennsylvania.
While dozens of birds were euthanized due to the virus, reporting also highlighted conservation successes, illustrating the complexity of protecting vulnerable species amid evolving environmental threats.
Political backlash, accountability within public institutions
Political and cultural divisions played out locally when an Easton area schools supervisor and Northampton County councilwoman ignited backlash over social media posts targeting the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The controversy reflected how national political rhetoric continues to reverberate through local government, schools and community discourse.
In Allentown, a disturbing incident at City Hall drew intense scrutiny after allegations that an employee planted a noose and then falsely reported it. The case prompted widespread discussion about workplace conduct, symbolism and accountability within public institutions.
Together, these stories tell the story of a year marked by pressure points both personal and systemic — from the cost of living and safety on the roads to trust in institutions and stewardship of the environment.
As the region looks ahead, the issues that captured the most attention in 2025 are likely to remain central to the conversations and decisions shaping the Lehigh Valley in the year to come.
