Tom Shortell
Politics ReporterI cover all things politics for LehighValleyNews.com. As veteran reporter of the region, I previously covered the Slate Belt, Northampton County, Lehigh County and local courts during stints at the area’s two newspapers. I also penned the popular Road Warrior column at The Morning Call, keeping readers up to speed on transportation news. I graduated from St. Bonaventure University and have yet to find a pun I don't like. I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today. Contact me at toms@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8209.
-
According to PennDOT, 86 crashes occurred at the same Route 22 interchange between 2019 and 2023, the most recent years of data available. And 34 of those crashes occurred in the exact same spot. -
Michael Wargo of Mahoning Township has advocated for veterans' mental health services for more than a decade after his son died by suicide.
-
The public sees construction crews break ground and manage traffic, but they often miss years of behind-the-scenes work such as acquiring rights of way, managing utilities and engineering. That's what's happening at Freemansburg Avenue and Farmersville Road.
-
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure says he'll run for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District seat in 2026, seeking to bring the seat back under Democratic control.
-
House Republicans want to slash federal spending by $2 trillion and are eying cuts and restrictions to the $880 billion Medicaid program. Demonstrators say they'll keep applying pressure to U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, to oppose such plans.
-
Readers have expressed interest in light rail or a more robust public transit system, but even improved options have failed to match the convenience they seek.
-
Patti Bruno said she would fight to protect Gracedale, labor rights and election integrity if elected to an at-large seat on Northampton County Council.
-
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan endorsed state Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, for Lehigh County executive. The decision drew the anger of county Republicans who want to formally censure Holihan for backing a candidate they describe as a far-left extremist.
-
Roger MacLean, who led the Allentown Police Department for seven years and briefly served as the city's acting mayor, is running as a Republican for Lehigh County executive.
-
Mike Welsh will run as a Republican to oversee day-to-day operations of Lehigh County government.
