Local News

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Imagine a $5,000 diamond ring at the bottom of your champagne glass!

That's exactly what the Diamonds Downtown event grand prize was all about tonight at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.

The event raises money for the Luzerne County Dress for Success program. This nonprofit organization helps local women secure clothing for job interviews and provides them with the tools to secure their next employment opportunity.

To date, Dress for Success has helped 3,000 economically challenged women in Nepal.

(WBRE/WYOU)— In the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, some local Republican students are coming together to pick up where the late political activist left off.

Students from two local universities are in the process of starting what could be the first chapters of Kirk's youth outreach group, Turning Point USA, in NEPA.

Both students I met with say that Kirk's conservative values are something they'd like to see more of on their respective campuses. Now, with the potential formation of the two Turning Point chapters, students and professors could have a chance to get involved.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — We are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the culture and the people. That's exactly what was happening on the campus of King's College in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday afternoon.

Students and staff, gathering for La Fiesta! The La Raza Student Association and the college's Hispanic and Latino Excellence Center co-hosted the event, which featured traditional food, art, and live music.

Valor food pantry for veterans seeking volunteers

(WBRE/WYOU)— Join Ricky as he talks with WTAJ and Black and Gold Nation Reporter Riley Holsinger about the Steelers' matchup with the Patriots.

He will also get into the Eagles Divisional rematch against the Rams in what looks to be a five-star matchup.

You'll also hear from WHTM and Nittany Nation Reporter Allie Berube to get the latest on the Blue and White, talking about some of their best recruits, Tyler Warren's impact in Indy, and the transfer WR room so far.

They’ll also touch on Notre Dame’s 0-2 start and what needs to be done going forward.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— The Pennsylvania state budget is almost eighty days overdue, and school districts in our area are beginning to feel the impact.

28/22 News Reporter Connor Coar has more in Lackawanna County to discuss what it means to students and staff.

July 1 marked the start of the fiscal year for the commonwealth, and we are still without a budget. Schools have been back in session for about a month now, yet they have received nearly half of their state funding.

SHENANDOAH, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Twenty properties in Schuylkill County are being reduced to rubble. The demolitions are taking place to eliminate some of the blight in downtown Shenandoah.

28/22 News reporter Joe Mason has more on these demolitions.

Several elected officials across Schuylkill County are coming together to see the progress being made in Shenandoah.

Twenty of the borough's blighted properties are in the process of being torn down.

Michael Whitecavage is a councilman in the borough.

(WBRE/WYOU) — A Pike County man faces charges of fraud for allegedly running a fake diamond business that scammed another man out of $45,000.

Boris Abayev of Milford allegedly entered into a business agreement with the victim in early 2025 in which they would buy diamonds from Africa and resell them in New York for profit, according to the criminal complaint.

Officials say the victim paid Abayev $45,000 as a business investment, believing he would be paid back and obtain additional profits.

Man allegedly fakes medical emergency to get out of arrest

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A man has had charges filed against him after it was determined he faked a medical emergency to get out of charges in June.

Troopers say that they were dispatched for a reported retail theft on June 18, just after noon, at the Walmart in Texas Township.

Home destroyed after morning fire in Susquehanna Co.

When troopers arrived on-scene, it was determined that Dominik Ketch faked a medical emergency, and was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital to avoid prosecution.

HERRICK TOWNSHIP, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A home is destroyed after an early morning fire in Susquehanna County.

The fire broke out just after four this morning in Herrick Township.

Residents who reported the fire on the 500 block of Tirzah Road say at least eight people were staying in the home.

Explosion kills man in Carbon County

Officials say nobody was hurt.

State police say the fire started on the front porch, but that the damage is so severe, they cannot pinpoint the cause.

Troopers do not consider the fire suspicious.

TOWAMENSING TOWNSHIP, LEHIGH COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — One man is dead following an explosion in Carbon County on Tuesday.

61-year-old Kevin Koch sustained injuries due to the explosion of a pyrotechnic device on Friday, around 10:15 p.m. in Towamensing Township, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office.

State Police investigating death of teenager

The coroner says Koch was pronounced dead due to his injuries on Tuesday, around 6:40 p.m. at the hospital.