Advertise on podcast: The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

As the Board of Education appears poised to take a long-awaited position on the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan, tensions have escalated between district officials and local lawmakers. Some Council members have gone as far as to threaten withholding funds from the district if it follows through on closing over a dozen buildings. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. finds himself smack dab in the middle of the controversy. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo why reconciling his proposal isn’t as easy as pointing to the district’s considerable $4.6 billion budget.  00:00 “Final ‘final’ recommendations” and changes to facilities plan ahead of upcoming Board meeting 01:38 Why Watlington has kept Lankenau and Robeson High Schools on the closure list 04:25 Watlington’s back-and-forth with City Council members 07:22 Are SEPTA passes with unlimited rides for students a good idea? Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cue the boxing bell! It’s round 1 between Mayor Parker and Uber, as the two sides duke it out over the administration’s proposed rideshare tax to help fund Philadelphia public schools. Also at City Hall this week, lawmakers moved forward with legislation aimed at limiting ICE’s power in Philly. And the Flyers are Stanley Cup playoffs-bound for the first time in six years (while the Sixers’ postseason prospects look somewhat…dim). Learn about these stories and more, as Matt Leon checks in with KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters to explain major developments from the past week that shaped the region.  00:00 Intro 02:08 Parker vs. Uber, Round 1 08:40 City Council poised to restrict ICE’s activities 13:45 “Rooted in racism”: Black Maternal Health Week continues to fight systemic obstacles 18:18 Nearly a year later, identity of Jane Doe hit-and-run survivor remains a mystery 24:27 Get ready for Flyers (and 76ers) playoff action! 30:13 Philly Pride Festival pivots from the Gayborhood to the Parkway Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm on KYW Newsradio 103.9FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So far, the press for the School District of Philadelphia’s $2.8 billion facilities plan has skewed mostly in one direction. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. gets it. Communities feel strong attachments to schools; closure talks cause tension. The counterpoint, however, is that nearly 160 buildings will benefit from the proposal. Watlington tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo what type of improvements to expect, and also addresses the emerging lobbying tiff between Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and ride-share giant Uber over taxes aimed at funding Philadelphia public schools.  00:00 Mayor Parker vs. Uber; will Watlington get involved? 01:27 More details about building improvements in facilities master plan 03:18 Looking ahead to upcoming appearance in front of City Council Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A garage being built for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia collapsed on Wednesday, killing multiple construction workers. America 250 has been the talk of the town, but new tourism predictions say it might not draw the crowds we’ve been expecting. The former World Cafe Live was shut down for operating without a liquor license. And the Philadelphia Latino community has been grappling with the tarnished legacy of political activist Cesar Chavez and what to do with his mural in North Philly. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Garage collapse leads to multiple deaths in Grays Ferry 07:00 America 250 may not bring such a big surge in tourism 12:23 Former World Cafe Life shut down, staff arrested 16:58 Cezar Chavez mural replaced in North Philly 22:53 A tour of the Newtown Square golf course hosting the PGA Championship 28:17 A new album captures “The Sounds of Delco” Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. believes the School District of Philadelphia’s $2.8 billion facilities master plan presents a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to eliminate buildings with poor and unsatisfactory ratings, while expanding higher-quality pre-K and extracurricular offerings. Any next steps, however, are currently on hold, as the Board of Education continues to review the proposal. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo asks Watlington when he expects to hear back from the Board. The two also discuss a complaint filed involving Thomas B. Moffitt and Horatio Hackett elementary schools.  00:00 Thoughts on the Mayor’s dramatic revision to her proposed rideshare tax that would fund public schools 03:43 Reaction to a human relations commission complaint involving Moffitt and Hackett elementary schools 05:50 Any sense when the Board of Education might weigh in on the facilities plan? 06:48 Expectations for the 2026 “Philly School Experience” student survey  Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. Supreme Court held a hearing this week on birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. We break down the case, plus get the latest on the city's budget talks, the federal case over the EEOC's request for lists of Jewish students and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, SEPTA's efforts to boost its Regional Rail fleet, and local chefs and restaurants in the final running for the James Beard Awards. 00:00 Intro 02:08 Federal judge says Penn must provide lists of Jewish students and faculty 6:39 Explaining the SCOTUS birthright citizenship case 12:40 SEPTA’s new trains 18:27 Bensalem nurse accused of child abuse 24:18 Positive polls for NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill 30:21 Iron Hill Brewery to reopen; which local restaurants are up for James Beard Awards Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan has been in the hands of the Board of Education for over a month. As Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. and district community members continue to wait for next steps, the superintendent addresses why certain buildings were removed from the initial closure list and others weren’t. Watlington also shares with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo his stance on whether the district would ultimately accept philanthropic support to save certain schools, as Councilmember Jamie Gauthier suggested. 00:00 Listener question: why wasn’t Parkway Northwest High School spared? 02:34 Would the district accept philanthropic support to save buildings? 04:33 Timeline for Board of Education vote Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For most of the week, lines snaked stubbornly around Philadelphia International Airport, a frustrating reminder of the government’s inability to secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security. But days after ICE agents arrived with orders to ease the load on TSA workers, the Senate sent a bill to the House to get DHS back up and running. Find out how this development impacted the scene at PHL, while catching up on the past week’s other big headlines from the Delaware Valley, including Phillies’ Opening Day and state lawmakers’ efforts to give Pennsylvania’s minimum wage a boost.  