State & Regional News

Josh Siegel has officially resigned from his seat in the state House of Representatives to assume his new role as Lehigh County Executive, triggering a special election in the 22nd District.

The delivery driver was wanted on a warrant issued Dec. 10 on charges of third-degree murder in the Nov. 21 killing of 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias, of Allentown, authorities said.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, provided the last needed signature to force a vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits. Unless a last-minute agreement is reached, millions of Americans would see their health care premiums double in the new year.

No one matched all five Powerball numbers, plus the red Powerball, on Monday night's drawing, but one Lehigh Valley resident matched four out of five white balls to win $200,000. It was among three winning tickets sold in Pennsylvania for the Dec. 15 drawing.

Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, dined with four Clean Team employees after they served lunch to Allentown Rescue Mission residents and staff.

The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority will reduce services starting Jan. 26, and is proposing its first base cash fare increase in 17 years. A public meeting on the new fare structure is set for next month in Bethlehem.

In addition to advancing the sewage plan, committee members also discussed the ongoing trail gap inventory and analysis, as well as voted in next year's chair and vice chair.

December temperatures in the Lehigh Valley have plunged far enough below normal to make even seasoned winter residents take notice.

“Every time someone makes the intentional decision to get behind the wheel intoxicated, they endanger every person they encounter on the roadway,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “I have seen far too many tragedies caused by completely avoidable vehicle crashes rooted to DUI.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro has swung his support to firefighter union leader Bob Brooks ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District has five Democrats competing for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.

Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine recorded their first debate Wednesday for WFMZ's Business Matters program. They are vying to earn the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, one of the country's most contested battlegrounds.

A lawsuit filed this week alleges Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and its parent company failed to protect a minor from a park employee who later pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her.

A federal judge has agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.

Pennsylvania has struggled for years with a disproportionately high number of fatal fires. It leads the nation again in civilian deaths so far this year, with a 23% jump over the weekend.

The SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans to both renters and business owners, while the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has helped facilitate grant programs for renters.

PBS39 broadcast a special, hourlong community forum on "housing gridlock," in which record-high prices, a 9,000-unit deficit and high interest rates have frozen the market for the workforce and first-time buyers.

The episode examines how a partial funding standoff in Washington is contributing to delays at airport security checkpoints, with TSA staffing strained as the Department of Homeland Security remains caught in a broader political fight.

Without enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, Lehigh Valley residents have seen their Pennie premiums climb more than $300 a month on average.

Easton Fire Chief Henry Hennings said the Hotel Hampton blaze exposed critical staffing shortages, delayed response challenges and growing risks in high-occupancy buildings.

Jessica Ortiz and Paulette Hunter withdrew their objection to state Rep. Ana Tiburcio's candidate petition Tuesday, clearing the way for a Democratic primary battle between Tiburcio and Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach.

Explore how the cost of living has changed in the Lehigh Valley, with data on groceries, energy, housing and transportation over the past decade.

With primary petitions now filed, the Lehigh Valley’s election season is coming into clearer focus, with several races likely to be more competitive than they first appear.