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.

Pa. has designated $528 million in federal funds to help Pa.'s child care industry.

What are Pa.'s Senate Republicans getting for the $275,000 they are spending to audit the 2020 election yet again?

One third of Pennsylvanians have said the pandemic has affected their mental health.

Arguments before the Pa. Supreme Court will begin Dec. 8 but it is unknown when the decision will come down.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who's running for governor, has said he has reservations about the plan.

The daytime talk show doc announced his bid for U.S. Senate in Pa. last week.

The staffing situation means delays in clearing roads will be likely this winter.

A neighbor claimed the firm's activities were disrupting the family's quality of life.

The number of drug overdoses in Pennsylvania has skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic.

Most utilities will be raising electricity prices in December, according to the Pa. Public Utility Commission.

Pay attention while you're driving. Officials are seeing more accidents that involve distracted drivers.

The changes could cost another $120 million a year but significantly reduce health risks, supporters say.