The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

The emotional scene after Miles Pfeffer verdict, fresh THC hearings in state legislature, and reaction to 76ers picking VJ Edgecombe Jun 28, 2025

Show notes

The execution-style murder of Temple University Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald in February 2023 stunned Philadelphia. Not only was his killer brought to justice, it was served swiftly. Hear what Fitzgerald’s family had to say about the Miles Pfeffer verdict moments after it came down.

Plus, triple-digit temperatures weren’t the only inconvenience posed by this past week’s blistering heatwave. Thousands of homes in the region remained without power following a massive storm the week before. Check out why the leader of PECO’s union spoke out in frustration.

We also learn more about the Pennsylvania legislature’s efforts to address loopholes in the state’s THC regulations, new 76ers’ draft pick VJ Edgecombe, the ongoing World Cafe Live labor saga, and a summer jobs program that’s been a big boon for Philly youth.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald’s family reacts to his murderer’s sentencing

08:58 How Philadelphians tried to beat blistering heat

13:29 Why PA legislature is looking into THC regulation loopholes

20:42 Should VJ Edgecombe draft pick give 76ers fans hope?

24:43 What’s going on at World Cafe Live?

30:43 Philly youth flock to summer job program, which aims to expand

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Looking back on 60 years of news at KYW Newsradio Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

2025 is KYW Newsradio’s 60th anniversary! That’s a lot of news, but we asked our reporters to pick some of the best stories to revisit - impactful events, citywide celebrations, and some moments of simple, great entertainment. Join our reporting team and host Matt Leon for a look back through time.

00:00 Intro

02:08 The plane crash that killed PA Senator John Heinz (1991)

08:24 A duck boat tragedy (2010)

13:15 What was left behind after Constitution Day celebrations (1987)

18:05 The Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory (2018)

23:48 The decades-long cold case of “the boy in the box” (1957)

29:50 The legacy of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005 - 2025)

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

How ICE raids are causing regional ripple effects, breaking down NJ primary results, Amazon bets big on PA Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

The ripple effects of the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy under the Trump administration are being increasingly felt across the country, including Philadelphia. We examine how people are responding and local immigrant communities are feeling. We also recap a high-profile round of primary election results in New Jersey, tell you why Amazon decided to plant a multi-billion dollar flag in Bucks County, go behind the scenes of Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie’s massive contribution towards autism research, set the stage for the city’s Juneteenth celebration, and learn more about Delaware County’s support for its LGBTQ+ population.

00:00 Intro

02:08 ICE protests reach Center City, stoking more fear in local immigrant communities

08:08 Mikie Sherrill vs. Jack Ciattarelli highlight NJ primary election results

14:10 Amazon ready to invest big in Bucks County

19:55 Jeffrey Lurie makes record-setting gift for autism research

24:48 Philadelphia prepares for Juneteenth celebrations

30:58 Why Delco adopts LGBTQ+ “safe haven” status

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

The contenders for NJ’s next governor, cracking down on AI, and Penn ends gender-affirming surgeries for youth Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

New Jersey’s primary election is on Tuesday, and the Democratic side of the governor race is packed. KYW’s South Jersey Reporter Mike Dougherty looks at the candidates on both sides. Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Cherelle Parker agreed on a $6.8 billion budget. City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb tells us what was approved. Plus, we have updates on a SEPTA line closing, Penn Medicine ending gender-affirming surgeries for people under 19, a bill targeting AI deepfakes, and local students gaining national praise.

00:00 Intro

02:00 The NJ governor race is anybody’s game

07:01 What’s in Philadelphia’s new budget?

13:26 SEPTA’s new GM, and Chestnut Hill East Line closes for the summer

19:04 The fight over gender-affirming care for youth

24:59 PA bill addresses AI deepfakes, despite Trump bill to prohibit state AI laws

31:08 Philadelphia students honored in C-SPAN’s StudentCam competition

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Mass shooting on Memorial Day, a ban on phone use while driving, and a Pride month preview May 31, 2025

Show notes

The week started out with a grim Memorial Day when shooters opened fire in the Lemon Hill section of Fairmount Park, killing two people and injuring nine more. KYW’s Tim Jimenez explains what we’ve learned about the victims and how the city is responding. Reporter Mike DeNardo - the biggest Phillies fan we know - gives his take on the season so far. And “Abbott Elementary” creator Quinta Brunson paid her hometown a visit to reveal a mural and receive a key to the city. We’ll hear all that and more of the region’s latest news from host Matt Leon and KYW’s team of reporters.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Memorial Day mass shooting in Fairmount Park

06:30 City Council makes moves to help renters; Whole Foods union certified

12:21 What’s ahead for Pride month and Odunde Festival’s 50th year

16:26 The Phillies’ comeback

24:38 PA bans handheld phone use while driving

30:14 Quinta Brunson comes home to receive a key to the city

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Why Larry Krasner won, the Mark Dial verdict, and how the “Tush Push” prevailed May 24, 2025

Show notes

District Attorney Larry Krasner has his fair share of vocal detractors, but his performance at the polls speaks for itself. After a convincing win over challenger Pat Dugan in the Democratic primary, Krasner is all but assured a third term. KYW Newsradio’s Pat Loeb explains his appeal to voters and keys to victory. Plus, get analysis of the Mark Dial verdict in the trial of Eddie Irizarry’s killing, and hear what riders who depend on SEPTA had to say about the potential impact of its impending doomsday budget. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters cover these stories and more, including the survival of the Eagles’ famed “tush push” and Memorial Day weekend activity tips in Pennsylvania.

