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What to know about Tuesday’s Pa. House special election in Lehigh County, which could sway control of chamber

Two candidates are facing off Tuesday in a highly consequential Pa. state House special election in the heart of Allentown.

Democrat Ana Tiburcio, left, and Republican Robert Smith Jr. are candidates in the Feb. 24, 2026, special election in the 22nd state House district, representing parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township. (Staff and contributed photos)

An estimated 500 trucks loaded with coal travel the main road through the center of Girardville in Schuylkill County daily.
(Dan Gleiter / PennLive)

Schuylkill County town struggles to conquer curse of coal as it literally crumbles away

Residents dig themselves out Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Williams Township. The Lehigh Valley escaped the brunt of the winter storm, with areas reporting between just 3 and 6 inches as of midnight. A few more inches were expected to fall before the storm fully leaves the region Monday morning. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Why Lehigh Valley snow totals from winter storm were less than expected, and what’s coming this week

Quakertown Police Department (Bucks County Courier Times)

What we know about Quakertown ICE protests that led to clash between police and students

Southern Lehigh’s Brock Frable fights off a shot attempt by Nazareth’s Elijah Simak and wins District 11 Class 3A gold at 172 pounds. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Five new No. 1s in Lehigh Valley area high school wrestling rankings

Latest Headlines

College football: Kevin Cahill leaves Lehigh to become the head coach at Yale

11 hours ago
2 men who died in Northampton County crash are identified [Updated]

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

11 hours ago
How much snow did Lehigh Valley get? Totals from around region

19 hours ago
Lehigh County man had 3,000 images of child sex abuse, DA says

18 hours ago
A Lehigh Valley high school’s new AP African American Studies course is drawing praise

13 hours ago
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Chemicals stored with produce, rodent harborage, smoke damage

1 day ago
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2 men who died in Northampton County crash are identified [Updated]
2 men who died in Northampton County crash are identified [Updated]
How much snow did Lehigh Valley get? Totals from around region
How much snow did Lehigh Valley get? Totals from around region
Lehigh County man had 3,000 images of child sex abuse, DA says
Lehigh County man had 3,000 images of child sex abuse, DA says
Snow continues across Lehigh Valley as region avoids worst of storm; shift in track drops totals
Snow continues across Lehigh Valley as region avoids worst of storm; shift in track drops totals
Northampton County crash shuts down Route 191; coroner called to scene
Northampton County crash shuts down Route 191; coroner called to scene
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Chemicals stored with produce, rodent harborage, smoke damage
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Chemicals stored with produce, rodent harborage, smoke damage
Snow ends across Lehigh Valley, which avoids worst of winter storm crippling parts of Northeast
Snow ends across Lehigh Valley, which avoids worst of winter storm crippling parts of Northeast
Why Lehigh Valley snow totals from winter storm were less than expected, and what’s coming this week
Why Lehigh Valley snow totals from winter storm were less than expected, and what’s coming this week
College football: Kevin Cahill leaves Lehigh to become the head coach at Yale
College football: Kevin Cahill leaves Lehigh to become the head coach at Yale
What we know about Quakertown ICE protests that led to clash between police and students
What we know about Quakertown ICE protests that led to clash between police and students

Local News

A popular trend in boating is the spacious dual console model with hardtop as exemplified by this Cobia model to be featured at the Atlantic City Boat Show this week. (Photo courtesy of Tom Tatum)

Outdoors: Atlantic City boat show a sign that spring is around the corner

One of the largest boat shows in the country starts Wednesday, Feb. 25

Sports

Catasauqua’s coach Eric Snyder, watches his team play against Pleasant Valley during an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference boys basketball game on Monday, Dec.29, 2025, at Northern Lehigh High School in Slatington. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

District 11 boys basketball: 3A bracket offers compelling semifinal matchups

While District 11 6A boys basketball has been surprising, 3A may be the most compelling

Things to Do

Husband and wife duo Vicki Peterson (of The Bangles) and John Cowsill (of The Cowsills) perform Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Sellersville Theater. (Henry Diltz)

The Bangles’ Vicki Peterson and The Cowsills’ John Cowsill bring harmonies, hits to Sellersville Theater

Husband-and-wife duo Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill will bring their Americana harmonies and hits from The Bangles, The Cowsills and The Beach Boys to their Sellersville Theater performance.

Opinion

US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-HOME

Faith & Values: Placing your trust in God

Trust is a powerful word that reflects positivity and security. But what is it really?

Crime and Public Safety

Emergency crews were dispatched Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Nazareth Pike and Gradwohl Switch Road in Lower Nazareth Township. (Rich Rolen./Special to The Morning Call)

Northampton County crash shuts down Route 191; coroner called to scene

The Northampton County coroner's office was called to a crash on Nazareth Pike in Lower...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

13 best gifts for book lovers

For bibliophiles, reading is an immersive experience, so gifts that help set the stage are...

Business

Home Depot tops expectations in the fourth quarter, but customers pull back on spending

Revenue totaled $38.2 billion, down from $39.7 billion a year earlier.

Pennsylvania News

Michael Zangari is near the end of his second term as mayor of Girardville borough. Girardville is a coal town in Schuylkill County.
December 8, 2025.
Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Dying Pa. coal town a ‘blank slate’ for minority newcomers. Can they spur a rebirth?

Demographically, Girardville has been utterly transformed in recent years. Based on the most recent borough...

National News

Sex magazine publisher Larry Flynt leave the Supreme Court building in Washington, Dec. 3, 1987 after their court case was heard. The Supreme Court justices, whose ruling is expected by July, must decide the validity of a 00,000 award won by Rev. Jerry Falwell for an advertising parody that appeared in Flynt’s Hustler magazine. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)

Today in History: February 24, Jerry Falwell loses to Larry Flynt at the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court unanimously overturned a $200,000 award that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had won...

Allentown

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel speaks about his Transition Team Report on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. The report provides strategic guidance and solutions to help shape the next phase of his administration’s work on behalf of Lehigh County residents. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel has a plan to govern. Here’s what’s in it

Siegel said he believes in “an era of chaos and instability,” it’s up for local...

Bethlehem Area

An architect’s rendering of the proposed Ironside Lofts apartment complex on the site of the former Walnut Street parking garage in Bethlehem, from the view of Guetter and West Walnut streets. The rendering was created by Minno Wasko Architects and Planners. (Courtesy of City of Bethlehem)

Bethlehem Council approves 7-story apartment complex at Walnut Street garage

Bethlehem City Council has approved plans for a seven-story apartment building on the site of...