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.

Both the Pa. Senate and House say they intend to hold public hearings on the redistricting proposals.

President Biden's Summit for Democracy has kicked off. China is not invited — but it's still trying to project its own narratives about democracy.

Baristas and other workers from three stores voted whether to unionize. Starbucks fought the plan. Now

Pa. is among the top in the nation for people hospitalized with COVID-19.

Residents of rural Pennsylvania counties could see better internet with help from the federal infrastructure bill.

Shapiro says Envoy Sage is run by a partisan actor and 'can't be trusted.'

The Japanese Barberry may look pretty but ticks that spread Lyme disease love living in them.

Pa. has designated $528 million in federal funds to help Pa.'s child care industry.

What are Pa.'s Senate Republicans getting for the $275,000 they are spending to audit the 2020 election yet again?

One third of Pennsylvanians have said the pandemic has affected their mental health.

Arguments before the Pa. Supreme Court will begin Dec. 8 but it is unknown when the decision will come down.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who's running for governor, has said he has reservations about the plan.