Lehigh County News

Xylazine, an animal-grade tranquilizer that's not approved for human use, has taken Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply by storm. Known on the streets as "tranq," it accounted for almost 1 in 4 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania by 2023. Last year in Lehigh County, it was a contributing cause of death in 20 of the 112 deadly overdoses, or 17.9 percent of cases.

The funding comes from the commonwealth’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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.

WLVR's Brad Klein talks with Bethlehem's Backyard Astronomy Guy, Marty McGuire about planetary viewing in this week's Watching the Skies. Leading into the first week of July, viewers can snag a better view of the planet Mercury just after sunset.

The Clean Trucks PA Coalition report identified more than 600 schools, childcare centers, playgrounds and parks near major roadways and trucking corridors across the state.

In the past four years, Lehigh and Northampton counties each saw a roughly 3% population increase, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

The district will consider the addition of a new assistant superintendent role focused on special education programming.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

A regionwide wastewater plan and a hazard mitigation plan both advanced with staff review approvals by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night.

The policy lays employees’ “obligations and responsibilities” when interacting with federal immigration authorities, Executive Josh Siegel said Tuesday.

New data released by the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors shows the region's median sales price climbed 8.7% year over year to $375,000, matching the highest median sales price ever recorded locally in July 2025.

The group showed why it has had that staying power: Its hits — in a sprawling 26-song, 2½-hour show, the band offered 14 gold and platinum hits — still resonate.

The first-term senator laid out his opposition to data centers and answered some of the “almost 100 questions” he said he received during a virtual town hall Wednesday night.

A review of violations filed since June 5 found dozens of charges for the "prohibited use of interactive mobile device" across Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley has proposed bringing back an intangible asset tax. Supporters believe it could shift tax burdens away from working families while critics argue it would punish small business owners and invite lawsuits.

Tickets, starting at $126.65, remain available at the PPL Center website or the box office at 701 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.

The applicant requested the meeting be postponed, according to city officials.

Data centers dominated discussion for more than three hours as Allentown City Council held a public hearing on proposed regulations before voting hours later to table them.

Proposed regulations on data center are set to come too late to affect a proposed "hyperscale" facility in South Allentown.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley and Bradley Merkl-Gump, a school board director in Bucks County, swept their home counties, according to unofficial precinct-level results.

A recent drowning death has prompted the Lehigh County Coroner to ask people to keep water safety in mind as we enter the summer season.