State & Regional News

Join Megan Frank every Friday at 9:30am and 6:30pm for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, Brittany Sweeney takes her place, joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is conceding his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick. The concession came Thursday, more than two weeks after Election Day. A statewide recount is showing no signs of closing the gap and Casey's campaign has suffered repeated blows in court.

FirstEnergy sought to raise local customers' electric bills by more than 9%, but the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission blocked the higher rate.

The bipartisan House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee spent three days in the Lehigh Valley this week. Part of the visit included a hearing with local organizers to discuss funding celebrations of America's 250th anniversary.

After a steady – but not soaking – overnight rain, the area remains on track to break a pair of records that have stood the test of time. But more precipitation is on the way, including snow.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon for Carbon and Monroe counties in an "elevation-dependent system."

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said the House Ethics Committee is split in deliberations over how to handle an investigations into former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz on allegations of sexual misconduct. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Gaetz to lead the Justice Department.

The Lehigh County Board of Elections voted 3-0 to certify 191,158 ballots Wednesday afternoon. Fights over how to count contested provisional ballots are already popping up in the neck-and-neck U.S. Senate race between Bob Casey and David McCormick.

Organic whole and baby carrots linked to Grimmway Farms, including several brands available in stores throughout the Lehigh Valley, have been recalled due to concerns of E. coli.

The precautionary measure across Pennsylvania comes at no cost to farmers. While the virus hasn't been reported in commonwealth cattle, other states have seen a marked uptick in cases.

The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.

Two toddlers in Pennsylvania — including a 3-year-old Allentown boy — have been killed in accidental shootings in recent days.

Some E-ZPass users are receiving phishing texts, alerting them of overdue toll balances, the turnpike said in a release.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed legislation crafted by Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, targeting pet insurance contracts. It would make sure waiting periods or coverage exclusions are clearly explained.

The freight rail company said the agreement, if approved by the court, will resolve all class-action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment in eastern Ohio in February 2023.

The results of Lehigh Gap Nature Center's 27th annual Lehigh Gap Area Feeder Watch are in. Find out what birds were spotted.

An extended view of the total solar eclipse that was promised in the Lehigh Valley on Monday afternoon never materialized due to thick cloud cover, disappointing many of the approximately 1,000 at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey visited the Lehigh Valley on Monday to raise awareness of the PACT Act. Government officials believe veterans may not be aware of expanded health care benefits that they're eligible for since Congress passed the law in 2022.

If you’re one of the procrastinators who has put off the annual task of filing taxes, Pennsylvania is reaching out a helping hand and extending its customer service hours through the Department of Revenue.

Leaders of Penn State’s Board of Trustees recently admonished fellow Trustee Anthony Lubrano for creating a “public spectacle” and sharing “confidential information” related to his proposal to name the university’s football field after Joe Paterno.

Five students from Northampton Community College have been named to the 2024 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.

It's solar eclipse day. Here are a few final things to know as we count down to the cosmic spectacle that has been dominating the public consciousness.