A Northampton County man has died weeks after a crash in Monroe County. 57-year-old Melvin Moreno, of Lehigh Township, died Wednesday afternoon at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, nearly three weeks after a two-vehicle crash in Stroud Township. The driver of the other vehicle, 32-year-old Sharlin Forestier, of Coolbaugh Township also died. The crash happened near Route 611 and Wigwam Park Road, when police say Forestier was driving south when she crossed into the northbound lane, hitting Moreno’s vehicle.
Part of I-476 in Carbon County is open again following a crash last night involving two 18-wheelers. The highway was shut down in both directions near mile 72 after authorities said two tractor-trailers collided in the southbound lanes shortly before 7 p.m. Both drivers were taken to the hospital in unknown condition. The cause of the crash is being investigated.
What's being called the world's largest cigar store is coming to Bethlehem. A nearly 60,000-square-foot facility will combine a bar and lounge experience with a cigar lounge. Above that on the second floor will be the headquarters for discount cigar retailer Cigar Page, which is currently headquartered in Bath. Construction is already underway at 1010 Harvard Avenue, with the expected opening date early next year.
Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 6% more deer in the 2025-26 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates. The statewide 2025-26 deer harvest was estimated at 505,600 deer, 185,310 of them antlered and 320,290 antlerless. 26,100 of those deer were taken in the Wildlife Management Unit which includes the Lehigh Valley.
The first World Cup matches are about two-and-a-half months away, with Philadelphia hosting some of the matches. However, Gov. Josh Shapiro says Philly won't be in the only Pennsylvania city to get in on the action. "Visit PA will host these unbelievable Fan Zones in Scranton, in Pittsburgh and right here in Reading," the governor says. In Reading, the city is planning a block party atmosphere outside Santander Arena and a huge viewing party inside. In Scranton, huge screens will be set up on Courthouse Square for fans to watch. Shapiro says having the World Cup in Pennsylvania and all the surrounding activities that come with it will mean big, big business for the Commonwealth. "We expect at least $700 million in economic impact," Shapiro says. Philadelphia hosts its first World Cup match on June 14th.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is ruling mandatory life sentences without parole for second-degree murder unconstitutional. The highest court in the Commonwealth ruled yesterday that a mandatory life sentence with no possibility of parole for murder in the second-degree is "cruel punishment" under the Constitution. The decision was made in the case of Derek Lee, a man who faced a mandatory life sentence without parole after being convicted of second-degree murder but not first-degree murder in a deadly Allegheny County home invasion in 2014. Governor Josh Shapiro called on the State Legislature to come up with a "thoughtful, just process" to address those currently serving life-sentences for second-degree murder.
The Pennsylvania House has again passed a measure that would repeal a current section of law that defines marriage as only being between a man and a woman. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta says he hopes 'this' time they can get the Senate to take action after they refused to last session. "The Senate didn't pick them up. So my hope is that we can pass the bills again with bipartisan support and that the Pennsylvania Senate will send them to Gov. Shapiro's desk. He has been crystal clear that he would sign it immediately," Kenyatta says.
The conflict in the Middle East carries on as President Trump claims the U.S. and Iran are negotiating an end, however Iran's regime denies that. Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman says Iran's fighting capabilities are severely diminished. "All those cowards can do is fire off random drones at civilians. They can't engage our military capability. That's all they can do," Fetterman says. Fetterman says this is an opportunity to remake the entire region.
People who normally go to Six Flags Great Adventure will have a new section of rides this summer, with a boardwalk theme that is familiar to the Jersey Shore. Park officials on Thursday laid out plans to replace the area where the Kingda Ka coaster used to thrill riders, and put in its place an entirely new section that will pay homage to the state's famous beach towns. The boardwalk section will include Great Adventure's 14th rollercoaster set to open later this spring, before the park's 15th coaster being built now opens to riders next year.
A strange story is looming over one player on the Phillies. Court documents show third baseman Alec Bohm filed a lawsuit against his parents on Wednesday for siphoning money. The suit claims his parents converted a "sizable amount" of money for their own personal use while managing several financial accounts. Bohm signed a one-year deal worth just over 10-million dollars in the offseason.
It's tournament time for Penn State men's hockey. The Nittany Lions are set to take on Minnesota-Duluth tonight in the opening round of the Albany regional. Penn State is looking to return to the Frozen Four after the program's first-ever appearance last year. The puck drops at nine in Albany, New York.