State & Regional News

Pennsylvania’s highest court has ruled people whose mail ballots are rejected for not following technical procedures in state law can cast provisional ballots. The decision is sure to affect some of the thousands of mail-in votes experts say are likely to be rejected this fall for not following all of the mail-in voting procedures required.

Another visit from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is in order for the Lehigh Valley. The Democratic vice presidential candidate will make his second trip to the area this Friday in Allentown.

Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne testified on the floor of the state senate that some protected tax information about the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone could not be disclosed even to state lawmakers or publicized as otherwise required by state law.

The Bethlehem Area School District is getting $2 million in federal rebates to buy 10 more electric school buses. Officials expect the buses to be in service next school year.

The deadline for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in the 2024 general election is Oct. 21 — just 15 days before Election Day on Nov. 5.

Fethullah Gülen, a reclusive U.S.-based Islamic cleric who inspired a global social movement while facing accusations he masterminded a failed 2016 coup in his native Turkey, has died. He lived the last several years in the Saylorsburg area of Monroe County, Pa.

Pennsylvania law requires voters deposit only their own ballot and prohibits people from returning other voters’ ballots — including a spouse's — to a drop box on their behalf. Enforcement is another issue.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain visited Allentown on Sunday to rally union members for the Harris-Walz ticket and other Democrats on the ballot ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

An Allentown resident living with disabilities recently met with Congresswoman Susan Wild to talk about what congress can do to improve services for people like him.

The manufacturer of Giant's store-brand waffles has issued a recall due to potential listeria contamination, the supplier announced on Oct. 18. 2024.

The changes could cost another $120 million a year but significantly reduce health risks, supporters say.

Lehigh County officials are not yet sure how much or when the Lehigh Valley will see infrastructure funding.

Scientists say the world has less than a decade to take steps to avoid catastrophic global warming.

Officials urge hunters to get vaccinated.

Voter ID and earlier deadlines to register and apply for a mail-in ballot are being considered.

Concerns also were raised about election officials nationwide leaving jobs amid threats.

Some Republican state lawmakers are pushing to overhaul how appointments to an air quality advisory board are made in response to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's attempt to join a regional cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Rep Scott Perry (R-Cumberland/Dauphin/York), who is under Congressional scrutiny for his role in a plot to subvert 2020 election results in some states, is set to lead the House Freedom Caucus starting in January.

Clearfield County’s path to establish the largest immigrant detention center in the commonwealth is unencumbered pending the dismissal of a lawsuit against the county for violating the state's open meeting laws.

Children’s enrollment in Medicaid increased by 14% statewide during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report released in November 2021. All 67 counties saw increases in children’s enrollment, according to the report, from Harrisburg-based advocacy group Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

More than half of the $18B coming to the state will go toward fixing roads and bridges.

Survivors of and advocates against human trafficking gathered in the Bethlehem Rose Garden on Nov. 9, 2021 for a candlelight vigil to raise awareness.