State & Regional News

The Walking Purchase, a 1737 land grab perpetrated by William Penn's sons, shaped the Lehigh Valley as residents know it today. But, the land wasn’t actually purchased, as the name might suggest — it was swindled from the Lenni-Lenape.

More than 130 people attended the panel, which focused on efforts across the state to tamp down on light pollution, not only to benefit star-gazers, but for fireflies and migrating birds, too.

Lehigh Valley Political Pulse host Tom Shortell wants to hear from you. Readers are encouraged to submit questions through the link in the article. They may be addressed on a future episode of the program.

As the system moves off the Carolina coast and begins to strengthen and lift northward, impacts farther inland — particularly in the Lehigh Valley — are not expected to be overly hazardous.

PennDOT has decided to convert a normally empty parking lot off William Penn Highway into 30 or more truck parking spots. While warehouses have boomed across the Lehigh Valley, truck parking has failed to keep up.

Political scientist Chris Borick joined Tom Shortell again this week to try to make sense of the government shutdown and what it all means.

Senate Democrats have refused to fund the federal government unless Republicans agree to extend tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. U.S. Ryan Mackenzie supports the tax subsidies but echoed Republican demands that no deal can be struck until the federal government is funded.

A reinforcing cold front has triggered a freeze watch in the Lehigh Valley from Thursday evening through Friday morning, bringing our coldest overnight temperatures since mid-April.

State environmental officials are calling on residents to nominate their favorite waterway to be 2026 River of the Year. The effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.

The filings, which occurred over the past few days in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, are individual filings of LLCs, including the location that was based at the Lehigh Valley Mall Lifestyle Center.

The measure passed the House education committee along party lines, with Republicans in support.

A House committee approved legislation that allows more gas drilling and urges new pipelines.

Three credit reporting agencies have said they will remove medical debt from credit reports that went into collections but were paid off.

The cost of fertilizer is up as much as 300% from last year.

The chemicals accumulate in the environment and don't easily break down.

Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal calls for an additional $5 million for the new hires.

Critics say the Department of Education doesn't have the resources to take over school audits.

The funds must be spent by 2026.

Some groups use a patriotic look to promote supremist ideology, says an Anti-Defamation League official.

Not everyone is on board with an idea by a group of state senators to slash Pennsylvania's gas tax by a third through the end of the year.

Among the demands: moderators be registered Republicans who live in Pennsylvania.

Four of the 5 candidates participated in the 1st major debate of the Democratic primary.