Political Pulse
LehighValleyNews.com politics reporter Tom Shortell and Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, take the political pulse in the region and examine how the national agenda affects the Lehigh Valley.

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Evan Vucci/APThis week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick dive into the results of President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" about two weeks ago. What do tariffs mean to — and for — the average American? The two dissect that in this week's episode.
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Manuel Balce Ceneta/APWhy do sports get so much attention from politicians? And do athletes have the right to express their opinions on social and political issues and even endorse political movements? This week's Political Pulse examines those questions and more.
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This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris discuss the impact natural disasters have on politics. In recent years, that impact has shifted.
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This week's episode of Political Pulse examines how politicians utilize digital spaces to communicate with voters here in the Lehigh Valley and around the country.
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In this week's episode, Chris Borick and Tom Shortell talk about the impending second inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump, which is a week away.
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The Lehigh Valley has been a real estate hot spot, and according to political polling, it's taken a toll on residents. What can officials do for their concerned constituents when this issue doesn't present a quick fix? This week on Political Pulse, Chris Borick and Tom Shortell talk all about it.
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From upcoming local races in the Lehigh Valley to how the Trump Administration could shape energy production in the state, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick talk all about it in this week's episode of Political Pulse.
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This week on Political Pulse, Chris Borick and Tom Shortell talk about local off-year elections and how their impacts are often more personal than the results of presidential elections, despite having lower voter turnout.
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What can we expect from a second Donald Trump presidency? This week on Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick talk about Trump's plans for his second term.
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This week on Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick talk about political campaign budgets and funding, comparing this year's election cycle to those past.
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This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris talk about the outcomes of the general election — including Northampton County's significance in elections.
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This week on Political Pulse, Shortell and Borick discuss the course of the upcoming election — from President Joe Biden dropping out to divisive ads and highly contested local races.