Health & Wellness News

Councilman Frank Pintabone reintroduced his marijuana decriminalization ordinance at Easton City Council on Wednesday, aiming to turn possession into a summary charge. A vote on the matter is expected in two weeks.

Top-prize-winning projects include plans for an outdoor classroom at Trexler Middle School, several garden spaces and a free bike tune-up day.

Data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shows firefighters face a 62% higher risk of developing esophageal cancer and a 39% increase of dying from it. A two-minute test could be just what it takes for firefighters to get ahead of the disease.

A couple dozen riders assembled at Bethlehem City Hall on Thursday ahead of a six-mile group ride for the occasion — one with a goal of changing public outlook toward choosing a bike to commute.

Cuts to Medicaid reimbursements could harm Lehigh County residents and create a budget gap, a new report from the county controller's office found.

Nazareth High junior Brody Muthard will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a playground he created for autistic children at the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Bethlehem. Muthard received intervention and therapies for autism at the I.U. as a child.

Easton City Council passed a resolution declaring itself an Affirming City, offering protection for trans individuals and other LGBTQ+ community members.

The Autonomous Portable Refrigeration Unit (APRU) is a compact onboard refrigerator that safely stores blood in flight. It's now in all four of LVHN's MedEvac helicopters.

State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware County, joined a group of legislators and firefighters Thursday to discuss an upcoming act which will ensure access to PTSI care for first responders.

Mothers brought photos of their sons and daughters as they shared fond memories at the bereavement gathering held on May 4 at Third and Ferry Fish Market.

Jace Pooley, 16, recently wrote an article about his experience with autism for Pediatrics, a scholarly journal. Today, he's leading the First Annual Autism Community Walk in Bethlehem.

Local healthcare providers and legislators appeared a press conference at Valley Youth House in Bethlehem to shed light on children’s mental health issues and to advocate for continued state and federal funding.

More than 12,500 people have received the first dose of vaccines in the Lehigh Valley. Track these numbers with the new vaccine dashboard.

President Donald Trump signed the latest federal stimulus bill yesterday, but federal unemployment benefits may still be delayed for recipients. In the interim, WLVR’s Brittany Sweeney has more on other Pennsylvania resources for people struggling to make ends meet.

Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, Dr. Rachel Levine says more than 40,000 healthcare workers have received Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine and tens of thousands of more doses are on the way - including the new vaccine from Moderna.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) has brought forward two bills that would provide training to help police officers in dealing with individuals with mental illness as well as enacting a program to help reduce calls to 911 in non-emergency situations.

All K-12 sports and after school activities are on pause until January 4 following Governor Wolf’s latest mitigation efforts. WLVR’s Genesis Ortega has more on what this means for Lehigh Valley student athletes.

More than 17,000 Pennsylvania healthcare workers have received COVID vaccines. Tens of thousands more will be vaccinated in the coming weeks. But social distancing and mask-wearing are still needed, even if you get a shot.

Lehigh Valley hospitals began giving COVID-19 vaccines yesterday. WLVR’s Ben Stemrich was at Lehigh Hospital Cedar Crest and spoke to one of the first nurses who got the shot.

COVID-19 vaccines arrived today in the Lehigh Valley - and the first shots have been given - marking an historic turning point for the Valley’s fight against the virus.

Homeless shelters in Allentown and Bethlehem are doing all they can to stay open and keep people out of freezing temperatures even as COVID-19 surges and shutdowns go into effect.

The United Way of the Great Lehigh Valley offering workshops for educators to deal with the stresses of remote learning

Pennsylvanians are getting their first doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine today. Tens of thousands more are expected this week. And health care workers in the Lehigh Valley will be among the first in line.

People are washing their hands more than ever to fight the spread of coronavirus. That, coupled with the onset of winter, may cause skin to dry out, itch and crack.