County News

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.

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.

Taxpayers will foot the bill for lawyers on both sides if issues between Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and council end up in court.

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.

Development has divided wildlife habitats across Pennsylvania, leading to more vehicle-animal collisions. A new report from the state Legislature argues reconnecting the pieces through wildlife corridors would help.

Applications for a seat on the council, launched in 2022 and aimed at growing public participation, are being accepted through the end of the month. Here's how to apply.

Other major goals for both parties fell by the wayside: Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro didn’t get recreational marijuana or a tax on skill games; legislative Democrats didn’t get a minimum wage increase; legislative Republicans didn’t get tax cuts.

While many Lehigh Valley residents were shocked by an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, it was not exactly surprising in today's divisive, supercharged political climate, they said.

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent hoped the attack on former President Donald Trump would lead to Americans softening the rhetoric that has consumed American election campaigns. A wounded Trump was whisked offstage as one spectator was shot and killed and two others were critically injured. “It’s a sad state of affairs for where our political system is right now,” said one Lehigh Valley lawmaker.

Albeit late, lawmakers passed a $47.6 billion plan for the fiscal year that started July 1, with much focus on education this year.

Amy Cozze has left the Northampton County elections department and is now working for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

The authority plans to expand but that can't happen just yet.

The Lehigh Valley lawmaker says Pennsylvania should withdraw any investments tied to Russian assets.

Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 2.

Faith unites and comforts Ukrainians who have been praying together for peace.

The two-year global health crisis has had a huge impact on young people's mental health.

Community Action Lehigh Valley has another $25 million to distribute and plans to ask the state for $15 million more.

Fire companies are also looking for ways to get more people to volunteer.

Lehigh County has its own bridge maintenance department but PennDOT performs routine inspections of locally-owned bridges.

For now, only a small number of Lehigh Valley properties are being spurred by AI, says a local expert.

The county put a freeze on its work-release program over a year ago, but that could be changing.

The good news is that the number of bridges that are classified in poor condition has been going down, an expert says.