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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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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Bubbakaoo's Burritos, a national, Mexican-themed restaurant, will hold its grand opening in the Hellertown area on Tuesday.
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A torpedo memorial was dedicated at VFW Egypt Post in Whitehall on Friday to honor submarine veterans who died during World War II.
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Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman shared strategies for success in sports and business at the 2025 BSI CORE Annual Summit at Musikfest Cafe at the ArtsQuest Center on Wednesday.
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Emad Kasseri, 62, of Salisbury Township died from multiple blunt force injuries a short time after his vehicle collided with a LANTA bus on Monday morning.
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El Jefe Taqueria in Bethlehem is expected to reopen this month. The popular Mexican restaurant has been closed since May because of water damage from a fire in an above apartment complex.
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A 62-year-old Allentown man died Monday after his vehicle collided with a LANTA bus.
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The drowning death of a Hanover Township, Northampton County, child in July has been ruled accidental, the district attorney said.
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Residents near a planned land development apartment project on Township Line Road have concerns over potential environmental impacts and increased traffic.
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The Linden Street two-way conversion project was reviewed favorably by the Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday night.
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'It's just too tall': Concerns raised over 7-story apartment building in Bethlehem Historic DistrictNo vote was taken Wednesday by the Bethlehem Historic Architectural Review Board on the proposed seven-story, mixed-use building planned for the Historic District.
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Allentown received $1.5 million in grants from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study to address transportation safety and carbon emissions in the city.
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Fellowship Community's revised sewage facilities plan for its expansion project can be submitted to the state for approval, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted Monday.