The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

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The woman overseeing school closures and renovations, plus Philly has World Cup fever Jun 27, 2026

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Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington announced who will be in charge of the transition to close 17 schools and modernize 169 others. Get to know Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shakeera Warthen-Canty. Meanwhile, the city continues riding the high of the FIFA World Cup. A woman associated with an anti-AI cultlike group is charged with killing her parents in Delaware County. And the 76ers picked Labaron Philon Jr., a guard from the University of Alabama, in the NBA draft - could he bring the spark the Sixers need? 00:00 Rundown 02:00 Philly School District appoints head of transition office for school closures and modernizations 07:00 Member of the Zizians cultlike group charged in her parents’ deaths 12:30 World Cup fever grips the region 18:25 Organ donors, recipients, and families represent Philly at Transplant Games of America 24:51 The 76ers draft pick and hopes for the season 30:27 YouTube series sets “Survivor” in Delaware County Listen to The Week in Philly, hosted by KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon, every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

Larry Krasner’s really bad week | The Week in Philly Jun 20, 2026

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The courts have not been kind lately to Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, as a series of rulings and revelations this week punished the conduct of District Attorney Larry Krasner and his office. First came a state Supreme Court decision resulting in unprecedented oversight of any and all cases Krasner seeks to overturn moving forward. Then, later in the week, documents were unsealed detailing the suspension of members of Krasner’s team. But as KYW Newsradio Crime and Justice Reporter Kristen Johanson explains, Krasner has no intention of wavering in his progressive approach. 00:00 Rundown 02:05 Pennsylvania Supreme Court takes DA Larry Krasner to task 08:37 Federal appeals court ruling favors Trump administration’s plans for President’s House 15:47 Why charges from ICE protest were dropped vs. “Quakertown Five” 21:17 Making sense of Wilmington Hospital shooting 24:53 How mixed-use development plans could change SEPTA Germantown Station 29:38 Is the Rocky statue curse real? Team Ecuador temps the fates Listen to The Week in Philly, hosted by KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon, every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

Dr. Watlington grades himself | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Summer is here and school is out! Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. grades himself for his job performance as superintendent during a tumultuous academic year, while sharing the School District of Philadelphia’s plans to establish a transitional office for students and families impacted by impending building closures. KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo also asks Watlington for an early peek at enrollment numbers for next school year. 00:00 What grade would Dr. Watlington give himself? 02:32 Setting up transitional programs for students and families affected by forthcoming 2027 school closures 03:59 Looking ahead to next year’s enrollment numbers Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!”

Do Cherelle Parker and Larry Krasner have beef? Jun 13, 2026

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Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner stopped by Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office this week to drop off a letter requesting more funding. Parker laughed off the move as a stunt, saying Krasner was putting on a “one-man show” she wanted no part of. Was Krasner’s gesture genuine, or was Parker onto something? Could Krasner have ulterior motives, and would they have anything to do with the title Parker holds? 00:00 Rundown 02:00 Arrests during Pride celebrations prompt protests 06:35 Do Mayor Parker and District Attorney Krasner have beef? 11:57 Final budget spares School District job cuts 17:47 Five years later, heartbreaking murder case closes with guilty verdict 23:50 State and local lawmakers tackle PFAS, Roblox 30:10 Look out! World Cup arrives with ticket scam risks Listen to The Week in Philly, hosted by KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon, every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

“We are going to be fiscally responsible” | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

When is $48 million still not enough? That’s the big question Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. is facing after deciding to move forward with hundreds of job cuts in the School District of Philadelphia, despite City Council’s recent funding boost. The superintendent explains his reasoning to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, while also addressing the controversy surrounding Pride festivities at a South Philadelphia elementary school. 00:00 Why City Council’s $48 million cash infusion isn’t enough to thwart impending job cuts 03:27 Concerns about relationship with City Council moving forward? 05:41 Addressing conservative social media criticism of Meredith Elementary’s Pride celebration 06:42 Enrollment information about summer school enrichment program 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.

