Results of a Suffolk University/USA Today poll released this week show Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman leads Republican Mehmet Oz 46 to 37-percent in the race for the U.S. Senate. The race for governor appears to be a tighter contest with Democratic state Attorney General Josh Shapiro holding a slim lead over Republican St. Sen. Doug Mastriano 44-percent to 40.2-percent.
A lawsuit regarding mail-in ballots that were deemed invalid in Northampton and Lehigh counties has been settled. An attorney says his clients have reached a settlement with those counties' elections boards that provide for changes to vote-qualifying procedures. Among changes agreed upon is notifying voters who cast so-called 'naked ballots' that are found before polls close on Election Day or give their names to party representatives so they can notify the voter. Another potential change is changing the color or the secrecy envelope to make it stand out more. The settlement did not affect the results from the May primary race for the 14th state Senate District and after the settlement, Tara Zrinski, a Democrat candidate conceded that race to Nick Miller, who will now oppose Republican Dean Browning in November.
A former assistant city solicitor for Allentown who served one day in jail for his part in a pay-to-play scandal has died. Dale Wiles, who was 54, died Tuesday. Lehigh County's coroner says an autopsy is scheduled for today to determine the cause of death. Wiles was the first city official to plead guilty in the FBI's corruption probe of pay-to-play politics in Allentown City Hall. He pleaded guilty in November 2015 to a single count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and was sentenced to one day in jail and three years of supervised release for his role in the scandal.
Family paintings and artwork have helped the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital mark its 10-year-anniversary. Patients and their families painted canvases and decorated lab coats at the event Wednesday at the hospital's Cedar Crest campus. The art project was part of LVHN's "Community Canvas" program.
More than two months after an accident in Lehigh County, a Northampton County man died of injuries he suffered in the crash. 38-year-old Przemyslaw Kucharski died Tuesday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital of complications of multiple injuries he suffered in a crash on April 11 on Route 145 in North Whitehall Township. The Walnutport man was the driver of a vehicle that collided with another vehicle.
Four people were arrested after detectives found heroin, meth and crack cocaine in their hotel rooms in the Poconos. They were arrested Tuesday after the Monroe County Drug Task Force executed search warrants of two hotel rooms at the Rodeway Inn & Suites on Broad Street, off of Interstate 80, in Delaware Water Gap. According to investigators, all admitted to using and selling drugs from the hotel.
Communities along the Delaware River, Lehigh River and Tohickon Creek will hopefully soon see fewer black flies in their areas. Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental protection will conduct an aerial spraying for black flies, also known as biting gnats, in those areas. Officials say the aerial spraying won't be done over the entirety of Bucks and Northampton counties, but only in those areas near the water.
After morning thunderstorms and downpours, Accu-Weather's Bill Deger says there's a good chance more could be on the way later today. "I think between about 6 and 10 pm another line of thunderstorms comes through and these could be severe," Deger says. He says those storms could dump heavy rain, maybe some hail and also contain damaging winds.
Pennsylvania state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano says he'll soon introduce a bill to allow teachers to be armed in schools. Mastriano's memo seeking co-sponsorship says the measure would protect classrooms. He adds that nearly 30 states already have similar laws in place.
The Pennsylvania Senate is advancing two competing plans to slash the state's corporate net income tax rate. The bills passed Wednesday in twin votes in the Republican-controlled chamber. In April, the state House had passed a separate plan. Gov. Tom Wolf says he's optimistic that an agreement can be reached with the various versions of the proposals. Pennsylvania's 9.99% tax rate is considered one of the highest in the country.
The state House has passed legislation that would let disability placards be renewed by mail. Once the online renewal would be complete, a printable temporary placard would be available until a permanent one is sent by PennDOT. House Bill 2337 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
The state House has unanimously approved a bill to prepare junior firefighters for becoming full firefighters. The bill would mean that when a junior firefighter turns 18, he or she would immediately be able to serve their community as a full-fledged firefighter. The measure would also provide for improved training for volunteer companies.
Atlantic City casino workers are voting to authorize a strike. The vast majority of Local 54 workers supported the move on Wednesday, citing the need for higher wages. Casinos are being put on notice that they have until the Fourth of July weekend to reach a deal, or the workers will walk.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is looking to slash property tax bills this year. Wednesday, Murphy said he wants to spend about two billion dollars to double his property tax relief plan. Under the plan, homeowners who make less than $150,000 would get a 1500 property tax credit while those who earn more would see the credit decrease to $1000. if approved, renters would also get $450 a year to help with rent increases.