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WHYY News

@whyynews.bsky.social

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Trustworthy news, insight, and conversation for the Philly region, including New Jersey, Delaware and beyond, straight from WHYY’s newsroom, NPR, PBS and more. whyy.org

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WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 1d

A Philly pilot program gave $1,000 a month to pregnant mothers with low incomes to improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Here's how it's gone so far ↓

Philadelphia marks first full year of Philly Joy Bank guaranteed income program

The program provides $1,000 a month for 18 months to families with low incomes who live in Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion and Nicetown-Tioga.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 6d

One of Center City’s most recognizable buildings may soon be added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places:

The city's Hospitality Center — or LOVE Park's "saucer."

Philly’s historical commission poised to designate ‘iconic’ LOVE Park property

The circular structure has sat vacant for about a decade. The city hopes to fill it in time for a jam-packed year of national events.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 6d

Tens of thousands of people work under H-1B visas in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Here's how the region could be impacted by President Trump's $100K price tag ↓

How Trump’s $100K price tag for H-1B work visas could impact Pa., N.J. and Del.

Tens of thousands of people work under H-1B visas in the region. Many fear the move will mean less investment in U.S. companies and more talent for overseas competitors.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 7d

More than half of Philly’s libraries closed due to A/C issues this summer.

Thirty-one closed due to cooling issues for a collective 3,900 hours — more than for staff shortages, the city workers strike or other building issues.

"We were roasting," said one worker.

via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social

Cooling issues shuttered more than half of Philly's libraries this summer

The city's libraries closed due to cooling issues for a collective 3,900 hours — more than for staff shortages, July’s city workers strike or other building issues.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 16d

Philadelphia Gas Works spends millions to promote natural gas.

Advocates accuse the utility of "greenwashing."

Why does PGW spend ratepayer money to promote natural gas as 'clean' energy?

Utility records show Philadelphia Gas Works spent $4.2 million on promotions over a 14-month period ending in November 2024.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 19d

Tons of Philadelphia’s trash are burned in Chester. A bill in City Council could stop that.

Being cleaner and greener "cannot come at the expense of a city more vulnerable than we are," said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social

Philadelphia could stop burning its trash if this bill passes City Council

The proposal would require the city to rethink its waste disposal contracts after they expire next summer.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 20d

A new Philly pilot program aims to reduce energy burden and curb the cost of electric bills with "cool roof" coatings.

Here's what to know ↓

via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social

Free cool roof coatings available to Strawberry Mansion residents

Philadelphia residents in parts of Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West can apply for a pilot program that aims to reduce energy burden and curb the cost of electric bills.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 21d

Some Philly neighborhoods, like Hunting Park, can reach 20+ degrees hotter than in greener areas.

A new "cool pavement" pilot program aims to combat summer heat.

via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social

Philadelphia tests out ‘cool pavement’ in Hunting Park to combat summer heat

The city finished installing a second “cool pavement” test patch this summer. So far, results are mixed.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 23d

A new WHYY podcast — hosted by former NPR “Morning Edition” co-host David Greene — tackles sports with a public media approach.

New ‘Sports in America’ podcast in-depth look at our national pastimes

WHYY will roll out “Sports in America,” hosted by former NPR “Morning Edition” co-host David Greene, on Sept. 30.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 28d

Wilmington’s NAACP branch is getting a major reset. The national board has tapped Connecticut leader Scot Esdaile to step in and rebuild the struggling chapter.

National NAACP board takes action to revamp struggling Wilmington branch

Connecticut’s NAACP leader aims to stabilize operations, finances and community impact for the 110-year-old Wilmington branch.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · 28d

Worried about home safety? Burlington County Sheriff’s office has a free program for older adults and residents with disabilities, including inspections and upgrades.

A South Jersey sheriff’s office program helps keep older adults safe

As part of the Burlington County Sheriff's Office program, inspectors check door and window locks, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and exterior home security issues.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Sep 8

A 51-unit affordable housing development will soon rise on a long-vacant industrial lot in North Philly's Harrowgate neighborhood.

Harrowgate affordable housing project will breathe new life into industrial lot

The development from Odin Properties in North Philadelphia is the company’s first government-backed project.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Sep 4

A Philly cash assistance program is proving successful at keeping low-income renters housed.

