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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DeSales University Homeland Security majors received first-hand knowledge of the challenges and requirements of the job at the third annual DeSales University Center for Homeland Security Conference on Wednesday.
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Freedom High School senior Jerry Rivera has been awarded a four-year scholarship to Princeton University by QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with leading colleges and universities. A celebration of the scholarship was held at the high school on Tuesday morning.
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Pastor Tammie Rinker announced the church’s latest ministry — the pay-what-you-can Essentials Café— will provide breakfast and lunch five days each week for folks between 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
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After 50 years in business at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Hawk Music must vacate its location due to planned renovations at the mall.
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Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk held his Allentown State of the City event at the Renaissance Hotel on Thursday afternoon.
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Due to increased prices of ingredients and lack of volunteers, the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, of Trexlertown, will cancel its annual making of the popular Lenten treats.
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Employees of a Lehigh Valley company recall the devotion to their guitars by music icon David Crosby, who died Wednesday at age 81.
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The IronPigs Charities and Phillies winter caravan event was a raging success at ArtsQuest Center on Thursday night.
