Residents spoke at Monday night's Bethlehem Area School Board meeting, telling the board they want universal free lunches within the district. Superintendent Jack Silva says under the current funding system, the school district would be on the hook for about $500,000 and it would be taxpayers who'd have to pick up the tab. Onee resident says it would be money well spent. "I think it would be an investment for our children and for our schools. I think it's important," he says. Currently, the school district participates in state and federal programs that provide free and reduced-price meals to eligible students, while all students in the district also receive free breakfast through a state-funded program.
For the first time in a long time, LANTA's rates have gone higher. The fare increase took effect Monday. A single ride now costs $2.50, 50 cents higher than previously. A day pass will increase from $4 to $5. A 31-day pass will cost $70, up from $60. LANTA last increased the price of a single ride 18 years ago. Multi-ride prices went up in 2014. Seniors 65 and older still ride for free. The agency says the fare hike is needed to keep pace with inflation and maintain a sustainable transit system.
It's a rarity at Musikfest. A Wind Creek Steel Stage headliner is coming to Bethlehem in back-to-back years. For the second straight year, Third Eye Blind will be at Musikfest the night of August 2nd. Overall, it's the band's third Musikfest appearance. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Third Eye Blind is the 11th and final headliner announced by ArtsQuest.
A member of the Trump administration visited the Lehigh Valley. The head of the Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler, visited Biaggio's Pizzeria in South Whitehall Townhsip and says bigger and better things are coming for the U.S. economy. "It's going to take time for all those positive benefits to ripple through. Americans are going to see that this year. Small businesees are spring loaded to invest thanks to the one Big Beautiful Bill," Loeffler says. Loeffler was joined by Lehigh Valley Congressman Ryan Mackenzie on her local visit.
A new study is revealing the favorite Easter candy in Pennsylvania. Online research site Innerbody has compiled listings of preferred spring holiday treats for every state in the nation using data from Google Trends. The most popular Easter candy in the Keystone State is Peeps, according to the report. Peeps came in at most popular nationwide as well, followed by chocolate bunnies, Jelly Belly jelly beans, Swedish Fish, and Reese's Eggs. Easter Sunday falls on April 5th this year.
A package of three bills headed to Governor Sherrill's desk for consideration would address immigrant-related issues sparked by recent ICE raids and arrests statewide. The "Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act" requires law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to show facial identities while on duty, and showing identification before arresting or detaining someone. "The Privacy Protection Act" limits the collection and sharing of people's data, so New Jersey residents will not be afraid to use necessary government services. The third bill is called the "Immigrant Trust Directive," which lays out distinctions between local law enforcement duties to handle criminal matters, while federal agents handle civil, immigration matters. The final bill also limits cooperation between law enforcement in the state and federal agencies, while barring all officers from stopping, questioning, arresting, searching or detaining anyone based solely on citizenship or immigration status.