Good morning, Allentown.

Outcast Rescue in Lehigh County is caring for eight puppies found abandoned in a shopping bag at Philadelphia Target late Saturday night.

The puppies, hours old with wet cords, have low body heat and are receiving care while the rescue seeks supplies — puppy formula, pee pads and wipes.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley supported local families affected by house fires when his foundation partnered with the Salvation Army to gift 25 new mattresses and bedding essentials (and distributed toys) at a Christmas-themed event in Allentown.

The gesture helps families rebuild comfort this holiday season.

With Christmas days away, the Allentown Rescue Mission is in the final phase of its holiday meal drive and asks residents to donate fresh and frozen protein, canned goods, and essential supplies.

The mission serves meals daily (each costing $2.95) and provides transformation programs at 355 Hamilton Street.

A fire destroyed a home in Coplay and displaced residents.

A two-alarm fire on Saturday night destroyed a commercial building and several vehicles on Commerce Street in Muhlenberg Township, with firefighters working four hours to control the blaze & no injuries reported as the fire marshal investigates the cause.

Shift4, based in Lehigh County, is moving forward after Jared Isaacman resigned from the board last week following his Senate-confirmed NASA appointment.

On Monday, the company launched a stablecoin settlement platform that lets merchants receive funds 24/7 using stablecoins like USDC, USDT, EURC and DAI.

Lights in the Parkway closed on Dec.

14 after vandalism damaged holiday displays (including restrooms, portable toilets pushed into the river and bent light poles), and ticket holders were advised to contact the parks office for rebooking or refunds as police investigated the incident.

Lehigh Valley International Airport processed nearly 87,000 passengers in November (its highest since 2004).

The rise came as more travelers chose Allegiant Airlines for fuller flights and a new route (air cargo shipments also increased slightly).

Allentown School District piloted Coursemojo, an AI literacy tool that gives real-time feedback on reading and writing, during a school board meeting.

More than 1,000 students and 17 teachers have used it — plans call for expanding its use to seventh- and eighth-graders next school year.

Allentown School District is working with a Harvard data fellow to build a data dashboard for tracking student attendance that will be available on the district's website early 2026.

The dashboard will show rates and chronic absentee numbers (90.4% attendance reported) to help guide improvement efforts.

Lehigh Valley Hospital — Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township was approved to install a temporary MRI trailer and walkway for eight months to cover imaging gaps during construction.

The zoning board voted 5—0 and increased the request from six to eight months.

Gogol Bordello Concert

7-9 p.m. — Archer Music Hall — All ages welcome — Experience the energetic Gypsy punk music of Gogol Bordello live in concert.

Hershey Bears vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms

3:05 – 4:35 p.m. — PPL Center — Check website for ticket pricing — Celebrate New Year's Eve with an exciting hockey match between the Phantoms and Bears.

I Puritani

12:55-5:00 p.m. — Miller Symphony Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the beauty of Bellini’s final masterpiece with a stellar cast and stunning new production.

Frank DiBussolo Trio: Bucky Pizzarelli Legacy

7:30-10 p.m. — Miller Symphony Hall — Tickets required — Experience masterful jazz guitar in tribute to the legendary Pizzarelli.

Neko Case Concert

7-10 p.m. — Archer Music Hall — $1 from each ticket benefits Peer Solutions — Experience an evening of enchanting music by Neko Case in a welcoming venue.