State & Regional News

The latest map issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a majority of Pennsylvania — including most of the Lehigh Valley — in a moderate drought.

As smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to shroud the skies of the Lehigh Valley, air purifiers have become a hot-ticket item at just about every retailer.

The air quality in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton is so bad, it’s the equivalent of smoking more than 14 cigarettes.

Smoke blanketed the Lehigh Valley area for a second straight day on Wednesday. Light scattering from particles in the smoke turned the sky a fiery orange in some areas.

The Lehigh Valley is under a code red air quality alert in effect until midnight.

Rep. Robert Freeman's signature House Bill 450, which aims to extend the length of the Main Street program, has cleared the House. Freeman noted Easton as a prime example for the success of the program, and why it should be extended.

The borough hopes to provide amenities to its residents and drive tourism. The projects are slated for Gerald C. Yob Community Park.

The event was held May 23 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Fogelsville. View all the photos here.

Curbed by the pandemic, some highly anticipated bus travel routes and are coming back.

The new user-friendly website emphasizes mobile accessibility.

Rep. Susan Wild will host a webinar Friday, March 10 with groups across District 7 about how to apply for grants under the Community Project Funding program.

“The long-term period looks to be defined as a more active and unsettled timeframe compared to the middle of this week,” the National Weather Service said in its latest forecast discussion, noting confidence has increased for a system that will impact the region late Friday through early Saturday morning.

Lehigh Valley Health Network was victimized in a cybersecurity attack last month. The network said it refused to pay a ransom. Now, patient information and photos have been posted on the dark web, according to LVHN.

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced $52.5 million in grants intended to prevent suicide. Named for Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox, the suicide prevention grant program is now in its second year. Its goal is to fund community-based organizations that work with veterans and their families. Last year, the VA gave awards to three groups in Pennsylvania, including more than $530,000 to St. Luke’s Penn Foundation in Carbon County. Eighty recipients won awards nationwide in the program’s first year. Grant applications are due by May 19 with awards expected to be announced in September. Selected organizations will receive funding for 2024. More information on how to apply is available at mentalhealth.va.gov.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing a hefty an increase in aid to Pennsylvania's schools in his first budget delivered Tuesday to the Legislature.

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Don Snyder represented parts of Lehigh County for 20 years in the Pennsylvania House before serving as the leader of Lehigh Carbon Community College. Those who worked with him say he was known for his team-building and inclusiveness. He died at age 71.

Bald eagle populations in Pennsylvania and the United States have rebounded over the years, but they’re still dying from lead poisoning, including an eagle Centre Wildlife Care in central Pennsylvania had tried to treat.

Pennsylvania has now reached the 100-school threshold to move forward with sponsorship by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 8, would remove out-of-pocket costs and require 100% coverage for preventative breast cancer screenings and genetic testing. Proponents say it would be the first of its kind in the nation.

In an exclusive interview attended by LehighValleyNews.com premium members, former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent said Republican congressional leaders needed to play hardball with the party's right wing.