The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

Fallout from Shapiro arson fire, a big boon for Parker’s housing plan, and an explainer on school district “rubber rooms” Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

While the details and circumstances surrounding the arson attack on Governor Josh Shapiro and his family at the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg continue to get sorted out, the incident itself remains jarring and alarming. Through the eyes of a reporter who covered the scene on the ground, we take a look at what we know and don’t know about the crime. Plus, Mayor Parker’s ambitious affordable housing push gets a major boost, and we put one of the most disappointing Philadelphia sports seasons in recent memory out to pasture. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s reporters recap these stories and more of the biggest news in the Philadelphia region this week, including a string of deaths in Pennsylvania prisons, the efficacy of “rubber rooms” in the Philadelphia public school system, and the latest in the case against the person accused of killing the Gaudreau brothers.

00:00 Intro

02:01 What we know and don’t know about Gov. Shapiro arson attack

08:40 Philadelphia Housing Authority unveils major boon to Parker’s affordable housing push

14:50 A glimpse into Philly public school “rubber rooms”

20:07 Gaudreau brothers update and more news and notes from South Jersey

25:37 13 prison deaths in Pennsylvania prompt calls for change

29:57 So long, 76ers

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

SEPTA’s doomsday budget, a baseball landmark set for demolition, and things to do this 4th of July in the city Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

SEPTA is planning for the worst: severe cuts and fare increases if it doesn’t get the $168 million increase included in Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal. City Council checked in on the police department’s drone program, Kensington Wellness Court, and more in this week’s budget hearings. And concerns about ICE caused one of the city’s biggest celebrations of Mexican culture to be cancelled. Brian Seltzer and Sabrina Boyd-Surka step in for Matt Leon, catching up with KYW Newsradio’s reporters on the biggest news around the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:01 SEPTA prepares for a 45% reduction in service without more state funding

07:20 The latest from City Hall: drones, food trucks, and more

13:36 El Carnaval de Puebla festival cancelled over ICE fears

17:50 Reggie Jackson's childhood home set to be demolished

22:44 Black Maternal Health Week raises awareness about disparities

29:54 Philly’s plans for the 4th of July and America’s 250th anniversary

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

Tariffs, history-making tortoises, and resources for laid-off federal workers Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

President Trump’s tariff rollout sent shockwaves through the global economy, with the automobile industry emerging as one of the faces of the upheaval. How are local dealerships and prospective buyers bracing for the ripple effects? And over at the Philadelphia Zoo, more history was made. You’ve got to hear the story of the remarkable hatching of four critically endangered Western Galapagos tortoises to their century-old parents. Also, find out how the Free Library of Philadelphia is stepping up to help recently laid-off federal workers. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s reporters recap that and more of the biggest news in the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:08 A local look at how auto tariffs could impact customers, dealers

06:46 Library offers help for laid-off federal workers

11:56 Investigation into Chester charter school yields staggering arrests

18:13 Aramark, union finally agree to new deal

23:40 Philadelphia Zoo welcomes critically endangered tortoise hatchlings

29:18 Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes special visit

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

Budget hearings, Opening Day Phillies optimism, and the dedication of West Philly’s “Will Smith Way” Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

The Parker administration pitched its budget. Now, it’s up to Philadelphia City Council to parse through it. What do they think of the mayor’s plan? Plus, from West Philadelphia to Hollywood and back, Will Smith comes home for a prestigious honor while he continues to reemerge from a controversial incident that stained his once-golden reputation. And how about the Phillies? On the heels of a humbling, early exit from the playoffs, do they have what it takes to make another World Series run? Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s reporters recap that and more of the biggest news in the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Mayor Parker’s budget - what does City Council think?

06:11 Philadelphia’s latest infrastructure grade is in, marking a slight improvement

11:56 Can the Phillies get back to the World Series?

17:57 Bellwether or blip - how to interpret Lancaster special election?

23:27 New life for Delco Crozer Health locations?

27:28 ‘Will Smith Way’ honors star amidst reemergence

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

Brandon Graham retires, a traffic mess ahead on Market Street, and a threat to the water supply in Bucks County Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

As repair on a fuel pipeline leak begins in Bucks County, residents are concerned for their health and the environment. Construction on the Market Street bridge over the Schuylkill River will mean major traffic headaches in 2026. And we say farewell to the longest tenured Eagles player, Brandon Graham, who just announced his retirement. Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s reporters recap that and more of the biggest news in the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:07 Recovery efforts after a fuel leak in Upper Makefield Township

06:42 Community warns of the broad potential impacts of Medicaid cuts

12:04 Rehab work on Market Street Bridge set to begin

17:28 City Council reviews mobile crisis response system for mental health episodes after four years

