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 became the team’s dedicated healthcare reporter. Her beat covers hospitals, mental health, policy and most importantly, people.
Lydia brings a diversity of experience from previous internships at Resolve Philadelphia, Education Week, The Hill, Open Secrets and Teen Vogue and from her role as a news editor at her college’s publication, The Villanovan.
At WVIA, Lydia was part of the winning team that contributed to the second-place award for Excellence in Reporting on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the Keystone Professional Media Awards organized by the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association. Her story ‘A South Wilkes-Barre spin on Dominican Republic breakfast’ was part of the winning package.
Wilkes-Barre born and raised, Lydia's grateful for the opportunity to come 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. You can reach Lydia at lydiamcfarlane@wvia.org or 570-602-1187.
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Late spring to early summer is considered to be one of two peaks of Pennsylvania’s year-round tick season, according to East Stroudsburg University’s Tick Research Lab. Here’s what to know during the first peak of this year, as cases of alpha-gal syndrome which causes a red meat and dairy allergy, pop up around the state. -
The Wyoming Valley Nurses Association, a local affiliate of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, represents 240 registered nurses at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The union and new hospital owner Tenor Health Foundation ratified a new three-year contract Monday. -
The Wright Center started a mobile street medicine clinic in January. The van parks at the Community Intervention Center in Scranton on Monday and Friday mornings, meeting patients experiencing homelessness where they’re at. -
Governor Josh Shapiro heard from residents in Archbald who are worried about the cumulative impacts of data center campuses planned for their community. He visited the borough Wednesday, after releasing final standards for the data center industry to follow in order to get state support. -
Age Friendly Lackawanna launched Dementia Friendly Dining late last year. Three restaurants trained their staff to become ‘Dementia Friendly’ restaurants. The program aims to support caregivers and their loved ones with dementia while they are out to eat. -
Sen. Lisa Baker easily defeated challenger Tyler Meyers to win the 20th Senate District Republican nomination and Sen. Marty Flynn did the same to Jeffrey Lake to win the 22nd Senate District Democratic nomination. Both will face contests in November. -
A child in Nanticoke was attacked by a rabid groundhog, according to the Nanticoke City Police Department. Rabies is 100% fatal if not treated, and officials urge the public to avoid wild animals. -
The ‘Healthy Moms, Vibrant Futures’ maternal health strategic action plan, launched by the Shapiro Administration, aims to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity supported by community input and a five-year grant. -
Tenor Health Foundation purchased the financially struggling Community Health Systems-owned Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Regional Hospital in Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. Executives are optimistic about the hospitals’ futures three months after the sale.
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United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently secured a $400,000 grant with the help of State Rep. Jonathan Fritz for Timber Mill Commons, a new affordable housing development in downtown Honesdale.
