State & Regional News

A special Mass to celebrate the life of Pope Francis was held at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown on Monday. Francis died on Monday at 88 after 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

The Diocese of Allentown and Bishop Alfred Schlert said Pope Francis “prioritized the method of accompaniment, reaching both those within the Church and especially those on its periphery,” following the pope’s death. A special Mass will be held Monday at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena in Allentown.

The Lyrid meteor shower is at its peak this week. Looking to catch a shooting star? Brad Klein and Marty McGuire talk about prime viewing times on this week's Watching the Skies.

House Republicans are already rallying around U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, as he looks to defend Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The seat is one of the most competitive — and expensive — congressional races in the country.

Cancer caused 66% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro hopes to pay for firefighters' annual cancer screenings at the state level.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was at Memorial Fire Station in West Bethlehem on Friday to share how his proposed 2025-26 budget would support fire companies statewide.

Legislators, community members, and nonprofits came together in Allentown Thursday to discuss the need to raise awareness of sex trafficking and the support required by its victims.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, along with local legislators and officials, on Thursday morning held a news conference focused on energy efficient programs frozen due to cuts enacted by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

Councilwoman Natalie Santos proposed the resolution just a week ago in response to President Donald Trump’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and his executive orders targeting transgender people.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure delivered his final State of the County address in Bethlehem on Monday. He used the speech to recap his administration's proudest accomplishments and criticize recent actions by the federal government.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his third budget proposal to lawmakers next week. Here's what to watch for.

Many interchanges on Route 22 and Route 309 are badly outdated, leaving drivers to navigate increasingly unsafe roads. PennDOT has plans to address several of them, including trouble spots in Fullerton and Center Valley.

For the first time ever, Pennsylvania will return unclaimed property automatically, without requiring forms or other red tape. 8,000 Pennsylvanians will receive letters this week, with checks following in 45 days.

The Trump administration directive, rescinded Wednesday, could have put tens of millions of dollars at risk across the Lehigh Valley, speakers said Friday outside the Lehigh County Government Center.

According to CDC data, drug overdose deaths steeply decreased in Northampton County, not long after the campaign was launched. Northampton County's reduction in overdose deaths has beaten the state's, and the country's averages.

The National Weather Service issued the bulletin in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday for freezing rain, with total ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch possible.

Mayor J. William Reynolds said it’s currently unclear the exact financial impact on the city to come from the freeze, but officials estimate there’s been $43.4 million in federal funding awarded and contracted to the city to be spent over the next several years.

The discount retailer last announced it was attempting to navigate its Chapter 11 proceedings after its intended sale to Nexus Capital Management appeared to fall through. In looking for an "alternative going concern transaction," Big Lots announced its sale to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners early January.

A Trump administration order cutting off some federal grant funding left providers of key social services racing to figure out if they would still receive critical funding.

Continued economic growth for the Lehigh Valley was predicted during at “Sizing Up 2025: Lehigh Valley Economic Outlook” at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Tuesday. The event, presented by Truist and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers who shared a positive economic picture of the Lehigh Valley and the nation.

Food & Water Watch on Tuesday held a rally outside Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s city office in defense of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. A Republican congressman earlier this month introduced a joint resolution to repeal it.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris discuss the impact natural disasters have on politics. In recent years, that impact has shifted.