State & Regional News

The most popular names have been a constant the past few years, according to the major health networks. But one trend that emerged in 2023 in the Lehigh Valley seems to be tied to sports — specifically, the success and popularity of the Philadelphia Phillies. Taylor Swift also may be having an impact.

The Pennsylvania Department of State is starting a new office to help train county election workers, Pa. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. It also plans to update its guidance for logic and accuracy testing that could have caught issues with the Northampton County voting machines.

Lafayette College will host the 2024 vice presidential debate this coming September, drawing the world's eyes to its Easton campus. Nicole Hurd, the college's president, hopes it will be an opportunity to highlight the liberal arts school and the greater Easton community.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg passed nearly three dozen laws last week in a final burst of action as they held their last voting session of the year.

Nippon Steel is set to pay more than $14 billion to acquire Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel in a deal that Rep. Susan Wild said is “really kind of heartbreaking."

Pennsylvania's gas tax– the highest in the nation in 2023 – will drop from $0.611/gallon to $0.576/gallon and will remain in place through 2024.

It might seem counterintuitive, but harvesting holiday trees year after year is better for the environment than using an artificial one, experts said, especially amid the proliferation of plastic piling up in landfills.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said these types of incentives will help to attract “the best and brightest” candidates to serve the city.

More than three dozen projects in the Valley were awarded grants, receiving about 7% of the total funding awarded. Statewide, $335 million in grants were announced Wednesday.

Driven by $8.1 billion in manufacturing, the Lehigh Valley's Gross Domestic Product grew to a record $50.2 billion in 2022. The region's economy now ranks above Vermont and Wyoming.

Some parts of the revised system work well but some say others parts need work.

Customers are finding they can save money by comparing and ordering pharmacy items online.

The state plans to set up overflow sites and send medical staff to overwhelmed areas.

The Republican from Franklin County, Pa., has pushed to overturn the 2020 presidential election

The debate featured 13 candidates who want to be the next governor of Pennsylvania.

Consumer prices should ease in about 6 months, experts say, after the supply bottleneck goes away.

Political scientists say the more false claims are rejected, the lower the chance for more political violence.

In a phone interview, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild looked back a year to the day she was whisked from the House chambers to an undisclosed location, hopefully out of harm's way.

The Republican says the GOP needs to change its Trump-enthused strategy.

The voting machine maker wants the machines to be examined only by an approved inspector.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe has boosted fossil fuels and denied climate change.

It's uncertain whether the May primary election will go on as scheduled due to redistricting issues.