State & Regional News

Reporter Julian Abraham spent the weekend covering the explosion that occurred Friday at a chocolate factory in West Reading.

As part of a yearlong investigation, The Associated Press obtained the data points underpinning several algorithms deployed by child welfare agencies to understand how they predict which children could be at risk of harm.

A chemical spill of a latex product late Friday in Bristol Township released contaminants into a Delaware River tributary, according to OEM officials.

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?

'That perspective of a Black female is so important,' says Wandalyn Enix.

Democrats and Republicans passed House Bill 253, a $225 million relief package.

The House and Senate's top GOP budget negotiators say the state's $7.76 billion in extra relief and tax money can't be stretched too thin.

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.