State & Regional News

Three people died and four remain missing in the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate-making plant in West Reading. The grim announcement Saturday night came after a day of hope spurred by a victim found alive in the wreckage early in the day.

Pennsylvania will again operate a water assistance program for low-income households behind in their water or wastewater bills, state officials announced last week.

While the report indicates positive trends, community advocates and leaders raised concerns about high rates of gun violence and educational outcomes. They called for more hyper-localized data to identify trends and correlations between issues impacting Black communities.

Thursday's March For Our Lives rally marks its fifth anniversary since its inception after a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida high school. Hundreds are expected at Thursday's rally in Harrisburg, which coincides with rallies this week in Florida, Michigan, California and Texas.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he's long admired the Lehigh Valley's unique ability to build partnerships. It's a skillset he said he hopes to bring to other communities across the state to promote economic growth. Shapiro was keynote speaker at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. annual meeting in Bethlehem.

A six-month investigation found the state’s “competency” review system is so broken it often extends incarceration, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

Another social-media fueled challenge has spurred a rise in the theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in Pennsylvania, but has the trend caught on in the Lehigh Valley?

Reporting an increase in violent incidents in the state's prisons in 2022, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association has suggested that staffing needs to increase, and policies need to be reviewed to help make the prisons safer.

U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert died in an attack on troops in Kuwait. His killer was sentenced to death. For Seifert's parents in the Lehigh Valley, the passage of time hasn't eased the loss. 'He was a much-wanted child and a very loved young man,' says his mother Helen.

Officials say some people have received a text message asking for EBT card information and claiming that their card is blocked.

In the fight to get justice for his brother's murder, Terrence Floyd has turned to the unlikeliest corners to do just that: NFTs — or non-fungible tokens.

The bill now goes to the Senate. If approved, Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will veto it.

Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro applauds the move and says he's prepared for pushback from gun rights groups.

Pregnant women in Pennsylvania who are insured through Medicaid will now have coverage for a full year after giving birth, rather than just 60 days post-partum.

Former President Trump's endorsement of Dr. Mehmet Oz could have mixed results, some say.

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.