Bob Brooks promises ‘change’ in his bid for Congress. Can he win over Lehigh Valley voters with blue collar bona fides?

Bob Brooks has worked many jobs throughout his life: newspaper deliverer, truck driver, factory worker, bartender, landscaper, firefighter and union leader. His next job is in the hands of voters, but if he gets his way, it will be US Congressman representing the Lehigh Valley and Poconos area.

Bob Brooks stands for a photo after he discusses his campaign Thursday, July 30, 2026, and the competitive election during an interview at the United Steel Workers of America hall in Bethlehem. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

A fourth Allentown employee is suing the city over alleged discrimination

Fundraiser launched for family of Whitehall teacher after crash

Mayor of Alburtis Hector Moss, pictured July 30, 2026 outside Borough Hall. (Andreas Pelekis / Special to The Morning Call)

Alburtis declared a rare state of emergency after July storm. One month later, residents continue to deal with damage

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th District, stands Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Lehigh County Republican headquarters in Allentown. Mackenzie is running against Democratic candidate Bob Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association and a former Bethlehem firefighter, in what is expected to be one of the closest congressional races of 2026, and one of a handful that will determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Ryan Mackenzie touts first-term accomplishments in reelection bid. Is it enough to win Lehigh Valley’s battleground district?

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Local News

Historic Lehigh Valley bar and restaurant to reopen months after fire

The Iron Mule restaurant and bar will soon reopen after a fire forced it to temporarily close in the Lehigh Valley.

Sports

Freedom High School players run drills Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, during their football practice in Bethlehem. Freedom is coming off a tough season by their standards. The Patriots were 5-6 last season, but are optimistic about staging a turnaround. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Freedom football: Atypical season in 2025 motivates Patriots

Freedom tumbled to its first losing season in more than a decade last season, but is set for a rebound behind a talented batch of returnees

Things to Do

The Ukrainian Folk Festival in Horsham features folk music, dance, foods and arts and crafts. (Courtesy of the Ukrainian American Sport Center)

Things to do this weekend in Lehigh Valley: Festivals for country music, film and culture

Whether you're a country music fan, a film fanatic or someone who enjoys international cultures, there's a festival this weekend for you.

Easton Area High School football practice | PHOTOS

Easton Area High School players run drills during football practice at Cottingham Stadium in Easton.
Freedom High School football practice | PHOTOS
The 46th Annual Roasting Ears of Corn Festival | PHOTOS
Northampton Area High School football practice | PHOTOS
Former Lehigh County DA Jim Martin through the years | PHOTOS
Blue Mountain League championship game | PHOTOS
Parkland high school football practice | PHOTOS

Opinion

Allentown Central Catholic High School holds its graduation Friday, May 29, 2026, at the school’s Rockne Hall. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Opinion: Diocesan high school graduation rate shows value of Catholic education

Opinion: Beyond record-breaking college scholarship amounts and other very favorable statistical measures, our six high...

Crime and Public Safety

Authorities investigate a crash between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small plane at the Carlisle airport in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)

Airplane pilot killed in violent collision with Pennsylvania State Police helicopter

An airplane pilot died after a violent collision with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near...

Best Reviews

Warm up your muscles with these stretches and activities

To get the most out of your exercise, it's important to warm up. Check out...

Business

FILE – Cars drive past data centers, July 16, 2023, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

MAHA activists criticize Trump for promoting coal to power energy-hungry AI data centers

It adds to recent tensions between the MAHA movement and the Trump administration.

Pennsylvania News

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the Lehigh County Government Center on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Allentown to highlight the mental health investments included in the 2026-27 budget. Those investments include $10 million in state funding to support 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and $5 million for mental health crisis walk-in centers. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley data center opponents react to Gov. Shapiro’s order to ‘rein in’ developers. What they’re saying

Lehigh Valley data center opponents called Gov. Josh Shapiro's executive order on data centers "political...

National News

Lindsay Clancy, looks toward reporters in the courtroom during proceedings in her murder trial, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Plymouth, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds, Pool)

Lindsay Clancy’s defense rests at trial over whether postpartum psychosis drove her to kill her kids

Prosecutors are calling rebuttal witnesses before attorneys make their closing arguments.

Allentown

Executive Education Academy Charter School is next to a proposed data center at 1024 N Bradford St. (April Gamiz/ The Morning Call)

Plans for 2nd Allentown data center proposal revealed. It would be next to a school and this major attraction

The proposed Allentown data center would be located near Coca-Cola Park and could use as...

Bethlehem Area

Traffic moves Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, along West Broad Street in Bethlehem. The street will be closed to cars the morning of Sept. 12, 2026, for the "Bike Broad" biking and walking event. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

This major Bethlehem street to go car-free for one morning

A portion of Broad Street in Bethlehem will be closed to cars for one morning...

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Plans for 2nd Allentown data center proposal revealed. It would be next to a school and this major attraction

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Eli Lilly reveals plans for Lehigh Valley construction to avoid traffic problems. Here are the details.

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Lehigh Valley high school wrestling: Notre Dame-GP names new head coach

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