It appears former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is getting out of federal prison early. A Pawlowski advocate says he's expected to be released in June, four years ahead of schedule. Before returning home, Alan Jennings says the ex-mayor will be released to a halfway house first. Pawlowski was sentenced to up to 15 years behind bars in 2018 after he was convicted on 47 charges including bribery and fraud. He signed a contrition letter in 2024 in which he called himself a "naive politician" whose own ego, poor judgment along with influential political consultants caused his downfall.
At its Wednesday night meeting, Quakertown Borough Council heard from many residents who want their police chief out. "Our police have failed to support and provide a safe environment for these children. He needs to be fired," one woman said. Scott McElree is currently on workers' compensation leave following a physical altercation with Quakertown High School students during an anti-ICE protest last month. Five students were arrested following the altercation and have been released with ankle monitors. The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is investigating the incident.
A Bethlehem man is found guilty of committing election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Authorities said Matthew Laiss submitted a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania then later voted in person in Florida. Laiss tried to claim last year that he was covered by President Trump's pardon of dozens involved in his attempt to overturn his election loss, but federal officials ruled he was not included. He will be sentenced in June.
ArtsQuest says its economic impact on the Lehigh Valley is massive. ArtsQuest says its programming generated more than $192 million in economic impact for the Lehigh Valley last year. That's a record and a 34-percent increase over 2024. Last year's Musikfest delivered an economic impact of $121.3 million, up 30.9% from 2024 and Christkindlmarkt generated $14 million, a 27.2-percent increase.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman joined Republicans last night in voting down a resolution that would have halted President Trump from using further military action against Iran without Congressional approval. Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the resolution that stemmed from the War Powers Act, which was enacted to check the president's power to enter armed conflict without consent from the Legislative branch. Fetterman says the vote wasn't a difficult one for him to make. "As far as I know, every single senator says we must never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. We all agree on that. Why can't we just acknowledge that's really happened now," Fetterman says. Fetterman has been a vocal supporter of the U.S-Israeli military operation in Iran, stating this week that he's "baffled" why so many are unwilling to support what he called "the only action" to ensure the country cannot acquire a nuclear weapon. The vote was largely seen as symbolic, because Trump said he would likely veto the measure if it was passed.
The war with Iran is hitting home, with New Jersey natives in the Middle East unable to return home right now. Governor Mikie Sherrill put out a statement saying her administration has been in contact with residents left stranded, after commercial flights were suspended in the region. She says her office has been in contact with the White House and State Department officials to press for immediate travel arrangements, and is asking all residents in the Middle East to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get updates directly from the State Department. The Democratic governor is also a retired Navy pilot who criticized the Trump Administration, saying, "a lack of clear, early communication has left many families stranded, frustrated, and potentially in danger."
Again this year, local officials say they're seeing fewer Canadian tourists visiting the Jersey Shore because of the deteriorating relationship between the United States and Canada. Business owners in Cape May County say they saw a drop-off in tourism from Canada after the start of President Trump's second term last year. They say Canadians visitors told them they were cancelling their reservations due to Trump's hard-line immigration policies and trade disputes with Canada and other countries. An owner of several Wildwoods hotels says they've seen a drop-off of up to 70 percent in Canadian business. In a statement, the White House downplays the impact, saying President Trump has done more for tourism than other presidents by making America safe again.