After an overwhelming response to an initial round of grants, a group of business leaders led by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of commerce this morning released a second pool of $150,000 in small business grants aimed at easing some of the financial burden of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Businesses that collect Pennsylvania sales taxes will not have to make accelerated sales tax prepayments in April, May and June due to income shortfalls from social distancing requirements, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday.

Just Born of Bethlehem, maker of PEEPS and other popular candies is extending its voluntary production suspension through May 3.

“Many life-sustaining businesses across Pennsylvania are hiring and this new portal will help connect them with people looking for a job,” said Secretary of Labor and Industry Jerry Oleksiak at a Monday virtual press conference.

As the infection rate of the coronavirus shows signs of flattening, Gov. Tom Wolf has joined with the governors of five neighboring states to begin planning how region’s economy will re-open.

The ordinance is drawing criticism from non-union contractor who say it excludes them from bidding on these projects because they don’t have workers going through apprenticeship programs, or who completed outside the time frame. Non-union companies pay for their employees to go through an apprenticeship program, while union employers pay for them with union dues.

The engineering division at Lafayette College in Easton has begun using 3-D printers to make medical supplies for first responders and hospital staff.

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“I believe that an undue burden has been placed on our consumers, on our dealers and on the 50,000-plus workers from the industry who are now without jobs,” said Mihalek. “This is why I introduced House Bill 2388.”

The first coronavirus patient at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg to come off a ventilator, Chris McMillan tells of his harrowing battle with COVID-19 and his gratitude to the nurses and staff who stood by him.