State & Regional News

The Walking Purchase, a 1737 land grab perpetrated by William Penn's sons, shaped the Lehigh Valley as residents know it today. But, the land wasn’t actually purchased, as the name might suggest — it was swindled from the Lenni-Lenape.

More than 130 people attended the panel, which focused on efforts across the state to tamp down on light pollution, not only to benefit star-gazers, but for fireflies and migrating birds, too.

Lehigh Valley Political Pulse host Tom Shortell wants to hear from you. Readers are encouraged to submit questions through the link in the article. They may be addressed on a future episode of the program.

As the system moves off the Carolina coast and begins to strengthen and lift northward, impacts farther inland — particularly in the Lehigh Valley — are not expected to be overly hazardous.

PennDOT has decided to convert a normally empty parking lot off William Penn Highway into 30 or more truck parking spots. While warehouses have boomed across the Lehigh Valley, truck parking has failed to keep up.

Political scientist Chris Borick joined Tom Shortell again this week to try to make sense of the government shutdown and what it all means.

Senate Democrats have refused to fund the federal government unless Republicans agree to extend tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. U.S. Ryan Mackenzie supports the tax subsidies but echoed Republican demands that no deal can be struck until the federal government is funded.

A reinforcing cold front has triggered a freeze watch in the Lehigh Valley from Thursday evening through Friday morning, bringing our coldest overnight temperatures since mid-April.

State environmental officials are calling on residents to nominate their favorite waterway to be 2026 River of the Year. The effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.

The filings, which occurred over the past few days in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, are individual filings of LLCs, including the location that was based at the Lehigh Valley Mall Lifestyle Center.

Around the world, April 21 is the 51st celebration of Earth Day. But here in Pennsylvania, we have a little something extra to celebrate.

March 31 was International Transgender Day of Visibility. It celebrates transgender people and raises awareness of discrimination.

A new scholarship program between East Stroudsburg University and the Bethlehem Area School District is sending two graduating seniors to college, full tuition paid.

Last year, the state lost more than 450,000 jobs, and 2 million Pennsylvanians applied for unemployment. Gov. Tom Wolf’s new “Near Completers” program will help those who have seen their career training sidelined by the pandemic.

The Wolf Administration says it is making the largest government commitment to solar energy in the country by agreeing to buy power from seven new solar projects in the state.

This May, millions of cicadas, known as Brood X will emerge from the ground and climb trees looking for mates.

So far, 55,000 teachers and school staff members have been vaccinated throughout Pennsylvania, since Gov.Tom Wolf launched a push to prioritize educators earlier this month.

A new poll from Franklin and Marshall College shows a majority of Pennsylvanians disapprove of the vote taken by eight Republican congressmen to overturn…

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is pushing for the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania. And New Jersey jumping into the game makes it all…

Microplastic contaminants have been found in 53 waterways in Pennsylvania, including in the Lehigh River, according to clean water advocacy group PennEnvironment.

The popularity of internet-based gambling in Pennsylvania has taken off as the pandemic caused casinos to shutdown. But online gambling addiction may be rising as well.

Dr. Rachel Levine said she would continue to promote science and fact-based COVID-19 guidance if confirmed to be Assistant U.S. Secretary of Health during a hearing before a U.S. Senate committee Thursday.