State & Regional News

A special Mass to celebrate the life of Pope Francis was held at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown on Monday. Francis died on Monday at 88 after 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

The Diocese of Allentown and Bishop Alfred Schlert said Pope Francis “prioritized the method of accompaniment, reaching both those within the Church and especially those on its periphery,” following the pope’s death. A special Mass will be held Monday at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena in Allentown.

The Lyrid meteor shower is at its peak this week. Looking to catch a shooting star? Brad Klein and Marty McGuire talk about prime viewing times on this week's Watching the Skies.

House Republicans are already rallying around U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, as he looks to defend Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The seat is one of the most competitive — and expensive — congressional races in the country.

Cancer caused 66% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro hopes to pay for firefighters' annual cancer screenings at the state level.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was at Memorial Fire Station in West Bethlehem on Friday to share how his proposed 2025-26 budget would support fire companies statewide.

Legislators, community members, and nonprofits came together in Allentown Thursday to discuss the need to raise awareness of sex trafficking and the support required by its victims.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, along with local legislators and officials, on Thursday morning held a news conference focused on energy efficient programs frozen due to cuts enacted by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

Councilwoman Natalie Santos proposed the resolution just a week ago in response to President Donald Trump’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and his executive orders targeting transgender people.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure delivered his final State of the County address in Bethlehem on Monday. He used the speech to recap his administration's proudest accomplishments and criticize recent actions by the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is focusing specifically on child and adolescent mental health, Levine said.

The U.S. assistant secretary for health, who will speak at Texas Christian University, says physicians need to be more vocal in fighting politically motivated attacks on vulnerable trans youth.

It comes as the Lehigh County DA plans to station detectives at mail-in ballot drop boxes.

Construction should begin next year, with a planned opening of mid-2024.

Frontrunners Dr. Mehmet Oz and David McCormick did not attend the forum at Dickinson College.

Christina Warren collects T-shirts, mugs and other items from companies that promised huge changes, but failed to deliver — often in spectacular ways.

The local nonprofit group was among 7 organizations statewide to receive a share of $89,000 in grants.

The war in Ukraine, abortion and strengthening democratic institutions were among the topics.

The tests measure what a child knows on one day and there is no growth measure, Michael Faccinetto said.

Observers are expecting legal challenges to Pa.'s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Leading in the polls, Fetterman was grilled about a 2013 incident in which he confronted a Black man with a shotgun.

Smoking weed in public or bringing cannabis across state lines remains illegal in Pennsylvania.