State & Regional News

State environmental officials, along with conservationists across the U.S., are partnering this summer for a firefly observation program called the Firefly Watch Community Science Project.

Talks between Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the narrowly Democratic-controlled state House fell apart last week thanks to a deadlock over whether to include private school vouchers in the spending plan.

Police say a gunman in a bulletproof vest has opened fire on the streets of Philadelphia, killing five people and wounding two boys before he surrendered to responding officers. The shootings took place over several city blocks, and dozens of spent shell casings were found.

O'Hanlon retired at Lafayette in 2022 after 27 seasons. His hiring at Cardinal O'Hara in Delaware County brings him back to the Philadelphia Catholic League, where he played high school ball in the 1960s.

Megan Ryan, the VP for enrollment at Muhlenberg College, said the college will not change its diversity goals following the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.

Earlier this month, the state Senate approved Sen. Lisa Boscola's bill, which would increase the fine and direct any fees collected towards bald and golden eagle conservation efforts across the commonwealth.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties in eastern Pennsylvania, including Lehigh and Northampton. The watch will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday.

Changing their tune? Pennsylvania lawmakers consider replacing the state's official song.

Lehigh Valley prepares for a humid Sunday with the possibility of severe thunderstorms and damaging winds. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon, with a line of storms forming and moving eastward. There is also a small chance for brief spin-ups.

Officials and residents of several New Jersey shore towns say the state’s law decriminalizing marijuana use is having an unintended effect: emboldening large groups of teenagers to run amok on beaches and boardwalks, knowing there is little chance of them getting in trouble for it.

Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from Chester County Prison last week, has been on the run for six days. He was convicted last month of killing his girlfriend and is extremely dangerous, according to authorities.

A Red Cross volunteer from the greater Lehigh Valley just got back from assisting displaced people in Hawaii following devastating wildfires there. Her job was to try and reconnect families.

Former Allentown City Councilman Josh Siegel, now a state representative, accepted two tickets from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to see the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Houston Astros at last fall's World Series. The gift may have violated the city's Code of Ethics.

The change that would be effective only for the 2024 primary election.

Allentown City Councilman Ed Zucal said independent investigators are needed to dive into allegations of racism and discrimination in City Hall. Mayor Matt Tuerk's administration has been beset by complaints from the Allentown NAACP and former Human Resources Director Nadeem Shahzad.

Under Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong's proposed budget, local property owners would pay an average of $768.10 in county taxes. It's Armstrong's fifth proposed budget without a tax hike in six years.

Wawa is making the special offer available to teachers and school staff as schools are reopening.

Gov. Josh Shapiro came together with fellow politicians at the Allentown Campus of Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College to discuss funding for trade work education and apprenticeship programs Wednesday.

The program empowers high schoolers to be local leaders when it comes to caring for the environment.

Environmental groups are calling on state regulators to deny a request from a crypto-mining company to burn tires as fuel for its operations.

The $3.05 million in federal funding comes on behalf of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. The Easton Avenue project is one of five across the state.

Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office warns residents about a surge in telephone scams and offers tips on avoiding fraudulent calls.