The Republican National Committee is intervening in the lawsuit from David McCormick's campaign. The campaign is attempting to force Pennsylvania to count undated mail-in ballots. RNC Chief Counsel Matt Raymer stated that the committee is intervening because election laws are meant to be followed and changing the rules as ballots are being counted hinders the integrity of our elections. Raymer says the move does not indicate support for Oz nor does it signal opposition to McCormick.
The vote count of one undecided Lehigh Valley state Senate race it getting closer while a second isn't moving very much. Nick Miller's lead over Tara Zrinski is now at least 40 votes in the Democrats' 14th Senate District primary race. Miller's lead as of Tuesday morning had been 101 votes. In the 16th state Senate District Republican primary, Jarrett Coleman's lead over incumbent Pat Browne went from 17 votes to 19. The revised numbers are not official results and factored in undated mail-in ballots that a court ruled should be counted despite not meeting state election laws.
No charges are being filed in the death of an Allentown man that happened three-and-a-half months ago. 36-year-old Vincent Bynum of West Allen Street was shot to death on the front porch of his neighbor's home on Feb. 10th. Bynum attacked his neighbor, who then crawled back into his home asking for medical attention. At that point, another man, only described as the neighbor's brother-in-law, confronted Bynum asking why he attacked his brother-in-law. That's when Bynum punched the man and jumped over a divider between the two porches and tried to him again several more times. It was then the man fired two shots, one of which hit and killed Bynum, who had been drinking and had high levels of PCP in his system according to the autopsy. Lehigh County DA Jim Martin says the man who fired the shots legally owned and possessed the gun and was acting in self-defense and no charges will be filed against him.
An Allentown man is accused of assaulting Salisbury Township police officers. Police say they were called to the 2800 block of Windy Hill road for reports of a domestic disturbance. As they tried to arrest 47-year-old Joey Mercado, he allegedly became combative and ran through the residence and then fought with the officers, hitting one in the face, before finally being subdued. Mercado faces additional charges after being arrested two days later for allegedly driving under the influence and violating a Protection From Abuse order.
Easton Area School District's board directors has approved by a 7-2 vote the proposed final budget for the 2022-23 school year. It's a budget that will increase the real estate tax rate by 1.31 mills or two-percent.
Pennsylvania drivers planning to hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend will be paying 50-percent more at the gas pump than last May. AAA East Central says the average price of a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.73 as of Tuesday, up ten cents from the previous week and $1.61 more than last May 24th. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price stands at $4.81, up 13 cents from one week earlier and $1.70 more than one year ago.
Lehigh Valley Habitiat for Humanity Executive Director Jessica Elliot says the "Adopt A Block" initiative is working. "It's a non-profit organization for families, so companies that come out to support the work that we are doing is amazing and it's amazing just to be part of it. It just shows the power of partnership," Elliot says. Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity is teaming with BSI Corporate Benefits to restore the exterior of each home in the area near the St. Luke's Sacred Heart Hospital campus in Allentown.
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper is charged with using his leg to assault a driver during a February 13th arrest in central Pennsylvania. State Police say Israel Moore, who enlisted with the State Police in 2019, used his leg to twice strike the driver in their upper body after a vehicle pursuit that ended in Adams County. Another trooper was handcuffing the driver at the same time. Investigators say there's footage from two police vehicles that shows the strikes. Moore, who was based at Troop H Chambersburg, when the incident happened, is suspended without pay.
The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee has voted along party lines to advance a bill that would prohibit transgender women and girls from competing on female teams in interscholastic sports. House Bill 972 was voted on Tuesday in the Senate after having passed the state House in April along similar partisan lines. The legislation would force transgender people to compete in school sports as male athletes. The measure now goes to the full senate for consideration. Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto the bill, should it pass.
COVID-19 cases are rising again at the highest rate in two months. On Monday, state officials say Pennsylvania recorded nearly 2200 new cases, the largest increase since late February. The officials add that the state's rolling seven-day average is at almost 1600 cases, that's up from just over 1300 last week.