Jim Deegan
Executive editorI’ve lived more than 25 years in the Easton area and worked as a reporter, producer and editor for longer than that. Since 1996, I’ve led news teams and covered virtually every major news story in the Lehigh Valley – and lots of little ones, too. It’s a privilege to work in a newsroom with people who care about our corner of Pennsylvania and share stories that hopefully make an impact. It’s an even greater privilege to have your attention – and earn your trust – as we cover your communities. Contact me at JimD@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8224.
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Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt ordered the recount in the race between U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and David McCormick, based on results that remain unofficial from the Nov. 5 general election. -
Mary Beth Spirk, who was to begin her 38th year with Moravian University, won't be on the bench to start the 2024-25 women's basketball season. With 648 career wins, she ranks ninth among active NCAA Division III coaches and 21st in D-III history.
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Several of the Lehigh Valley's state lawmakers are ucontested in the 2024 general election. That means they're shoe-ins for victory.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, greeted voters at one Lehigh Valley polling place on Election Day. Johnson said his visit signified how critically important the Lehigh Valley's 7th Congressional District is to the balance of power in the U.S. House.
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Kamala Harris will spend Monday criss-crossing Pennsylvania, with visits scheduled to Allentown, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Donald Trump will be in Pennsylvania on Monday, too, holding a rally in Reading.
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The fire began early Saturday afternoon near Route 248 in Lehigh Township in Northampton County and burned through the night. Numerous aircraft and heavy equipment joined Sunday to help fight the fire, which was not yet been significantly contained. No injuries were reported.
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Travel is expected to be tricky Monday afternoon as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are expected to be in the area on the final day of the presidential campaign before Election Day.
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A three-mile stretch of Route 611 between Northampton and Monroe counties will reopen Tuesday morning. Portland Borough business owners say the protracted shutdown has crippled business.
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It's the second time in a week city schools will be closed for a presidential campaign rally. The potential for large crowds, heavy traffic and disruptions prompted the move, the school district said.
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The "political convoy" is scheduled to occur Sunday afternoon starting at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in North Whitehall Township and head south toward the Allentown area before heading back to the target-shooting facility.
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Elk Cam gives viewers a close-up look at elk as their activity is about to ramp up with the bugling season. It features a rotating, zooming camera and natural sound.
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Chief Financial Officer Diane Richards officially began her five-year contract on July 1, the school district said. She became the second department head to step down within a few weeks of starting.
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The Ohio State wrestler was hospitalized after being shot during a reported robbery attempt Friday in Columbus, Ohio. Sasso, a Nazareth Area High School alum, is a two-time PIAA state champion wrestler.
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Multiple news outlets are reporting Sasso was shot Friday night near the Ohio State University campus. He's a three-time All-American wrestler and two-time PIAA state champion from Nazareth Area High School.
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The severe storms and flash flooding of July 16 overwhelmed parts of the Slate Belt, Forks and Palmer townships and led seven Northampton County municipalities to declare disasters of their own.
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Organizers had hinted that this year's crowds were expected to break records. On Tuesday, ArtsQuest confirmed it. More than 1.3 million visited Bethlehem during the 11 nights of Musikfest 2023.
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The time-lapse was shot from the weather camera atop the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus.
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Some remained without power Sunday morning after a powerful line of storms rumbled through overnight. A mostly quiet weather day was forecast.
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The National Weather Service determined damages during a severe thunderstorm Monday night were from straight-line winds as high as 100 mph, but no tornadoes touched down there.
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The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF-1 — the second-weakest on the scale. It hit the Midway Manor neighborhood of Allentown and crossed into Bethlehem briefly, according to a weather service statement.
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The hiring of a new executive director completes an extensive search, according to the board of the South Bethlehem facility. Victoria Montero served as executive director for the past five years.
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As a severe thunderstorm bore down on the Lehigh Valley on Monday night, ArtsQuest declared a pause to Musikfest and the many concerts being held across Bethlehem. Activities resumed later in the night after the storm passed.
