Environment & Science

In the home stretch of summer, is the worst of the heat behind us? Here’s where things stand in the Lehigh Valley as we look ahead — and enter the peak of hurricane season.

Four farms in Lehigh and Northampton counties were the latest to be included in Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program. The program aims to ward off development and protect open spaces.

It's becoming more favorable as the summer goes on for viewing the planets in the evening sky, including Saturn. But did you know — its angle in relation to an Earth-bound observer is always changing.

Officials came together in Easton to discuss energy efficiency and weatherization programs intended to help residents while cutting emissions Thursday morning.

Tropical Storm Debby has been flooding parts of the Atlantic coast as remnants make their way north. As a result, PA-Task Force 1 has been deployed to assist North Carolina in emergency response operations.

North Whitehall Board of Supervisors on Monday hired engineering consultant Gilmore & Associates to create an Open Space Action Plan for the township.

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.

This week, Watching the Skies gives an update on the International Space Station, which is currently hosting two ‘extra’ American astronauts.

Over the past few days, Lehigh Valley residents have complained of bad smells wafting through Bethlehem and surrounding areas. Residents have described the most recent heavy odor as a rotting smell.

One of the best chances to ‘catch a falling star’ is the Perseid meteor shower. And the evening of Aug. 12 and early morning of Aug. 13 should be the peak night for this annual event.

On the anniversary of the Blizzard of '93, forecasters say a complex coastal storm will develop on Monday, shifting from the Mid-Atlantic north into New England and dropping heavy snow just north of the Lehigh Valley.

The mother bear and her cubs, nestled cozily in their den, were discovered by the homeowner towards the end of December or beginning of January.

Despite record revenues locally and across the country for golf, local municipal courses are facing heightened supply costs.

The Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair invited students grades six through 12 from across the Lehigh Valley to present their research projects to a panel of judges.

A storm system that will gain steam off the coast and potentially turn into a nor'easter could affect the Lehigh Valley region's weather Monday into Tuesday. At least one forecaster speculates it might be our last chance for a measurable snowfall, which has been in short supply this winter.

Early mornings will again be dark so use caution driving in the early morning for the next several weeks.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact or that you might want to look at again.

Sen. Bob Casey toured Infinera's Upper Macungie Township packaging facility while urging for CHIPS Act investment in Pennsylvania.

The Lehigh Valley is no longer under a winter weather advisory Friday except in parts of Northampton County, as the precipitation in the area will mostly be rain. But heavy snow is expected in the Poconos.

Northampton County is approved to join other municipalities and residents who have a legal standing in opposing the proposed landfill in Lower Saucon Township.

Local high schools are participating in the Central East Pennsylvania Science Olympiad on March 16 at Kutztown University.

The North Whitehall Planning Commission tabled one waiver for the Strawberry Acres 55-plus residential development plan and recommended denial for another.