Lehigh County News

Voters are increasingly breaking with the Republican and Democratic parties. One national poll found a record 45% of Americans consider themselves politically independent.

Democratic voters in Pennsylvania's 16th and 18th Senate districts may have contested races this spring. Meanwhile, Republican Zach Mako is seeking re-election in Pennsylvania's 183rd House District.

In counties such as Lehigh, eviction filings have reached their highest point in years, even as rental vacancy rates have fluctuated. That apparent contradiction — rising vacancy estimates alongside persistent eviction volume — is part of a broader housing dynamic playing out across the region.

The special election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the 22nd House District, which covers parts of East Allentown, Center City and a part of Salisbury Township. The debate was broadcast live on PBS39 and streamed here at LehighValleyNews.com.

Joining host Tom Shortell on this week's Political Pulse, Ryan Crosswell said his campaign is focused on two priorities: lowering costs for families and defending democratic institutions.

The early LIHEAP crisis numbers already represent a notable share of last winter’s total in the Lehigh Valley, according to data provided by the Department of Human Services.

An extreme cold warning, combined with a wind advisory also in effect, could mean wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero for the region this weekend.

Appearing on this week's Lehigh Valley Political Pulse with host Tom Shortell, Pinsley framed his campaign around what he described as “bread and butter issues,” arguing that rising costs remain the central concern for voters, and that corporate power is to blame.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2026-27 budget proposal falls back on familiar proposals to regulate skill games and legalize marijuana, two flashpoints that fueled a months-long budget impasse last year.

"The IronPigs will be concluding our naming rights partnership with Coca-Cola in September of 2027, as at that time our current agreement will come to its successful completion,” IronPigs President Kurt Landes said at a joint news conference Tuesday.

The new route will fly from LVIA to Denver International Airport, with flights beginning June 15 with one-way fares as low as $59.

While Trader Joe’s has previously said it does not have any specific formula or demographic requirement for where it open new locations, the Lehigh Valley seemingly has not fit within its plans. Could that be changing?

North Whitehall supervisors voted to fund them at their meeting last week, and South Whitehall has received a grant to help cover the cost.

CBD shops are open around the Lehigh Valley, but some may not know what the substance is used for.

DeSales University welcomed two members of the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Friday as it announced the state's awarding of two grants totaling nearly $200,000 to benefit projects in its education department.

In 1986, Louie Belletieri took over the business his parents founded in 1958 and ran Louie's Italian Restaurant until it closed four years ago.

After some ups and downs, the South Whitehall planners recommended preliminary/final approval to plans for the new ride.

Liz Bradbury has been an LGBTQ activist in the Lehigh Valley for more than 30 years.

As the region diversifies, relations across racial groups are seen as a key element of quality of life. A new survey finds overall ratings as mostly positive, but different age groups rate the state of race relations differently.

WLVR's Brad Klein interviews Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, about life in the Lehigh Valley and a newly-released quality of life survey.

A heated interview for a vacant Zoning Hearing Board alternate position caused South Whitehall Township commissioners to consider policy changes.

Nothstein, 52, will spend a year on probation after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in Lehigh County Court on Wednesday, in a case that involved his ex-girlfriend.