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

Chuck Norris, martial arts master and actor whose toughness became internet lore, dies at 86

March 20, 2026 at 10:57 am

Redevelopment of a Lehigh Valley brownfield gets a big boost. How project could be a ‘game changer’ for one town

A $3.7 million grant from U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie will help move forward redevelopment of the former Crane Iron Works site in Catasauqua.

The former Crane Iron Works property is seen Friday, March 20, 2026, in Catasauqua. The large site has been at the center of the borough’s hopes for the redevelopment of Front Street. As part of a recently passed federal appropriations package, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th District, has secured $3.7 million to support those redevelopment efforts. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Josh Early Candies’ 17-ounce gold gift box of assorted chocolates Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the store in South Whitehall Township. The fifth-generation family business continues to use the same batch recipes developed in the early 1900s. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Cocoa prices have fallen from recent highs, but your Easter candy may still cost more. Why Lehigh Valley chocolatiers say that is

Syriana Mediterranean Grill at 1916 Hanover Ave. in east Allentown opened in 2020. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters

FILE – Chuck Norris attends the premiere for “The Expendables 2” in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2012. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Chuck Norris, martial arts master and actor whose toughness became internet lore, dies at 86

A crocus blossoms in a Bethlehem yard, signaling the start of spring in 2014. (Donna Fisher/The Morning Call)

Spring officially arrives in Lehigh Valley, and it sure will feel like it this weekend

Latest Headlines

Men found not guilty after claiming self defense in shooting that left one dead outside Allentown supermarket

2 hours ago
Cybersecurity grant will fund risk assessment for Lehigh and Northampton county government systems

7 hours ago
CBS News shutters its storied radio news service after nearly a century, ending an era

56 minutes ago
Allentown man convicted in shootout that injured 6 near Dominican Festival gets up to 80 years in prison

20 hours ago
Crash involving multiple vehicles closes Schantz Road late Thursday night

10 hours ago
Things to do in the Lehigh Valley this weekend: St. Patrick’s Day parade and auto show

16 hours ago
TSA wait times: How is Lehigh Valley airport holding up amid nationwide checkpoint delays?

21 hours ago
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Most Popular

Lehigh County mom charged in 2-month-old’s death; DA says she took drugs, rolled over on baby while co-sleeping
Lehigh County mom charged in 2-month-old’s death; DA says she took drugs, rolled over on baby while co-sleeping
Man, 80, who died after being hit by vehicle in Bethlehem is identified [Updated]
Man, 80, who died after being hit by vehicle in Bethlehem is identified [Updated]
Allentown man convicted in shootout that injured 6 near Dominican Festival gets up to 80 years in prison
Allentown man convicted in shootout that injured 6 near Dominican Festival gets up to 80 years in prison
The Lehigh Valley is now one of most expensive places in Pa. to get gas, as average price tops $3.80 a gallon
The Lehigh Valley is now one of most expensive places in Pa. to get gas, as average price tops $3.80 a gallon
First look at Eli Lilly’s planned $3.5 billion Lehigh Valley plant: When will construction start, how much traffic will it cause?
First look at Eli Lilly’s planned $3.5 billion Lehigh Valley plant: When will construction start, how much traffic will it cause?
TSA wait times: How is Lehigh Valley airport holding up amid nationwide checkpoint delays?
TSA wait times: How is Lehigh Valley airport holding up amid nationwide checkpoint delays?
Allentown Toy Factory building could finally get new life as authority looks to redevelop it
Allentown Toy Factory building could finally get new life as authority looks to redevelop it
Longtime Lehigh Valley boys basketball coach ends career on the sidelines
Longtime Lehigh Valley boys basketball coach ends career on the sidelines
5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters
5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters
Pair of Lehigh Valley restaurants closed after wind from storm blows off roof; GoFundMe started
Pair of Lehigh Valley restaurants closed after wind from storm blows off roof; GoFundMe started

Local News

The popular Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway – a trademark of Reading and Northern Railroad – has kicked off its regular schedule for 2026. It features three daily round-trip excursions from the Jim Thorpe station, seven days a week. In this photo, with trackside spring flowers in bloom, diesel locomotive No. 2014 brings the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train into the Jim Thorpe station. (Courtesy Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway)

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway resumes daily operation for 2026

Three excursions are running daily, seven days a week, round-trip from the Jim Thorpe station.

Sports

Nazareth celebrates with teammate Taylor Friel after she hit a home run during the Class 6A softball championship at Penn State in State College on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

2026 EPC high school softball: Can someone make another run to the state championship game?

Nazareth came within one out of winning a state title last spring and the Blue Eagles figure to be strong again

Things to Do

The Large Flower Heads plays Saturday, May 24, 2025, during Mayfair at Cedar Crest College in Allentown. The festival of the arts continues until Sunday evening with a 9 pm drone show. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

From art exhibits to concerts and more, a preview of spring art events in the Lehigh Valley

There's plenty to do in and around the Lehigh Valley this spring.

Opinion

The west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol at Third and State streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Opinion: Pitchers don’t call their own strikes. Public notices require same independence

Opinion: Newspapers' role is to inform the public and create an independent record of government...

Crime and Public Safety

A Bethlehem police cruiser. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Man, 80, who died after being hit by vehicle in Bethlehem is identified [Updated]

Bethlehem police said the man was crossing at the south end of the intersection of...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Add whimsy and light with the best suncatchers

Suncatchers are decorative pieces of stained glass designed to capture the sunlight. When placed indoors...

Business

FILE – Wind turbines operate along a solar farm near Weifang in eastern China’s Shandong province on March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Energy fallout from Iran war signals a global wake-up call for renewable energy

Increased use of renewable energy has helped shield some Asian countries from the energy shock.

Pennsylvania News

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PA attorney general wants to hear from customers of 2 area car-subscription companies

Customers of Your Cause Auto Inc. and Your Cause Auto Services LLC are urged to...

National News

FILE – A surfer walks out of the ocean on Oahu’s North Shore near Haleiwa, Hawaii, March 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

Flooding along Oahu’s North Shore prompts evacuation order to over 4,000 people

Emergency sirens blared Friday morning along the famed North Shore.

Allentown

Holiday lights illuminate the night Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, during a preview night of The 29th annual Lights in the Parkway drive-through display in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Following vandalism, donors help Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway replace damaged displays

A new light display, supported by over 100 donations, will replace damaged Lights in the...

Bethlehem Area

Samantha Harrison and son Bodey Price, 3, both of Bethlehem enjoy the festivities Saturday, March 14, 2026, during the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks in downtown Bethlehem. The parade was presented by the Celtic Cultural Alliance and Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration featured pipe bands, school marching bands and community groups, starting on Broad Street and ending under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem gets in St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Parade of Shamrocks | PHOTOS

Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend with the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks...