The Trump Administration is no longer accusing the Lehigh Valley of obstructing federal immigration laws. Lehigh and Northampton Counties have been taken off the Justice Department's list of so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions." The list identifies local and state governments with policies, laws, or regulations the administration says "impede" federal immigration enforcement. Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure previously objected to the designation, calling the list "misleading and politically motivated."
Northampton County officials say a deadly motorcycle crash in Easton last month was caused by the motorcyclist's own actions. Authorities said the motorcyclist was trying to grab another vehicle's side mirror on Route 22 West when he lost control and hit a guardrail. He has not been identified. Investigators determined the driver and passenger in the other vehicle did not try to engage the motorcyclist and were not at fault.
The Lehigh Valley celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday. The annual event aims to foster and promote police and community partnerships. Hundreds of people attended events across the region to build relationships with officers. National Night Out events are usually organized around the country, including block watches, festivals or even small cookouts.
Pennsylvania voters encountered only scattered voting-machine malfunctions that rarely affected their ability to cast ballots in recent elections, according to an analysis of problems reported to the state. Counties reported a smattering of common problems with machines at polling places, such as paper jams and error messages. Such issues were typically fixed quickly by counties having technicians on call or simply replacing the machine. Pennsylvania appears to be the only state to require counties to report voting system malfunctions after each election. The most common problems were ballots getting jammed in a machine, issues with scanning ballots, or the machine displaying some kind of error message.
Unlike some states, cities, and the federal government, Pennsylvania does not require top elected officials to disclose who contributes to celebrations held to mark their entrance into office and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has declined to do it voluntarily. Spotlight PA is reporing that Shapiro’s 2023 inauguration and ball that followed it cost more than $4 million, but the identity of the benefactors who paid the bill has remained a secret. Spotlight PA has identified a portion of those donors, which include influential lobbying firms, unions, and corporations with interests before the commonwealth’s government. Shapiro's inaugural committee reported to the IRS that it raised $5.4 million, but never indicated from where. Spotlight PA has now identified where 15% of that total came from. Labor was by far the largest donor class, totaling $535,000. Checks came from a wide range of unions, including ones for police and corrections officers, the construction trades, and health care workers. The carpenters’ union provided the single biggest check, $150,000. Other donors identified by Spotlight PA include Erie Insurance, Motorola, Sheetz, the state’s orthopedic surgeons association, and a horse breeder’s trade group. Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania also chipped in.
The Pennsylvania Lottery says a retailer in Carbon County sold a Powerball ticket worth $1 million for the Monday, August 4 drawing. The ticket matched five of the five white balls drawn, 8-9-19-31-38, but not the red Powerball 21, to win $1 million, less applicable withholding, PA Lottery says. Officials say Boyer’s Food Markets, 500 West Bertsch St., Lansford Boro, will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball winners have one year from the drawing date to claim prizes, according to officials. Lottery officials say winning tickets purchased at a lottery retailer should immediately be signed on the back.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey is heading to the classroom. Casey is joining the University of Scranton as a Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service. The Democrat left office in January after losing his re-election bid last year to Republican Dave McCormick. Casey, a Scranton native, said he's grateful for the opportunity to work with and mentor the next generation of public servants.
A tribute to Trump rally shooting victim Corey Comperatore is now standing at the Butler Farm Show grounds. A bronze statue of Comperatore is on display at the entrance gate this year, greeting people who arrive to visit the farm show this week. The Buffalo Township firefighter died while shielding his family from gunshots during the assassination attempt on President Trump last summer. The statue was donated by the Comperatore family.
A seismologist with Rutgers University says the recent frequency of earthquakes in New Jersey is not a cause for alarm. Roberto Masis says these latest earthquakes are probably not something to worry about. He says it's a sign that earthquakes happen and that there are still many faults not known to scientists. Yesterday, a second quake in three days shook North Jersey. It was a two-point-seven magnitude tremor that struck Hillsdale in Bergen County where a three-point-oh magnitude quake rocked Hasbrouck Heights on Saturday night.
A new law in New Jersey requires the state to provide information about potholes in its monthly roadway pavement system report. Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed the bill into law Monday. Its sponsor -- GOP State Senator Tony Bucco -- says the law requires the state to post information on the number of potholes filled each year, the cost for each repair and the number of pothole damage claims that residents file each year.
A key member of the Phillies' bullpen is feeling remorseful. Jose Alvarado apologized for his 80-game suspension in a social media post on Tuesday. He admitted to being "fully aware" of using prohibited substances after the league banned him for violating its performance-enhancing drugs policy. Alvarado can return on August 19th, but he won't be allowed to pitch in the postseason.