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

First look at Eli Lilly’s planned $3.5 billion Lehigh Valley plant: When will construction start, how much traffic will it cause?

A team of company representatives gave an overview of the $3.5 billion project. The nearly 800,000-square-foot building will be on 150 acres on land between Old Route 22 and Interstate 78 just west of Fogelsville.

A rendering of the future Eli Lilly and Co. manufacturing site in Upper Macungie Township. Work is scheduled to start this fall and be operational in 2031. (Courtesy of Eli Lilly and Co.)

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

People go through the TSA checkpoint Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

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

police-lights-day-1-webstock-police

Lehigh County mom charged in 2-month-old’s death; DA says she took drugs, rolled over on baby while co-sleeping

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]

Latest Headlines

The Lehigh Valley is now one of most expensive places in Pa. to get gas, as average price tops $3.80 a gallon

2 hours ago
Quakertown student protester to have charges dismissed in police clash, attorney says

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

23 hours ago
Planned Parenthood no longer accepting Medicaid patients in most cases. What that means for Lehigh Valley patients

10 hours ago
Prairie View A&M knocks out Lehigh in March Madness First Four

19 hours ago
Trial under way for Allentown man charged in 2023 killing of boy and grandmother. Could case hinge on a cigarette butt?

19 hours ago
Allentown Toy Factory building could finally get new life as authority looks to redevelop it

1 day ago
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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
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
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]
Petition challenges filed against 2 Lehigh Valley candidates for state office
Petition challenges filed against 2 Lehigh Valley candidates for state office
How did the Lehigh Valley land the Eli Lilly deal? Company executive offers insight
How did the Lehigh Valley land the Eli Lilly deal? Company executive offers insight
Bullets found on Parkland High School grounds, families notified
Bullets found on Parkland High School grounds, families notified
Parkland School Board members skeptical of tax break for Eli Lilly
Parkland School Board members skeptical of tax break for Eli Lilly
Prairie View A&M knocks out Lehigh in March Madness First Four
Prairie View A&M knocks out Lehigh in March Madness First Four
Trial under way for Allentown man charged in 2023 killing of boy and grandmother. Could case hinge on a cigarette butt?
Trial under way for Allentown man charged in 2023 killing of boy and grandmother. Could case hinge on a cigarette butt?

Local News

(Getty Images)

Man, 46, killed in Berks I-78 crash [Updated]

Highway had been shut down at Hamburg interchange.

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

(Getty Images)

Police investigating after man shot in face in Northampton County

A 25-year-old was shot in the face Monday afternoon in Forks Township, according to police.

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Take cover with these great outdoor umbrellas

Want to enjoy outdoor space during the hottest, sunniest days of summer? An outdoor umbrella...

Business

Residents watch and take pictures as flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck as attacks hit the city during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA via AP)

The targeting of key Gulf energy infrastructure raises the risk of long-term disruption

The attacks raise fears initial price shocks at start of war may become more entrenched.

Pennsylvania News

PIAA

PIAA boys and girls basketball championship games schedule and results

Championship games start Thursday afternoon and end Saturday night in Hershey

National News

FILE – Taylor Frankie Paul appears at the Oscars in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

ABC cancels ‘Bachelorette’ season with Taylor Frankie Paul, citing 2023 video

Thursday’s unprecedented cancellation of the already filmed season comes days before it was to premiere.

Allentown

Storm damage from Monday night’s strong winds is seen Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in an alleyway between Devonshire Road and South 12th Street in Allentown. Storms blew off roofs and downed trees and power lines around the Lehigh Valley, leaving thousands without electricity. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

‘I just can’t believe it:’ Lehigh Valley residents react with shock to storm damage as cleanup begins

Besides south Allentown, significant storm damage was reported in Lower Milford Township, Upper Saucon Township...

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...