23:52 March Sadness in Philly: Shut out of NCAA basketball tournament

30:28 Brandon Graham: an appreciation

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

Parker’s housing-friendly budget, detained South Jersey business owner reunites with family, and beef thieves foiled in South Philly Mar 15, 2025

Show notes

Housing, housing, housing. If there’s anything Mayor Charelle Parker wants you to know about her $6.7 billion budget proposal, it’s that the main goal is to deliver on her campaign promise of expanding Philadelphia’s affordable housing options. But is City Council onboard with all the implications? Plus, find out when and why New Jersey residents can expect a massive spike in their utility bills, and hear from new U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, who reflects on his first three months on the job. We also take a look at the shaky future of two Delaware County hospitals, a failed South Philly beef heist, and the reunion between a South Jersey business owner detained by ICE and her family. KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon dives into these stories and more making news in the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Mayor Parker details affordable housing-centric budget proposal

07:25 McCormick explains why he thinks Trump’s vision is good for PA

13:27 South Jersey business owner detained by ICE reunites with family

18:47 Delco hospitals face imminent closures

25:58 Why NJ utility costs are going up, way up

29:57 The would-be South Philly beef thieves

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

Philly rallies for Ukraine, local tariff talk, and the efforts to preserve two iconic landmarks Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Ukrainian populations in the United States. How did the community respond and rally in the aftermath of the explosive White House exchange between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and President Zelenskyy? We also get an expert’s take on the potential local ramifications of Trump’s tariff policies. Plus, three years after sponsoring a bill designed to curb a disproportionate number of Black traffic stops, a Councilmember weighs in on the law’s successes and failures. KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon dives into these stories and other big headlines making news in the Philadelphia region this week.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Zelensky White House meeting goes awry; Philly Ukrainians rally

07:02 Tariff talk with Philadelphia World Trade Center CEO Thomas Young

13:13 Three years in, examining the impact of “Driving Equality” law

18:44 Don’t wait! Why now is the time to get your Real ID

22:16 The latest on efforts to save Joe Frazier’s Gym and the Marian Anderson Museum

30:19 Hartranft Community Center gets re-born

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

Philly fed workers, officials fight back vs. Trump, the latest on Kensington’s clean-up, and the cancellation of the Children’s World Fair Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

In the early days of President Trump’s second term, the Philadelphia region is feeling the effects of his aggressive policy push. Broad-stroked attempts to slash the federal workforce, freeze state funding, and eliminate DEI initiatives have all carried local consequences. What are they, and how are affected populations and communities fighting back? KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon examines these stories and other big headlines making news this week, like the cancellation of the anticipated Children’s World Fair that was slated for next year’s semiquincentennial celebration.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Local fed workers and officials fight back

08:21 Shapiro scores court victory over Trump administration for funding

13:27 Penn draws ire for erasing digital DEI footprint

19:12 Cleaning up Kensington - a one-year progress report

24:43 Spring Training is here, and the 76ers stink

30:19 Why did plans for Children’s World Fair get scrapped?

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

SPS Technologies factory fire fallout, the Trump trickledown effect in Philly, and hamming on the 2025 Roots Picnic Feb 22, 2025

Show notes

A four-alarm fire set a historic, century-old manufacturing factory in Montgomery County ablaze, with flames burning for multiple days. How did firefighters and first responders get the incident under control? What threat does it pose to residents? KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon dives into this story and other big headlines making news in the Philadelphia region this week, like the local trickledown effect of President Trump’s executive orders, DA Larry Krasner’s bid for a third term, and the 2025 Roots Picnic lineup.

00:00 Intro

02:01 SPS Technology factory ravaged by massive fire

06:48 Philadelphia legal community tries to get a handle on Trump’s executive orders

12:14 Protests against Trump, Musk; Krasner’s bid for new term highlight city’s busy week

19:40 Mayor Parker has a new housing push; will it work?

24:47 Finally, SS United States sets sail

30:35 What do Philly music fans think of 2025 Roots Picnic lineup?

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

GO BIRDS!!! The Eagles are Super Bowl champs again, SEPTA honors Black History Month, and “Queer Eye” visits Philly Feb 15, 2025

Show notes

Since the Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ streak and became the 2025 Super Bowl Champions, the city has been celebrating all week - from pole climbing on Sunday night to the parade on Friday. We recap the big game and hear from fans. Plus, for Black History Month: some history and a spotlight on people making an impact today in Philadelphia’s communities of color. Tan France from “Queer Eye” talks about their “Fab Five Live” tour. And the Philadelphia Flower Show offers special perks for volunteers.

00:00 Intro

02:00 The Eagles’ Super Bowl win

10:31 Fans celebrate in Super style

15:37 The legacy of SEPTA’s Black trolley operators

20:02 KYW honors GameChangers in Philadelphia’s communities of color

25:33 The Fab Five get personal in “Queer Eye” live event

30:03 The Philadelphia Flower Show needs volunteers

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