Morning Call - Lehigh Valley & Allentown PA News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do

Lehigh Valley Public Media cuts half of its staff amid financial woes, loss of federal funding

The Bethlehem-based organization, which includes PBS39, WLVR radio and the Lehigh Valley News website, will lose about half of its workforce.

Lehigh Valley Public Media headquarters, home to PBS 39 and WLVR radio, is seen Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Bethlehem. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Lights in the Parkway on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 is closed after a “significant act of vandalism” caused extensive damage to light displays and restrooms. Allentown police Chief Charles Roca said officials are closing in on announcing charges to be filed against those who committed the crime. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Charges expected soon in Lights in the Parkway vandalism, Allentown police chief says

Light snow is expected across the Lehigh Valley on Saturday morning. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Light snow set to return to Lehigh Valley. How much to expect and when it will arrive

The Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. (Sharon K. Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

Amid secrecy around Lehigh County drug case, media outlets seek grand jury docs

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4 charged in armed robberies at Lehigh Valley smoke shops

Latest Headlines

Sinkhole causing traffic headaches along Route 33 in Northampton County

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Man who stole $500,000 in gold, $90,000 in cash from Lehigh County senior sentenced to state prison

1 hour ago
Who will serve in Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski’s Cabinet? Here are her picks

2 hours ago
Lehigh Valley sandwich shop closing for good after ‘highs and lows’

1 second ago
Bethlehem Township man facing assault charges had explosive devices in his home, police say

10 hours ago
Wiz Kidz cheesesteak restaurant closes in Allentown; Bethlehem spot has plans to reopen

9 hours ago
Phillies keep an integral part of the team by agreeing to a deal with J.T. Realmuto

4 hours ago
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Most Popular

Lehigh Valley stationery store to close after 44 years, shifting some operations online. It’s holding a 75% off closing sale now
Lehigh Valley stationery store to close after 44 years, shifting some operations online. It’s holding a 75% off closing sale now
Allentown native Amanda Seyfried highlights Lehigh Valley on Stephen Colbert’s ‘Community Calendar’
Allentown native Amanda Seyfried highlights Lehigh Valley on Stephen Colbert’s ‘Community Calendar’
Charges expected soon in Lights in the Parkway vandalism, Allentown police chief says
Charges expected soon in Lights in the Parkway vandalism, Allentown police chief says
Light snow set to return to Lehigh Valley. How much to expect and when it will arrive
Light snow set to return to Lehigh Valley. How much to expect and when it will arrive
Freddy Awards 2026: Here’s a list of this year’s Lehigh Valley area high school musicals
Freddy Awards 2026: Here’s a list of this year’s Lehigh Valley area high school musicals
Bethlehem Township man facing assault charges had explosive devices in his home, police say
Bethlehem Township man facing assault charges had explosive devices in his home, police say
Pa. state senator from Lehigh Valley uses expletive to describe Philly, sparking backlash
Pa. state senator from Lehigh Valley uses expletive to describe Philly, sparking backlash
4 charged in armed robberies at Lehigh Valley smoke shops
4 charged in armed robberies at Lehigh Valley smoke shops
After ex-police chief’s conviction, Lehigh Valley community still working to get payroll systems right
After ex-police chief’s conviction, Lehigh Valley community still working to get payroll systems right
B. Braun cancer claims lawsuit over Lehigh Valley plant denied class action status
B. Braun cancer claims lawsuit over Lehigh Valley plant denied class action status

Local News

New Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski (center right) announces her Cabinet members and key appointees Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the rotunda of the Northampton County Government Center in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces appointments | PHOTOS

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announces appointments

Sports

Allen’s Tiheed Wise Jr. looks to score against Allentown Central Catholic’s Grayson Schmell on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, during a boys basketball game at Allen High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley boys basketball: Allen holds off ACCHS in a low-scoring struggle; Nazareth beats shorthanded Pocono Mountain West

Allentown Central Catholic didn't score in the second quarter in a 47-39 loss at Allen

Things to Do

Leo Kospelich, 2, enjoys a blue ice cream while wearing a hard hat Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, during Ice Cream Wars at Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown. The annual event features Lehigh Valley businesses creating unique flavors of ice cream, with attendees casting votes to determine the champion. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Best bets: We all scream for ice cream, and other things to do this weekend in the Lehigh Valley

Here are your best bets for weekend fun in the Lehigh Valley this weekend.

See how Artsquest’s Banana Factory rebuild in Bethlehem is progressing | PHOTOS

Construction is continuing on the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory, replacing the Banana Factory, in south Bethlehem. See photos.
Photos: 2026 Golden Globes red carpet standout fashion moments
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Lehigh Valley Chapter make supply kits for homeless | PHOTOS
Fishing and enjoying the mild winter weather | PHOTOS
Pennsylvania Farm Show Butter Sculpture Unveiled | PHOTOS
Morning Call Historic Pages: Blizzard of 1996
People get outside in warmer temperatures | PHOTOS

Opinion

An aerial view shows Allentown on Wednesday Aug. 22, 2012. To deal with the city's problems the residents must be included in fashioning the solutions, the author contends. (Michael Kubel/The Morning Call)

Opinion: Health equity is not a program, it’s a choice Allentown must make

Opinion: We cannot simply throw funding at wicked problems and expect different outcomes.

Crime and Public Safety

Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Judge orders preliminary hearing for Lehigh commissioner, others in drug case after DA sought to bypass

A Lehigh County judge on Thursday rejected a request from the district attorney's office to...

Best Reviews

<p>Alvina Wang/BestReviews</p>

Best light therapy lamp

A light therapy lamp can help boost your mood, whether you are experiencing depression or...

Business

FILE – The YouTube app is displayed on an iPad in Baltimore on March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

YouTube relaxes monetization policy on videos with controversial content

The update allows creators to earn when they tackle sensitive issues in a nongraphic way.

Pennsylvania News

The milkshakes served by the PA Dairymen’s Association are a favorite of Farm Show visitors. (Reading Eagle)

Virtue, liberty and milkshakes? How 1 beverage came to dominate the Pa. Farm Show.

David Smith, the retiring executive director of the Dairymen’s Association, estimated that the group will...

National News

FILE – Elon Musk attends a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues his AI company over sexual deepfake images created by Grok

Ashley St. Clair claims xAI's Grok chatbot allowed users to create sexually exploitive images.

Allentown

Ms. Munoz, a teacher at the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy, works with students in her classroom during a tour Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at the Allentown school sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, the Allentown Federation of Paraprofessionals, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Allentown School District. State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, was among those attending the event intended to highlight the contributions to the district by paraprofessionals and the local Latino community. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

These Allentown support educators are getting a boost toward their own educational goals

Four Allentown School District support educators will receive $5,000 scholarships from a national teachers union...

Bethlehem Area

Construction continues Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, on the ArtsQuest Creative Factory in south Bethlehem. The 80,000-square-foot, five-story arts center that is replacing the Banana Factory is expected to open at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

See how Artsquest’s Banana Factory rebuild in Bethlehem is progressing | PHOTOS

Construction is continuing on the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory, replacing the Banana Factory, in south...