Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is suing over what he calls an "unconstitutional freeze of federal funding" enacted by the Trump Administration. The suit alleges that state agencies still remain entirely unable to access $1.2 billion in federal funding, with an additional $900 million requiring an undefined review by federal agencies before it can be drawn down. The suit claims that federal agencies suspended access to billions of dollars in funding without supplying a reason as to why or giving any consideration to the harm their action would cause. The suit claims the U.S. Constitution states that federal agencies do not have the power to suspend states’ access to money that Congress appropriated or to impose new conditions on money already appropriated and obligated.
Accu-Weather's Heather Zehr says tomorrow will be a wintry day. "I think we'll probably see our first snowflakes about 2pm," Zehr says. The snow is expected to leave one-to-three inches behind before it changes over to rain overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.
A suspect is in custody for a 2023 murder at a club in Allentown. Alberto Rios-Santiago was arrested in Florida yesterday in connection to the death of 28-year-old Blessing Taveras. Taveras was killed and two others were injured in the shooting at Mamajuana on the 1000 block of Union Boulevard. Rios-Santiago is charged with homicide and aggravated assault.
The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved plans to expand Lehigh Valley Health Network's emergency department on Schoenersville Road. The proposed project calls for a 93,500-square-foot expansion to the emergency department. The three-story addition would mean demolishing an existing medical office building, expanding parking and relocating the hospital's helipad. The hospital says a new state-of-the-art emergency department with 83 beds, 69 for adults and 14 for pediatric patients. An October 2026 timeframe is expected for the project.
The Lehigh County Republican Committee is looking to censure District Attorney Gavin Holihan for endorsing a Democrat. The committee released a statement yesterday announcing a special meeting for a censure vote after Holihan endorsed State Representative Josh Siegel for Lehigh County Executive. The statement called Siegel a far-left extremist and claimed Holihan "betrayed Republican principles and values." In response, Siegel noted he endorsed Holihan for DA in 2023 because he believed he was the "best man for the job."
Lehigh County marriage counselor Joe Kelly says the best gift a man gives to his woman can sometimes cost next to nothing. "For some people, a handwritten card, that blows away jewelry, chocolates, roses...all of them, because it's such a personal gesture," Kelly says. He says on Valentines Day its usually a good idea to not necessarily buy your significant other a cliché gift, but rather something you know they actually like.
Millions of Eagles fans may have enjoyed their Super Bowl rout of the Kansas City Chiefs, but Pennsylvania's sports books did not. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says more than $101.5 million was wagered on the Super Bowl in Pennsylvania either in person or online. The majority of those wagers were on the Eagles to win and that resulted in the sports books losing more than $6.5 million in Pennsylvania. The $101 million bet on the game is by far a new Pennsylvania record, surpassing the $84.3 million bet on the previous Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl two years ago. It's the first time Pennsylvania's sports books lost money on Super Bowl gambling since the 2020 Chiefs/49ers Super Bowl.
Ahead of the unveiling of his final state budget blueprint this month, Governor Phil Murphy is looking at a three-billion dollar budget deficit. Furthermore, state officials say President Trump's planned federal funding cuts could make the deficit worse. NJ-dot-com reports officials with knowledge of the budget proposal say Governor Murphy is looking for ways to trim the projected three-point-seven billion dollar hole before he presents it later this month. The governor's staff has already frozen pay raises for some state workers, reduced hiring and told state agencies to prepare for five percent spending cuts in the next budget.