State & Regional News

This week, a preview of confirmation hearings scheduled for Wednesday to confirm a new head for NASA. The nominee is well known to the Lehigh Valley.

PennDOT officials say complaints about roadside trash peak in early spring when snow melts, revealing months of litter build-up. State officials estimate there are 500 million pieces of rubbish on Pennsylvania roads — about a third of which are cigarette butts.

Lehigh Valley Public Media comprises LehighValleyNews.com, PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR. Debates to be held in advance of the May 20 primary election include Allentown mayor, Bethlehem mayor, Northampton County executive and Lehigh County executive.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport knew a former police officer was the subject of an internal investigation at his former job but hired him anyway, according to details released this week by Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is looking into the matter.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania rose about 14 cents this week, from $3.261 to $3.405.

Northampton County officials on Thursday announced $100,000 in grants to a handful of food banks and homeless shelters. The grants are a response to cuts to federal food aid programs, County Executive Lamont McClure said.

Mack Trucks will display a 100-year-old Mack AB model tractor manufactured in Allentown at the 125th New York International Auto Show April 18-27.

'A Community Conversation: The Road Ahead' will feature several guests discussing Lehigh Valley traffic and transportation issues. It will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection last week launched the Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction grant program. Aimed at schools and childcare facilities, the program is focused on testing for, and remediating, lead in drinking water.

Lehigh Valley business experts said it's too soon to determine how President Donald Trump's across-the-board tariffs of 10% or more will affect the economy but acknowledged that stakes are high.

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.