The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

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Why do we focus so much on standardized tests in schools? May 07, 2024

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Standardized tests have played a key role in our educational system for a long time. But over the years, it seems that role has only grown, and now they are used to judge a lot about how a school and its students are performing. Is this a good thing? We spoke with Dr. Mary Williams, Professor of Education at La Salle University, to find out.

Why can't we make school funding equitable? May 02, 2024

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In a perfect world, every school would have all the money it needs, but that is clearly not the case now. In her new book, "Designed to Fail: Why Racial Equity in School Funding Is So Hard to Achieve", Dr. Roseann Liu, visiting assistant professor at Swarthmore College, digs into school funding and why it is almost always children of color that get shortchanged. We talked with Dr. Liu about the book, which focuses on Pennsylvania, and why it seems like we just can’t get this right.

Are bees making a comeback? Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

You may have heard that the bee population is under threat in recent years. Bees are critical for our environment and food production - a dwindling population could affect our ability to grow fruits and vegetables. But The Washington Post recently reported that America’s honeybee population is at an all-time high. So, what’s going on with the bees? Should we be worried? Vincent Aloyo is the master beekeeper and an adjunct professor at Delaware Valley University, where he teaches beekeeping. He joins us to talk about why we need bees, why their numbers did decrease, and what we can do to keep the bee population on track.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

The Xerces Society
Homegrown National Park, founded by University of Delaware Professor Doug Tallamy

Staying safe from violence and recognizing red flags Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Millions of women are the victims of violence every year. This includes random attacks out in public, but also violence instigated by someone a woman knows or even an intimate partner. Barbara Jordan is a personal safety expert and the founder of the organization Always BEV. We spoke with Jordan about her organization and the tragedy that led to its founding. We also discuss how women can stay vigilant and safe in public and recognize red flags in relationships.

Mental health check-in - when, why, and how to seek treatment Apr 18, 2024

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Talking about one’s mental health has become much more common, as has seeking treatment for mental health issues. A lot of progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go, and allowing mental health issues to go untreated can lead to a lot of problems. We caught up with Dr. Christopher Pagnani, the founder and medical director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates in Philadelphia, to talk about the progress society has made in addressing mental health and the problems that can arise from not addressing mental health issues.

“Judge shopping” - how our court system gets manipulated Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

In certain situations, plaintiffs in federal court are able to basically pick which judge hears their case by choosing which district and division they file in. Critics of this “judge shopping” say it has led to cases that overturned government policies, like the Texas case that suspended FDA approval of the abortion drug mifepristone before it was advanced to the Supreme Court. In March, a federal judicial panel issued a policy to try to stop judge shopping in cases like this, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. Paul R. Gugliuzza, a professor at Temple University Beasley School of Law, joins us to explain exactly how judge shopping is possible, what this policy aimed to do and why it might not work, and how this all adds to Americans’ lack of faith in our justice system.

It could be the end of “the line” on NJ ballots Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

There has been a lot of attention on the 2024 New Jersey Senate race. But past the candidates, an important aspect of this race was a lawsuit that was filed by Democratic Congressman and Senate candidate Andy Kim, along with two other candidates. It could end up having a lasting impact on New Jersey politics, as it could change the way primary ballots are designed in the state forever - it already has for the Democratic primary in June. We talk with Dr. Benjamin Dworkin, Director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship in Glassboro, New Jersey, about what is known as “the county line”, why it has mattered, and what the impact could be if it does indeed go away for good.

A push to change solitary confinement in Pennsylvania Apr 09, 2024

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A lawsuit filed in March is trying to change the way Pennsylvania handles solitary confinement. There’s a lot of evidence showing the negative mental health effects of isolation, especially on people who already had mental health diagnoses - so why are people put into solitary confinement? Are there limits, and what would this lawsuit change? Dr. Jill McCorkel is a professor of sociology and criminology at Villanova University, and she’s seen the conditions of solitary confinement in many prisons. She joins us to explain this lawsuit, the current rules in various facilities, and the impacts both on individuals and public safety.

The new rules for real estate Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

The National Association of Realtors settled a class-action lawsuit in an agreement that will change how realtors’ fees work.Where home sellers typically used to cover a standard fee for the buyer’s agent, now many buyers will likely have to cover that fee, but they’ll be able to negotiate the percentage. Dr. Carter W. Murdoch, Executive Director of the Henderson Real Estate Institute at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, joins us to explain what this means for sellers, buyers, and realtors. Who will get more money, who might have to spend more, and how this could impact the real estate market.

Get ready for the April 8th eclipse! Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

For stargazers, April 8th is going to be about as big as it gets. No matter where you are in North America, everyone will experience an eclipse of the sun in some kind of way. How does this eclipse differ from others? Deborah Skapik, an adjunct professor of astronomy at Saint Joseph’s University, is fascinated by all facets of the April 8th eclipse. She shares information about the once-in-a-generation event, from how it could affect other living species beyond humans to ways to view it safely. Hosted by KYW Newsradio's Matt Leon.

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