Health & Wellness News

Known as "tranq" on the streets, an animal tranquilizer named xylazine infiltrated drug supplies throughout Pennsylvania since 2019. Its presence in the Lehigh Valley has grown, with deadly consequences.

With the Lehigh Valley under an extreme heat warning through Wednesday, area doctors are urging residents to keep hydrated and stay cool.

The U.S. Senate could vote on the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week. If passed, millions of Americans would lose access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in order to fund border security and tax cuts to wealthy Americans.

The anti-violence program is funded through a $1.28 million grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program will continue next school year.

The Neighborhood Center and Andre Reed Foundation are partnering to kick off the season with an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 344 N. 7th St.

With the Lehigh Valley under an extreme heat warning next week, Allentown is offering free pool admission. Find out other ways to beat the heat.

The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study approved nearly $2.6 million in projects designed to fund children’s education programs, improve safety, extend trails and expand bicycle and pedestrian options across the region.

Tick season is in full swing in the Lehigh Valley. In addition to blacklegged ticks, those most often associated with Lyme disease, the invasive Asian longhorned tick also calls the Valley home.

High school Ultimate Frisbee teams from across the U.S. began competing Friday in the High School National Invite tournament, held in the Lehigh valley for the first time.

A rededication ceremony of the repaired Sacred Heart of Jesus statue damaged in 2023 was held at St. Luke' Sacred Heart campus in Allentown on Friday.

The 49th annual Boutique for Hope at St. Luke's SportsPlex is a clothing and household items shopping event, with proceeds benefiting three cancer-centric departments at St. Luke's Hospital.

A group from the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living traveled to Harrisburg on Wednesday to speak with local legislators about the importance of continued state funding for organizations that help the disabled.

In an effort to grow services where the organization sees fit, Lehigh Valley Health Network is cutting about 240 jobs. The move comes as a "restructuring" plan is underway.

It's National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The state Health Department is encouraging parents to get their children tested and educating adults on how to minimize exposure.

Halloween can be dangerous for kids heading out in the dark and crossing streets. Choose bright-colored costumes or use reflective tape on costumes to keep children safe this Halloween — that’s the message from AAA East Central.

LehighValleyNews.com and PBS39 hosted a community conversation on interfaith relations amid the Israel-Hamas war. The program also contained advice on how to manage social media and speak to children about the unrest.

The device, made by Jmad Creations, aims to solve the problem of medical pulse oximeters that are not accurate when used on patients with dark-colored skin.

The kits will include a nasal dose of the spray along with how-to-use instructions. The health bureau says the kits will be available at hospitals, community centers and more.

The local American Red Cross chapter is looking for people to nominate local heroes for helping others. Nominations are open now through November for the Celebration of Heroes event in which they recognize community members, first responders and veterans.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said Bethlehem's strong fiscal position should allow it to continue grants funded by the American Rescue Plan, even after the federal money runs out.

The Bethlehem Running Festival half marathon and half marathon relay were Sunday. It was the second day of the festival, bringing thousands to the SteelStacks campus.

The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Ryan Gaylor and Jason Addy.

Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.