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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Lehigh Valley residents attended a state Public Utility Commission hearing on Tuesday to oppose a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities. It would be the first rate increase in almost a decade. -
Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved a $36.7 million budget for 2026 Monday. Several residents attended the meeting to oppose the real estate tax increase, the first in the township since 2019.
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El Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrador de los Centros de Medicare y Medicaid, habló en el Greater Lehigh Valley Healthcare Summit, mientras afuera protestaban.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, addressed the Greater Lehigh Valley Healthcare Summit on Friday. His appearance was met with protesters outside.
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The Whitehall-Coplay School District held its third annual Zephyr Holiday event at the Burlington store in Whitehall. Twenty-four elementary and middle school students from challenged families were given $200 gift cards to shop for holiday gifts for family members. Members of area law enforcement accompanied the children during the event.
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The Lehigh Valley is projected to have significant increases in employment and population up to 2050.
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The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley was nominated for the grant by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
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The third time was the charm for LoriAnn Fehnel, who was sworn in as a Whitehall-Coplay School District director on Tuesday.
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Whitehall Township's proposed budget includes the first real estate tax increase since 2019. Township commissioners are expected to vote on the spending plan next week.
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Plans for a 105 single-family home land subdivision along Rising Sun Road received a recommendation for preliminary final approval from the North Whitehall Township Planning Commission.
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The Interfaith Temple and The Enlightenment Circle hosted an “Embrace Unity: A Call for Peace” event at the Delta Hotel in Allentown on Monday.
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Salisbury Township native Tim Mayza has overcome injury and being released to earning a spot on the New York Yankees' World Series roster.
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A warehouse developer sidestepped Lowhill Township and went directly to the DEP to have the agency force the township to amend its sewage facilities plan.
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The inaugural Lehigh Valley Nonprofit Impact Conference at Wind Creek Event Center on Wednesday attracted 300 participants designed to bring nonprofit and community leaders together.
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A land developer's request of the DEP to have Lowhill Township amend its sewage plan was viewed unfavorably during a project review by a committee of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
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Cedar Crest College held ribbon-cutting ceremonies at its $2.5 million, all-weather turf softball field on Friday.
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United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, PA-07, will headline a rally to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. in Allentown.
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A proposal to build 73 apartments at the Fellowship Community senior living community received final approval from the Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Wednesday night.
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At a Miller-Keystone Blood Center event in Allentown on Wednesday night, Sofia Groves thanked blood donors whose generosity helped save her life.
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A local Wreaths Across America organization is seeking donations so it can purchase and place 1,700 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Resurrection Cemetery in Wescosville.
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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.
