A list of some of the most notable stories I’ve worked on.
Pennsylvania lawmakers move to regulate private equity deals in health care, but a bill faces hurdles in the Senate
House lawmakers from Delaware County are leading efforts to regulate private equity transactions after the closure of Crozer Health last month. (Nicole Leonard, June 16, 2025)
Mayor Parker’s $2B housing proposal clears major hurdle with critical Philadelphia City Council votes
The plan is one of the administration’s top priorities. It calls for expanding and preserving the city’s housing supply. (Aaron Moselle, June 11, 2025)
The first officially sanctioned stage version of James Baldwin’s ‘Giovanni’s Room’ debuts in Germantown
Philadelphia’s Quintessence Theatre has produced the only adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1956 novel approved by his estate. (Peter Crimmins, May 30, 2025)
MOVE at 40: ‘You don’t have to drop a bomb,’ helicopter pilot warned city in lead-up to deadly Philly attack
Exclusive: WHYY News’ Tom MacDonald uncovers new details from the helicopter pilot who flew above the MOVE compound in 1985 (Tom MacDonald, May 13, 2025)
Camden’s short-lived ICE agreement sparks alarm and action in Delaware
Camden Mayor Larry Dougherty says he was not directly involved in the agreement and didn’t see it as a significant issue at the time. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, May 9, 2025)
How did the Jones Road wildfire start and why are wildfires common in the New Jersey Pine Barrens?
The large wildfire was sparked at the peak of New Jersey’s spring fire season. (P. Kenneth Burns, April 25, 2025)
Remembering Pope Francis: Philadelphia’s 2015 papal weekend, in photos
The pontiff died Monday at age 88. Here’s a look back at his historic Philly visit as part of the World Meeting of Families. (WHYY News staff, April 21, 2025)
Transit system in ‘crisis’: SEPTA supporters rally at Philadelphia City Hall against ‘death spiral’ of proposed service cuts
Local politicians, transit workers and everyday riders expressed concern over the proposed cuts and called for more funding to cash-strapped SEPTA. (Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, April 11, 2025)
As feds drop FACE Act cases in Philly and elsewhere, reproductive health providers worry about escalating violence
The dismissed federal lawsuit against a man who barricaded himself inside a Philly Planned Parenthood in 2021 is part of changes at the U.S. Department of Justice. (Nicole Leonard, March 5, 2025)
Restoring history: Renovations begin at the Camden house where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once lived
The house was badly damaged by a fire two years ago. The restoration work to turn it into a museum is expected to be completed by 2026. (P. Kenneth Burns, Feb. 24, 2025)
Marian Anderson’s legacy celebrated during rededication ceremony at Tindley Temple
Tindley Temple United Methodist Church held a special service Sunday to honor the civil rights pioneer and opera singer. (Cory Sharber, Feb. 23, 2025)
After a blowout Super Bowl win, Eagles fans celebrate the ‘best night’ of their lives
The Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans Sunday night after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. Fans flooded Center City after the win. (Cory Sharber, Feb. 10, 2025)
In light of Trump’s anti-‘DEI’ order and funding instability, Philly-area scientists question their future in the U.S.
