Nike will lease a 1 million square-foot warehouse in Bethlehem, a move that is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the city. The warehouse, which will be in the Majestic Bethlehem Center on old Bethlehem Steel land on Commerce Center Boulevard, is expected to open in mid-summer, according to city Mayor Bob Donchez, who says the warehouse will bring at least 250 jobs to the city.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health added 5675 new cases of coronavirus to the state's overall total, which now sits at 1,109,291. Those new cases are over a two-day span. During those two days, 29 new COVID-related deaths were also reported, leaving Pennsylvania with 25,690 since the pandemic began. Statewide percent positivity for the seven days ending April 15th stood at 9.6-percent.
Gov. Tom Wolf is hoping to set an example after getting his first of two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday. He says it was a simple process. "It was great. I got the first dose of Moderna into my left arm and I don't feel a thing and then I waited 15 minutes and then left," Wolf said. The governor joins more than four-million Pennsylvanians who have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
A COVID-19 vaccine clinic is being held at Mount Airy Resort in Monroe County today. Doses of the vaccine will be administered to resort and casino employees from 2pm to 5pm. Officials expect there will be some vaccine doses they can use for the general public as well.
The Allentown School Board has chosen the temporary replacement for Thomas Parker, whose last day as superintendent is Friday. Marilyn Martinez begins her work on Monday. "I'm committed to moving the district forward, improve providing our students with a high-quality education and supportive learning experiences," Martinez says. Martinez is currently an adjunct instructor at Holy Family University.
Fire has damaged a home in Catasauqua. Firefighters were called to the 300 block of Union Street around 11:30 Monday night. Initial reports indicated this fire started in the kitchen.
Lou Barletta, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate, has taken a step toward possibly running for governor of Pennsylvania in 2022. The former Pennsylvania congressman hsa begun a political action committee to raise money. Barletta told The Associated Press a month ago that he would decide in the coming weeks on whether to seek the Republican nomination for governor.
Several groups are planning to hold a rally today at the state Capitol in support of legalizing marijuana. The Lehigh Valley chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws expects hundreds of people to gather at 11am today to march to the state Capitol. There, they will be joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who has been an advocate for decriminalizing marijuana.
The state House has passed a bill that would allow minors to obtain licenses to operate their own businesses. The "Free the Lemonade Stand" bill would allow minors to obtain these licenses if their business generates less than $5000 in profits and is open for less than 84 days. St. Rep. Johnathan Hershey says the bill is limited so it allows minor-run businesses to operate without fear of retribution from their local municipality. He adds these small businesses teach kids valuable skills like marketing and bookkeeping. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Philadelphia police are planning for potential unrest following the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial. Chauvin is the Minneapolis policeman charged with killing George Floyd last May. Closing arguments wrapped up Monday and the jury could return a verdict as soon as today. More than 1000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are in Philadelphia to provide extra security and traffic control after Gov. Tom Wolf activated them last Friday.
Child sex abuse survivors are calling on lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow them to sue their abusers. Dozens gathered in Harrisburg Monday in support of the bill that they say would give victims a two-year civil liability window to take their predators to court. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward says they recently agreed to grant childhood sex abuse victims their strongest legal position to confront their abusers in court via constitutional amendment. Ward added they would like to see specific legislation for this, but there are concerns regarding the constitutionality of it.
Motor Vehicle Commission officials say anyone registering for a driver's license will no longer be restricted to male or female choices as their gender. People who don't identify as male or female will be able to mark 'x' as their gender marker. New Jersey joins 20 other states and the District of Columbia in offering the 'x' option for gender.
COVID-19 has hit the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Two more coaches and three players were placed in the COVID-19 protocol Monday. Those players are pitchers Matt Moore and Jose Alvarado and infielder Ronald Torryes. They join three other coaches who hit the list last Friday.