State & Regional News

The team behind Lehigh University's "Community Mapping for Environmental Justice” project is creating an interactive map of litter in Bethlehem. Officials said the collaborative effort aims to improve the health and well-being of the entire community.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Registration is open for the Nurture Nature Center's Youth Climate Summit of the Lehigh Valley, a free event April 19 and 20. The summit aims to engage middle and high school students in climate change issues, as well as seek solutions.

Rep. Joshua Siegel announced on Friday he will seek a second term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Siegel, 29, represents the 22nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is looking for public comment concerning PPL's 2023 billing fiasco which led to a $1 million civil penalty.

During a meeting in Allentown Wednesday, Make the Road Pennsylvania organized a rally in opposition of a bill package from Rep. Ryan Mackenzie that they characterized as "anti-immigrant."

Marc Muffley, 41, of Lansford in Carbon County, had an entire row of family and friends supporting him at the federal courthouse in Allentown. He was arrested and charged last year.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Bethlehem on Tuesday to announce the expansion of the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Older, disabled residents can apply for rebates up to $1,000. State Rep. Steve Samuelson authored the legislation.

North Whitehall Township's Klusaritz Family Farm was recognized at the Pennsylvania Farm Show as one of six farms across the state that had been in the same family for more than 100 years.

PPL Electric Utilities and Met-Ed, which serve the Lehigh Valley, said high winds were bringing down poles and wires. The biggest trouble spots appeared to be in Lower Macungie Township, the Bath area, and the Slate Belt.

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.

The university is planning to ease its oversight of fraternities and sororities, six years after implementing policies to increase monitoring and compliance in response to a hazing death of a student.

Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, missed votes in Congress this week as a result of her condition. Her office's communications director made the announcement on social media.

The FBI said Marc Muffley, 40, of Lansford, Carbon County, left the airport Monday after checking a bag that was to be loaded on an Allegiant flight from Allentown to Sanford, Fla.

The fatal crash near the Saylorsburg exit of Route 33 in Monroe County was caused by a southbound rig that went through a guardrail and entered the northbound lanes Wednesday morning, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The Bethlehem Parking Authority was granted $15,000 to buy two electric vehicles.

Law enforcement officials seized dark clothing, medical gloves, a flashlight and other items from a Pennsylvania home where they arrested a graduate student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death. That is according to newly unsealed court documents.

The meteorological winter of 2022-23 is now in the books as the 7th warmest on record in the Lehigh Valley, but a potent storm system is heading this way.