radioNOVO News PA News Roundup for August 3, 2026

             A flood watch is in effect for the Lehigh Valley.  The National Weather Service says rainfall rates today could reach three-to-five inches per hour, which can potentially lead to flash flooding.  The agency warns flooding is more likely in poor drainage and urban areas.  The flood watch expires tonight at 11 p.m.           Authorities are investigating a rollover crash in Allentown this past weekend.  Police say it happened when a vehicle hit a parked car on the 700 block of North 12th Street late Saturday night.  Three people inside the car sustained minor injuries.             A teenager is dead and three other people are in the hospital after a house fire in Luzerne Borough.  First responders were called to a home on Bennett Street that went up in flames early Saturday morning, with multiple people needing to be rescued.  Officials say 15-year-old Connor Vest was killed along with one of the family's dogs.  The fire is under investigation.             Crews responded to a large mobile home fire in Northampton County.  Officials said the roof of the home was up in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene on Tribe Lane in Wind Gap Saturday afternoon.  Authorities said the blaze caused extensive damage, but no injuries were reported.              THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS MADE A RULING REGARDING SPECIFIC LIFE SENTENCES.           RADIO NOVO'S TORY GATES HAS MORE, FROM OUR HARRISBURG STUDIO:          ___________________________          THE COURT TURNED ASIDE A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL 120-DAY STAY OF THE RULING, WHICH FOUND MANDATORY LIFE SENTENCES FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THIS CAME IN THE CASE OF AN ALLEGHENY COUNTY MAN, DEREK LEE, FOR HIS ROLE IN AN ARMED ROBBERY. THE VICTIM, LEONARD BUTLER, WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY LEE’S ACCOMPLICE. IN MARCH, THE COURT RULED THAT WHILE A LIFE SENTENCE MAY AT TIMES BE APPROPRIATE, THE ONE THAT APPLIED TO LEE VIOLATED THE STATE cONSTITUTION’S BAN ON CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. THE CAPITAL-STAR REPORTS THE RULING COULD PROVIDE RELIEF TO MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE SERVING THE SAME SENTENCE.  I’M TG, RADIONOVO NEWS.             The Penn State football season is less than five weeks away.  The Nittany Lions kick off their 2026 campaign on September 5th against Marshall in Happy Valley.  It'll be the debut for new head coach Matt Campbell.  Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster.