Human error is given as the reason for a mail-in ballot snafu in Lehigh County. Some Lehigh County voters were sent the wrong mail-in ballots. The problem affects about 115 people who had switched political affiliation since last year's election cycle. County election officials say some people who've moved and some newly registered voters were also affected. Voters who received the wrong ballots will be contacted by mail and will be permitted to request a new mail-in ballot be sent to them, or can pick one up at the county election office in Allentown. In Northampton County, there are reports of duplicate ballots sent out.
Allentown Police are investigating to a shooting. It happened in the area of 7th and Chew streets. Investigators aren't releasing any information on what happened at this point.
It appears a seven-story mixed-use building proposed for South New Street in Bethlehem is a done deal. In a 4-3 vote, Bethlehem City Council has approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the building proposed for 327 S. New Street. That clears a path for the New Street Apartments and allows the demolition of four existing structures on South New Street. The project will include ground-floor retail and tenant amenity space. The vote comes after the city’s Historic Conservation Commission's unanimous vote last month to approve the project.
A fisherman who drowned in the Delaware River in New Jersey last Friday is identified as a man from the Lehigh Valley. State Police say crews recovered the body of 69-year-old Robin Bet of Bangor, Pennsylvania. Cops responded to the South Fall Rift Road on the Warren County side of the river after getting several 911 calls. They believe Bet was trying to swim ashore to safety after his boat took on water. The investigation is ongoing.
West Bethlehem residents say they've had enough of a nasty smell coming from the Spray-Tek facility. "When they let it go, it lingers. It's not 15 minutes and it's gone. It's here for eight hours," says George Andrews. He says it's tough to take his dog on a full walk or to enjoy the swimming pool for any length of time because of the stench. Spray-Tek, which makes powdered food and drinks, has been cited by the DEP and currently owes the agency $16,000 in fines. According to the DEP, the smell is not harmful, but residents say it's affecting the quality of life in the area.
We remain in a drought situation, but Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says a bit of help is on the way today. "I think a third-of-an-inch to a half-inch is probably the most realistic out of this," Lundberg says. There's a chance for some more rain this weekend as well.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is announcing a lawsuit against the maker of an A-I chatbot he says is being used to provide an unlicensed medical practice. The lawsuit claims Character-dot-A-I users are allowed to create custom chatbots that pose as doctors and other medical professionals, with one even giving a fake state license number. Pennsylvania's medical board is demanding Character-dot-A-I "cease and desist from engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine and surgery." Shapiro said his administration will not let A-I companies mislead vulnerable people into believing they're getting advice from a licensed medical professional.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued a warning about a text message scam involving phony court appearance requests directed at the recipients. According to Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd, the scammers send a text message that mimics the Pennsylvania Supreme Court website. The text claims the Supreme Court has scheduled a "mandatory court appearance for traffic offenses" and lists court officials as contacts. The recipient is told to appear in court at a specific date and time, with phony actions and penalties that they'll face if they do not comply. The text includes a fake link that the recipient is instructed to use to pay a fee. Todd reminded residents that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or the Pennsylvania Courts will never place calls or send text messages soliciting payment by credit card, gift card or any other electronic transfer for any reason.
A bill's on its way from the Pennsylvania Senate to the House designed to lengthen prison sentences for anyone who attempts to injure or kill law enforcement officers. The sponsor, Sen. Lisa Baker, says they've discovered a loophole in current law leading to some getting out of prison after only seven years. "We need to have the backs of law enforcement. We are standing side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder with them and ensuring that we value and respect the work that they do. This is an important day for us here in the Senate," Baker said.
New Jersey's Labor Department adopted new rules Tuesday to try and clear up how to classify whether a worker is an independent contractor or and employee. Companies will now have to use a three-pronged 'ABC test' to decide a worker's status, which determines whether employers will have to provide health and other benefits. State labor officials say there is now a 120-day window before the new test rules take effect, which they calculated as going into effect October first.