Monroe County

Follow along each day at WVIA.org as we publish '2025 Year in Review,' a week-long series recounting the top stories of the past year through New Year's Day. Today, check out the top news stories from some of the rural communities in our region.

A new Chili's, a cultural exchange with a town in Ireland, and a local filmmaker's cult following are highlighted in this year's top community engagement stories.

Pennsylvania communities lost millions of dollars in federal funding this year after a congressional standoff forced lawmakers to pass a short-term spending bill that stripped out all Community Project Funding grants for fiscal year 2025.

Former Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh, submitted 15 projects for federal financing. She blames Republican successor Ryan Mackenzie for their elimination, something he refutes.

Four Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan, broke from their party and signed Democrats' petition to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Vice President JD Vance celebrated the nation's economic outlook during a Tuesday stop at a Uline Shipping Supplies warehouse in Lehigh County, saying that strengthening the economy has been the driving motive through the first 10 months of the President Donald Trump's second term.

In his 90-minute speech in Monroe County, Trump mocked Democrats’ claims over a so-called affordability crisis and said he hopes Democrats focus on trans rights, immigration policies and religious concerns instead of economic issues.

President Donald Trump is set to visit Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County this evening, Tuesday, Dec. 9. Follow this story for live updates throughout the day and evening, including coverage of his remarks and community reaction.

Penn State football has a new head coach - Matt Campbell was introduced at an emotional press conference Monday afternoon. And as President Donald Trump heads for Monroe County Tuesday night, there may be traffic delays in the area.

There will be temporary delays and closures Tuesday on roadways around Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak. Also: Pocono Mountain School District schools will have an early dismissal.