The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

When will Board of Education weigh in on facilities plan? | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. believes the School District of Philadelphia’s $2.8 billion facilities master plan presents a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to eliminate buildings with poor and unsatisfactory ratings, while expanding higher-quality pre-K and extracurricular offerings. Any next steps, however, are currently on hold, as the Board of Education continues to review the proposal. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo asks Watlington when he expects to hear back from the Board. The two also discuss a complaint filed involving Thomas B. Moffitt and Horatio Hackett elementary schools.

00:00 Thoughts on the Mayor’s dramatic revision to her proposed rideshare tax that would fund public schools

03:43 Reaction to a human relations commission complaint involving Moffitt and Hackett elementary schools

05:50 Any sense when the Board of Education might weigh in on the facilities plan?

06:48 Expectations for the 2026 “Philly School Experience” student survey

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.

Birthright citizenship explained, UPenn ordered to give lists of Jewish staff and students, and a time-honored Center City classic returns Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court held a hearing this week on birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. We break down the case, plus get the latest on the city's budget talks, the federal case over the EEOC's request for lists of Jewish students and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, SEPTA's efforts to boost its Regional Rail fleet, and local chefs and restaurants in the final running for the James Beard Awards.

00:00 Intro

02:08 Federal judge says Penn must provide lists of Jewish students and faculty

6:39 Explaining the SCOTUS birthright citizenship case

12:40 SEPTA’s new trains

18:27 Bensalem nurse accused of child abuse

24:18 Positive polls for NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill

30:21 Iron Hill Brewery to reopen; which local restaurants are up for James Beard Awards

Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Would the district accept philanthropic help? | After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

The School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan has been in the hands of the Board of Education for over a month. As Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. and district community members continue to wait for next steps, the superintendent addresses why certain buildings were removed from the initial closure list and others weren’t. Watlington also shares with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo his stance on whether the district would ultimately accept philanthropic support to save certain schools, as Councilmember Jamie Gauthier suggested.

00:00 Listener question: why wasn’t Parkway Northwest High School spared?

02:34 Would the district accept philanthropic support to save buildings?

04:33 Timeline for Board of Education vote

Could PHL’s TSA disaster soon be over? Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

For most of the week, lines snaked stubbornly around Philadelphia International Airport, a frustrating reminder of the government’s inability to secure funding for the Department of Homeland Security. But days after ICE agents arrived with orders to ease the load on TSA workers, the Senate sent a bill to the House to get DHS back up and running. Find out how this development impacted the scene at PHL, while catching up on the past week’s other big headlines from the Delaware Valley, including Phillies’ Opening Day and state lawmakers’ efforts to give Pennsylvania’s minimum wage a boost.

00:00 Intro

02:07 How long until PHL gets back to normal?

06:52 City Council scrutinizes Mayor Parker’s $7B budget

12:54 Could raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage really happen?

18:30 Breaking down Big, Beautiful Bill’s local impact on Philly

24:26 With new season underway, Phillies again face World Series-or-bust expectations

30:37 Stolen pitbull found after 10 years

Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. | Could a rideshare tax really help? Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Facing a sizable structural deficit, superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. recently announced a job-cutting plan that would save the School District of Philadelphia $225 million. Mayor Cherelle Parker, in the midst of pitching a budget of her own to City Council, believes hitting rideshare operators like Lyft and Uber with a $1 tax could boost funding for schools and keep staff employed. KYW Newsradio Mike DeNardo asks Watlington for his thoughts on Parker’s pitch, and the implications it could carry for full- and part-time district personnel.

00:00 How Mayor Parker’s ride share tax could impact the school district

02:57 What about the fate of building substitute teachers?

04:16 The latest on potential central office cuts

Storms, PHL security lines, and rail delays make for messy week in the City of Brotherly Love Mar 21, 2026

Show notes

Endless lines at Philadelphia International Airport security checkpoints due to the Homeland Security shutdown, downed wires and trees throughout the area left in the aftermath of Monday’s storm, and unpredictable delays on SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines all made for a chaotic week in Philadelphia. But, on the bright side, there were two major concert announcements for the months ahead, a local college hoops team made a spirited run to the NCAA Tournament, and a cutting-edge medical company planted its flag in South Philly. KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters explain the biggest stories that shaped the region this past week

00:00 Intro

02:03 A federal problem becomes a local nightmare at PHL

13:02 Region rocked by early-week storm; a KYW reporter covered and lived the destruction

18:12 SEPTA Regional Rail riders feel the pain…again

24:03 Bill Gates-backed company plants flag in Bellwether District

24:38 An appreciation: Penn’s surprising March Madness appearance

28:34 Roots Picnic and Welcome America: summer can’t come soon enough

Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. | A big budget proposal Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. summed it up plain and simple: “We are not a cash-rich school district.” Accordingly, the superintendent has some big budget cuts in mind - to the tune of what he projects could be nine-figure savings over the next four years. On top of that, Watlington believes his plan would not only eliminate the School District of Philadelphia’s deficit, but do so without personnel lay-offs. He shares his vision with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, and says there could always be wiggle room for him to tweak the plan.

00:00 How the school district could make up to $225 million in cuts

03:58 The need to eliminate contracts with vendors providing low return-on-investment

05:56 What message could budget cuts send to district financial stakeholders

Bucks County teens allegedly try to bomb protestors, and Mayor Parker shifts focus to economic mobility Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced her city budget proposal this week. We hear how she’s planning to fund “Pothole Squads” and ending street homelessness. Two teens from Bucks County were arrested for allegedly throwing explosives into a crowd of clashing protesters outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. We also have the latest backlash to the Philadelphia School District’s plan to close 18 schools, a lesson on how elections work, and a recap of who the Eagles have lost and gained so far during free agency.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Mayor Parker’s $7 billion budget proposal; Penn goes to court over lists of Jewish employees

07:00 Bucks County teens allegedly inspired by ISIS in NYC bombing attempt

13:06 School closure plan, school budget, and SEPTA bus changes

18:37 NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s plan to reduce $3 billion deficit

24:38 Pulling back the curtain on the election process

30:09 Eagles say goodbye to several players during free agency

Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. | Where does facilities plan go now? Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Nearly two months since its release, the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan continues to dominate headlines. With another public hearing on the horizon, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. speculates whether his proposal will ultimately pass the Board of Education as is, or if further revisions will be necessary. The superintendent also talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about the recent support he received from Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker.

00:00 Does Watlington anticipate further revisions to facilities master plan?

01:14 Reaction to Mayor Parker backing Watlington, Board of Education

02:20 How the district will help students transition to new schools should current ones close

03:40 Addressing recent plumbing problems at Southwark School

Life in a war zone, gas prices on the rise, and counting down to the World Cup Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. and Iran are at war, and we’re feeling the effects in the Philadelphia region. We hear from folks from our area who are living in the Middle East, just waiting for the next bomb alert, and we discuss how the war is affecting the price we’re paying at the pump. We also catch up on the latest from City Hall and the Philadelphia School District, hear how the city is helping the families of homicide victims, and build up the hype for the World Cup, which is less than 100 days away.

00:00 Intro

02:08 Philly area natives in the Middle East describe life in a war zone

08:37 The biggest gas price jump in 20 years

14:07 Digitizing the city’s historical records; Philly on the shortlist for the 2028 DNC

19:49 New wellness policy stops Philadelphia teachers from withholding bathroom breaks and recess

25:45 A program to help pay for funerals for homicide victims

30:36 Learn about the World Cup teams as Philly counts down to the tournament

Listen to The Week in Philly with Matt Leon and our team of reporters on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.