Lydia McFarlane | WVIA News
Multimedia Healthcare ReporterLydia McFarlane joined the news team in 2024 as an intern after graduating from Villanova University with a dual Bachelor's degree in communication and political science. She stayed on the team as a multimedia healthcare reporter, exploring her interests in health policy and telling human-focused stories. Wilkes-Barre born and raised, Lydia's grateful for the opportunity to return home and learn more about her community as a reporter within it. She's honored to start her career in NEPA-- the place that taught her everything she knows.
-
September is National Recovery Month, and members of Wyoming/ Sullivan Counties’ treatment court celebrated a milestone in their recoveries during their graduation Thursday evening in Tunkhannock. -
Sickle Cell hotline connects unaffiliated patients to care as pilot program launches in PennsylvaniaThe Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation Inc. and SiNERGe (Sickle Cell Improvement in the Northeast Region through Education) joined forces to launch a toll-free hotline to connect unaffiliated patients to care in Pennsylvania. -
Negotiations between Commonwealth Health Systems and Tenor Health Foundation are ongoing, but state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski and her partners remain optimistic that a deal will happen potentially as soon as this month. -
September 1, 2025 - There’s confusion over potential changes coming this fall for vaccines. Columbia County Residents look to Penn State Extension for answers on PFAS in their community. Lisa Mazzarella sits down with the founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. And, good news for Pennsylvania hunters about Sunday hunting. -
Mental health professionals from the region provide guidance on gun violence, anxiety and how parents can best talk about the topic with children in the wake of Wednesday's shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school. -
Bucktown Center features 40 affordable apartments in downtown Dunmore for older adults. The $19 million project opened to residents this year. -
August 13, 2025 - The state budget impasse continues as Senate Republicans attempt to pass a temporary spending plan. Investigators are piecing together the cause of a deadly explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Western Pa. And, scenes from the Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade.
-
August 12, 2025 - The WVIA News team will report live from the Little League World Series’ Grand Slam Parade this afternoon. Democrats in the state house look to meet the deadline set by SEPTA amidst stalled budget negotiations. And, a look at legislation that would ban PFAS in firefighting foam currently in the state legislature.
-
West Nile virus cases are climbing in Pennsylvania. With two human cases reported, officials encourage taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, and ultimately, infection. -
An internal memo obtained by WVIA announced a letter of intent that was signed between Commonwealth Health Systems and Tenor Health Foundation for the sale of Regional Hospital of Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
