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.

City officials gathered Thursday in the City Hall’s rotunda for an annual update on the city’s Climate Action Plan, a document that outlines strategies to decrease carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Chicago area was digging out last week after a band of lake-effect snow buried the Windy City, dropping up to a foot in some areas. Could the Lehigh Valley be far behind?

For November, we’re taking a look at comets, with three getting a lot of attention as they pass through our inner solar system.

The new role with the public utility and wastewater authority is aimed at strengthening transparency, community engagement and collaboration with regional partners.

The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council is working on a survey for residents about containerization, an effort to decrease litter across the city.

A 4-H'er from Walnutport and his horse, Skipa Star Goer, placed first in the pleasure horse driving class during the show, held late last month in Harrisburg.

The submission proposing the construction of 2.6 million square-feet of data center facilities closely aligns with Air Products' existing plan for warehouses on the 194-acre property.

Northampton County celebrated the acquisition of the Bauer Preserve, its 23rd park, in Stockertown on Thursday.

Four surplus male bison from the Lehigh Valley Zoo will be donated to the Wildlife Restoration Foundation for transfer to a member of the InterTribal Buffalo Council in New York. The recent loss of the dominant male bison at the zoo necessitated the transfer.

Space weather forecasters have issued an alert for incoming severe solar storms. Such storms could bring northern lights to many U.S. states and temporarily disrupt communications.

The draft plan is the product of a series of well-attended public-input meetings over the past year.

For the second year, the nonprofit water and wastewater utility has launched a public outreach campaign about lead pipes. Under a new EPA rule, utilities have until 2037 to remove all lead service lines from its system.