State & Regional News

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried to reawaken Christianity in a secularized Europe but will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the job, died Saturday. He was 95.

Police said they have yet to locate a murder weapon. But they indicated the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, in the Poconos early Friday was a breakthrough. “What I can tell you is we have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe,” Police Chief James Fry said.

The child died Tuesday after he was shot in the basement of an Allentown home. Authorities said his 10-year-old brother accidentally fired a handgun the boys found.

Senator-elect Nick Miller and Rep.-elect Josh Siegel didn't inherit existing offices when they won their races this November.

Many small game and furbearer hunting seasons plus the final deer seasons of 2022-23 kicked off this week.

Public health officials want more Americans to get the latest COVID vaccine booster. Only 35% of people over 65 have gotten the shot, though 75% of COVID deaths are among people in this age group.

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and St. Luke's University Health Network released a list of 2022's most popular baby names picked by parents in the Lehigh Valley.

Widespread sickness among children with respiratory illnesses this year is driving up demand for children’s pain relievers and fever reducers, leaving drugstore chains and smaller community pharmacies across the nation in short supply.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced awards totaling $1.2 million in competitive grants to 33 career and technical centers and two school districts. The funds are to purchase new equipment to train students in “high-demand occupations.” Locally, career and technical schools in Lackawanna, Columbia, Montour, Susquehanna, Monroe, Northumberland and Lehigh counties, plus the Wallenpaupack Area School District in Pike County received money.

Pennsylvania’s top elections official is fully certifying results from the November vote.

The Hooters performed to a nearly sold-out crowd Friday at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown.

The airport will get $940,000 from the state to update facilities in the Multimodal Transportation Center and airport terminal.

The Lower Saucon Planning Commission voted 4-1, recommending a council vote in favor of the ordinance that would make landfills a permitted use on the parcels.

A woman accused of intentionally abandoning her dog at a Pennsylvania airport before she boarded a flight to a resort in Mexico earlier this month has been charged with animal cruelty and related charges.

Three studies show smoke from Canadian wildfires led to a spike in people with asthma visiting emergency rooms in the United States. One study collected data from about 4,000 U.S. hospitals.

The Weather Prediction Center said one inch per hour rainfall rates are possible, as well as “precipitation totals on the order of 1 to 2 plus inches through the period.”

Conservative voters walked away impressed with Vivek Ramaswamy's performance in Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, but most still pined for former President Donald Trump.

Public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella, including in Pennsylvania. Dozens of people have fallen ill and at least nine have been hospitalized.

The state Senate is returning to Harrisburg on Aug. 30 ahead of its previously scheduled return of Sept. 18.

More organic waste from residential and industrial uses has city staff pursuing a solution, which would include a $1.4 million chemically enhanced primary treatment system.

The Macungie family has other notable works around the Lehigh Valley and tri-state area, including the artwork for the most recent Musikfest.

With a roadmap toward spooky season, the Lehigh Valley’s weather looks to match the fall decor now blanketing stores across the region. Cooler temperatures are on the way.