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

Lawyer for Allentown officer accused of sexual assault says case should be thrown out. Here’s why

The lawyer representing a former Allentown police officer accused of sexual assault is trying to get the case thrown out before it goes to a jury trial.

The Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. (Sharon K. Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

Heidelberg Materials cement plant is seen Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Lower Nazareth Township. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Could a Donald Trump executive order benefit a historic Lehigh Valley industry that faces questions?

Lehigh University senior Kira Miller holds a sign with an empty plastic jug, known as a BORG, drawn on it Monday, April 6, 2026, during a public demonstration against racism at the university in Bethlehem. Students say racist messages were found drawn on two bottles found on or near the campus in recent months, and they were calling on leadership to address it. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Lehigh students demand action after racist slogans, imagery collide with university’s party scene

Circle Cafe on Main owner Jennifer O’Neill-Lai stands next to menu items including classic deviled eggs and a For the Love of Chicken salad Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the new restaurant in Nazareth. Circle Cafe on Main will open in April in the historic Kern House, where it will serve coffee, iced tea, quiches, soups, salads, deviled eggs and flatbreads. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Retail Watch: Cafe to bring new life to 200-year-old home in the Lehigh Valley

Pallbearers lift the casket with the remains of Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeffory L. Buck onto Richmond Township Engine 32 following funeral services on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Fleetwood High School. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Community gathers to honor Berks firefighters killed in line of duty

Latest Headlines

US and Iran end 21-hour ceasefire talks without agreement before Vance departs Pakistan

8 hours ago
Truck driver killed in Interstate 78 hit-and-run in Berks is identified

17 hours ago
A first-of-its-kind proposal in Pa. would give Lehigh County independents more say in voting matters

1 day ago
Bridge replacement to close Northampton County road for several weeks

20 hours ago
New York subway stabbings leave 3 hurt as police shoot and kill knife-wielding man, officials say

13 hours ago
Some Iron Hill restaurants are reopening. What about the Lehigh Valley Mall location?

2 days ago
Lehigh Valley insider’s guide: Enjoy classics, new releases with these local movie theaters

3 days ago
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Bridge replacement to close Northampton County road for several weeks
Bridge replacement to close Northampton County road for several weeks
Artemis II crew capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean | PHOTOS
Artemis II crew capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean | PHOTOS
Retail Watch: Cafe to bring new life to 200-year-old home in the Lehigh Valley
Retail Watch: Cafe to bring new life to 200-year-old home in the Lehigh Valley
Legendary Moravian basketball coach and AD Mary Beth Spirk has died
Legendary Moravian basketball coach and AD Mary Beth Spirk has died
Allentown woman wanted for vehicular homicide while DUI in Pa. Turnpike I-476 wrong-way crash, DA says
Allentown woman wanted for vehicular homicide while DUI in Pa. Turnpike I-476 wrong-way crash, DA says
Section of Pa. Turnpike I-476 in Lehigh Valley to close for part of the weekend
Section of Pa. Turnpike I-476 in Lehigh Valley to close for part of the weekend
Truck driver killed in Interstate 78 hit-and-run in Berks is identified
Truck driver killed in Interstate 78 hit-and-run in Berks is identified
Lehigh students demand action after racist slogans, imagery collide with university’s party scene
Lehigh students demand action after racist slogans, imagery collide with university’s party scene
Truck driver killed on I-78 while working on vehicle in shoulder [updated]
Truck driver killed on I-78 while working on vehicle in shoulder [updated]
Could a Donald Trump executive order benefit a historic Lehigh Valley industry that faces questions?
Could a Donald Trump executive order benefit a historic Lehigh Valley industry that faces questions?

Local News

Passengers aboard the WK&S Liberty Bell Express wait for their train to depart Saturday from the Kempton Community Center train station during the Allemaengel 250 Committee’s event celebrating America’s 250th birthday. (HYUN SOO LEE/STAFF PHOTO)

Reenactors, train rides highlight Kempton living history event

Group representing communities in Berks and Lehigh counties celebrates America's 250th.

