State & Regional News

More eyes are on local and international races, especially with billionaire Elon Musk becoming more politically active. Why should anyone care about smaller elections? This week on Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick dive into those details.

Multiple sources tell LehighValleyNews.com that Carol Obando-Derstine is expected to launch a campaign for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The battleground seat is held by freshman U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, will be one of four House members from battleground districts to take questions from a bipartisan audience and CNN anchors.

The projects were among 81 community projects across Pennsylvania for which Gov. Josh Shapiro announced grants through the Main Street Matters program.

This week, a preview of confirmation hearings scheduled for Wednesday to confirm a new head for NASA. The nominee is well known to the Lehigh Valley.

PennDOT officials say complaints about roadside trash peak in early spring when snow melts, revealing months of litter build-up. State officials estimate there are 500 million pieces of rubbish on Pennsylvania roads — about a third of which are cigarette butts.

Lehigh Valley Public Media comprises LehighValleyNews.com, PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR. Debates to be held in advance of the May 20 primary election include Allentown mayor, Bethlehem mayor, Northampton County executive and Lehigh County executive.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport knew a former police officer was the subject of an internal investigation at his former job but hired him anyway, according to details released this week by Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is looking into the matter.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania rose about 14 cents this week, from $3.261 to $3.405.

Northampton County officials on Thursday announced $100,000 in grants to a handful of food banks and homeless shelters. The grants are a response to cuts to federal food aid programs, County Executive Lamont McClure said.

Cedar Crest College has recently received a $1 million state grant to upgrade the turf on the school's softball field.

Carolyn Carluccio, the president judge of Montgomery County Court, announced her candidacy Tuesday in next fall’s election for a 10-year term on the state’s highest court.

The Allentown organization helps kids with educational opportunities regardless of financial or home situation.

Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro Wednesday detailed how he’ll assume power from Gov. Tom Wolf, who will helm the AG’s office, and some of his goals for his first year in office.

Though U.S. Social Security Administration field offices have reopened for in-person services, there continue to be obstacles for people seeking Social Security disability benefits, according to a new report released by a legal advocacy group.

When John Fetterman goes to Washington in January as one of the Senate’s new members, he’ll bring along his style from Pennsylvania. It's one that extends from his own personal and very casual dress code to hanging marijuana flags outside his current office in the state Capitol.

Officials in a northeastern Pennsylvania county where paper shortages caused Election Day ballot problems are deadlocked on whether to report official vote tallies to the state.

With winter here, drivers should be aware of a Pennsylvania law passed earlier this year that requires them to clear snow and ice off their vehicles before hitting the road.

Rep. Mike Schlossberg credited GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano — and Mastriano's extreme positions — with turning the state House blue for the first time in a decade.

Black Friday marks a return to familiar holiday shopping patterns, but inflation is weighing on consumers. Elevated prices for food, rent, gasoline and other household costs have taken a toll on shoppers.

Local authorities are urging travelers to drive safely, without distraction and free from the effects of drugs and alcohol.

Inflation is gift-wrapping a salary increase for Pennsylvania state lawmakers, judges and top executive branch officials in 2023. That includes boosting rank-and-file lawmakers and district judges into six-figure territory.