State & Regional News

The ban says public school teachers may not wear any “dress, mark, emblem, insignia" that indicates they are part of "any religious order, sect or denomination.”

In the aftermath of the derailment, which released toxic chemicals into the streams and air around East Palestine, many are wondering how the country’s regulations around rail traffic could have allowed a train with 20 cars of hazardous material not to be considered a “high hazard.”

The extra payments that participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, have been getting during the COVID-19 pandemic are ending this month in Pennsylvania, leaving food banks bracing for a surge in demand.

Former president and humanitarian Jimmy Carter has elected to forgo medical treatment to spend his remaining time with his family.

When U.S. Senator John Fetterman checked into the hospital this week to receive treatment for clinical depression, he joined thousands of others who experience this mood disorder after a stroke.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, spoke about her experience with mental health issues and lauded U.S. Sen. John Fetterman for having the courage to publicly seek help.

The Pa. Department of Health is opposing Spotlight PA's request for information on the medical marijuana program, aiming to withhold data on how often physicians approve patients, citing confidentiality rules.

On the recommendation of a doctor, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is receiving inpatient mental health care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro says he won't allow Pennsylvania to execute any inmates while he is in office and calls for the state's lawmakers to repeal the death penalty.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sent a scathing letter to the president and CEO of Norfolk Southern on Tuesday, calling out the company for making emergency management decisions without consulting state and local leaders and for prioritizing its railroad operations over “a safer overall approach” for local residents and the environment, after a train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio last week.

A listeria outbreak has a major food company recalling deli meats across the county, including here in the Lehigh Valley. An infectious disease doctor explains the signs and symptoms of the foodborne illness.

Jason Moorehead, a former social studies teacher at Raub Middle School, claimed Allentown School District violated his constitutional rights to free speech, assembly and political affiliation.

Local state lawmakers joined members of the Legislative Latino Caucus in Allentown on Monday to celebrate how the new state budget. Specifically, they note the more than $1.1 billion in new funding for school districts, including about $526 million to correct inequities in public education.

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis was in the Lehigh Valley on Monday as officials announced a $20 million federal grant for Allentown. He sat down with LehighValleyNews.com for an exclusive interview as his boss, Gov. Josh Shapiro, is in the running to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.

The Lehigh Valley has "amazing industries" and companies, "but that doesn't mean much" to people who can't access those jobs, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said.

Musikfest organizers have already eliminated paper food and beverage tickets, and started using renewable energy sources to power tents, vendors and beer trucks – but the work continues to make the event more environmentally-friendly.

The Lehigh Valley will begin to see impacts from Tropical Cyclone Debby on Tuesday, forecasters warn, calling expected rainfall a ‘predecessor’ event as the storm begins to crawl up the coast.

Central Moravian Church hosted a joint service Sunday with congregations based at three other historic Moravian settlements that recently became the first joint UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saturday’s weather plagued Musikfest and there’s a chance more of the same is in store Sunday for the Lehigh Valley region. After a sunny Monday, heavy rain is in the forecast Tuesday.

1 in 4 menstruating students in the Allentown School District have missed class time because of the lack of access to period products. Funding for free menstrual products for students was approved in the 2024-2025 state budget.

Joe Kovacs, the 2-time world champion from Bethlehem Catholic High School and Penn State, competed in his third Olympic Games as a member of Team USA in Paris.

Joe Kovacs, a Nazareth-area native and Bethlehem Catholic grad, is competing in his third Olympic Games as a member of Team USA. The shot put finals are Saturday afternoon.