Phil Gianficaro
General Assignment ReporterA native of northeastern Pennsylvania, I've been a journalist for more than four decades. I've reported on events like the pope's visit and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, local appearances by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, covered the Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals, and the Eagles in the playoffs. However, the stories that have touched me most involve ordinary folks in our community. A 12-year-old boy getting the better of cancer; Holocaust survivors sharing horror stories they know the world needs to hear again and again; a little girl from Bucks County who grew up to become Miss America. These are the stories I'm committed to finding and sharing with our readers. About me: Married with a son and a daughter in college. Golf when I can. Morning coffee's a must; Favorite quote from my late mother: "There are givers and takers in this world, which do you want to be?" Contact me at PhilG@lehighvalleynews.com or 267-222-0540.
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Palmer Township's Aiden Hess, 20, pictured with his mother Melissa, continues searching for a living donor kidney after transplant surgery was cancelled late last month. -
Win or lose in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is viewed as a champion in his hometown of Whitehall and throughout the Lehigh Valley.
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The first of a three-session forum to address the housing availability and affordability crisis in the Lehigh Valley was held at DeSales University on Wednesday.
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Whitehall Township Commissioners detailed an ordinance to initiate a referendum on the upcoming ballot to amend the township charter to eliminate the treasurer position.
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Lehigh Valley Health Network Childcare Center at River Crossing YMCA observed its 100th day of operation. Services are available for LVHN employees and other community families.
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Brenda Rodriguez, 51, of Palmerton is charged with criminal solicitation/criminal homicide and conspiracy-aggravated assault in the shooting death of her husband, Hector Manuel Garcia Gomez, 46, of Palmerton on Dec. 7.
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Continued economic growth for the Lehigh Valley was predicted during at “Sizing Up 2025: Lehigh Valley Economic Outlook” at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Tuesday. The event, presented by Truist and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers who shared a positive economic picture of the Lehigh Valley and the nation.
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'Maine' ingredient: Father-son team open Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls at The Promenade Center ValleyRich Rudolph and son, Rich, opened Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls at The Promenade Center Valley this month. The Lehigh Valley natives are the first franchise owners of the chain in Pennsylvania.
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The Phillies Winter Caravan drew a sellout crowd at ArtsQuest on Thursday night. Phillies players Kody Clemens and Weston Wilson interacted with fans. Proceeds benefited IronPigs Charities.
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Lehigh Valley International Airport served a record number of passengers in 2024, according to a news release on Wednesday from the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.The airport served 1,012,240 passengers last year, an increase of 8.7% from 2023.Also, Allegiant Air will resume service from ABE to Denver and Nashville starting in May.
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Community commemorations of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel were held in the Lehigh Valley on Monday night. The message was for the release of more than 100 hostages.
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Despite it being a Republican hotbed, Democratic challenger Joseph Lenzi believes he can defeat incumbent Rep. Zachary Mako in the 183rd District.
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Occasional light drizzle did nothing to keep the crowd away from the opening night of the 14th Oktoberfest at SteelStacks on Friday night. The festival runs through the weekend and again Oct. 11-13.
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The Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum on Thursday in Allentown served as a premier event for manufacturing professionals, suppliers, service providers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities within the Lehigh Valley's thriving manufacturing sector.
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The playground cleanup at Stevens Park in Allentown is only one aspect of a collective mission to make all parks safe havens for the community.
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Three proposed warehouse projects are on hold in Lowhill Township, the board of supervisors said at a meeting on Tuesday night. Two of the projects are in litigation; the third will be discussed at a hearing before the supervisors in November.
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The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission hosted a community forum on discrimination and other issues at the Allentown Public Library on Monday night.
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State Rep. Mike Schlossberg and mental health experts advocated for an increased investment in school-based health clinics at a news conference at Hays Elementary School in Allentown on Friday.
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Valley Youth House's THRIVE Program, which helps sex-trafficked folks, will receive $150,000 in state funding, Rep. Josh Siegel, D-22nd District, announced at a news conference on Wednesday.
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Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz wowed the crowd with a campaign speech at Freedom High School in Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon.
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Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, is making his first visit to the Lehigh Valley since Vice President Kamala Harris introduced him as her running mate against former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance.
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Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong came out on the short end of a fundraiser challenge to benefit the Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehab Center's auxiliary. So he had to kiss a pig.
