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

Pa. declares Code Purple air quality alert statewide as some areas see ‘hazardous’ levels

July 16, 2026 at 5:42 pm

As wildfire smoke lingers and air quality worsens, here’s why you should stay indoors

The poor air quality Thursday was the equivalent of smoking four to six cigarettes in a day, according to a professor of public health at Lehigh University.

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

This screenshot shows air quality over eastern Pennsylvania on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as smoke from Canadian wildfires descended on the region.

What is the Lehigh Valley air quality is like right now? How to check it near you

Fire firetruck webstock

Easton declares ‘fire emergency’ for downtown street due to underground blaze

Police and rescue workers respond to a truck rollover crash Thursday, July 16, 2026, on Route 29 in Upper Milford Township. (Laurie Mason Schroeder/The Morning Call)

Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck

Chicken Salad Chick will offer free chicken salad for the grand opening of its first Pennsylvania location in the Lehigh Valley. (Photo courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick)

Win free chicken salad at new restaurant chain opening first Pa. location in the Lehigh Valley

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Lehigh Valley mobile home park is sold for a tidy profit
Lehigh Valley mobile home park is sold for a tidy profit
A new use is being pitched for the site of a former Allentown restaurant
A new use is being pitched for the site of a former Allentown restaurant
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Motorcyclist killed in Route 222 crash in Lower Macungie
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Woman killed in Allentown house fire is identified
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South Whitehall data center developer says employee at hearing fired over texts
Pa. DEP issues statewide red air quality alert as Canada wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley [Updated]
Pa. DEP issues statewide red air quality alert as Canada wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley [Updated]
Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck
Route 29 closed in Upper Milford Township due to fatal crash involving truck
Daily Horoscope for July 16, 2026
Daily Horoscope for July 16, 2026

Local News

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Wildfire smoke from Canada descended upon the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, casting a haze over the region. See photos.

Sports

Executive Education CEO Bob Lysek (left) is joined by longtime summer basketball director Glen Klein and Executive coach Ray Barbosa. Executive will be a busy place throughout the week as Klein will run his Bash at the Beach high school tournament Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Keith Groller / The Morning Call).

Summer basketball: First of two tournaments tips off Friday night at Executive

"I try to worry about what we have and not what we don't have," says director Glen Klein about this weekend's high school basketball tournament at Executive

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.

Wildfire smoke descends on Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS

Wildfire smoke from Canada descended upon the Lehigh Valley on Thursday, casting a haze over the region. See photos.
Easton Heritage Day celebrates America 250 | 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

Opinion

The west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol at Third and State streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Opinion: Data center development in Lehigh Valley can be controlled

Opinion: A ban has zero chance of becoming law, and data center developers win.

Crime and Public Safety

Police investigate the scene and the coroner has been called to a fatal shooting Thursday, May 28, 2026, in the 5100 block of Third Street, which is located in the Cementon section of Whitehall Township. (Dennis Wetherhold Jr. /Special to The Morning Call)

Teen held for trial in fatal shooting of 74-year-old Whitehall Township resident

Elijah Ceballos, 17, of Whitehall waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in the...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Experience comfortable outdoor hunts with top duck hunting waders

The best duck hunting waders keep you dry without limiting your mobility and if they...

Business

Fed probe suggests Tesla’s self-driving feature wasn’t to blame in crash that killed a grandmother

The Tesla slammed into Texas home and killed a 76-year-old woman.

Pennsylvania News

Hazy conditions from Canadian wildfire smoke is seen over the Lehigh Valley Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Pa. declares Code Purple air quality alert statewide as some areas see ‘hazardous’ levels

The air quality will get worse before it gets better for most of Pennsylvania as...

National News

Tad Thomas, a lawyer for the family of Henry Willis, right, speaks at a news conference while Willis’ mother, Laura Herp, looks on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)

Ghost gun company ordered to pay $100M in the death of a Kentucky teen in historic verdict

A Kentucky jury awards $100 million against ghost gun company in teenager's death.

Allentown

This former Ruby Tuesday restaurant in west Allentown may soon be torn down. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

A new use is being pitched for the site of a former Allentown restaurant

Jaindl Land Co. presented a sketch plan for a two-story structure at 3995 Tilghman Street...

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.