State & Regional News

Almost 11,000 birds of prey were counted this year during the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s annual autumn hawk watch as they made their way along the raptor "superhighway" in the Valley’s backyard.

Amtrak officials previously said passenger rail between Allentown and New York City could be restored as soon as 2024. However, a $300,000 study exploring the proposed connection is more than a month overdue.

Forecasters say the Lehigh Valley will see a mixed bag of precipitation in the days ahead, with snow showers possible Wednesday and Thursday and a potent storm system expected this weekend.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a visit to Allentown that as part of his 2024-25 budget, he will fund a program providing scholarships to students in poor-performing school districts.

State lawmakers on Monday held a committee hearing titled “Minimizing Risk & Harm: Preparing for Pennsylvania’s Hydrogen Future.” It comes almost two months after President Joe Biden announced seven regional clean hydrogen hub projects, including two in Pennsylvania.

A state mandate requiring schools to identify sexual content in books could cost Lehigh Valley school districts significant time, money and resources.

The state Department of Environmental Protection's Energy Programs Office will host five public engagement sessions in December, four in-person and one virtual, as officials work to create a priority climate action plan to address the negative effects of climate change.

Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, urged the U.S. House to take an unprecedented step Thursday and expel Rep. George Santos from office for alleged misconduct.

Mark Pinsley announced Friday, Dec. 1, that he will run for auditor general in 2024. The position oversees financial and performance audits of Pennsylvania state government.

Residents from the Lehigh Valley and beyond on Thursday attended the state Department of Environmental Protection’s last public comment meeting on the commonwealth’s interim environmental justice policy. The majority said the policy doesn’t go far enough.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley addressed about 150 donors at a Lisa Scheller political fundraiser Wednesday night. Scheller, a Republican, is attempting to oust Democratic incumbent Susan Wild from PA's 7th Congressional District.

A report by the research and advocacy group PennEnvironment analyzed samples from 50 of Pennsylvania's cleanest waterways, only to find different kinds of microplastic residue in all of them.

John Fetterman's health and familiar attack ads dominated the debate between Pennsylvania's senate candidates Tuesday night. Fetterman and Oz touched on a wide array of subjects, from abortion to gun control to the economy to the candidates' personal background.

Pennsylvania's heated Senate race pits John Fetterman, a Democrat in the mold of Bernie Sanders, against Republican Mehmet Oz, a television star backed by Donald Trump.

Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State Leigh Chapman tried to halt the spread of misinformation concerning the electoral process and explained why there may be a delay in counting votes in the upcoming election.

The Kindness Project expands into the Poconos as foster families need more resources to take in children. The non-profit offers free living essentials to kids in foster care.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano expresses some far-right views that appealed to some Easton conservatives.

U.S. Rep Susan Wild (D-Lehigh/Monroe) and Republican challenger Lisa Scheller squared off Friday night for another round of exchanges in a live debate. The event was the second and final face-to-face meeting between the two candidates before the 2022 midterm election.

Pennsylvania's governor race between Doug Mastriano and Josh Shapiro could reshape state politics

LehighValleyNews.com will host a debate between Democratic incumbent Susan Wild and Republican Lisa Scheller on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Rachel Rutter is one of 10 women to be nationally honored by the 2022 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth for her work with immigrant children in Pennsylvania.

Voters will pick between Rep. Susan Wild and Republican challenger Lisa Scheller in one of the country's most contested House races.