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

This Lehigh Valley native went from dealing with a traumatic brain injury to helping others with theirs

A traumatic brain injury at age 14 changed the entire trajectory of Cristabelle Braden’s life.

Cristabelle Braden is a Southern Lehigh graduate who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a teenager. A singer-songwriter, she started the nonprofit Hope Survives to help others with brain injuries. (Michael Rapak/Contributed photo)

People go through the TSA checkpoint Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Ryan Mackenzie visited the airport to thank local federal workers and discuss the ongoing federal government shutdown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Is ICE assisting with security checkpoints at Allentown airport?

People take shelter from the rain Monday, March 16, 2026, in Bethlehem. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley drought conditions improve but persist

This is how someone may manipulate a photo to make a house for sale seem more appealing to a potential buyer. (Courtesy of Pocono Mountain Association of Realtors)

Looking for a new home? Beware of ‘housefishing,’ Lehigh Valley Realtor warns

A procession Friday morning, Sept. 19, 2025, brings slain Northern York County Regional Police detectives Isaiah Emenheiser, Mark Baker and Sgt. Cody Becker to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. Autopsies were being completed at the hospital for the three officers, who were fatally shot while investigating a domestic incident in York County. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

LVH-Cedar Crest cited by state for using pepper spray against violent patient in incident that highlights hospital security concerns

Latest Headlines

Lehigh Valley basketball legend Michelle Marciniak gets a new job

21 hours ago
King Charles III will undertake state visit to the United States and Bermuda in late April

1 hour ago
The 2026 primaries likely to shape the Pennsylvania House and Senate

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‘We appreciate your patience’: Fire forces closure of Quakertown Grocery Outlet. When will it reopen?

18 hours ago
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Mice in kitchen, dirty knives, don’t eat where you cook

1 day ago
Hellertown food scene grows as barbecue concept finds new location

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Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees

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LVH-Cedar Crest cited by state for using pepper spray against violent patient in incident that highlights hospital security concerns
LVH-Cedar Crest cited by state for using pepper spray against violent patient in incident that highlights hospital security concerns
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Mice in kitchen, dirty knives, don’t eat where you cook
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Mice in kitchen, dirty knives, don’t eat where you cook
Lehigh Valley basketball legend Michelle Marciniak gets a new job
Lehigh Valley basketball legend Michelle Marciniak gets a new job
Looking for a new home? Beware of ‘housefishing,’ Lehigh Valley Realtor warns
Looking for a new home? Beware of ‘housefishing,’ Lehigh Valley Realtor warns
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
Hellertown food scene grows as barbecue concept finds new location
Hellertown food scene grows as barbecue concept finds new location
When will work begin on new I-78 interchange at Adams Road? Here’s the timeline
When will work begin on new I-78 interchange at Adams Road? Here’s the timeline
Longtime owner of Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market dies
Longtime owner of Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market dies
The elite 8: A look at the top teams in Lehigh Valley high school softball
The elite 8: A look at the top teams in Lehigh Valley high school softball
3rd No Kings protests held around Lehigh Valley on Saturday | PHOTOS
3rd No Kings protests held around Lehigh Valley on Saturday | PHOTOS

Local News

Courts webstock gavel

Bethlehem man gets decades in prison for sexually assaulting child

A Bethlehem man will spend at least 21 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

Sports

Freedom High School played Nazareth High School in the EPC softball championship game on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Patriots Park in Allentown. Freedom defeated Nazareth 2-1. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

The elite 8: A look at the top teams in Lehigh Valley high school softball

Defending Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champ Freedom has a new coach, but the same solid lineup

Things to Do

Leannish Velez, 2, scoops up eggs during an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Stevens Park in Allentown. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Meet the Easter bunny, hunt for eggs and celebrate Easter at these Lehigh Valley events

Celebrate Easter at these events in and around the Lehigh Valley.

National Crayon Day | PHOTOS

On National Crayon Day hundreds of crayon lovers will celebrate with the Crayola Experience, kicking off the brand’s Million Crayon Giveaway by creating their free, one-of-a-kind crayon box.
Bethlehem Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 | PHOTOS
3rd No Kings protests held around Lehigh Valley on Saturday | PHOTOS
Faces in the Crowd: The IronPigs play their season opener against the Toledo Mud Hens | PHOTOS
Lehigh Valley IronPigs Season opener against Toledo Mud Hens | PHOTOS
The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts hosts Jazz Cafe | PHOTOS
Bethlehem gets in St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Parade of Shamrocks | PHOTOS

Opinion

Kindergartners have lunch in the school’s cafeteria on the first day of classes in 2025 at Kernsville Elementary School in North Whitehall Township. Advocates want Bethlehem schools to offer free lunch. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Letters: Lehigh Valley school district should adopt free food program

Letters: No student should have to carry the shame of accruing lunch debt.

Crime and Public Safety

Nighttime police operations webstock

Man admits to shooting himself with stolen gun in Northampton County, police say

A 25-year-old told told Forks Township police he had been shot by someone, but later...

Best Reviews

<p>Alvina Wang/BestReviews</p>

Best deals under $50 for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Shop the best discounts on the hottest items under $50 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Business

A New York Stock Exchange board displays the closing number for the Dow Jones industrial average.

Retirees, should you take RMDs early in the year or wait?

Here are three timing approaches to consider.

Pennsylvania News

A group of protesters block the entrance to the Berks County Residential Center on Sunday, July 15, 2018, speaking out against family detention at the permanent shelter. (Kayla Dwyer/THE MORNING CALL)

ICE wants to return to Berks County. The fight against it will look very different.

It took nearly a decade to shut down a small immigration detention facility in Berks...

National News

Tyler Robinson sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in Provo, Utah.

Lawyers for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk ask to delay preliminary hearing

Prosecutors have said DNA connects Tyler Robinson to the killing.

Allentown

People protest as part of the No Kings protest at Emrick Boulevard and William Penn Highway on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Bethlehem Township. Lehigh Valley activists said they hoped Saturday’s protests would become a tipping point in the anti-Trump movement, with thousands expected to participate in events locally and millions nationwide. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

3rd No Kings protests held around Lehigh Valley on Saturday | PHOTOS

See photos from the third round of No Kings protests held around the Lehigh Valley...

Bethlehem Area

Narumi Fukuoka of Emmaus and Matthew Wernsteiger of Lyons Station and Kimberly Patterson of Reading perform during the Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Garden of Serenity in Bethlehem. The festival featured Japanese music, food, origami and tea ceremonies. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Bethlehem Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 | PHOTOS

The Bethlehem Tondabayashi Sister City Commission's annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held Saturday. See photos.