Multiple news organizations have called Dave McCormick the winner in Pennsylvania's tight U.S. Senate race with incumbent Democrat Bob Casey. McCormick says his win comes down to one word: change. "They're deeply distressed by the skyrocketing prices, the wide open border, the crime in our cities, the war on fossil fuels," McCormick says. While news organizations say the race is over, Casey hasn't. A spokesperson for Casey says, "there are tens of thousands of ballots across the commonwealth still to count." State law dictates an automatic recount is required in statewide races if the difference is less than or equal to .5% of the total vote. With 98% of estimated total votes counted, McCormick holds a 35,000 vote edge, which figures to .51% of the total vote.
Turnout in Lehigh and Northampton counties was high, according to unofficial results, but they were down slightly from the last presidential election. In 2020, Lehigh voter turnout was 74.7% and Northampton’s was 75.7%. This year, those numbers were 72.5% and 74.6% respectively. While the percentage of eligible voters casting ballots was down just a bit, both counties saw an overall increase in registered voters and the number of ballots cast.
Bryan Kohberger was back in court Thursday. His attorney is asking to have the possibility of the death penalty being removed from his trial. His attorney claims lethal injection is not viable because of drug shortages and the firing squad is inhumane. "We're asking the court to strike the death penalty in this case based on a conflict of constitutional rights," Kohberger's attorney said Thursday. Kohberger is a Poconos native and a DeSales University graduate.
A 63-year-old Schuylkill County man has been sentenced for trying to lure a child in Lehigh County. Blaine Arner, of Tamaqua, pleaded guilty to charges back in July and now he has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half to 15 years in prison as well as having to register as a sexually-violent sex offender. Back in March, a nine-year-old girl was walking her dogs in Lynn Township when Arner asked her if she wanted to see his dog. When the girl approached, Arner opened the door and exposed himself.
There's a warning about fire danger across the region. The National Weather Service is leaving a Red Flag warning in place until 6 p.m. this evening. Forecasters say in addition to low humidity and light winds, the brush is just too dry. The Weather Service says today's weather is perfect for fires to get out of control. The DCNR has banned campfires in its state parks and state campgrounds.
The Lehigh Valley is in desperate need of rain, but Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says we'll remain high and dry until Sunday at the earliest. "Most of Sunday is probably going to be dry before there's finally a chance for rain late Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. However, it doesn't look like a lot. Maybe a quarter-inch to a half-inch at best," Lundberg says. For the entire year, Lundberg says this stretch of very dry weather has left us five inches of rainfall below average for the year to date.
In a 5-4 vote, Northampton County Council voted down a $64.5 million bond that would have be used to build a three-tier parking deck to replace the current one on Washington Street in Easton and a 31,000-square-foot office building at Washington and South Union streets in Easton. The current parking deck was built in 1975. Those voting down the bond seemed in favor of a new parking deck, but questioned the need for a new office building.
There's a chance picket lines could be going up at Lehigh Valley International Airport. The union for Allegiant Air pilots across the country has overwhelmingly authorized to issue a strike if the carrier fails to reach an agreement for its 1,300 pilots nationwide. The union says 97.4% of pilots represented by the union voted to strike if an acceptable deal doesn't happen. Allegiant Air accounts for about 60% of passenger traffic through LVIA.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs Clubstore Store has a big grand reopening event planned for Saturday from 10-1 at Coca-Cola Park. Team-signed jerseys, player-worn gear and other unique items will be available. After extensive renovations, the new store has expanded women's, children's and men's lines. The newly remodeled IronPigs Clubhouse Store will operate 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Fire crews are battling three wildfires across New Jersey as the state remains under a drought situation. The latest update to the drought monitor shows every county is in at least a moderate drought. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for today. The Shotgun Fire in Jackson Township has burned more than 350 acres and is 60 percent contained. It threatens at least six homes. Another wildfire has broken out in the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area in Gloucester County. Meanwhile, roads are closed around the Black Run Preserve in Evesham Township. The Bethany Run wildfire has burned about 300 acres and is about 50 percent contained. Evacuation orders related to the fire have been lifted.
The 76ers' season is somehow going from bad to worse. ESPN reports star guard Tyrese Maxey will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury. Last year's Most Improved Player left during Wednesday's loss to the Clippers after scoring 12 points in 32 minutes. Maxey is averaging 27.6 points per game this season and became the focal point of the offense while marquee free agent signing Paul George missed the first two weeks with a bone bruise in his knee. Meanwhile, former MVP Joel Embiid hasn't played this season due to chronic knee injury management and got suspended three games for shoving a reporter who questioned his professionalism. He's expected to make his debut on Tuesday as Philly flounders at 1-and-6.