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

A Jeff Bezos charity is giving Allentown $4 million. Here’s what the city will do with it

Allentown has received $4 million from a Jeff Bezos-backed philanthropic initiative to transform a mostly vacant downtown block into a vibrant inner city park.

Efforts to revitalize Allentown’s Franklin Park, seen here in this drone photo, have gotten a boost thanks to a $4 million grant from a Jeff Bezos-based philanthropy. (Courtesy Allentown Parknership)

After her daughter Jeanne was killed in 1986 in her dormitory at Lehigh University, Connie Clery, who died June 23, 2026, at age 95, devoted her life to a decades-long campaign reshaping how colleges handle crime and safety. (Courtesy of Clery Center)

Connie Clery, who led push for safety law after her daughter’s death 40 years ago at Lehigh University, dies at 95

City workers clean fallen trees, limbs and debris Monday, July 6, 2026, at West Park in Allentown. Storms that hit the Lehigh Valley over the weekend caused damage in the park, as well as road closures and power outages throughout the region. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

About 200 remain without power following weekend storms in the Lehigh Valley. When they could see it restored [UPDATE]

Elijah Mills, 14, of Allentown and Timere Plott, 14, of Allentown spar in the ring on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Pound 4 Pound Boxing gym in Allentown. LVP4P, a nonprofit boxing organization that helps Allentown kids learn to box and fund tournaments and competitions at low to no cost, is struggling with its funding and is behind on rent. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Teens say this nonprofit Lehigh Valley boxing gym saved their lives. Now it’s in need of help

Big Boy 4014 rolls through Wernersville on its way back home to the West on Tuesday. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Big Boy 4014 rolls back through Berks from Philadelphia [PHOTOS]

Latest Headlines

IronPigs hosting donation drive for those affected by Venezuela earthquakes

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After intense heat and storms, more seasonable weather settles in the Lehigh Valley

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Waymo car delivers misbehaving California teens to police

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Manhattan high-rise is still unstable after columns buckle, forcing evacuations

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Democrats begin pulling Platner endorsements after Maine candidate faces sexual assault allegation

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Nominate a Lehigh Valley Top Workplace for 2027

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PrimoHoagies to give away free hoagies, make food pantry donation during Quakertown grand opening

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Want to strip down this summer? These Lehigh Valley area nudist camps are taking reservations
Want to strip down this summer? These Lehigh Valley area nudist camps are taking reservations
Phillies legend Mike Schmidt talks about post-playing career health issues
Phillies legend Mike Schmidt talks about post-playing career health issues
Lehigh Valley man charged in death of 20-year-old who fell from vehicle
Lehigh Valley man charged in death of 20-year-old who fell from vehicle
A Jeff Bezos charity is giving Allentown $4 million. Here’s what the city will do with it
A Jeff Bezos charity is giving Allentown $4 million. Here’s what the city will do with it
Days after storms, over 1,500 are still without power in the Lehigh Valley. Why some may not be restored until Wednesday
Days after storms, over 1,500 are still without power in the Lehigh Valley. Why some may not be restored until Wednesday
Allentown group laments ‘total losses’ of century-old trees at West Park after storm
Allentown group laments ‘total losses’ of century-old trees at West Park after storm
Connie Clery, who led push for safety law after her daughter’s death 40 years ago at Lehigh University, dies at 95
Connie Clery, who led push for safety law after her daughter’s death 40 years ago at Lehigh University, dies at 95
Retail Watch: Barista opens new book shop in Lehigh Valley cafe
Retail Watch: Barista opens new book shop in Lehigh Valley cafe
Lehigh Valley remains under a flood watch, but threat of widespread flooding ‘diminished’
Lehigh Valley remains under a flood watch, but threat of widespread flooding ‘diminished’
Lehigh Valley power outages could last days after storms down trees; Allentown’s West Park area hard hit [Updated]
Lehigh Valley power outages could last days after storms down trees; Allentown’s West Park area hard hit [Updated]

Local News

A fireworks display.

Some spectators complained after Lehigh Valley community’s fireworks were cut short. Town says vendor is to blame

Upper Mount Bethel officials explained why there was a delay Saturday for July 4 fireworks.

Sports

Allen assistant baseball coaches Todd Eichelberger (left) and Michael Gonzalez (right) and head coach Rob Leskosky stand in the field Monday, June 15, 2026, at Allen’s baseball field in Allentown. The Allen baseball team is the team of the year, and Leskosky is coach of the year.(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

2026 Morning Call All-Area Baseball: Allen’s Rob Leskosky is the coach of the year

Allen baseball went from 4-16 in 2025 to 21-6 and EPC and District 11 champs

Things to Do

A Flock of Seagulls performs as part of the I Love the ’80s tour Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg. (Contributed photo)

The futuristic hairdos are gone, but A Flock of Seagulls will still bring the ’80s nostalgia to Lehigh Valley-area show

More than four decades later, frontman Mike Score is still performing, writing new music and introducing audiences to songs that extend far beyond the band's '80s hits – minus the futuristic hairdo.

Crews clear debris and repair power lines | PHOTOS

Crews clear debris and repair power lines from the storm that hit the Lehigh Valley over the weekend.
Storms damage West Park in Allentown | PHOTOS
‘Liberty Ignited’ at Coca-Cola Park features fireworks, drone light show | PHOTOS
Fourth of July storm downs trees around Allentown | PHOTOS
Storms down trees around Lehigh Valley ahead of Fourth of July | PHOTOS
Coopersburg Fire Company hosts a community cool down | PHOTOS
Massive Allentown fire breaks out at former factory [PHOTOS]

Opinion

Glenn Kranzley undergoes physical and occupational therapy June 17, 2026, at Good Shepherd’s Hyland Center Neuro Rehabilitation facility in Allentown. (Photo courtesy of Ruth Oliech)

Letters to the Editor: Column reminded us hope is our superpower

Letters: What I most appreciated was the resilience reflected, and the hope.

Crime and Public Safety

Police news

Lehigh Valley man charged in death of 20-year-old who fell from vehicle

Zachary Barndt is charged in the death of a man who died after falling from...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

The Best Seagate External Hard Drive

Our team of experts has selected the best Seagate external hard drives out of dozens...

Business

SpaceX employees celebrate during a closing bell ceremony for the IPO of SpaceX at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, Friday, June 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Wall Street banks are sky-high about SpaceX, but investors remain cautious

Wall Street analysts remain bullish on SpaceX stock despite recent market volatility

Pennsylvania News

(MediaNews Group file photo)

Former coach at Bucknell charged in death of freshman football player

Freshman football player Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. collapsed during training in 2024

National News

FILE – Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) looks on during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 12, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Kneeland had early stage CTE at time of death

Kneeland had a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions.

Allentown

City workers clean fallen trees, limbs and debris Monday, July 6, 2026, at West Park in Allentown. Storms that hit the Lehigh Valley over the weekend caused damage in the park, as well as road closures and power outages throughout the region. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Allentown group laments ‘total losses’ of century-old trees at West Park after storm

Allentown's beloved West Park may have been hardest hit by Saturday night's storm that downed...

Bethlehem Area

The Hoover Mason Trestle in Bethlehem. (Donna Fisher/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem honored by another national media outlet. Find out which one and why

The city’s rich history, celebrated Main Street and holiday-hub identity helped put Bethlehem in the...