State & Regional News

The drought is far from over, but enough precipitation has fallen to boost the confidence of state officials when it comes to outdoor fires.

Join Megan Frank every Friday at 9:30am and 6:30pm for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, Brittany Sweeney takes her place, joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is conceding his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick. The concession came Thursday, more than two weeks after Election Day. A statewide recount is showing no signs of closing the gap and Casey's campaign has suffered repeated blows in court.

FirstEnergy sought to raise local customers' electric bills by more than 9%, but the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission blocked the higher rate.

The bipartisan House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee spent three days in the Lehigh Valley this week. Part of the visit included a hearing with local organizers to discuss funding celebrations of America's 250th anniversary.

After a steady – but not soaking – overnight rain, the area remains on track to break a pair of records that have stood the test of time. But more precipitation is on the way, including snow.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon for Carbon and Monroe counties in an "elevation-dependent system."

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said the House Ethics Committee is split in deliberations over how to handle an investigations into former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz on allegations of sexual misconduct. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Gaetz to lead the Justice Department.

The Lehigh County Board of Elections voted 3-0 to certify 191,158 ballots Wednesday afternoon. Fights over how to count contested provisional ballots are already popping up in the neck-and-neck U.S. Senate race between Bob Casey and David McCormick.

Organic whole and baby carrots linked to Grimmway Farms, including several brands available in stores throughout the Lehigh Valley, have been recalled due to concerns of E. coli.

The process of finding an alternative supplier can be complicated, officials say.

Every year public school districts pay more than $3 billion to charter schools in the Pennsylvania, officials say.

State lawmaker expresses frustration with the history of missteps by the county elections office.

Brothers and sisters want to stay together which causes placement challenges.

Several factors could contribute to an increase in teen drug deaths, officials say.

Mackenzie, who has served in the House since 2012, is all but assured another 2-year term.

A state senator since 2019, Mastriano had former President Donald Trump's endorsement.

The 52-year-old from western Pa. defeated U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and 2 other candidates.

A perfect storm of inflation, housing market issues, and gas prices have created a climate in which people need food.

Pa. DEP will monitor 1,700 miles of nearly 50 waterways across the state, including the Delaware and Lehigh rivers through September.

Pay attention while you're driving. Officials are seeing more accidents that involve distracted drivers.

Fetterman says he expects to make a full recovery and return to the campaign trail soon.