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Editor-in-Chief

Jai Smith

Jai Smith is the founder and editor-in-chief of Lehigh Daily, an independent, reader-funded news outlet covering Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, Pennsylvania. Since launching it in June 2024, he has reported on Lehigh Valley government, development and community life, and he shoots the photos and video and builds the site himself. He has spoken on Lenfest Institute panels about local news, appeared on WHYY, and works with Free Press on Pennsylvania legislation to fund local journalism. He lives in Bethlehem.

349 articlesSince 2024

Latest from Jai Smith

Democrats debate in Bethlehem with Carbon County math hanging over PA-7 race

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Four Democrats made competing cases Wednesday for the right to challenge Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in one of the most competitive congressional districts...

April 1, 8:06 p.m.

A bridge to Tondabayashi: Bethlehem’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival marks decades of Japanese cultural ties

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Hundreds gathered in the Garden of Serenity Saturday for Bethlehem’s 12th annual Cherry Blossom Festival, a free celebration of Japanese culture hosted...

March 29, 2:48 p.m.

Bethlehem No Kings rally draws more than 1,000 amid fears of ICE, deportation

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — More than 1,000 demonstrators packed the Bethlehem Rose Garden and the sidewalks surrounding it Saturday afternoon for No Kings Palooza, a protest-and-festival...

March 28, 7:58 p.m.

Fake PennDOT texts threatening license suspension flood Pennsylvania phones

A surge of fraudulent text messages impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is targeting drivers statewide, threatening license suspensions and demanding payment through embedded links...

March 28, 11:25 a.m.

Cars & Coffee Lehigh Valley cancelled for 2026 season due to SteelStacks construction

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest and the organizers of Cars & Coffee Lehigh Valley announced this week that the popular monthly event will not take place...

March 27, 9:21 p.m.

No Kings III: Mayor Tuerk and Rep. Tiburcio to join Bethlehem Rose Garden ‘Palooza’

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — After two marches drew crowds large enough to spill into city streets, a local activist organization is taking a different approach this...

March 26, 9:09 p.m.

Pennsylvania House passes marriage equality bill, sending measure to Senate

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday to align state law with the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 marriage equality ruling, voting 127-72 to send...

March 25, 7:12 p.m.

Lehigh County commissioner arraigned on 104 drug felonies; bail set at $500,000

Lehigh County Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi was arraigned Wednesday on more than 100 new felony charges after prosecutors alleged he conducted drug transactions for nearly two...

March 25, 1:46 p.m.

Community pressure mounts on Bethlehem school board over free lunch

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Advocates, parents, clergy and alumni showed up to the Bethlehem Area School District board meeting Monday night to demand the district enroll...

March 24, 8:02 p.m.

Hellertown man charged in ‘Hammer Slammer’ windshield spree across Bethlehem, Northampton County

A Hellertown man was arrested Monday and charged with smashing vehicle windshields across Bethlehem’s South Side and surrounding Northampton County communities in a months-long vandalism...

March 23, 4:56 p.m.

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