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

Gov. Josh Shapiro signs executive order restricting data center development in Pennsylvania

The far-reaching order does not include a moratorium on data center development. However, it requires local approvals to receive state permits, which in effect may block many from moving forward.

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the Lehigh County Government Center on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Emergency crews respond to a serious crash at the intersection of Airport Road and Race Street in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Airport road is closed in both directions. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Woman, 21, who died in Airport Road crash in Lehigh County identified

Audience members applaud as Anneke van Rossum from the Delaware Riverkeepers Network speaks during a public hearing on Lower Mount Bethel Township’s draft data center ordinance Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Upper Mount Bethel Township. The meeting had been moved to the Mount Bethel Fire Co. building to accommodate a large crowd. (Elizabeth DeOrnellas/The Morning Call)

Data center developers press Lehigh Valley community to rezone farmland, quarry

Signs opposing the Atlas Data Center line the roads Monday, June 8, 2026, in South Whitehall Township. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

A new meeting will look at environmental impact of proposed data center near Parkland High School. Here’s where, when.

One person was hospitalized Saturday after a car crashed on a Route 22 exit ramp.

As part of Route 22 improvements, a bridge is set to close for more than a year for repairs. Here are the details

Latest Headlines

Motorcyclist, 18, identified in fatal crash in Allentown

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Frank Beard, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer of boogie rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

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Opinion: My mother had ALS. No family should have to fight bureaucracy while saying goodbye

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Lehigh Valley diner to close this weekend. ‘Thank you for believing in us.’

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Penn State frat pledges were made to cut and bag cocaine for college drug ring, authorities say

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Dorney Park adds spooky new maze, entertainment to Halloween Haunt lineup. Here’s what you need to know

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Woman, 21, who died in Airport Road crash in Lehigh County identified
Woman, 21, who died in Airport Road crash in Lehigh County identified
Woman, 21, killed in crash on Airport Road in Lehigh County [Updated]
Woman, 21, killed in crash on Airport Road in Lehigh County [Updated]
As part of Route 22 improvements, a bridge is set to close for more than a year for repairs. Here are the details
As part of Route 22 improvements, a bridge is set to close for more than a year for repairs. Here are the details
Motorcyclist, 18, identified in fatal crash in Allentown
Motorcyclist, 18, identified in fatal crash in Allentown
Lehigh Valley diner to close this weekend. ‘Thank you for believing in us.’
Lehigh Valley diner to close this weekend. ‘Thank you for believing in us.’
New Hobby Lobby to open next month in the Lehigh Valley
New Hobby Lobby to open next month in the Lehigh Valley
Motorcyclist, 18, dies after crash with moped on Hamilton Street in Allentown
Motorcyclist, 18, dies after crash with moped on Hamilton Street in Allentown
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Pork thawing on counter, gnats behind bar, ‘black mold-like substances’
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Pork thawing on counter, gnats behind bar, ‘black mold-like substances’
What are the best hospitals in Lehigh Valley? See latest U.S. News rankings
What are the best hospitals in Lehigh Valley? See latest U.S. News rankings
Lehigh Valley warehouse to close, affecting more than 50 workers
Lehigh Valley warehouse to close, affecting more than 50 workers

Local News

Freedom High School Football players run drills in the evening of 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 High School football practice | PHOTOS

Freedom High School Football players run drills during their practice in Bethlehem.

Sports

Football players run drills Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, during Northampton Area High School football practice in Northampton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northampton football preview: Konkrete Kids knocking on the door of the EPC elite

The Konkree Kids are coming off a 5-7 2025 season in which five losses were by 11 points or less

Things to Do

The Allentown city skyline is seen Thursday, June 9, 2022. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Be a Lehigh Valley insider with our guides to the most unique restaurants, shops and more

Here's your guide to exploring all of the unique places in the Lehigh Valley.

Freedom High School football practice | PHOTOS

Freedom High School Football players run drills during their practice in Bethlehem.
The 46th Annual Roasting Ears of Corn Festival | PHOTOS
Former Lehigh County DA Jim Martin through the years | PHOTOS
Blue Mountain League championship game | PHOTOS
Parkland high school football practice | PHOTOS
Executive Education Academy Charter School football team practice | PHOTOS
Allen football practice | PHOTOS

Opinion

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Faith & Values: The architecture of the heart

The most dangerous things rarely announce themselves. They drift in quietly and do their damage...

Crime and Public Safety

Police investigate a fatal crash Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, involving a motorcycle and moped at Hamilton and 25th streets in Allentown. The motorcycle rider, an 18-year-old Allentown man, died in the crash, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Motorcyclist, 18, dies after crash with moped on Hamilton Street in Allentown

An 18-year-old Allentown motorcyclist died Monday after a crash with a moped on Hamilton Street...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

What Is The Best Bubble Face Mask

Bubble face masks help draw out dirt, oil and other impurities while delivering good-for-your-skin ingredients.

Business

Scene next to the Amazon Spheres at lunch hour in Seattle on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times/TNS)

Amazon bars customers from seeking class-action lawsuits

There’s no opting out, unless customers stop using Amazon.

Pennsylvania News

Penn State

Penn State trustees lift ‘gag policy’ on emeriti members amid First Amendment lawsuit

Lawyers for news organizations argue the “Board’s last-minute amendment to the Bylaws ... is a...

National News

Iran Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh waves after arriving at N. Y. International Airport in Idlewild, Queens from his native land on Oct. 8, 1951. The aged, ailing premier is in the U.S. to plead his country’s case before the U.N. Security Council on the Anglo-Iranian oil dispute. (AP Photo)

Today in History: August 19, Iran’s elected prime minister overthrown in US-backed coup

Iran’s elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddeq, was overthrown in a coup backed by the U.S....

Allentown

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin spends a few moments with Ramona, the office’s courthouse companion, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley legal, political community pays tribute to Jim Martin: ‘Dedicated his life to public service’

The news that former Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin died Saturday quickly spread in...

Bethlehem Area

Bob Brooks and members of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans hold a rally seeking to sound the alarm about the possibility of future cuts in Social Security benefits on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Bethlehem. (Lindsay Weber/The Morning Call)

Democrats at Bethlehem rally sound alarm over Social Security, and seek to make it a 2026 election issue

Democratic and labor-aligned groups are seeking to sound the alarm for 2026 midterm voters about...