00:00 Intro 02:07 How long until PHL gets back to normal? 06:52 City Council scrutinizes Mayor Parker’s $7B budget 12:54 Could raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage really happen? 18:30 Breaking down Big, Beautiful Bill’s local impact on Philly 24:26 With new season underway, Phillies again face World Series-or-bust expectations 30:37 Stolen pitbull found after 10 years Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Facing a sizable structural deficit, superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. recently announced a job-cutting plan that would save the School District of Philadelphia $225 million. Mayor Cherelle Parker, in the midst of pitching a budget of her own to City Council, believes hitting rideshare operators like Lyft and Uber with a $1 tax could boost funding for schools and keep staff employed. KYW Newsradio Mike DeNardo asks Watlington for his thoughts on Parker’s pitch, and the implications it could carry for full- and part-time district personnel.  00:00 How Mayor Parker’s ride share tax could impact the school district 02:57 What about the fate of building substitute teachers? 04:16 The latest on potential central office cuts Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Endless lines at Philadelphia International Airport security checkpoints due to the Homeland Security shutdown, downed wires and trees throughout the area left in the aftermath of Monday’s storm, and unpredictable delays on SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines all made for a chaotic week in Philadelphia. But, on the bright side, there were two major concert announcements for the months ahead, a local college hoops team made a spirited run to the NCAA Tournament, and a cutting-edge medical company planted its flag in South Philly. KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters explain the biggest stories that shaped the region this past week 00:00 Intro 02:03 A federal problem becomes a local nightmare at PHL 13:02 Region rocked by early-week storm; a KYW reporter covered and lived the destruction 18:12 SEPTA Regional Rail riders feel the pain…again 24:03 Bill Gates-backed company plants flag in Bellwether District 24:38 An appreciation: Penn’s surprising March Madness appearance  28:34 Roots Picnic and Welcome America: summer can’t come soon enough Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. summed it up plain and simple: “We are not a cash-rich school district.” Accordingly, the superintendent has some big budget cuts in mind - to the tune of what he projects could be nine-figure savings over the next four years. On top of that, Watlington believes his plan would not only eliminate the School District of Philadelphia’s deficit, but do so without personnel lay-offs. He shares his vision with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, and says there could always be wiggle room for him to tweak the plan. 00:00 How the school district could make up to $225 million in cuts 03:58 The need to eliminate contracts with vendors providing low return-on-investment 05:56 What message could budget cuts send to district financial stakeholders  Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced her city budget proposal this week. We hear how she’s planning to fund “Pothole Squads” and ending street homelessness. Two teens from Bucks County were arrested for allegedly throwing explosives into a crowd of clashing protesters outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. We also have the latest backlash to the Philadelphia School District’s plan to close 18 schools, a lesson on how elections work, and a recap of who the Eagles have lost and gained so far during free agency. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Mayor Parker’s $7 billion budget proposal; Penn goes to court over lists of Jewish employees 07:00 Bucks County teens allegedly inspired by ISIS in NYC bombing attempt 13:06 School closure plan, school budget, and SEPTA bus changes 18:37 NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s plan to reduce $3 billion deficit 24:38 Pulling back the curtain on the election process 30:09 Eagles say goodbye to several players during free agency Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly two months since its release, the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan continues to dominate headlines. With another public hearing on the horizon, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. speculates whether his proposal will ultimately pass the Board of Education as is, or if further revisions will be necessary. The superintendent also talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about the recent support he received from Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker.  00:00 Does Watlington anticipate further revisions to facilities master plan?  01:14 Reaction to Mayor Parker backing Watlington, Board of Education 02:20 How the district will help students transition to new schools should current ones close 03:40 Addressing recent plumbing problems at Southwark School Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. and Iran are at war, and we’re feeling the effects in the Philadelphia region. We hear from folks from our area who are living in the Middle East, just waiting for the next bomb alert, and we discuss how the war is affecting the price we’re paying at the pump. We also catch up on the latest from City Hall and the Philadelphia School District, hear how the city is helping the families of homicide victims, and build up the hype for the World Cup, which is less than 100 days away. 00:00 Intro 02:08 Philly area natives in the Middle East describe life in a war zone 08:37 The biggest gas price jump in 20 years 14:07 Digitizing the city’s historical records; Philly on the shortlist for the 2028 DNC 19:49 New wellness policy stops Philadelphia teachers from withholding bathroom breaks and recess 25:45 A program to help pay for funerals for homicide victims 30:36 Learn about the World Cup teams as Philly counts down to the tournament Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During a marathon public meeting with the Board of Education that lasted longer than a school day, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. announced that two schools initially designated for closure as part of the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan will now stay open. Why did Watlington change his mind about Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School? What prompted him to stick with his decision to close Lankenau High School, despite community outcry? Watlington explains the rationale, and also praises major changes to the district’s student wellness policy. 00:00 Why were Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School spared? 02:09 The controversial Lankenau High School decision 03:53 Reaction to public blowback to facilities master plan 06:43 Incorporating mandatory bathroom breaks for students and other changes into wellness policy Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices