On Election Day last month, Northampton County voters had to deal with several problems when trying to cast their vote on new machines that cost the county $2.8 million. Thursday night, a top official of the company that makes the machines apologized for the issues. "The delay is results reporting and the challenges voters had interacting with the touchscreen are absolutely unacceptable to ES&S," says Election Systems & Software Senior VP Adam Carbullido. He told County Council about 30 percent of the machines used in Northampton County were not configured correctly and admitted the ballot design had not been tested. Carbullido told council the problems will be fixed before next spring's primary election.
ArtsQuest plans to convert the old Bethlehem Steel Turn & Grind Shop into a new programming facility, exhibit and festival venue. The Air Products Atrium will include a 14,000-square-foot public programming space featuring nationally touring education programs, science and arts-related exhibits, and theater and dance performances. It will also host community dinners, corporate events and serve as a multi-use rental space. The building will also be featured in annual festivals like Oktoberfest and Christkindlmarkt. No construction date has been set.
New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection is saying seas along the Jersey Shore are going to rise in devastating fashion. A report released Thursday claims that sea-level by New Jersey could rise more than a foot in the next ten years, more than two feet by 2050 and by six feet come the end of the century. Aside from dangerous flooding, sea-level rise can cause erosion and the contamination of agricultural soils with salt.
A former Philadelphia Eagles player is facing charges in a health care fraud scheme. Investigators revealed the multi-million dollar plot Thursday. Eight suspects allegedly submitted false claims to the NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan. Ex-running back Correll Buckhalter is charged with health care fraud conspiracy.
After a comeback win over the Giants Monday night, the Eagles need another win Sunday in Washington to stay at least even with the Cowboys in the NFC East. Defensive back Malcolm Jenkins says the defense has to keep Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins in check. "He's the quarterback of the future for them. He's got tremendous talent. You see him making throws even when you think nobody's open, he'll put the ball right where it needs to be," Jenkins says. The Eagles are 6-7 and tied for first in the NFC East. Washington is 3-10.