State & Regional News

This week on Watching the Skies, WLVR's Brad Klein and Bethlehem's Backyard Astronomy Guy, Marty McGuire talk about the planet Venus and its role as the "morning star."

Ryan Mackenzie, the Lehigh Valley's freshman congressman, cast an essential vote to move President Donald Trump's signature bill through the U.S. House last week. His would-be Democratic opponents say he's sold out poor families to give billionaires a tax break.

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity said her department has returned 500 military medals and pieces of memorabilia to veterans and their families since 2021.

The state Department of Environmental Protection announced $1 million in grants to promote environmental education and stewardship across the state. Four Lehigh Valley programs received funding.

The LVPC on Thursday hosted a workshop, “Planning + Pizza: Deploying Electric Vehicle Infrastructure,” aiming to collect feedback about where best to deploy EV infrastructure throughout the region.

Overall, 31 of the region’s 35 major climate sites were wetter than normal, with 22 of them experiencing one of their 20 wettest May 1-15 periods. Allentown took the top spot, experiencing its wettest May 1-15 ever.

The Lehigh Valley's public transit system says it will have to cut service by 20 percent and boost fares by 25 percent without additional state funding — something that Gov. Josh Shapiro has called for but that lawmakers will have to approve.

Tuesday, May 20, is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Several high-profile local races are on the ballot in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Check out our procrastinator's guide and Q&A.

Drivers who have been ticketed for school bus camera violations say the process to contest them needs to change. PennDOT said thousands of citations across seven Lehigh Valley school districts are still awaiting hearings.

Republicans Roger MacLean and Mike Welsh have spent less than $8,000 combined on their race. Meanwhile, their Democratic opponent Josh Siegel has amassed more than $180,000 in his war chest. The primary election is Tuesday, May 20.

The University of Pennsylvania study examined rates for accessing care after hospitalization.

Republican lawmakers say the money is needed instead to offset looming budget deficits.

The 2022 election could prove to be the most expensive the state has ever seen.

Bridges, roads and ports are all a part of the state's infrastructure.

The deadline to apply is May 10, even with a battle looming in the state Supreme Court.

The money will be aimed at hardest-hit communities and distributed over the next two decades.

Gov. Tom Wolf has pledged to appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

None of the 4 candidates received the two-thirds of the committee's votes required.

The plan uses the sale of credits for solar projects to plug oil and gas wells.

'That perspective of a Black female is so important,' says Wandalyn Enix.

Democrats and Republicans passed House Bill 253, a $225 million relief package.

The House and Senate's top GOP budget negotiators say the state's $7.76 billion in extra relief and tax money can't be stretched too thin.