Sports

Moravian coach Mary Beth Spirk encourages her team during a game against Muhlenberg in December 2008. Spirk who had announced her retirement, died Friday at the age of 66. (Douglas Kilpatrick/Special to The Morning Call)

Legendary Moravian basketball coach and AD Mary Beth Spirk has died

Spirk spent 45 years as a coach at Moravian, the last 37 as head coach, and her 659 wins ranks in the national top 10 in D3 women's basketball

Things to Do

Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performs at the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 7, 2024, in Nashville. The band is bringing its "All the Good Times" farewell tour to the State Theatre in Easton on Friday. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Things to do in the Lehigh Valley this weekend: High energy film festival and a legacy band

From future Oscar winners showing off their films, to a band celebrating its 60th anniversary, there’s plenty to check out this weekend in the area.

Artemis II crew capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean | PHOTOS

Artemis II Orion capsule splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, Friday, April 10, 2026.
Mourning Berks firefighters killed in the line of duty [Photos]
Lehigh University students hold a public demonstration against racism | PHOTOS
Procession for Berks County firefighters killed in crash | PHOTOS
Bethlehem Easter Egg Hunt | PHOTOS
Plane makes emergency landing on I-78 | PHOTOS
Blessing of Easter baskets on Holy Saturday in Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Opinion

While the treatment for those diagnosed with HIV has made enormous progress the associated stigma remains difficult to eliminate, the author asserts. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Opinion: The second diagnosis: When shame does what HIV couldn’t

Opinion: HIV stigma is structural, intimate and relentless

Crime and Public Safety

Onanyeli Rosario-Mesa, 25, of Allentown is charged with vehicular homicide while DUI in a fatal wrong-way crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) in April 2025. (Courtesy of the Lehigh County DA)

Allentown woman wanted for vehicular homicide while DUI in Pa. Turnpike I-476 wrong-way crash, DA says

An Allentown woman is wanted on charges of vehicular homicide while DUI in a wrong-way...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Products you should own if you live in a flood zone

Living in a flood zone requires proactive preparation that goes beyond hoping for the best....

Business

A board above the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange displays the closing number for the Dow Jones industrial average, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

How spending shocks affect retirement planning

Spending shocks can curb a retirement portfolio’s longevity.

Pennsylvania News

Students interview Rosa Julia Parra of Palo Magazine for “Roots of Solidarity.” (Courtesy of Joshua Dipini / JD Visual Productions, via Spotlight PA)

Student-led documentary preserves the stories of Latinos who settled in Reading decades ago

The team behind “Roots of Solidarity” wants to raise $50,000 for production costs and to...

National News

Mickey Mouse waves to the crowd from a plane atop his float as a parade rolls down the Main Street of the Euro Disney theme park in Marne La Vallee, east of Paris, April 11, 1992. The parade and festivities were held during a press preview on the eve of the park’s grand opening tomorrow. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Today in History: April 12, Euro Disney opens in Paris

Euro Disney, now called Disneyland Paris, officially opened in France with a parade, fireworks and...

Allentown

Lehigh Valley Phantoms co-owner Jim Brooks speaks Thursday, April 9, 2026, to announce the Lehigh Valley is getting professional indoor soccer team that will play at PPL Center in Allentown. Major Arena Soccer League Commissioner Keith Tozer sits to his left, and his brother, Phantoms co-owner Rob Brooks, to the right. The team, which hasn’t yet been named, will be part of the Major Arena Soccer League. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Professional indoor soccer team coming to Allentown’s PPL Center

The Lehigh Valley team will play at the PPL Center and be in the highest...

Bethlehem Area

The Soccerfest viewing party of the FIFA Women’s Wold Cup, United States versus Columbia match, took place at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in June 2015. Soccerfest returns for the FIFA World Cup this summer. ( EMILY PAINE / THE MORNING CALL)

SoccerFest 2026: SteelStacks to host World Cup watch parties and cultural programs

SteelStacks in Bethlehem will again host World Cup watch parties and other cultural events.