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

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 Council chambers to review plans for a data center at 2401 W Emmaus Ave.

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)

Construction continues at One Center Square on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Allentown. Thomas Jefferson Medical College will open a Lehigh Valley campus here, Jefferson Health officials announced Monday. (Jane Therese / Special to The Morning Call)

Jefferson to open Sidney Kimmel Medical School campus in heart of downtown Allentown

Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Coca-Cola Park is getting $300,000 of taxpayer money for an upgrade. Here are the details

State Sen. Greg Rothman speaks at a news conference about streamlining state permitting in June, 2025. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Pa. state senator profited from $30 million property sale for massive data center development

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

Latest Headlines

Nominate a Lehigh Valley Top Workplace for 2027

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Allentown man who died in South Whitehall house fire identified [Updated]

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

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Bethlehem pub owners to sell and say goodbye after eight years

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Lehigh Valley food safety report: Pink slime, black mold, roach infestation, rodent-contaminated food, mop water in the flour

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Former Wawa CEO who transformed convenience chain into regional cultural icon dies at 88

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Quakertown parents lost their daughter to suicide. Here’s what they want others to know

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Bethlehem pub owners to sell and say goodbye after eight years
Bethlehem pub owners to sell and say goodbye after eight years
Allentown man who died in South Whitehall house fire identified [Updated]
Allentown man who died in South Whitehall house fire identified [Updated]
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
Coroner IDs scooter rider, pedestrian who died in Lehigh Valley crashes last week
Coroner IDs scooter rider, pedestrian who died in Lehigh Valley crashes last week
Quakertown parents lost their daughter to suicide. Here’s what they want others to know
Quakertown parents lost their daughter to suicide. Here’s what they want others to know
Jefferson to open Sidney Kimmel Medical School campus in heart of downtown Allentown
Jefferson to open Sidney Kimmel Medical School campus in heart of downtown Allentown
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
One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS
One Earth Reggae Festival at SteelStacks | PHOTOS
Around the Valley: Executive’s football team will be a league member this season
Around the Valley: Executive’s football team will be a league member this season
Pa. to join 38 states and D.C. in collaboration enabling counseling outside state lines
Pa. to join 38 states and D.C. in collaboration enabling counseling outside state lines

Local News

Randy, 12, pours some water on Jayson’s, 11, both of Bethlehem, head to cool him down while playing basketball in the hot weather Monday, July 13, 2026, at Friendship Park in Bethlehem. The Lehigh Valley is under a heat advisory from the National Weather Service through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
(April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Enjoying a summer day despite the heat | PHOTOS

Enjoying a summer day despite the heat

Sports

Kristi Tracey

Lehigh Valley physical therapist makes US Women’s International Masters Cup field hockey team

‘Do it and do it to your fullest,' says Kristi Tracey of Lehighton, who thrives on competition and handling pressure

Things to Do

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters perform Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Sellersville Theater. (Jess Gaedicke)

From The Used to Billy Bob Thornton, here are the top acts playing in July in the Lehigh Valley

Beat the heat with these musical acts playing this month in the Lehigh Valley.

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 drone show presented lights 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)

Faith & Values: Reflecting on faith during the semiquincentennial

The semiquincentennial gives us a chance to look back on 250 years ideals, values and...

Crime and Public Safety

allentown-police-day-1-webstock-police

Crash involving scooter closes Allentown intersection

A busy intersection in Center City Allentown was closed Saturday evening after a crash involving...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

How to plan a Christmas-in-July party

Hosting a Christmas-in-July party is a fun way to take part in some of the...

Business

Gas pumps are seen at a gas station in Buffalo Grove.

Falling gas prices likely cut inflation last month but renewal of Iran war could undo progress

The situation in the Middle East continues to change hour to hour.

Pennsylvania News

Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the 2026-27 Pennsylvania budget on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Harrisburg. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Pa. passes $50.8B budget that sends more money to poorest schools, skips difficult policy questions

The deal was cut behind closed doors, and its details were in flux until late...

National News

Bank robber or ‘sneak thief’ William James Burke (1858 – 1919), aka ‘Billy the Kid’ (although not the most famous bearer of that nickname), circa 1886. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Today in History: July 14, ‘Billy the Kid’ shot and killed

Outlaw William H. Bonney Jr., alias “Billy the Kid,” was shot and killed by Sheriff...

Allentown

Dan Schantz, the founder of Dan Schantz Farm & Greenhouses, is seen inside one of his greenhouses on his farm in Zionsville in August 2002. Schantz died July 9, 2026, at the age of 92. (Rick Smith/Special to TMC)

Dan Schantz, iconic Lehigh Valley farmer known for his greenhouse outlet stores, dies at 92

Dan Schantz, one of the most recognized farmers in the Lehigh Valley known for the...

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.