State & Regional News

Mayor J. William Reynolds said it’s currently unclear the exact financial impact on the city to come from the freeze, but officials estimate there’s been $43.4 million in federal funding awarded and contracted to the city to be spent over the next several years.

The discount retailer last announced it was attempting to navigate its Chapter 11 proceedings after its intended sale to Nexus Capital Management appeared to fall through. In looking for an "alternative going concern transaction," Big Lots announced its sale to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners early January.

A Trump administration order cutting off some federal grant funding left providers of key social services racing to figure out if they would still receive critical funding.

Continued economic growth for the Lehigh Valley was predicted during at “Sizing Up 2025: Lehigh Valley Economic Outlook” at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Tuesday. The event, presented by Truist and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers who shared a positive economic picture of the Lehigh Valley and the nation.

Food & Water Watch on Tuesday held a rally outside Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s city office in defense of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. A Republican congressman earlier this month introduced a joint resolution to repeal it.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris discuss the impact natural disasters have on politics. In recent years, that impact has shifted.

Applications are open for the DCNR's Community Conservation Partnerships Program. Funding supports projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats.

A farm in Lehigh County has tested positive for HPIA, according to a news release Monday from the state Department of Agriculture. A response team is in place and the farm has been quarantined, officials said.

The Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, Muhlenberg College Hillel and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley unveiled Sunday a new memorial to victims of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

State officials announced the theme for this year’s annual tick-themed art contest, “Protect. Check. Remove.” Last year, there were no winners in the Lehigh Valley.

Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton have teamed up with Lehigh Valley Health Network to make the Lehigh Valley a Blue Zone. The initiative was launched this week and will take the next few years to earn the certification.

A vote in favor would put Historic Moravian Bethlehem among 25 other sites nationally and 1,199 around the world, including the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.

A release from PPL said scams are up 250% over 2023. Customers are urged to report scams to 1-800-342-5775.

President Joe Biden said he would use his remaining time in office to pursue Supreme Court reforms, among other goals.

The head of the Pennsylvania State Police said two local law enforcement officers stationed in the complex of buildings where the gunman opened fire at former President Donald Trump left to go search for the man before the shooting. State police testified before a congressional hearing Tuesday.

The city was awarded the grant through the WalkWorks program. Officials now have $35,000 and a year to create an Active Transportation Plan aimed at bolstering connectivity across the city.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is believed to be on the short list of vice-presidential candidates that presumed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is considering.

As support coalesces around Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee for president, the conversation has turned to a potential running mate. Among the leading contenders is Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The National Weather Service warns the week has a good chance to be one of the wettest of the summer thus far, with the potential for showers and storms daily through Thursday.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Lehigh County Democratic Chair Lori McFarland and political organizer Aidan Levinson said they could rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. They are among the Lehigh Valley's contingent of delegates heading to the Democratic National Convention in August.

President Joe Biden announced he will end his bid for reelection and support Kamala Harris for the presidency. Lehigh Valley politicians were quick to weigh in with their thoughts after weeks of speculation about Biden's fitness for office and his future.

The Democratic Party's convention is a little less than a month away. Even with President Joe Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be his successor, there are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout.