Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk formally presented the city's proposed 2025 budget, avoids a city property tax hike through increased revenues, closing budget gaps in existing fund balances and expected growth of earned income taxes. The budget's overall spending totals $240 million, including a budgeted 2% increase in revenues. The budget also maintains existing staffing levels. The 2025 spending plan is an increase over Tuerk's proposed $229 million budget proposal last year. Council and the administration must adopt an annual budget by Dec. 31.
A man is dead after the State Police say he was hit by a car on Route 115 near Effort. Troopers say they found the 57-year-old man from Chestnuthill Township lying in the road about 4:30 yesterday morning. No one knows who hit the man. The State Police say there's an autopsy scheduled for later today. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen anything to please step forward.
A man has been convicted for his role in a violent armed home invasion in Bethlehem Twp. Anthony Santiago has been found guilty of burglary, robbery, conspiracy and assault crimes for the home invasion that happened April 20, 2023 in the 2000 block of Willow Park Road in Bethlehem Township.
Many residents in the Lehigh Valley were able to see the Northern Lights last night. The light show also known as aurora borealis was visible in parts of the U.S. because of a solar storm. Experts say a mass of plasma essentially erupted from the sun earlier this week, sending solar wind towards Earth that creates the Aurora lights once it gets close enough to us. The increased solar activity is due to the sun nearing the peak of its eleven-year cycle.
Following the first of two debates, Republican Dave McCormick has closed the gap in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race against Bob Casey, according to a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll. Casey leads McCormick 48% to 46% following their first debate. Since last month’s poll conducted before the debate, Casey’s support increased by one point and McCormick’s increased by four points. In the presidential race, Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris 49% to 48% among the 1,000 likely Pennsylvania voters surveyed.
Former President Barack Obama is on the campaign trail for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania. "So, whether this election is making you feel excited, or scared, or hopeful, or frustrated, or anything in between, do not just sit back and hope for the best. Get off your couch and vote," Obama shouted to a cheering crowd. Obama spoke in Pittsburgh on Thursday, where he told the crowds America is ready to turn the page to a better story and elect Harris.
Vice President Harris will take part in a CNN town hall in Pennsylvania later this month. The event will take place on October 23rd, but the location has yet to be announced. CNN offered both candidates individual town halls, but the Trump campaign has not said yet if the former president will accept.
Electrical workers from Allentown-based PPL are once again assisting power restoration efforts after a major hurricane. WFMZ-TV reports dozens of crews are headed to Florida to help get the lights back on following Hurricane Milton. PPL sent lineworkers to Georgia and Kentucky late last month after Hurricane Helene. More than two-million people are without electricity following Milton.
Pennsylvania State Police will send 54 troopers and two civilian support staff to Florida, at the request of Florida authorities, to help law enforcement there after Hurricane Milton. The deployment is expected to last two weeks, but could be lengthened or shortened depending on the situation. It's the first out-of-state deployment for Pennsylvania state troopers for a natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey in 2012.
The Red Cross in Pennsylvania continues to ask for volunteers to head to the hurricane zone. The Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania's Jorge Martinez said there are already 30 people from the state working either in Florida after Hurricane Milton, or working in other southern states after Hurricane Helene. Across the country, the Red Cross has sent nearly one thousand volunteers to the hurricane zone. In addition to volunteers, the Red Cross is asking for donations that can also be sent south.
The Eagles and Browns square off from Philadelphia in Week Six. Philly is coming off its bye week and sits third in the NFC East at 2-and-2. Quarterback Jalen Hurts says last week's bye week was well spent. "This has probably been one of the most efficient bye weeks I've been a part of in my career. We've been able to share those moments and talk through some things," Hurts says. Cleveland is 1-4.
A former member of the Philadelphia 76ers is retiring. Danny Green said he's hanging up his laces after 15 seasons in the NBA. Green only played two games for the Sixers despite spending 2020 through 2022 in Philadelphia. The 37-year-old won three NBA championships during his journey in the league.