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 Lehigh watershed has among the highest amounts of chemicals linked to reproductive health issues and cancer released into it in the country, according to anenvironmental advocacy group.

The decision drew cheers and applause from a crowd of roughly one hundred people gathered, but township supervisors could overrule the recommendation.

Lehigh County residents can call the warmline for mental health needs.

'Emmaus United for Progress: Vision 2030' highlights goals, action items, and ideals for the Borough of Emmaus to build into the next decade.

A strange radio contest involving a Lehigh Valley billboard showed just how far people were willing to go for a free home.

Daniel Brito returns to Frontier Field in Rochester, 14 months after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, will stop in Allentown on Thursday as part of a tour around parts of the country with U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong says that regardless of a lawsuit filed by former Trump administration officials, the county will use its five drop boxes in the upcoming election.

Third baseman Daniel Brito collapsed on the field during the first inning of a game against the Rochester Red Wings in July 2021, will return to Allentown's Coca-Cola Park on Thursday to meet with doctors who saved him.

District Attorney Jim Martin says someone should be stationed at the five drop boxes to ensure the law is followed.

County Executive Phillips Armstrong says it's time now for the city to step up to the plate.