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 governor's office estimates there are 30 to 50 pregnancies per year in the state prison system.

The state is also distributing grants to encourage electrifying fleets for local governments and police forces.

Wolf is reaching for the big bucks in his final year in office, despite the immediate protest from Republican lawmakers in the majority.

The little guy with the cleft lip was rescued from Harley's Haven Dog Rescue.

Carbon and Schuylkill are among the 43 counties that will benefit from the federal funding.

Advocates for immigrant rights argue detention is inhumane and unnecessary.

Local legislators react with praise and caution.

LEPOCO Peace Center organizes Lehigh Valley vigils in support of de-escalation.

The state Supreme Court now will make the ultimate decision on congressional seat boundary lines.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro sent lawmakers a letter with six proposals to fill vacancies.

PennDOT said bridges are inspected every two years, and those with weight restrictions are inspected annually.

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved the updated maps 4-1 and now the public will weigh in on the maps.