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.

Unlike past years, the public has been offering comments that have been incorporated in the redistricting process.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union says thousands of state jobs are at risk.

Applications for more than $350 million in aid to those who qualify will open on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Under the program, health care workers give temporary assistance to hospitals in need of help.

Commonwealth Court may have to step in.

Drillers are expected to pay about $234M -- $90 million more than the year before.

A child home for a 10-day quarantine this year would be eligible for about $71.

Grants will go toward replacing gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles.

The lead author suggests tighter regulations on the chemical class known as phthalates.

Trump hinted that vote counters could make a difference in an election's outcome.

The 3-state panel is tasked with protecting resources of the Chesapeake Bay.

Wolf said part of the solution is to improve job opportunities, increase community resources and fund schools.