The National Weather Service confirms it was an EF-1 tornado that touched down in Bangor and Washington Township Tuesday afternoon. It's believed the tornado lasted just three minutes, was the width of a football field, reached wind speeds up to 90 miles per hour, traveled one-and-a-half miles and knocked down more than 100 trees, including some that fell onto the home of Johann Hammer's daughter. Hammer says it could've been worse. "It's just superficial stuff. We'll get it cleaned up. Nobody's hurt. We're happy," Hammer says. No storm-related injuries have been reported.
According to Business Insider, the Lehigh County pension fund board is the first in the nation to stop buying Tesla stock. The board is also working to divest itself of passively managed funds from Elon Musk's company. The board voted 4-2 in favor of the move. County Controller Mark Pinsley released a statement saying Tesla's earnings are down 71 percent from a year ago and "We owe it to our retirees and taxpayers to take a hard look at whether these are wise investments at this time." Pinsley says Musk's choice to become a political figure has compromised the Tesla brand. Overall, Lehigh County's pension fund has roughly $500 million in assets.
Bryan Kohberger's family will be permitted to sit in the courtroom during his upcoming murder trial. Kohberger, who has family in the Poconos, is charged with the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. Prosecutors in Idaho had wanted Kohberger's family kept out of the courtroom in case they are called as witnesses but the judge yesterday denied that motion. The trial is set to begin in August.
A Bethlehem man is going to federal prison for stealing more than 150 guns back in 2023. Ismael Terrero-Terrero is sentenced to three years and four months for breaking into a gun shop in Easton and stealing more than two dozen guns in April 2023. Two months later, Terrero-Terrero and another man broke into another store in Catasauqua and stole 44 guns and then in August of 2023, he and another man broke into a store in Telford and stole 82 more guns.
Rite Aid is looking to sell more than 1,200 locations, including ten in the Lehigh Valley, as part of its latest Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The local stores with a 'for sale' sign on them are in Whitehall Township, Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Upper Macungie Township, Hellertown, Washington Township, Walnutport, Quakertown and Northampton. Previously, Rite Aid said most of its stores would remain open for a few months as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
The idea of legalizing adult-use marijuana in Pennsylvania has passed the state House in a party line 102-101 vote. Supporters, like House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, say pot is already being used in all corners of the commonwealth. "Anyone with their eyes open knows that what goes on every day in the commonwealth, in strip centers and on street corners, is immoral. It is unconscionable and it must stop," Bradford said. Opponents, including southwest Pennsylvania Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, say legalizing marijuana use for adults sends the wrong message to kids. "When marijuana becomes widely available, usage becomes normalized and our young people pay the price," Krupa said. The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate.
The Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act, aimed to provide more security and safety for healthcare professionals at work, passed in the PA House. It would require hospitals to establish workplace violence prevention committees and perform annual risk assessment reports. While the measure passed in a bi-partisan fashion, Republican St. Rep. Seth Grove was a no vote. "Having another state agency to come in for regulatory, it's simply overkill and at the end of the day, it's not stopping the violence," Grove said.
An officer is recovering after being shot outside of Overbrook High School. Police were originally called to the scene yesterday afternoon minutes after the final bell. A fight broke out between a group of students when a shot was fired by an adult which struck a 26-year-old officer. Medics rushed the officer to the hospital where he immediately went into surgery. Police quickly arrested the suspect, 30-year-old Dachan Seay and another teen was detained as well.
The Pirates fan who was seriously hurt when he fell from the stands at PNC Park is making progress in his recovery. Doctor Al Philp with Allegheny General Hospital says Kavan Markwood is healing "ahead of schedule". The doctor says Markwood has been moved out of the ICU and will be starting physical and cognitive therapy soon. The young man's family has shared appreciation for first responders, medical staffers, and community members who have offered their support.
The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles were honored at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Wednesday. The Eagles were recognized in both the State House and State Senate after winning their second championship this past February. The team brought both Lombardi trophies to the Capitol as part of the festivities. While this was a statewide celebration, the Pittsburgh delegation made sure to remind their Philadelphia counterparts that the Eagles have four more Super Bowls to go until they catch the Steelers.
Atlantic City police are going to be cracking down on those smoking on the boardwalk this summer season. Smoking cigarettes and marijuana is illegal on the popular boardwalk, and police say residents and visitors have complained. More police will be stationed on the boardwalk looking for smokers thanks to grant money from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Atlantic City is home to the most cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey.