WDIY’s Sarit Laschinsky speaks with Vicky Kistler, Director of the Allentown Health Bureau, and Kristen Wenrich, Director of the Bethlehem Health Bureau about the status of ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in the Lehigh Valley, vaccine shortages and other challenges, and efforts being made by both bureaus to ensure an equitable immunization distribution to all communities.

Dow Jones industrial average rose by more than 7% as the economy shrunk 3.5% in 2020. Dr. Kamran Afshar looks at this and more in the week's economic news for the Lehigh Valley.

Fracking for natural gas is now banned in Northeast Pennsylvania and southern New York state. The Delaware Reiver Basin Commission voted Thursday to make permanent a long-standing, de-facto moratorium on gas drilling. WHYY StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Susan Phillips reports the move comes after a decade of debate and research.

Pennsylvania’s public school students haven’t taken state standardized tests in nearly two years, and it might be another six months before that streak ends. WHYY Keystone Crossroads’ Avi Wolfman-Arent has the details on what that means for pandemic learning.

Taste and smell are integral senses that guide professional chefs as they build flavor in their dishes. Restaurant chefs taste their food throughout the recipe-making process and rely on aroma.

But over the past year, their noses and mouths have been covered by a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. WHYY’s Zoe Read reports on how they’ve adjusted.

Nurses in Pennsylvania say they are taking care of too many patients at one time, and want the legislature to step in. Last Tuesday, nurses and some lawmakers announced a legislative solution. WHYY’s Kenny Cooper has more.

The U.S. Supreme Court has officially declined to hear the last, lingering lawsuits regarding Pennsylvania’s 2020 election process. WHYY’s Katie Meyer reports in their decision, justices didn’t give a rationale for the move.