Council hands Mayor Parker defeat, plus we bid adieu to A.J. Brown Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Parker had big plans, but City Council gave her tax proposal a big “no.” Find out why the two sides couldn’t find common ground on a key issue during recent budget negotiations. Speaking of common ground, Democrats and Republicans in the Pennsylvania Assembly appear poised to send a bill to the Governor’s desk requiring a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban in schools. While a Camden scrapyard deals with recurring fires, resolving safety problems at the facility could carry labor consequences. And, A.J. Brown can finally pack up his Patriots rug and go to New England. We look at the fallout from the Eagles’ long-anticipated offseason move. 00:00 Rundown 02:00 Council spurns Mayor Parker, rejects tax proposals as part of new budget 07:40 State legislature puts bipartisan support behind bell-to-bell cell phone ban 13:40 Another fire at Camden scrapyard pits safety concerns vs. workers’ jobs 19:10 Officials say city is ready to welcome World Cup spectators 24:46 Don’t forget your rug! A.J. Brown exits Eagles via long-rumored trade to Patriots 30:47 Delaware County Community College track star heads to Yale Listen to The Week in Philly, hosted by KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon, every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

Lines of dialogue remain “open” in facilities plan aftermath | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

The School District of Philadelphia may not want to budge on its facilities plan, but that doesn’t mean Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. isn’t willing to keep lines of communication open. From having frank conversations with students at schools set for closure to hearing concerns from City Council members, the superintendent understands there are pockets of people still upset with his vision. He addresses this topic with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, as well as the district topping the charts of a recently-released study assessing post-pandemic academic performance in big American cities. They also discuss a bell-to-bell cell phone ban bill making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature. 00:00 Would Watlington return to the negotiating table for district facilities master plan? 00:43 Reflections on recent visit to Lankenau High School, set to close as part of facilities plan 02:36 Reaction to district ranking no. 1 among big American cities in recent Harvard / Stanford study of post-pandemic academic performance 06:42 How would district implement a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban? 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

Mayor Parker’s proposed Airbnb tax, Philadelphia school budget cuts, and local players in the World Cup | The Week in Philly May 30, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Parker has shifted her budget plan, lowering the proposed tax on hotels and instead adding a tax increase on short-term rentals like Airbnbs. The Philadelphia School Board approved a budget that includes $225 million in classroom cuts. Tuesday is New Jersey’s primary election - will progressive, grassroots Democrats beat out establishment candidates? Matt Leon recaps the week’s biggest headlines with KYW Newsradio’s reporters. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Changes to Mayor Parker’s hotel tax; city acknowledges a long overlooked war memorial 07:01 Key primary races in New Jersey 13:02 Philly School Board makes classroom budget cuts; SEPTA Board approves bus route overhaul 19:04 Murder conviction overturned 29 years later 24:10 Chester claims drop in crime 29:41 Local soccer players represent US in the World Cup Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

“Fierce” urgency needed to address reading performance | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. May 27, 2026

Show notes

Have you seen the recent viral “Can you read?” TikTok that exploded for over 15 million views? The montage doesn’t reflect well on the reading aptitude of Philadelphia high school students, who are shown in the video struggling to read simple sentences and words on index cards. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. told KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo he hasn’t seen the clip, but the superintendent also didn’t back down from sharing impassioned thoughts about the message the video implies, and how the district intends to address its reading performance scores. The superintendent also discusses the impending vote on the district’s annual budget, as well as returns the district has received on a million-dollar AI contract. 00:00 Expectations and goals ahead of this week’s district budget vote 02:04 Assessment of $1.4 million contract with firm behind district’s AI website chatbot feature 03:53 Response to viral “Can you read?” TikTok video 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.

Philly’s primary progressive win, screen time in school, and a historic church lost to a fire | The Week in Philly May 23, 2026

Show notes

In Tuesday’s primary election, all eyes were on District 3’s congressional race, where progressive candidate Chris Rabb won over candidates backed by major Philadelphia Democrats. We hear about that and the broader election results in the Commonwealth, plus a battle in Lower Merion over laptop use in classrooms, and a fire that burned down a Delaware church with ties to the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Chris Rabb’s win demonstrates that Philly voters want change 07:30 Shapiro-backed Democrats win primaries in PA swing districts 14:56 Mother African Union Church destroyed by fire 19:55 Lower Merion parents protest “excessive” screen use in class 25:42 Shootings are at all-time low in Philadelphia 30:28 What’s doing on down the shore this summer Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

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