State & Regional News

Here's all you need to know about the 2025 general election in the Lehigh Valley, where scores of local races are on the ballot — including county and municipal offices, plus school boards and Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention questions getting an unusual amount of attention.

Nancy Dischinat served as executive director of Workforce Board Lehigh Valley for the past 27 years, helping build an environment of skilled workers that created a sought-out business environment.

The partisan divide is still a reality when it comes to Pennsylvania's mail-in ballot system. Democrats accounted for nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania's requests. More than 1 million people statewide requested a mail-in ballot, according to the state.

Lawmakers were told that while insurance companies must notify PennDOT when a policy is canceled, the new insurer is not required to report when coverage is reinstated.

Democrats Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht are each seeking a second 10-year term on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. While retention questions normally receive little attention, the potential to flip control of the high court has drawn massive political spending in the off-year election.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, has organized a food drive while pinning the ongoing government shutdown on Senate Democrats. SNAP benefits that help feed millions of low-income Americans are hours away from expiring.

Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The administration has said it can't fund SNAP with the government shuttered.

A group of demonstrators called on Congress Friday to permanently protect the Arctic from drilling, as well as drum up support from Lehigh Valley residents.

A wind advisory goes into effect at 10 a.m. Friday for much of eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, as strong westerly winds sweep through the region.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has filed an emergency motion in Lehigh County Court requesting that a judge unseal documents in at least 22 criminal cases tied to an interstate drug ring. Among the defendants is Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi.

"Difficult to accept as the results are, there is no right course but to concede, which I do, and I look to the challenges ahead," Doug Mastriano wrote in his concession to Josh Shapiro in the Pennsylvania governor's race.

Northampton County's results neatly reflected election returns for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress.

Northampton County has joined nearly 200 other counties in the nation that participate in the Hidden Heroes program started by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Pennsylvania Democrats believe they will win enough state House seats following Tuesday’s midterm election to secure a majority when the legislature’s new session begins in January.

Shapiro, 49, of Montgomery County, is a two-term attorney general. He defeated Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano.

Incumbent Democrat Susan Wild pulled out a narrow victory over Republican challenger Lisa Scheller for the Lehigh Valley's seat in Congress.

Fetterman, the state's lieutenant governor, engaged in a bruising battle with Republican celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz

Joe Emrick appears to lead the 137th District race. Anna Thomas is the Democratic challenger to Republican incumbent Joe Emrick.

A group of young changemakers are working hard to draw more Gen Zers into local politics, and to the polls. But in serving the interests of their country in the political field, they’re doing it behind the scenes instead of in a public-facing role.

With Election Day nearly upon us, our reporters fanned out across the region to find out where folks stood on issues that have defined American politics. This is what they heard.

Election Day is shaping up to be a classic fall day across the Lehigh Valley and the rest of the region. It's what will come later this week that's likely top-of-mind for weather watchers.