State & Regional News

It’s a special year for cicadas, insects known for their high-pitched mating songs. Two adjacent broods are expected to co-emerge for the first time in 221 years. Here's the next time they emerge in the Valley.

Stanley cups have skyrocketed in popularity, following other trends in reusable drinkware. But, fads like these can encourage overconsumption, experts said.

The state agency that promotes hunting in Pennsylvania has hired a lobbying firm run by a former top lawmaker using tens of thousands of dollars in public funds.

Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to invest more money in Pennsylvania's transit authorities. The money could plug a funding gap at LANTA as COVID relief dollars run dry, said Executive Director Owen O'Neil.

Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed increasing basic education funding by $1.1 billion, laying the groundwork to slash tuition costs at state-owned schools and taking out a $500 million bond to spur economic development.

Gov. Shapiro will deliver his budget address on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The deadline to deliver a completed spending plan is June 30.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state parks across Pennsylvania were inundated with visitors.

State officials late last month announced the theme for this year’s annual tick-themed art contest, “Protect. Check. Remove.” Last year, there were no winners in the Lehigh Valley.

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.

Republican congressional candidates Maria Montero and Ryan Mackenzie criticized U.S. Rep. Susan Wild after she said Carbon County "drank the Trump Kool-Aid" on a conference call with prominent Pennsylvania Democrats.

A Lehigh County probe showed 288 cases of people depositing more than one ballot - a violation of the law.

Preventive programs can help people stay healthier and are available for no extra Medicare premium.

The Safe2Say Something program receives thousands of tips about mental health, bullying and harassment.

The American Trucker Association estimates a shortage of 80,000 drivers nationwide.

Lt. Gov. Fetterman says the digital update is long overdue.

Virtual public hearings on the new rules are set to begin this week.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take the 1st steps toward confirmation Monday.

Attention focused on a candidate not in attendance -- Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.

One solution is to allow more clinicians to give a diagnosis of autism.

Two years after the start of the pandemic, they're ready for a full return of visitors.

Figures released this week show another 4.4 million workers quit their jobs in February.

Frances Wolf says hunger should never be what holds a person back from succeeding in higher education.