The Morning Call

Residents urged to watch for downed wires as storms cut power to thousands more in Lehigh Valley; could take days to restore

Allentown officials said Sunday morning there were numerous downed power lines, especially in the West End. PPL said that it may take until Wednesday until power is completely restored.

Storm damage is seen in the 2100 block of Chew Street in Allentown on Saturday night, July 4, 2026. A severe storm downed numerous trees and wires around western portions of the city as area Fourth of July fireworks displays were under way. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

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The Lehigh Valley is at an elevated risk for flash flooding as more storms are expected Sunday, July 5, 2026. (NWS)

Lehigh Valley under flood watch as more severe storms expected; elevated threat of flash flooding

Robert Levers, played by Bachmann Players Artistic Director Christopher Black, reads the Declaration of Independence during America 250 celebrations at the George Taylor House on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Catasauqua. Taylor was one of four Founding Fathers honored with a Liberty Legacy Garden by America250PA, the others being Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley celebrates America’s 250th birthday

Want to strip down this summer? These Lehigh Valley area nudist camps are taking reservations

Jocelyn Schienholz, a barista at Plants + Coffee, sets up for the grand opening of her new book shop, Jojo’s Book Nook, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Easton. The book shop is in the corner of the coffee shop, and will offer romance, mystery, thriller, fantasy and Pride-themed books, along with other merchandise like candles, stickers and bookmarks. (Avery Folmar/The Morning Call)

Retail Watch: Barista opens new book shop in Lehigh Valley cafe

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Local News

Adoptable Pets in the Lehigh Valley: Ayla, Roni and Levy

Meet Ayla, Roni and Levy, this week's adoptable pets.

Sports

Allen baseball player Alejandro Cartagena stands on the pitcher’s mound Monday, June 15, 2026, at Allen’s baseball field in Allentown. The Allen baseball team is the team of the year, and Cartagena, a freshman, is the rookie of the year. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

2026 Morning Call all-area baseball: Allen’s Alejandro Cartagena is the rookie of the year

Cartagena led Allen baseball to EPC and District 11 6A championships

Things to Do

David Hunsicker, Sons of the American Revolution’s America 250PA chairman in The Valley Forge Chapter, addresses the crowd at Covered Bridge Park in Allentown, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Representatives, reenactors and local history enthusiasts gathered for a public reading commemorating the 250th anniversary of May 1776 petitions supporting American independence. (Avery Folmar/The Morning Call)

Things to do this weekend in Lehigh Valley: Best bets for celebrating Independence Day

Here are some of the top America 250 celebrations and exhibits to enjoy in this weekend.

Fourth of July storm downs trees around Allentown | PHOTOS

Severe thunderstorms moved through the Lehigh Valley for the second night in a row on the Fourth of July. See photos of storm damage.
‘Liberty Ignited’ at Coca-Cola Park features fireworks, drone light show | 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]
WATCH: Scope of massive Allentown fire seen from multiple angles [VIDEO]
Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski gives State of the County address | PHOTOS

Opinion

In this 2003 file photo, women reach to touch and kiss a flag as they participate in the Shi'a Muslim holiday of Ashura in Kuwait City. Ashura is the Shi'a Muslim anniversary of the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of Muhammad. Hussain was killed along with his troops during a raid in the ancient city of Kerbala along the Euphrates River around 680 AD. (CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTO BY JOHN LEE)

Faith & Values: Understanding the gift of freedom

A prime example of a free person is illustrated on the Muslim holiday of Ashura,...

Crime and Public Safety

Damage from an early evening storm caused road closures and snarled traffic on July 3, 2026, in Lower Macungie. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley road closures due to storm damage

Several roads in Lehigh and Northampton counties remain closed Saturday morning due to damage from...

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Rock your style with the best True Religion jeans

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Business

This photo provided by Jeep shows the 2026 Cherokee.

Jeep Cherokee vs Subaru Forester: Edmunds sizes up hybrid SUVs

Both could be appealing if you’re interested in an SUV that can help you get...

Pennsylvania News

An electric meter. (Emily Robson/The Morning Call)

State lawmakers want to lower electric bills. The budget impact might be too big to swallow.

Pennsylvania lawmakers in both parties voted in support of a tax cut that would lower...

National News

FILE – This Feb. 9, 2011 file photo shows Spam on a shelf in a Bethel Park, Pa. Cans of Spam have become a common item that’s being stolen from Honolulu stores and then sold on the streets for quick cash, according to authorities. Honolulu police said they took a report of a man lifting a case of the canned meat from a store earlier in Oct. 2017. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Today in History: July 5, Hormel introduces the world to Spam

Hormel introduced a canned meat product called Spam; more than 9 billion cans have been...

Allentown

Fireworks presented by IBEW Local 375 light up the sky Friday, July 3, 2026, during the Liberty Ignited celebration to mark America’s 250th birthday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

‘Liberty Ignited’ at Coca-Cola Park features fireworks, drone light show | PHOTOS

Coca-Cola Park in Allentown hosted what was billed as the largest fireworks and drone light...

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...

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