00:00 Intro

02:01 How - and why - DA Larry Krasner won the Democratic primary

07:51 Analyzing the Mark Dial verdict in the trial for Eddie Irizarry’s killing

14:06 What riders said at SEPTA public budget hearing meetings

19:36 Ahead of Memorial Day, veterans continue to wrestle with mental health struggles

23:57 The “Tush Push” LIVES!

30:02 Where to go in PA this Memorial Day and into the summer

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

The DA primary race, a push to legalize cannabis, and the Michelin Guide finally comes to Philly May 17, 2025

Show notes

Pennsylvania’s primary election is this coming Tuesday, and while it’s an off year, this primary will likely determine Philadelphia’s next District Attorney. We talk about the Democratic candidates, incumbent Larry Krasner and Judge Pat Dugan. Plus, a debate over whether or not to narrow Castor Avenue in Oxford Circle, a new study shows the impacts of gentrification, PA lawmakers discuss legalizing recreational marijuana, and we catch up on the latest sports news from the Eagles, 76ers, and Flyers.

00:00 Intro

02:07 Philly primaries: the DA race and ballot questions

06:28 To narrow or not to narrow Castor Avenue?

11:10 What a new study says about Philadelphia gentrification

17:00 Lawmakers want to legalize recreational marijuana in PA - but not yet

23:29 Four big questions in Philly sports

30:20 Michelin Guide will finally include Philadelphia restaurants

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

City celebrates Pope Leo's local ties, marks anniversaries of MOVE bombing and Amtrak 188 derailment May 10, 2025

Show notes

Before he was elected Pope Leo XIV, he was…treating fellow members of the Villanova community to pizza and beer?!?! Yes, after graduating from the Main Line university in 1977, Bob Prevost maintained connections to campus. Hear how the school reacted to the stunning news of “Father Bob’s” new gig. Also, with the anniversaries of two Philadelphia tragedies just days away, the KYW Newsradio newsroom looks back at the 1985 MOVE Bombing and 2015 Amtrak train derailment, while examining how the two events shaped the lives of survivors and the city at large. Matt Leon and the KYW Newsradio team break down these headlines and more from the Philadelphia region, including the recent verdict in the Maurice Hill trial and inspirational members of Philly’s AAPI population.

00:00 Intro

01:53 From Villanova to the Vatican, “Father Bob” elected new pope

06:25 Six years after police standoff, Maurice Hill gets verdict

12:34 Amtrak 188 train derailment - 10 years later

18:25 What 1985 MOVE bombing teaches us 40 years later

24:56 Philadelphia community rich in culture and purpose underscores AAPI Heritage Month

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Bernie Sanders in Philly, choosing the next pope, and our own Mike DeNardo takes the field at the Phillies game May 03, 2025

Show notes

Senator Bernie Sanders came to Philadelphia City Hall this week to speak out against the current administration in a rally that drew a crowd of thousands. Plus, people are enraptured by “Conclave” playing out in real life - a Villanova expert joins us to look ahead at the gathering to choose a new pope. And Philadelphia City Council debates the merits of mobile services that provide medical help and other resources to Kensington. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s team break down all of this and more of the biggest headlines in the Philadelphia region, including a look at Chubby Checker’s legacy as he finally makes the cut to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

00:00 Intro

02:08 Choosing the next pope

08:09 Bernie Sanders rallies thousands at Philadelphia City Hall

11:15 A fight over mobile services in Kensington

17:19 Federal cuts threaten the Suicide Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth services and Philadelphia arts

23:28 Chubby Checker makes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

28:20 KYW’s Mike DeNardo throws the Phillies first pitch

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Remembering Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia, Crozer leaves Delco a hospital desert, and details for Parker’s housing plan Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

It was a historic visit, just the second ever to Philadelphia by the pontiff, and in the days since Pope Francis’ passing, memories of his time here in September 2015 are being cherished that much more fondly. A pair of KYW Newsradio alumni who covered the event look back and ahead as the Vatican prepares to choose Francis’ successor. Plus, as Delaware County braces for the imminent closure of two hospitals, residents race to find new medical facilities and resources to serve them. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s reporters recap these stories and more of the biggest news in the Philadelphia region this week, including a massive wildfire in Ocean County, NJ; Mayor Parker’s housing plan, and the Philly Black Pride celebration.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Memories of Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Philadelphia

09:52 Ocean County wildfire: cause and containment efforts

12:57 Crozer Health system closings leave Delco residents with few good alternatives

18:22 New details on Mayor Parker’s affordable housing initiative

23:57 Transit notes: SEPTA sustainability, 30th Street Station renovations

30:03 Philly Black Pride 2025

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.