The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: Explaining the enrollment drop Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

The opening month of the 2025-26 academic year has been marked by hiccups, from SEPTA service interruptions to the threat of ICE raids. How much does Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. attribute these factors to a year-to-year enrollment dip in the School District of Philadelphia? KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo covers this topic, plus agenda items for the district's next "Goals and Guardrails" meeting.

00:00 Explaining the enrollment dip

02:40 What's on tap for next "Goals and Guardrails" meeting?

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!"

The government shutdown makes waves in Philadelphia, SEPTA gets a new safety report, and new head coach is leading the Flyers Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, has entered the race for Dwight Evans's congressional seat and in city government, Philadelphia City Council is advancing measures to add more speed cameras and improve bike lane safety. $22 million project to rebuild a bridge on City Avenue near the Bala train station will take 20 months to finish. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia School District has extended Superintendent Tony Watlington's contract and Watlington also addressed a recent payroll glitch. In Camden, New Jersey, the police department is using drones as a "force multiplier," to give officers an aerial view of a scene. Nearby in Gloucester County, the Glassboro School District is piloting an AI security system that uses surveillance cameras to detect guns and automatically alert first responders. With the Pennsylvania state budget deadline long passed, lawmakers remain at an impasse. Amid the stalemate, the Democrat-led House tried to pass four gun control bills causing a contentious debate that included shouting and alleged threats on the House floor. As the Philadelphia Flyers begin their season, they are in a declared rebuild under new head coach Rick Tocchet.

00:00 Intro

02:05 Local ripple effects of government shutdown

06:35 City Hall grab bag including bike lanes

13:01 SEPTA safety report has been issued , teacher raises haven’t arrived yet, and what to expect on City Ave soon

19:26 NJ new security addition- AI and drones

24:58 Still no state budget and new guns laws are trying to get through

30:43 The Flyers get a new head coach

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: Making good on missed payments Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

After missing a target deadline for raises for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers union, how does the School District of Philadelphia plan to make up for the delay? Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. explains why the payments are late, and the course of action he intends to take moving forward.

Watlington also discusses his three-year contract extension, and the district’s pressing need for speech language pathologists.

00:00 What caused delays in PFT raises, and how the district plans to address the problem

02:55 Watlington reflects on contract extension, why Philadelphia has been a good fit

06:40 Tackling the district-wide need for speech language pathologists

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com 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.

Camden marks historic summer homicide milestone, fallout from the latest NJ gubernatorial debate, and tips for dealing with road rage Sep 27, 2025

Show notes

In the aftermath of the Trump administration promoting an unfounded connection between Tylenol use by pregnant women and subsequent autism diagnoses in their children, Dr. Kristen Lyall, a researcher at the AJ Drexel Autism Center, shares her expertise on the subject. We also take a closer look at a historic public safety milestone 50 years in the making in Camden, once considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Matt Leon covers these headlines with KYW’s news team, while rounding up key takeaways from the latest New Jersey gubernatorial race, news on gun laws and more from the Pennsylvania Legislature, insights on a recent AAA road rage study, and the story of a local girl who received an impressive distinction.

00:00 Intro

02:05 Drexel doctor and autism expert weighs in on Trump administration claims about Tylenol

06:45 Camden eager to build upon massive strides in homicide reduction

11:15 Ciattarelli, Sherrill clash in latest NJ gubernatorial debate

16:15 What happened to PA’s state budget talks?

24:52 How to cope with road rage

30:23 Suburban student lands prestigious assignment with Scholastic

After School: Why Watlington supported paid parental leave in new union contract Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Enrollment in the School District of Philadelphia is down year-over-year after one month, but Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. believes recent trends offer encouraging signs. On the latest edition of the “After School” podcast, the superintendent interprets the data.

Plus, Watlington provides new details about the return of the district’s free “Parents & Family University” program, and takes listeners behind-the-scenes of successful contract negotiations with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers union that wrapped up earlier this month.

00:00 Latest information on launch of free “Parents & Family University” programming

03:38 Making sense of the district’s enrollment drop after one month

06:26 Why Watlington embraced paid parental leave for the Philadelphia teachers’ union

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!"

