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

Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, convicted in corruption case, says he’ll be released from prison this summer

Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2018 after his conviction on over 40 charges including corruption and wire fraud, says he will be released from prison this summer after serving less than half of his sentence.

Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski, pictured here in 2016, will be released from prison and into a halfway house in June. (April Gamiz / The Morning Call)

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

Bethlehem police and firefighters rescue missing girl near Lehigh River

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)

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

After hearing a siren blast, people seek shelter inside a fortified stairwell in 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. With war planes audible overhead, the US and Israeli led attack continues. The hostilities began 3 days before the start of Purim - considered the happiest day in the Jewish calendar.

(Photo by Harry Fisher/ Special to The Morning Call)

‘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

Latest Headlines

Lou Holtz, college football staple who coached Notre Dame to 1988 national title, dies at 89

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

6 hours ago
New Hobby Lobby store coming to the Lehigh Valley

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

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

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

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

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
Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, convicted in corruption case, says he’ll be released from prison this summer
Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, convicted in corruption case, says he’ll be released from prison this summer
Lehigh Valley food safety report: remove dead mice, expired milk, chewed food
Lehigh Valley food safety report: remove dead mice, expired milk, chewed food
Massive Northampton County development project at center of legal dispute
Massive Northampton County development project at center of legal dispute
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
Vote for Athlete of the Week: Here are this week’s nominees
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

Local News

(Getty Images)

Army helicopter makes emergency landing in southern Berks [updated]

The aircraft touched down Wednesday afternoon in a field in Robeson Township.

Sports

Southern Lehigh coach, John Arcidiacono, watches his team compete against Salisbury during an basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Southern Lehigh High School in Center Valley, PA. (Jonathan Broady/Special to The Morning Call)

PIAA boys basketball: Surprising Southern Lehigh gives the Colonial League 5 teams in tourney

The Spartans came on strong with wins over Athens Area, Pottsville and Selinsgrove

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

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaves after testifying in a landmark trial over whether social media platforms deliberately addict and harm children, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says at consumer protection trial that he resisted censoring platforms

Depositions from Zuckerberg and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri are centerpieces of the case.

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

Alli Naylor, mother of Wynne Naylor who died at Camp Mystic, reacts as attorneys argue.

Texas judge declines to close Camp Mystic at family’s request after last year’s floods

Families of several of the girls who died have sued the camp's operators.

Allentown

Raymond Bautista is escorted by a deputy sheriff from a Montgomery County courtroom on March 3, 2026, to begin 4-8 year prison term for assaulting the mother of his unborn child. (Photo by Carl Hessler Jr. – MediaNews Group)

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

An Allentown man will spend up to eight years in prison after admitting he beat...

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.