Good morning, Allentown.

Camp Smile offered a week of games + theater activities for children fighting cancer and their siblings at Muhlenberg College’s Moyer Hall from June 22 to 26, featuring foam parties and visits by therapy dogs and was hosted by the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.

Victaulic CEO Rick Bucher and wife Amy were named chairs for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley 2026 campaign, launching the Shine Bright for Education Challenge.

They will kick off with a Day of Caring on Sept. 15 and 17 – matching donations to boost the Education Fund.

Local fire chiefs, union leaders and state officials will hold 'A Community Conversation: Sounding the Alarm' today at 6 p.m. at the Allentown Fire Academy to discuss fire department challenges, recruitment efforts and community support (audiences may ask questions live).

Jeff Barber, president of Lehigh Financial Group, explained the firm helps local business owners, investors and developers secure funds for purchasing or refinancing properties and projects.

With 27 years of experience, the company reviews financial details and works with lenders + prepares clear financing packages.

Freshpet is nearing completion of a 216,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Bethlehem at Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII to boost its refrigerated pet food production and improve distribution for local manufacturing.

Museum officials applied last night to join the NIZ for the future Allentown Art Museum (10th and Hamilton), which will replace the police sub-station and cost $55 million for 55,000 sqft; ANIZDA holds a special meeting at 5 p.m. today to consider the proposal that could boost downtown business.

Doctor Amanda Sellers offered clear advice on spotting bullying at 69 News at Sunrise as schools began their year today in Salisbury Twp.

She urged parents to watch for behavior changes like school avoidance — a sign that bullying may be happening — and to speak gently with kids.

Officials remind residents to watch for the invasive spotted lanternfly that is harming trees and crops in the area.

They urge people to squash the bug and remove egg masses using a rigid card + hand sanitizer to help slow its spread.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission released a housing strategy plan Wednesday to curb rising costs and boost affordable housing amid projected growth.

The report outlines zoning, financial incentives — and regional coordination to add housing units and guide future developments in Allentown and nearby communities.

At the Aug. 20 council meeting, officials urged residents to watch for children walking to school as the season began on Aug.

24 (with safety concerns amid increased school bus traffic). The borough will review pool season financials at the Sept. 3 meeting at 1401 Laubach Ave.

County Executive Tara Zrinski said she is working with State Sen. Nick Miller (and Northampton Borough mayor Tony Pristash) to secure funds to keep the senior center operating, with a resolution expected within the next week.

At its Aug. 17 meeting, Catasauqua Borough Council approved resolution 14-2026 to pursue a Main Street Matters designation using a $50,000 planning grant + $12,500 borough match to revitalize downtown and support small business growth.

Public meetings will soon invite community input on the plan.

Pennsylvania will receive $516 million and New Jersey at least $525 million from Meta’s $17 billion settlement to improve safety on Facebook and Instagram — a deal addressing teen social media addiction that is subject to court approval.

Allentown officials say the city has raised over $1 million from an increased deed transfer tax to create a housing fund for first-time homebuyers and repair projects.

The city will decide on fund allocation soon.

At DeSales University, local officials unveiled a plan to address the housing shortage, revealing that the deficit has dropped from 9,000 to 6,000 units.

The plan outlines new approaches in construction, finance + regulation to boost future supply.