Lehigh County News

With rising rents and limited inventory, the Lehigh Valley housing crunch is making it harder for many people to find affordable apartments or even think about buying a home.

Jessica Ortiz and Paulette Hunter filed an objection to the petition state Rep. Ana Tiburcio's campaign submitted last week in her bid for a full term representing Pennsylvania's 22nd House District.

The full story, to publish Wednesday, will explore why newly available apartments are attracting large numbers of applicants and what that reveals about the balance between housing supply and demand.

PPL Electric said it expects electric demand on its system could triple over the next decade. That growth is being driven largely by expansion of advanced manufacturing, new data centers and other large industrial electricity users.

Thirteen of the Lehigh Valley's seats in the General Assembly look like they'll have a contested November election. State Senate races in Lehigh and Northampton counties will have contested primaries, as well.

“Political affiliation has become a barrier,” Ron Beitler said on this week's "Political Pulse." “It’s become a barrier when you’re talking to someone one-on-one. It’s become a barrier particularly on social media.”

Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine have filed petitions for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The winner is expected to take on Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the November election.

Gas prices are rising across the country as global tensions push oil markets higher and lawmakers raise concerns about possible price gouging.

Municipalities should work to plan for data centers that can cover millions of square feet and reshape local economies, according to regional officials.

Appearing this week on Lehigh Valley Political Pulse with host Tom Shortell, Carol Obando-Derstine framed her resume as a contrast with other Democratic primary contenders.

The popular bookstore Let's Play Books is reaching out to the community to hear what shape they think their store should take, following the success of their new location

North Whitehall Township will host its first Breakfast with Badges event on Saturday, Feb. 3. The event will have firetrucks and ambulances for kids to touch, educational crafts about fire safety and free cold breakfast items.

Three people were killed and many others injured in collisions and crashes on Lehigh Valley roadways so far this week, officials said.

An outdated police manual from 1981, gross approval of overtime and a general lack of leadership by Chief Douglas Kish necessitate change in the Catasauqua Borough Police Department, a study showed.

Twenty-seven air quality monitors have so far been placed for Lehigh Valley Breathes, a Valley-wide, year-long effort to monitor air quality amid emissions from trucking and warehousing.

People with full-time employment, or as old as 92 are just some of the hundreds without a place to call home.

After almost a decade with the same trash hauler, the city’s contract is expiring. Now, city trash is collected twice a week.

Applications open Monday for the 2024 Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant Program and are accepted until 4 p.m. March 8. The grants are earmarked for conservation efforts in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Coming back before the board, Lehigh County Commissioners now have two non-discrimination bills to review.

Nonprofit for vulnerable youth Valley Youth House hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new recreation center at their Orefield-based Camp Fowler.

About 70 new apartments are coming soon to North Whitehall near the intersection of Main Street and Levans Road.

The development on North Krocks Road prompted the LVPC to recommend intersection changes to accomodate increased pedestrian traffic and safety