Gas prices continue to head lower across Pennsylvania and in the Lehigh Valley. According to the latest AAA East Central's Gas Price Report, the average price for a gallon of gas is at $4.33, down 15 cents from the previous week. That is $1.11 more expensive than one year ago. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price is $4.07 a gallon, down 20 cents from one week earlier, buy 96 cents more expensive than the 2025 price.
A former police officer faces decades in prison after being convicted of child pornography charges and animal sexual abuse. 31-year-old Christopher Cordes was sentenced in federal court to 27-and-a-half-years behind bars. Cordes tried to pressure at least one minor into sending him sexual photos and videos over social media and sent at least one video of him engaged in sexual activity with animals. The Justice Department said these crimes happened while Cordes worked as a Tamaqua police officer.
A 72-year-old Allentown man has died from injuries sustained several months earlier. John Mongilutz died Tuesday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, more than two-and-a-half months after being hit by a vehicle near South Sixth and Chester streets. Allentown police are investigating the incident.
A-Treat is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a new flavor this summer. A-Treat says the limited-edition cherry cola flavor is available starting this week at certain grocery stores, distributors and the brand’s website. In a news release, the company says, "The nostalgic, cherry cola flavor will provide a bold and patriotic refreshment option for community celebrations, neighborhood barbecues and family gatherings across the region."
The 2026 version of the Musikfest mug will be sealed in a time capsule until it’s time to celebrate the United States’ 300th birthday. The mug will be sealed later this year in the Made in Lehigh Valley Time Capsule. Items selected for the time capsule will be featured in a public exhibition this summer at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem.
Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says the forecast for the next two or three days can be summed up in two words: heat and thunderstorms. While there's a chance of thunderstorms today, there's a much better chance tomorrow and Friday. "I think if we get one, you'll get severe weather. The time is probably going to be as early as 4 o'clock, maybe as late as 8 or 9 o'clock. I think it's almost the same identical thing for Friday. Both days are going to see temperatures 90-plus, in fact, we're going to challenge both records both days," Lundberg says. Tomorrow's record high is 94. The projected high tomorrow is 92. Friday's record high is 92 and the expected high is 93 degrees.
Funeral services were held Tuesday for Central Berks Regional Police officer Kristen Yeager, who died late last month in a car crash while responding to a call. Among those in attendance at her funeral at the Exeter High School football stadium was Gov. Josh Shapiro. "Those like officer Yeager and their loved ones who make the ultimate sacrifice, we owe a debt that we can never repay, but one that we always have a responsibility to always meet," the governor said. Hundreds attended the service. Yeager leaves behind a husband and three children.
The Garden State ranks among the nation's "worst 25" in the 27th annual State Of The Air report from the American Lung Association. The study finds New Jersey's northern and central region in the New York metro area ranked 12th worst in the country for ozone pollution, and Atlantic is the only county in the state ranked among the nation's best counties in any category- getting an 'A' grade for ozone smog. The Lung Association's New Jersey chapter Assistant Vice President Michael Seilback says over 706,000 children in the state are living in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
Fans coming to New Jersey to see any of the eight World Cup matches starting Saturday will now have a website to check out for health related issues or questions. The state Department of Health set up what they are calling the World Cup 2026 Health Hub, which has links to show where to get the closest medical help, and includes a page to give medical professionals info on treating visitors and international travelers who may not be familiar with the U.S. health system. The health hub also has a resource page full of advice on tick and mosquito safety, heat, sun, food and drug safety, air quality and what to do if feeling sick. A web search for New Jersey World Cup Health Hub should lead to the site, or go to www.nj.gov/health/world-cup.