Surviving violence and language learning difficulties inspires new Bethlehem Area superintendent’s focus on welcoming schools

Bethlehem Area's first Latino superintendent's memories of surviving violence and language learning difficulties push Renato Lajara to focus on student and staff wellbeing.

Renato Lajara, the new Bethlehem Area School District superintendent meets Nitschmann Middle School eighth grader Brady Getz before Brady plays the drums Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, as part of the Lesson Center’s Fest Camp summer band program at Plaza Tropical during Musikfest in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

A garbage truck travels along a road Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at the Bethlehem Landfill. (Rick Kintzel/The Morning Call)

A new survey is examining attitudes toward a Lehigh Valley landfill. It’s not out yet, and already facing pushback

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel, left, Community Action Executive Director Dawn Godshall and Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank Executive Director Anne Egan warn that cuts to SNAP food benefits are creating more hunger and food insecurity in Lehigh County during a news conference Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Allentown..(Lindsay Weber / The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley food banks face ’emerging crisis’ due to SNAP benefit cuts

We are asking Lehigh Valley voters to take our survey and tell us what issues matter most to them in the 2026 midterm elections.

What 2026 election issues matter most to Lehigh Valley voters? Take our survey

Students arrive back to school Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Clearview Elementary in Bethlehem. Monday was the first day of school for students across the Lehigh Valley. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

When is the first day of school for Lehigh Valley students?

Latest Headlines

Motorcyclist killed in Northampton County crash

18 hours ago
Opinion: Lehigh County should replace Jon Irons with someone who has the same voice

1 day ago
Tanker truck driver killed in Route 309 crash in Lehigh County is identified

18 hours ago
New restaurant to open soon at former Hellertown wings and sports bar

17 hours ago
‘Gooning’ incidents targeting women in Dollar Tree stores reported across country

13 hours ago
Lehigh Valley food safety report: Raw meat near ready-to-eat sauces, raw animal food close to human food

1 day ago
Whitehall Township seeks say in neighbor’s data center argument, drafts own data center rules

20 hours ago
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign Up

Local News

The Atlantic sea nettle jellyfish has invaded the East Coast in record numbers this summer. (Photo courtesy of Tom Tatum)

Outdoors: Jellyfish invasion putting the sting into summer for beachgoers

Jellyfish are being reported at one of their highest levels ever on the East Coast

Sports

Emmaus head football coach Harold Fairclough instructs his players Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, on the first day of high school football practice. Emmaus is a team looking for a turnaround season in 2026. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Emmaus football preview: Green Hornets look to bounce back in 2026

The Green Hornets struggled through a 4-7 season last year and coach Harold Fairclough is determined to lead his team to a much better 2026.

Things to Do

Pearly Baker’s Alehouse, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Easton. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley insider’s guide: Where to find late-night eats in the Lehigh Valley

Looking to grab a late-night bite to eat? Check out these Lehigh Valley restaurants that are opened well into the night — or the very early morning, depending on your point of view.

AJR closes out Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS

AJR was the final headliner of Musikfest 2026. See photos from their performance.
Last day of Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS
Musikfest 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 8 | PHOTOS
Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday headline Musikfest | PHOTOS
Puertorrican Culture Preservation Inc’s 9th annual Back To School Event | PHOTOS
Parker McCollum headlines Musikfest show on Aug. 7 | PHOTOS
Rapper T.I. w/ special guest DaBaby perform at Musikfest | PHOTOS

Opinion

Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Opinion by former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell: I had high hopes for Todd Blanche. Here’s why he is unfit to be attorney general

Opinion by former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell: I remember being relieved when Trump picked Blanche...

Crime and Public Safety

Allentown man arrested for firing gun outside home, police say

An Allentown man was arrested early Sunday for allegedly firing off a handgun outside his...

Best Reviews

Dry off in style with the best Ralph Lauren bath towel

A long luxurious bath or relaxing hot shower ends best with a plush and absorbent...

Business

Jen and Ryan Stewart, a dual-income couple, play with their kids at home in Stillwater, Minnesota, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS)

A house, a car, a little breathing room: Why middle-class life feels increasingly out of reach

Households can reach middle-income while falling short of their middle-class expectations.

Pennsylvania News

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — known as delta-8 — is a cannabinoid derived from hemp. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Pa.’s attorney general is backing a hemp product ban. The industry says it goes way too far.

Growers say the federal overhaul is too restrictive and would kill business for even non-intoxicating...

National News

FILE – DJ Kool Herc speaks at a news conference to launch “Hip-Hop Won’t Stop: The Beat, The Rhymes, The Life,” the first ever hip-hop initiative at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in New York, Feb. 28, 2006. In the five decades since hip-hop emerged out of New York City, it has spread around the country and the world. Those looking for a hip-hop starting point have landed on one, turning this year into a 50th-birthday celebration. Aug. 11, 1973 was the date a young Clive Campbell, known as DJ Kool Herc around his Bronx stomping grounds, deejayed a back-to-school party for his younger sister in the community room of an apartment building on Sedgwick Avenue. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams, file)

Today in History: August 11, DJ Kool Herc’s record breaks gives birth to hip-hop

At a house party in the Bronx, 18-year-old DJ Kool Herc began extending the musical...

Allentown

The outdoor courtyard, sitting area and pool at River House on The Waterfront seen here at Jaindl Enterprises’ soft opening on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Allentown. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

Get a sneak peek into Allentown’s newest apartment building

It’s the second building in Jaindl Enterprises’ Waterfront Development Co. plan to build a mixed-use...

Bethlehem Area

Festivalgoers enjoy food, music, and the atmosphere as they gather ahead of the evening’s headlining performance during Musikfest on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in Bethlehem. The annual festival runs through Aug. 9. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

Musikfest 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 8 | PHOTOS

Scenes from Musikfest 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 8. See photos.

Featured

PROMOTIONS & SPECIALS

Latest Headlines

Most Popular

Tanker truck driver killed in Route 309 crash in Lehigh County is identified

When is the first day of school for Lehigh Valley students?

Letters: To save Social Security, limit cost of living adjustments

Motorcyclist killed in Northampton County crash

Lehigh Valley food safety report: Raw meat near ready-to-eat sauces, raw animal food close to human food

New restaurant to open soon at former Hellertown wings and sports bar

Last day of Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS

Storms moving through Lehigh Valley; severe thunderstorm warnings issued

‘Gooning’ incidents targeting women in Dollar Tree stores reported across country

Lehigh Valley food banks face ’emerging crisis’ due to SNAP benefit cuts

FREE FUN & GAMES

MORNING CALL STORE

Events