Black history exhibits under Trump, changes at PHL airport, and the Phillies clinch the NL East title Sep 20, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration has ordered federally funded museums to remove exhibits depicting slavery by September 17, and that includes information on the slaves who worked in George Washington’s home displayed at the President’s House on Independence Mall. KYW Newsradio’s Shara Dae Howard spoke with Visit Philadelphia about how they’re going about preserving Black history while following federal mandates. Plus, a man was detained by ICE on his way to the Eagles-Chiefs game, PHL airport has some good and bad news, and Valley Forge Military Academy is set to close. Matt Leon digs into those headlines and more with KYW’s news team.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Historic sites grapple with federal mandates to remove slavery references

06:50 Philly man set to be deported after being detained by ICE on his way to the Eagles-Chiefs game

12:51 Valley Forge Military Academy will close at the end of this academic year

17:28 Phillies are NL East champs again and heading to the playoffs

23:06 PHL reveals rebrand, while being ranked last in survey on North American airports

28:56 KYW celebrates 60 years of all-news radio

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: "Parent and Family University" returns Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington isn’t interested in getting credit. He’s just looking forward to bringing back a program that was widely successful and heralded nationally under one of his predecessors.

On the latest edition of the "After School" podcast, Watlington details the reboot of “Parent and Family University,” a program geared towards helping the School District of Philadelphia better support families, so that families can, in turn, better support students.

Watlington also shares new information about the district’s timeline for making recommendations about the improvement, consolidation, or closure of select school buildings.

00:00 Update on timeline for school building improvement, consolidation, or closure recommendations

02:52 The return of “Parents and Family University,” and how to access free resources

05:41 Timeline for final decisions on school buildings

08:52 The importance of civic engagement and registering students to vote

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!"

The state of Philly school buildings, SEPTA back to normal…ish, and a new women’s sports bar Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

A new report from the Philadelphia School District reveals data on the condition of its buildings - data that will be used to determine which schools to close. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo shares the details on that plus SEPTA’s move to reverse service cuts starting September 14. Pat Loeb shares what she saw walking the streets with Kensington police officers. Kristen Johanson explains why some Philadelphia police officers need to fight to get their illnesses recognized as on-duty injuries from Ground Zero. Plus we hear about a women’s sports bar opening on South Street and a new STEAM education facility at a golf course sponsored by Tiger Woods.

00:00 Intro

02:00 SEPTA restores service; new data on Philly schools

07:00 A day in the life of a Kensington police officer

15:00 Philly police who responded to 9/11 ask city to recognize illnesses as on-duty injuries

20:25 Center City District cancels Restaurant Week

25:00 A peek inside Marsha’s, the queer women’s sports bar coming to South St.

30:30 Tiger Woods opens a STEAM Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Course

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: Addressing facilities report, interpreting NAEP results Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Modernize, consolidate, or close? These are the options the School District of Philadelphia is considering for the future of select buildings based on a new facilities report released this week. On the latest episode of the "After School" podcast, Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington explains how families should interpret the data, and explains why he believes tough decisions ahead will ultimately make resources more equitable for all students in the long term.

00:00 Facilities report explained

03:45 Grade bands

05:41 Timeline for final decisions on school buildings

06:52 Interpreting NAEP testing results

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!"

SEPTA to reverse service cuts, rebates for NJ property owners, and support for jurors in traumatic trials Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

SEPTA has pulled a full 360 - after they made cuts to service due to a budget deficit, a judge ruled that they have to reverse those cuts. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo catches us up on the saga and where SEPTA is getting the money to bring service back. This comes after State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta walked from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to advocate for public transit funding. Shara Dae Howard caught up with him on his journey. We also hear about the passing of a local beer legend and more as Matt Leon recaps the week’s news with KYW’s team of reporters.

00:00 Intro

02:00 How SEPTA plans to reverse its service cuts

07:05 State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s 105-mile hike to Harrisburg

13:07 KYW and Audacy’s special programming opens up the conversation on mental health

19:17 Helping jurors who experience secondary trauma in court

24:05 How to see if you’re eligible for a property tax rebate in NJ

28:43 Penn scholar behind Dogfish Head Ancient Ales passes way