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

Motorcyclist killed in Route 222 crash in Lower Macungie

July 15, 2026 at 10:30 am

South Whitehall data center developer says employee at hearing fired over texts

An employee of Scannell Properties, the lead developer on the Project Atlas data center proposal in South Whitehall Township, was fired as a result of the texts, company officials confirmed.

People crowd into a meeting of the South Whitehall Township Planning Commission involving the Project Atlas data center proposal Thursday, July 9, 2026, in the auditorium of Springhouse Middle School in South Whitehall Township. Project Atlas has drawn concerns from township residents due to its potential impacts to the nearby Parkland High School and surrounding community. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Fog casts a haze Thursday, March 5, 2026, over South Side Bethlehem. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Smoke from Canada wildfires could be visible this week in the Lehigh Valley

A view of the former electric plant and the proposed River Pointe Commerce Center complex Monday, July 17, 2023, in Upper Mount Bethel Township. (April Gamiz /The Morning Call)

Upper Mount Bethel Township residents press officials on data centers

A Flock Safety automated license plate reader in California. (Courtesy of the city of Costa Mesa/TNS)

Morning Call files lawsuit seeking Allentown data from Flock license plate readers

Allentown City Hall.

Developer changes plan for seven-story apartment building near Allentown’s riverfront in response to neighbors’ concerns

Latest Headlines

Motorcyclist killed in Route 222 crash in Lower Macungie

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A new use is being pitched for the site of a former Allentown restaurant

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Ed Pawlowski is out of prison and back in Allentown. Here is what he is up to.

22 hours ago
Woman, 68, dead after Allentown house fire [Updated]

18 hours ago
Newest Lehigh Valley Sheetz set to open, offer free coffee and soda this week

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Mack to produce more than 100 additional Army dump trucks in Allentown

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Nominate a Lehigh Valley Top Workplace for 2027

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Most Popular

Bethlehem pub owners to sell and say goodbye after eight years
Bethlehem pub owners to sell and say goodbye after eight years
Ed Pawlowski is out of prison and back in Allentown. Here is what he is up to.
Ed Pawlowski is out of prison and back in Allentown. Here is what he is up to.
Woman, 68, dead after Allentown house fire [Updated]
Woman, 68, dead after Allentown house fire [Updated]
South Whitehall data center developer says employee at hearing fired over texts
South Whitehall data center developer says employee at hearing fired over texts
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Pink slime, black mold, roach infestation, rodent-contaminated food, mop water in the flour
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Pink slime, black mold, roach infestation, rodent-contaminated food, mop water in the flour
Coca-Cola Park is getting $300,000 of taxpayer money for an upgrade. Here are the details
Coca-Cola Park is getting $300,000 of taxpayer money for an upgrade. Here are the details
Allentown man who died in South Whitehall house fire identified [Updated]
Allentown man who died in South Whitehall house fire identified [Updated]
Lehigh Valley will once again be under a heat advisory. Here’s how hot it will get
Lehigh Valley will once again be under a heat advisory. Here’s how hot it will get
Lehigh Valley physical therapist makes US Women’s International Masters Cup field hockey team
Lehigh Valley physical therapist makes US Women’s International Masters Cup field hockey team
Trans-Bridge Lines offering special fares to New York City. Here’s the cost and how long they will last
Trans-Bridge Lines offering special fares to New York City. Here’s the cost and how long they will last

Local News

Employee Karly Strohl arranges floral bouquets Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Buzas’ Greenhouse and Farm in Palmer Township. In the coming weeks, the greenhouse will offer cut-your-own flowers. The family-owned business has been in operation for more than 75 years as a producing farm.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Local farm offers produce and flowers for over 75 years | PHOTOS

Local farm offers produce and flowers for over 75 years

Sports

National League catcher Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves talks with Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez, left, during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. (Getty Images)

Cristopher Sánchez’s rough outing in All-Star Game doesn’t dampen his spirits

The Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez was far from perfect in the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, but he'll cherish the experience.

Things to Do

Guy Davis at the Blast Furnace Blues Festival in 2011. The festival returns Friday and Saturday to SteelStacks in Bethlehem. (Monica Cabrera / The Morning Call)

Things to do this weekend in Lehigh Valley: A little blues, a little disco and more

Listen to some blues or the pop sounds of ABBA at these weekend events.

Easton Heritage Day celebrates America 250 | PHOTOS

Easton celebrated Heritage Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, on Saturday. See photos.
One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS
Preparing to read the Declaration of Independence at Easton Heritage Day | PHOTOS
Ryan Mackenzie, at housing-focused visit in Bethlehem with Trump official | PHOTOS
Crews clear debris and repair power lines | PHOTOS
Storms damage West Park in Allentown | PHOTOS
‘Liberty Ignited’ at Coca-Cola Park features fireworks, drone light show | PHOTOS

Opinion

A wealth tax would help Lehigh County meet its financial obligations fairly, the author contends.

Opinion: Wealth tax is good way to shift some of Lehigh County’s financial burden

Opinion: Should we tax the pennies of the many or the fortunes of the few...

Crime and Public Safety

police-lights-night-3-webstock-police

Coroner IDs scooter rider, pedestrian who died in Lehigh Valley crashes last week

The Lehigh County coroner on Monday identified two people killed on area roads last week,...

Best Reviews

<p>Alvina Wang/BestReviews</p>

Away vs. Beis: Which is best?

If you’re in the market for new luggage, you may want to consider a suitcase...

Business

Cash is fanned out from a wallet.

How to tackle estate planning basics in 6 steps

Estate planning can bring peace of mind for you and your family.

Pennsylvania News

The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Lawmakers break without addressing unconstitutional murder sentences, leave 1K Pa. lifers in limbo

Prosecutors and advocates are split over whether mandatory minimums or maximums are the best way...

National News

Game wardens walk through high waters from heavy rains in Uvalde County, Texas.

Heavy rains keep drenching South Texas, tornado reported in San Antonio

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Allentown

The proposed site of a data center at 2401 W. Emmaus Ave. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Allentown. Businesses and homes sit in close proximity to the potential data center, plans for which will be heard by the Allentown Planning Commission on June 9. (Avery Folmar/The Morning Call)

Allentown Planning Commission to review plans for a data center this week. Here’s what to know

The Allentown Planning Commission is holding a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in City...

Bethlehem Area

Festivalgoers enjoy the sights and sounds of the One Earth Festival Global Music and Culture Festival at SteelStacks on Saturday July 11 2026. The fifth annual festival, presented by ArtsQuest in partnership with Movement Moves Media, celebrates global music, culture and community. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS

SteelStacks in Bethlehem celebrates the fifth annual One Earth Reggae Festival. See photos.