A new Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll has the Lehigh Valley's Congressional race essentially dead even. In a survey of 404 likely voters in the 7th Congressional District, 47 percent back incumbent Democrat Susan Wild while 46 percent support Republican challenger Lisa Scheller. Four percent say they remain unsure who they'll vote for. Of that four percent, nearly one-third say they're leaning toward voting for Scheller while none said they're leaning toward Wild.
A Lehigh County judge has struck down a lawsuit that called for tighter restrictions on ballot drop boxes. The lawsuit demanded in-person monitoring of the five county drop boxes, that all drop boxes be located inside of buildings, and that the Lehigh County Government Center location limit hours, instead of being available 24/7. Judge Tom Capehart's ruling found the Lehigh County drop boxes in compliance with Pennsylvania election code, and there is no need for additional measures. County Elections Clerk Tim Benyo says with the ruling, the Lehigh County Government Center's drop box is now open 24/7, and the other four locations are set to be in place by Monday, Oct. 24, as originally planned.
Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman has released results from his visit to his doctor last Friday. The report on Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, indicates he is "recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve" and says there are no work restrictions. The report also states while Fetterman still can't process an occasional word properly, his communication is significantly improved compared to his first post-stroke visit. His doctor also indicates Fetterman's blood pressure, heart rate and pulse oximetry were all fine. Fetterman's fitness to serve as a U.S. senator has been called into question ever since he suffered the stroke right before the May primary election.
Dr. Mehmet Oz seems satisfied with the latest medical update on John Fetterman. "All along I've been saying either you're lying about his health or not willing to own your radical left policies that you've be advocating for. So I think this now frees us up comfortably to say that we should have a real debate," Oz says. The Republican U.S. Senate candidate says Fetterman's release of findings from his most recent doctor's visit last week leave him no longer worried about his opponent's health, but rather solely about his ideas. Fetterman's doctor wrote that Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May, is "recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve" and says there are no work restrictions.
President Biden is heading to the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Thursday. In Pittsburgh, he'll give a speech on rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. Biden is also expected to campaign for Democratic Senate hopeful John Fetterman in Philly. The visit comes less than three weeks until the midterm elections. Fetterman is in a tight race with Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz.
John Fetterman has reportedly strengthened his lead over Mehmet Oz in the race for Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate seat. A survey by a Trafalgar Group poll indicates Fetterman, the Democratic lieutenant governor, pulled in a little over 47 percent, while Oz, his Republican challenger, garnered just under 45 percent. Libertarian Erik Gerhardt received about three percent; four percent are unsure or undecided. Oz is running strong in three regions of the Commonwealth: Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, Harrisburg-Lancaster-York and Johnstown-Altoona-State College. Fetterman's doing well in bigger metro areas.
Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano says his race against Democrat Josh Shapiro is bigger than just a state race. "I believe the future of this nation hinges on the outcome of Pennsylvania at the governor level not just because of our history as the birthplace of our nation but also because we're sitting on what I call 'freedom gas' and oil and coal. So, on day one we're going to drill and dig like never before and hopefully lead our nation out of this economic malaise that we're in," Mastriano says. Despite polls showing Shapiro with a comfortable lead and being drastically outspent, Mastriano predicts he will win the election next month.
A July shooting death has been ruled justified by Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin. 37-year-old Edwin Diaz-Rivera, of Allentown, was shot to death at a home on North 11th Street. Martin says Diaz-Rivera was in an argument with people at that home and assaulted one of them. He left after telling he'd be back with backup and weapons. Video evidence shows Diaz-Rivera returned with three others and forced their way into the house. The person who had been assaulted previously was shoved into a glass table, which shattered. At that point, a second person inside the home killed Diaz-Rivera.
Bethlehem's Department of Community and Economic Development is pushing an idea to building a year-round emergency shelter for the city's homeless population. Bethlehem's plan calls for 50 to 70 rooms, each with toilet and sink; four family-sized units; 10 emergency beds; single-stall showers; laundry facilities; commercial kitchens and full-sized lockers. The city is pitching four options: constructing a new building; rehabbing a shell of a building; rehabbing an existing community building; or rehabbing an existing hotel, motel or similar structure with existing infrastructure. A public hearing on the issue is planned for November 1st.
Legislation that would govern the use of driverless cars and trucks in Pennsylvania has cleared a state senate committee. Supporters say the bill would modernize the state's vehicle code to allow for the driverless testing and deployment of autonomous cars and trucks, particularly while in platoon formation. After moving through the state House this summer, the bill cleared the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday on a vote of 8 to 5. Republicans backed the bill and Democrats opposed it.
A bill moving through the Pennsylvania Senate would adopt rules to permit heavier electric-powered trucks. The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a federal weight exemption for such vehicles. The rule is already in place in the majority of states. Supporters say electric trucks weigh more due to heavier equipment required to power them.
A federal grand jury has indicted a Berwick man for reportedly threatening to kill the chairman of the January 6th Committee. 'The Hill' says 25-year-old Maverick Vargo also reportedly sent threatening letters to President Biden. In the letter to Committee Chair Bennie Thompson, Vargo is also reported to have sent a white powder and alluding to anthrax. The charges were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
State Senators in Harrisburg this week have approved a bill calling for educators to establish a September 11th curriculum. Under the proposal, the Pennsylvania Department of Education would be charged with developing model lessons that would be made available to schools and teachers on a local level. Lessons would include the historical context of terrorism and the details and impact of the 9-11 events in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville.
The Atlantic City Expressway is set to add a lane in each direction over a 13-mile stretch to fix a major bottleneck. The endeavor will take the highway to three lanes from Winslow Township to the Route 42 connection in Gloucester Township. The road-widening will be funded by a nearly 37-percent toll increase that went into effect in late 2020. The roughly 180-million-dollar project is currently in the design phase and is expected to break ground in 2024. Construction is expected to take two years to complete.
Legislation is proposed to require New Jersey drivers under 21 with their learner's permit to complete 50 hours of supervised practice. Triple-A reports that a young driver is part of an accident in the state every 19 minutes. In addition, if passed, collision claims could be reduced by thirteen-percent, according to an estimate by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The National League Championship Series is tied 1-1 after the Padres beat the Phillies 8-5 Wednesday afternoon. Phils manager Rob Thomson says his team was just in this position a week ago. "In Atlanta, we won the first one, lost the second one in a disappointing game, got a day off and came back home in front of 46,000 raucous people and played really well. I expect to do the same thing," Thomson says. Games three, four and five are Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia.