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

Report details Hotel Hampton fire in Easton that injured firefighter, says building had not been inspected in years

A federal report shed more light on what led to a firefighter falling 20 feet off a ladder while responding to the Hotel Hampton fire in Easton.

Firefighters battle a three-alarm fire Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at the Hotel Hampton at 462 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. (Dennis Wetherhold Jr./Special to The Morning Call)

A reenactor reads the Declaration of Independence on Sunday, July 7, 2024, during the annual Easton Heritage Day celebrations at Centre Square in Easton. The festival commemorates the city’s role as one of three places where the declaration was first read publicly July 8, 1776. (Emma Reed/The Morning Call)

How the Lehigh Valley is working to attract tourists for America’s 250th anniversary

Police lights webstock

Man dies days after he was hit by vehicle in Lehigh County

A new political action committee, chaired by a vending company owner who opposes state Gaming Control Board oversight of skill games, mailed a flier to voters in Bucks and Lehigh counties attacking Democrat Bradley Merkl-Gump, a candidate in the 16th Senate District. (MEDIANEWS GROUP)

Election 2026: New PAC targets Lehigh Valley candidate with mailer calling him a ‘party boss puppet’

In this Sept. 25, 2009, file photo, New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling sits in the booth before the Yankees’ baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

‘Voice of the Yankees’ John Sterling, who briefly attended Moravian College, dies at age 87

Latest Headlines

Lehigh Valley proms: All our photos from last weekend

10 hours ago
Allentown School District officials call for tax increase to fund infrastructure upgrades

9 hours ago
Stranded by Spirit shutdown? Airlines, including Allegiant, are coming to the rescue

1 day ago
Lehigh Valley food safety report: tepid food, rodent activity, leaky ceiling, greasy equipment

11 hours ago
Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical condition, his spokesman says

16 hours ago
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic kills 3 people

19 hours ago
Lehigh Valley high school baseball’s Fine 9: Every day there’s another surprise

9 hours ago
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Parkland High School Prom | PHOTOS
Parkland High School Prom | PHOTOS
Whitehall High School Prom | PHOTOS
Whitehall High School Prom | PHOTOS
Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical condition, his spokesman says
Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical condition, his spokesman says
Retail Watch: This brewery is back in the Lehigh Valley after Allentown location closure
Retail Watch: This brewery is back in the Lehigh Valley after Allentown location closure
Man dies days after he was hit by vehicle in Lehigh County
Man dies days after he was hit by vehicle in Lehigh County
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic kills 3 people
A suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus on a cruise ship in the Atlantic kills 3 people
Palmerton Area High School Prom | PHOTOS
Palmerton Area High School Prom | PHOTOS
Lehigh Valley food safety report: tepid food, rodent activity, leaky ceiling, greasy equipment
Lehigh Valley food safety report: tepid food, rodent activity, leaky ceiling, greasy equipment
Saucon Valley High School Prom | PHOTOS
Saucon Valley High School Prom | PHOTOS
The Allentown Housing Authority is listing homes for sale below market value. Here is what to know.
The Allentown Housing Authority is listing homes for sale below market value. Here is what to know.

Local News

Some folks fear that the eagles and eaglets at Kerr Park may be at risk of lead poisoning. Photo courtesy of Jerry Meyers.

Tatum: Time to get the lead out with bald eagles?

The country’s bald eagle population has bounced back in a big way after DDT and other insecticides were banned. As evidence look no further than the eagle’s nest in Kerr Park in Downingtown where the parent birds are now raising...

Sports

Freedom softball coach Jeff Pronovich (standing right) talks to his team after a 5-1 loss to Central Dauphin on Sunday in Bethlehem. (Keith Groller / The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley softball: Freedom loses to defending state champ Central Dauphin, but gains valuable experience

Freedom will be one of the top seeds in the EPC tournament set to begin later this week

Things to Do

Danielle Boksan of Macungie enjoys a moment with her 6-year-old daughter, Avery, on Sunday, May 11, 2024, at a Mother’s Day brunch at Madeline’s in Upper Macungie Township. (Sharon Merkel/Special to The Morning Call)

Treat Mom at these Lehigh Valley brunch, dinner spots for Mother’s Day

Here's where to treat Mom to brunch or a special dinner on Mother's Day in the Lehigh Valley.

5th annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game at Coca-Cola Park | PHOTOS

Fans and superstar athletes alike enjoyed the 5th annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. See photos.
Parkland High School Prom | PHOTOS
Whitehall High School Prom | PHOTOS
Bangor Area High School Prom | PHOTOS
Palmerton Area High School Prom | PHOTOS
Saucon Valley High School Prom | PHOTOS
Iconic Dixie Cup comes down from Lehigh Valley factory | PHOTOS, VIDEO

Opinion

The Rev. Becky Beckwith discovered this plastic Jesus figure during a recent visit to the Allentown Farmers Market. (Courtesy Rev. Becky Beckwith)

Faith & Values: Finding Jesus in unexpected places

During Lent, it became clear that no matter what we mere humans do or don’t...

Crime and Public Safety

A judge’s gavel rests on a book of law. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Jury convicts Bethlehem man who tried to meet boy for sex

A Bethlehem man was found guilty of numerous crimes for attempting to have sex with...

Best Reviews

<p>BestReviews illustration</p>

Best gifts for Mom under $100

You don't have to break the bank to show your mom you care. We list...

Business

A shopper examines laptop computers on display in the electronics department of a Walmart store Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

How AI’s big appetite for chips hits consumer wallets

The demand has shifted manufacturing capacity away from the kinds of gadgets regular consumers buy.

Pennsylvania News

The 2026 primary candidates for lieutenant governor. From left, Democrat Austin Davis, Republican Jason Richey, and Republican John Ventre. (Courtesy of candidates’ Facebook pages, Commonwealth Media Services)

Pa. primary election 2026: Your complete guide to the candidates for lieutenant governor

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is the only Democratic candidate. Jason Richey and John Ventre...

National News

FILE – Life-size bronze sculptures of the signers of the U.S. Constitution stand in the Signers’ Hall on July 7, 2016, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)

Did the founders create a Christian nation? No, but religion did shape their thinking

Scholars note some of the most influential founders weren't Christian.

Allentown

Jalen Hurts takes his turn at bat Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the 5th Annual DeVonta Smith’s Celebrity Softball Game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

5th annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game at Coca-Cola Park | PHOTOS

Fans and superstar athletes alike enjoyed the 5th annual DeVonta Smith Celebrity Softball Game on...

Bethlehem Area

Lincoln Leadership Academy held its prom Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Blue Grillhouse in Bethlehem Township. Students and their guests arrive to the big night. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lincoln Leadership Academy Prom | PHOTOS

Check out photos from Lincoln Leadership Academy prom as students dress up for the big...