Bethlehem
Today
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Bethlehem. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Alumni, students and families gather for the annual Lehigh-Lafayette game in Bethlehem where a long-standing tailgate tradition attracts about 100 people—each group coming together for food, music and reconnecting with campus history. Longtime organizers spend a week planning the event so that the celebration continues across generations. The Brown and White
- ➤ Wilson Area elementary and high school students worked with the LINCS Coalition to prepare over 100 Thanksgiving meal bags for families in need, each bag containing food items and a Happy Thanksgiving card—emphasizing the project’s role in teaching community service amid high SNAP demand. Teachers and coordinators said the effort aimed to help local families during challenging times. WFMZ
- ➤ At its annual meeting on Wednesday at Wind Creek Event Center, Community Action Lehigh Valley learned it would receive a $30,000 gift from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s silent auction fundraiser for its upcoming Snow Ball—over 400 people attended. The meeting also reviewed updates on its 13 programs addressing food insecurity and shelter needs—efforts that are vital to local support. WLVR
- ➤ Community Action Lehigh Valley is in a period of change as its annual meeting at Wind Creek Event Center highlighted challenges from reduced government funding and a surge in food demand. CALV reported $20 million in revenue and $22.6 million in expenses and may cut programs like home repairs and rental assistance—calling on local partners to support its expanded services. WFMZ
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Historic Hotel Bethlehem was transformed into a winter wonderland on Wednesday as its famous Christmas lights dazzled visitors—hotel officials revealed that 30 days and 1,000 man-hours were spent on the elaborate holiday decorations. WFMZ
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Lehigh psychology professor Sarah Borowski is leading research on how teenagers’ repeated conversations about problems—known as co-rumination—affect their emotional health and symptoms of depression. The study measures teens’ heart rates and sweat levels to see if strong emotional regulation can lessen the negative effects of these discussions. The Brown and White
- ➤ Roisin Gaffney, a student from San Francisco at Lehigh, took on major roles including Orientation Leader and club rugby player—she also interned in Uganda and Scotland to gain global experience. She balanced classes and leadership duties to build lasting connections and a home away from home on campus. The Brown and White
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ At a meeting Wednesday night, LANTA discussed proposed changes to over 10 bus routes due to funding challenges from state and other levels—dozens of riders joined in person and online to offer feedback on potential service cuts in January. The agency said further comments will be reviewed and another meeting will be held Monday at 5 p.m. at 60 W Broad St to discuss the proposals. WFMZ
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Julian Wilson, a senior on Lehigh’s football team, played as a linebacker, on special teams and now as a tight end, showing his value over four years as a Mountain Hawk. The finance major also works as the payroll manager at Taylor Gym and has earned coach Kevin Cahill’s praise for always stepping up to fill team needs. The Brown and White
- ➤ The Lehigh swim and dive teams will host the Lafayette Leopards at Jacobs Pool in Taylor Gym on November 21 to continue their long-standing rivalry—head coach Robert Herb, in his 22nd season, said the match will challenge the teams to uphold their winning records. The men’s team holds a 33-meet streak while the women have 15 straight wins. The Brown and White
- ➤ Lehigh wrestlers lost to Nebraska and Illinois at the National Duals in Tulsa — dropping them to No. 12 in the NWCA coaches poll. They will face Pittsburgh in a dual meet at Grace Hall on December 5. Lehigh Valley Live
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Damon Sumner Stand-Up Comedy Show
8-10 p.m. — Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks — $21 — Enjoy a night of laughter with comedian Damon Sumner as he shares hilarious stories and observations from his life.
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Chiodos Concert
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Sands Casino And Hotel — Tickets from $81 — Enjoy an electrifying performance by Chiodos at the Wind Creek Event Center.
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Le Nozze di Figaro
4-5 p.m. — Zoellner Arts Center — Experience the comedic and dramatic brilliance of Mozart's masterpiece through talented young artists.
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2025 Bethlehem Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
4:30-5:30 p.m. — Payrow Plaza — Free entry — Experience the magic of Christmas with twinkling lights, festive carols, and a chance to meet Santa.
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LKV November Open House
1-5 p.m. — Lehigh & Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum — $8 admission, children under 12 free — Immerse yourself in a vast model railroad display depicting the Lehigh Valley from the 1950s to 1970s.
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Follett Factory & Product Training
Dec 2-5 — Follett Products, LLC — Registration required — Experience the latest and safest ice products in this exclusive training session.
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Free Dental, Vision, and Medical Services
6 a.m. — Northeast Middle School — Free services — Access essential health services including dental, vision, and medical care at no cost.
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JOHNNYSWIM Concert
7-9 p.m. — Musikfest Café — Cost info not provided — Experience the soulful sounds of Johnnyswim as they celebrate their new album 'When The War Is Over'!
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Miracle on 34th Street Musical
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Wind Creek Event Center — Tickets from $49.50 — Experience the magic of a heartfelt Christmas musical based on the beloved film.
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Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Wind Creek Event Center — Tickets $49.50 to $129.50 — Experience the heartwarming tale of belief and magic in the holiday classic.
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