Last month was the busiest July ever for Lehigh Valley International Airport. Officials say almost 102-thousand passengers went through the airport, and increase of more than eleven-percent from July 2023. The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority says the number of travelers would have been even higher if not for cancellations during the CrowdStrike incident on July 19th.
Allentown is one step closer to building a new police headquarters. The City Council voted yesterday to award a construction management contract to Alvin H. Butz Incorporated. The decision comes two weeks after the Council voted to defer the matter until after the 2025 budget was introduced in October. However, the delay would have put nine-million-dollars in federal funds meant for the project at risk.
The Crayola Experience in Easton was closed for most of Wednesday due to a city water main break.
The Democratic National Convention is underway at the United Center in Chicago. Pennsylvania Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro says former President Trump wants to take away rights and freedoms. "It's not freedom to tell our children what books they're allowed to read. No it's not! And, it's not freedom to tell women what they can do to their body," Shapiro said Wednesday night.
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are about to head to Germany. More than 150 soldiers with the Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team are being deployed to assist U.S. Army partners and allies. That will reportedly include facilitating training of the Ukrainian Army. The deployment will last for a year.
Authorities are investigating after thousands of dollars in beef was stolen in Lebanon County. State police say more than four-thousand-dollars' worth of New Zealand beef was stolen from two tractor-trailers early Tuesday morning. The suspects allegedly forced their way into the 18-wheelers. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact state troopers.
Tributes continue to pour in for New Jersey Congressman and lifelong Paterson resident Bill Pascrell, who died yesterday morning at the age of 87. Pascrell -- the second-oldest member of Congress -- was seeking reelection to his 15th term this November. Governor Phil Murphy called the 14-term Democrat and former Paterson mayor a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors. Senator Cory Booker called Pascrell a prince of Paterson and a Jersey legend who always fought for freedom. Former Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark says he was in awe of Pascrell and credited him with preserving countless lives by working on flood mitigation efforts on the Peckman River. Pascrell is the second member of New Jersey's congressional delegation to leave office this year. Senator Bob Menendez resigned Tuesday following his conviction on federal bribery charges.
New Jersey Democrats face a short timeframe -- one week -- to name their successor to Congressman Bill Pascrell, who died yesterday. Over the next week, the several hundred Democratic county committee members from across the Ninth District will meet to pick a new nominee to fill out the balance of Pascrell's term. The nominee will face Republican Bill Prempeh, who lost to Pascrell in two previous elections.
Governor Phil Murphy has recently met with the CEO of Hard Rock International -- Jim Allen -- in the ongoing debate over smoking restrictions in casinos. Smoking has been banned in most public spaces in New Jersey since 2008, though casinos were granted an exemption that allowed for smoking in 25 percent of the gaming floor. During their meeting, Allen highlighted the efforts casinos have made to protect the health of employees and customers. Health advocates have called these efforts insufficient. The state is considering stricter regulations on smoking in casinos without enacting a complete ban.