A month after announcing he would not seek a third term as Northampton County executive, Democrat Lamont McClure says he's setting his sights on challenging Lehigh Valley Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in 2026. Before McClure's announcement, Mackenzie had criticized McClure saying he isn't cooperating with federal authorities on immigration enforcement efforts in Northampton County. McCLure says Mackenzie claiming to be pro-law enforcement is laughable. "You're not pro-law enforcement. You have failed to condemn Trump for pardoning the January 6th insurrectionists, who injured grievously Capitol police officers for life," McClure says. McClure said he "needs to go to Washington to help the middle class, because the middle class is under siege."
A 26-year-old man is accused of shooting a 29-year-old man in Washington Township Wednesday morning during a fight over a woman. Investigators say Adam Sosa shot the man inside a home on Welshtown Road Wednesday morning, after having spent time at the house with the victim and the woman on Tuesday. Video evidence reportedly shows Sosa and the victim getting into a fight outside the home when Sosa fires three shots, one of which hit the man. At that point, Sosa and the woman drove off and the victim yelled for help. Roughly ten minutes later, a car matching the one Sosa drove off in crashed into a tree near the shooting scene. When police arrived, they found the car but no people. Eventually, investigators learned that Sosa and the woman might be at a home in Slatington. Police ended up finding the woman and three others there, but not Sosa. Sosa remains on the loose.
A man that admitted to shooting someone at Musikfest is going to prison. Joshua Colon was sentenced yesterday to three-to-nine-years behind bars for the shooting in August 2022. Bethlehem police said Colon shot a man in the stomach in the Plaza Tropical section of the festival following a confrontation between two groups. Prosecutors said a plea deal was reached last December after the victim refused to cooperate with the investigation.
A Bethlehem man could spend up to 22 years behind bars for an armed carjacking attempt that happened a year-and-a-half ago. 40-year-old Elon James was sentenced to between 10 years, 9 months and 22 years in state prison for the Nov. 30, 2023 carjacking along West Broad Street in Bethlehem. James tried to steal a vehicle from a couple while in the parking lot of a restaurant along West Broad Street. One of the victims was assaulted during the incident and suffered serious injuries. James was convicted of the crime last month.
The Southern Lehigh School District superintendent has been placed on leave. The move comes after a school board meeting in which School Board President Emily Gehman claimed Michael Mahon has demonstrated poor leadership and has deliberately tried to divide the school board. Mahon came to the Southern Lehigh School District at the end of 2021. His appointment runs through June 30, 2026.
Harrison-Morton Middle School in Allentown has been closed to students since a pipe burst last week. Since then, students have been learning virtually. That all changes next week. The school district has told parents beginning Monday, it will temporarily relocate students to other schools in order to resume in-person learning.
West York Officer Andrew Duarte will be laid to rest Friday. At 1 o'clock this afternoon, Duarte's funeral will begin at the Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, York County. The service will be broadcast through a livestream on the church's website, www.lwccyork.com/. Duarte was killed Saturday during a hostage situation and shootout at the UPMC Memorial hospital in York County.
18-year-old Jayden Huff created a GoFundMe page for his mom, Jessica Breighner (bry-ner), one of the ICU nurses taken hostage during Saturday's mass shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County. The gunman pointed his weapon at her head and pulled the trigger three times, but it failed to fire. Jayden described his mom's ordeal. "She was used as a human shield to keep police back. Shortly after that he pulled the trigger three times but the gun didn't go off," Jayden says.
A state lawmaker wants Elon Musk's Department Of Government Efficiency in Pennsylvania. Republican State Senator Doug Mastriano recently called for a version of DOGE to make cuts to the 51-billion-dollar state budget. However, Pennsylvania's department would be run by the legislative branch instead of the executive. DOGE has laid off thousands of federal employees, something Mastriano acknowledged would happen under his plan as well.
PennDOT this week is approving more than 20-million dollars in funding across the state for projects aimed at improving or enhancing automated red light enforcement. In total, the Automated Red Light Enforcement program has awarded an estimated 162-million dollars in funding to support efforts throughout the commonwealth.
NASCAR fans will converge on Monroe County this summer with many more watching from home as Pocono Raceway will play host to The Great American Getaway 400. Governor Josh Shapiro made the announcement on Thursday. The event will be held June 22nd and will stream live on Amazon Prime Video. Event and ticket info can be found at www.poconoraceway.com.
The Kingda Ka is making its grand finale today. Months after Six Flags Great Adventure officials announced the popular roller-coaster would be torn down to make way for a new attraction, its demolition is set for today. Demolition of the roller-coaster will occur after nine o-clock this morning. Demolition will happen with a series of explosions along the roller-coaster. Kingda Ka, which was a popular ride for 20 years at the park, is being replaced by new roller-coasters. Other attractions being demolished include the Twister and Green Lantern.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is racking up the accolades. Hurts was named the Philadelphia Citizen of the Year. He was presented the award by Governor Shapiro earlier this week. Hurts was selected for his work in the community.