State & Regional News

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission officials last month held the first regional climate planning workshop of the year, WorkshopLV: Environment.

Forecasters are calling for calling for “quite the icy slop of wintry precipitation across the region, including both sleet and freezing rain” as a quick-hitting winter storm descends upon the region late Wednesday.

Republicans balked at Gov. Josh Shapiro's $51.4 billion budget proposal Tuesday, saying the spending patterns did not align with Pennsylvania's financial realities. Lawmakers will debate the plan and determine its outcome.

Justin Simmons, who served a decade in the Pennsylvania House, is the first Republican to announce a bid for the county’s top job.

According to a release issued by ICE, Luis Gualdron-Gualdron, “a citizen and national of Venezuela who previously entered the United States without inspection,” was arrested on Jan. 31 without incident near the prison shortly after an immigration detainer was not honored.

Tom Shortell and Chris Borick discuss the areas likely to be included in the state budget, including education funding, school vouchers and a possible bailout for SEPTA.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is scheduled to deliver his budget proposal for 2025-26 to a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He is expected to seek more money for public schools and public transit.

Last week, just two leases for Big Lots locations in the Lehigh Valley were listed for sale by Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. Now leases for all locations in the area are for sale as the asset liquidation company enters phase two of its sales.

Residents can comment on a draft of the 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP, through March 3. There's a public input form, as well as scheduled webinars.

February is "going to be loaded,” meteorologist Bobby Martrich said, describing an “overrunning pattern” that goes through mid-month and could potentially bring the Lehigh Valley no fewer than three — and possibly four — storm chances before Valentine’s Day.

Figures released this week show another 4.4 million workers quit their jobs in February.

Frances Wolf says hunger should never be what holds a person back from succeeding in higher education.

The measure passed the House education committee along party lines, with Republicans in support.

A House committee approved legislation that allows more gas drilling and urges new pipelines.

Three credit reporting agencies have said they will remove medical debt from credit reports that went into collections but were paid off.

The cost of fertilizer is up as much as 300% from last year.

The chemicals accumulate in the environment and don't easily break down.

Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal calls for an additional $5 million for the new hires.

Critics say the Department of Education doesn't have the resources to take over school audits.

The funds must be spent by 2026.

Some groups use a patriotic look to promote supremist ideology, says an Anti-Defamation League official.

Not everyone is on board with an idea by a group of state senators to slash Pennsylvania's gas tax by a third through the end of the year.