Morning Call - Lehigh Valley & Allentown PA News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do

Trial begins for dad who fled to Mexico with teen in 2018, was charged with rape of a child in 2025

Attorneys delivered opening arguments Wednesday in the case against Kevin Esterly.

Kevin Esterly, 52, who made national headlines in 201 when he flew to Mexico with a teen, now faces charges alleging he raped a girl at his home. (Courtesy Miami-Dade County Corrections Department)

After hearing a siren blast, people seek shelter inside a fortified stairwell in the Israeli city of Bet Shemesh until an “all clear” signal is sent on around 1 pm Monday, March 2, 2026. A day earlier, an Iranian missile struck a bomb shelter, killing 9 people. (Photo by Harry Fisher)

‘Can be unnerving’: Retired Morning Call photographer in Israel recounts missile alerts, trips to safe rooms amid war with Iran

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg delivers a speech on civil discourse at Lehigh University’s annual Kenner Lecture on Cultural Understanding on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Christine Kreschollek / Lehigh University)

Pete Buttigieg urges Lehigh University audience to seek common ground, prepare for new leadership

Quakertown Police Department (Bucks County Courier Times)

Opinion: I represent one of the Quakertown students arrested during anti-ICE protest. Justice isn’t being served.

Moravian Academy seniors Misha Desai, Laila Ali, Yasvika Nimalan break fast with water and dates Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, during an Iftar dinner by organized by Moravian Academy’s Muslim Student Association at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem Township. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

‘A month of patience and perseverance’: Lehigh Valley Muslim students share their faith during Ramadan

Latest Headlines

New Hobby Lobby store coming to the Lehigh Valley

2 hours ago
Lehigh Valley could see first 60 degree day in months this week. Will warm weather stick around?

2 hours ago
Massive Northampton County development project at center of legal dispute

5 hours ago
Allentown man admits beating pregnant Montgomery County woman, gets up to 8 years in prison

24 hours ago
Lower Mount Bethel sets date for data center town hall as overflow crowd demands answers

1 day ago
US sinks Iranian warship as Iran warns of widespread destruction in the Middle East

2 hours ago
US soldiers who died in Iran war remembered as devoted parents and reservists

8 hours ago
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Former LVHN executive files whistleblower lawsuit, claiming he was fired after raising fraud concerns
Former LVHN executive files whistleblower lawsuit, claiming he was fired after raising fraud concerns
Grammy award-winning rapper to headline Musikfest
Grammy award-winning rapper to headline Musikfest
A warehouse in Northampton County just sold for $158 million, one of largest Lehigh Valley deals in years
A warehouse in Northampton County just sold for $158 million, one of largest Lehigh Valley deals in years
Lehigh announces its new head football coach
Lehigh announces its new head football coach
Lehigh Valley food safety report: remove dead mice, expired milk, chewed food
Lehigh Valley food safety report: remove dead mice, expired milk, chewed food
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
Massive Northampton County development project at center of legal dispute
Massive Northampton County development project at center of legal dispute
Coroner seeks family of Bethlehem man who died recently
Coroner seeks family of Bethlehem man who died recently
Allentown man admits beating pregnant Montgomery County woman, gets up to 8 years in prison
Allentown man admits beating pregnant Montgomery County woman, gets up to 8 years in prison
Winter weather advisory issued for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday; snow and ice possible
Winter weather advisory issued for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday; snow and ice possible

Local News

Hanover Elementary School exterior shot June 8, 2019. (Kristen Harrison/The Morning Call)

Missing girl rescued near Lehigh River in Bethlehem

A missing girl was rescued Tuesday night near the Lehigh River, according to authorities.

Sports

Northampton’s Brayden Wenrich, top, is the No. 1 overall seed in Class 3A at 114 pounds for this weekend’s PIAA Wrestling Championships at Hershey’s Giant Center. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call)

Predicting how each weight class will shake out at the PIAA Wrestling Championships

Morning Call wrestling writer Tom Housenick makes his predictions for each weight class for this weekend's tourney in Hershey

Things to Do

Rod Stewart performs Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, at the PPL Center in Allentown. (Chris Knight/Special to The Morning Call)

From Rod Stewart to Sebastian Bach, here are the top acts performing in the Lehigh Valley in March

There's something for everyone this month in the Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley Top Workplaces 2026 Awards Banquet | PHOTOS

Did you make our gallery? See photos from the Lehigh Valley Top Workplaces 2026 awards ceremony and banquet at SteelStacks.
Purim Celebration | PHOTOS
Major winter storm dumps more snow on Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS
The calm before the snow as winter storm hits Lehigh Valley | PHOTOS
Dieruff High School students walkout to protest ICE | PHOTOS
Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena | PHOTOS
Northwestern Lehigh wins boys basketball Colonial League championship | PHOTOS

Opinion

The Tamaqua Area Middle School art club is painting Schuylkill County’s America250PA Liberty Bell recreation, pictured Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

Faith & Values: America’s 250th anniversary an opportunity to reflect on democracy, faith

The Lehigh Valley is asked to participate in Faith250, which invites people of various faith...

Crime and Public Safety

(Getty Images)

Man shoots out Northampton County laundromat window, police say

An Easton man shot out the window of a laundromat Sunday afternoon in Wilson Borough,...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Stay stylish and cozy in premium Adidas tracksuits

The Adidas tracksuit is an iconic wardrobe staple for athletes and leisurewear enthusiasts everywhere.

Business

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo)

Lawsuit alleges Google’s Gemini guided man to consider ‘mass casualty’ event before suicide

The man’s father sued Google on Wednesday for wrongful death and product liability.

Pennsylvania News

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is reflected on the ground June 30, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (Aimee Dilger/AP)

‘Victoria’s Law’ aims to stop the sale of animals raised in puppy mills in Pa.

Supporters say Victoria’s Law would help consumers by requiring more transparency and higher standards in...

National News

A pregnant woman stands for a portrait in Dallas.

US maternal deaths fell in 2024 and may have dropped again last year, government data shows

There can be changes between the provisional and final numbers.

Allentown

Neighborhood House coordinator Shellie Frichtman speaks Sunday, March, 1, 2026, with London Clifford in Allentown. Neighborhood House is one of just a few day programs offered on Sundays for homeless people in the region. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

With most homeless programs closed on Sundays, Allentown’s Neighborhood House serves as a ‘godsend’

Every Sunday, the basement of an Allentown church transforms into a welcoming, cafe-like space for...

Bethlehem Area

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Coroner seeks family of Bethlehem man who died recently

The Lehigh County Coroner is seeking the next-of-kin of a Bethlehem man who died recently.