Here's what to know ↓

Philadelphia rental assistance program helps low-income tenants stay housed

A new study shows the PHLHousing+ program is reducing evictions and homelessness among participating families. It’s unclear if the pilot will become permanent.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 22

🚨 Delaware school drinking water under scrutiny

Advocates say Delaware isn’t doing enough to tackle lead in school drinking water. Dozens of fixtures tested above safe limits and parents want answers.

Advocates say Delaware needs to do more to prevent childhood lead poisoning

Advocates say the state lacks transparency on school drinking water quality and attempts to remove lead contamination.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 12

🥵 A Code Red is in effect in Philly, with the NWS forecasting three consecutive days with a heat index of 95 or above.

Here's what that means, and how you can help ↓

via @mariapulcinella.bsky.social

What a ‘Code Red’ and a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ mean for Philly residents

During extremely hot weather, Philadelphia officials will declare a Code Red and/or a Heat Health Emergency. Here’s what they mean, and how you can help.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 7

TierView Development wants to bring 81 units of workforce housing and 2,700 square feet of commercial space to a leafy section of Germantown Avenue in East Mount Airy.

New workforce housing proposed for leafy parcel in East Mt. Airy

The project from TierView Development needs zoning approval before construction can start.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 6

Pa. in-home health care agencies say the industry faces a looming crisis as the state grapples with a rapidly aging population.

Here's what to know ↓

Pa. home health care agencies say $370M is needed to avoid care crisis

Home health care agencies say Pennsylvania’s rapidly aging population and low reimbursement payment rates set by the state are unsustainable.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 5

Beneath Philly streets is a colonial-era obsession.

Here's how the city was built on oysters ↓

via @petercrimmins.bsky.social

History on a half shell: How Philadelphia was built on oysters

In colonial Philadelphia, oysters were a uniquely democratic food.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 4

An Ardmore artist crafts ceramics out of cremated remains to help families memorialize their loved ones.

via @kennycooper.bsky.social

From ashes to art: Ardmore artist crafts ceramics from cremated remains

Grieving clients send cremated remains to Ahava Memorials, where artist Daniel Hoffman transforms ashes into ceramic art.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Aug 1

UArts’ Anderson Hall has been sold to become a mixed-use development.

Thunderbird Salvage is trying to rescue everything left behind.

Thousands of abandoned artworks are being salvaged from Philly's UArts

UArts’ Anderson Hall has been sold to become a mixed-use development. Thunderbird Salvage is trying to rescue everything left behind.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Jul 31

A Code Red will be in effect in Philly through 8 p.m. Thursday.

Here's what that means for residents ↓

via @mariapulcinella.bsky.social

What a ‘Code Red’ and a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ mean for Philly residents

During extremely hot weather, Philadelphia officials will declare a Code Red and/or a Heat Health Emergency. Here’s what they mean, and how you can help.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Jul 30

The Trump administration has canceled hundreds of research grants that the NIH had already approved.

That's taken $400 million out of the local economy and led to 1,000+ job cuts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, new research shows.

Trump cuts to NIH research cost Pa. economy more than $100M

Researchers mapped out the economic impact of the federal government canceling research grants that had already been approved.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Jul 29

After medical trauma, Philadelphia patients are regaining independence and a sense of identity through makeup and skin care classes.

Putting their best faces forward: Skin care and makeup help Philadelphia patients after medical trauma - WHYY

A new therapy support group at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation helps patients regain independence and identity with makeup and skin care classes.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Jul 28

With only two remaining hospitals in Pa.'s second densest county, Delco's average ambulance transport time has more than tripled since 2020.

Delaware County plagued by longer ambulance rides, emergency room waits

Crozer Health’s shutdown is affecting everyone from Delaware County’s working-class neighborhoods near the riverfront all the way to the Main Line.

WHYY News @whyynews.bsky.social · Jul 22

A deadly chemical used at a Delco refinery poses an “unreasonable risk” to human health and the environment, according to a trio of environmental nonprofits.

A “worst-case” scenario leak could travel 17 miles, potentially exposing 1.9 million people within that radius.

Philly nonprofit sues EPA over ‘nightmare’ chemical used at refineries

Three nonprofits hope to force the federal government to regulate hydrogen fluoride more strictly. The chemical is still used at a Delaware County refinery.