One researcher described it as a “particularly insidious way” to stymie the work of U.S. scientists. (Alan Yu, Feb. 10, 2025)
Super Bowl 59 updates: Eagles beat Chiefs in a star-studded rematch
The Birds beat the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s Super Bowl. WHYY followed the game and fans’ celebrations afterward. (WHYY News staff, Feb. 10, 2025)
Hundreds protest Trump administration policies in Center City, joining national movement
Wednesday’s march joined thousands of demonstrators in cities across the United States in protesting against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s agenda. (Leo Miranda, Feb. 5, 2025)
Injury count in Northeast Philly plane crash rises to 24, black box found
Friday’s crash of a medical transport jet in Northeast Philly killed seven people. The investigation into the cause is ongoing. (Sophia Schmidt, Feb. 3, 2025)
Broad Street turns Kelly green after Eagles crush Commanders, securing Super Bowl berth: ‘This is why you’re an Eagles fan for life’
The Birds will make their fifth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history in a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Cory Sharber, Jan. 27, 2025)
A billion-dollar saga: How the Sixers arena proposal went from a done deal to a stunning reversal
The Sixers successfully pushed to build a new arena in Center City. Now the controversial project is in the rearview after an about-face no one saw coming. (Aaron Moselle, Jan. 17, 2025)
Winter storm ‘main show’ over in Philly region, but more snow expected; Delaware sees 10+ inches
Though the worst of the storm ended late Monday, Tuesday morning commuters in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware can expect slippery roads and blowing snow. (WHYY News staff, Jan. 6, 2025)
This iconic trolley bridge in Fairmount Park is getting restored
Part of the Trolley Trail that opened last year, the century-old skew arch bridge is getting a facelift. (Sophia Schmidt, Nov. 25, 2024)
Election 2024 updates: Trump wins presidential race; GOP sweeps Pa. row offices
Follow along for live special coverage on the 2024 general election.
(WHYY News staff, Nov. 6–7, 2024)
Curio Theatre gets its hands dirty for the Lenape Nation
The West Philly company is using a garden bed to urge people to petition state legislators into recognizing the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. (Peter Crimmins, Oct. 14, 2024)
A digital archive of Philly artists with disabilities finds physical form at the Painted Bride
Created by a collective of artists and activists, the Undue Burden archive catalogs the creative lives of disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill Philadelphians. (Peter Crimmins, Oct. 21, 2024)
Election 2024 updates: Harris and Trump spar over abortion, economy in Philly debate; Delaware primary results
In a historic debate, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offered starkly different views of America’s future. (WHYY News staff, Sept. 10–11, 2024)
Conservationists find mussel life near Pennypack on the Delaware
Finding mussel life in the Delaware River is a sign of good water quality, conservationists say. (Zoë Read, Aug. 29, 2024)
N.J. U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez will resign in August
Menendez’s resignation follow his conviction on federal bribery and corruption charges. (P. Kenneth Burns, July 23, 2024)
Philly Declaration House exhibit offers ‘a window into understanding’ the struggles for freedom in the United States
Through Sept. 8, the exhibit at the Declaration House asks visitors what the Declaration of Independence means to them today. (Cory Sharber, June 25, 2024)
‘This is how I’m gonna die’: Former employees remember the PES refinery explosion, 5 years later
A series of explosions in 2019 shuttered the largest oil refinery on the East Coast. Here’s a look back at that day. (Sophia Schmidt, June 21, 2024)
Photo essay: West Philly Porchfest fills the neighborhood with cool tunes and good vibes
The neighborhood’s annual DIY festival didn’t disappoint, with dozens of performances dotting the neighborhood Saturday. (Cory Sharber, June 9, 2024)
Celebrating Black joy: The enduring appeal of the Roots Picnic
The Roots hosted the 15th iteration of their iconic Philly music festival with performances from Jill Scott, André 3000 and more. (Dillon Dodson, June 3, 2024)
Love in a time of dementia: ‘A Song by Mahler’ combines science and music
A piece of music theater by Marc Neikrug, about the role of music in dementia therapy, makes its Philly premiere. (Peter Crimmins, May 15, 2024)
After Kensington encampment shutdown, what’s next for Philly’s plan to address the addiction crisis?
City police and outreach workers continue to monitor the area of Kensington’s open-air drug market as harm reduction workers provide a bridge to support services. (Nicole Leonard, May 13, 2024)
Meet the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics’ artist-in-residence: South Philly stained-glass maker Judith Schaechter
The center explores the biological basis of aesthetic experiences. It added an artist-in-residence position in 2019. (Nicole Leonard, May 13, 2024)