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.

Pennsylvania's high court says officials aren't allowed to count votes from mail-in or absentee ballots that lack accurate, handwritten dates on their return envelopes.

The Downtown Bethlehem Association has changed the design of Christmas City Village’s huts, and added more vendors.

Casa Guadalupe will get $311,000 to use towards developing a new technology, science and arts education center in the residential building next door, which the organization recently purchased.

St. Luke's University Health Network released the findings of its triennial community health needs assessment. Police, public health officials, and school representative were all in attendance.

State Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) has helped bring a $100,000 grant to the Lehigh County Historical Society in an effort to support historic property renovations and new programming.

At a Wednesday night meeting, Lehigh County commissioners heard a proposal to alter the county's current commissioner districts in order to account for a growth in population throughout the county.

Giana Jarrah wins StartUP Lehigh Valley's grand prize with her women's health brand With Meraki Co.

Democrat Mark Pinsley and Republican Jarrett Coleman traded verbal jabs during Thursday's half-hour debate hosted by Business Matters.

U.S. Chaos, which performed alongside some of punk rock's seminal bands, continues to tour with three original members 40 years later. It performs at Gas House Dance Hall in Catasauqua on Saturday.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley addressed about 150 donors at a Lisa Scheller political fundraiser Wednesday night. Scheller, a Republican, is attempting to oust Democratic incumbent Susan Wild from PA's 7th Congressional District.

In a statement released on Thursday, Lehigh County has committed to ensuring the Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be able to afford needed improvements to Coca-Cola Park. In a statement, the county says the team has signed to stay through 2052.

The lavish life of million-dollar homes isn't as far away as you'd think. A lot of multi-million dollar homes can be found right here in the Lehigh Valley.