The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr: Facilities plan blowback, revisions Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

During a marathon public meeting with the Board of Education that lasted longer than a school day, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. announced that two schools initially designated for closure as part of the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan will now stay open. Why did Watlington change his mind about Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School? What prompted him to stick with his decision to close Lankenau High School, despite community outcry? Watlington explains the rationale, and also praises major changes to the district’s student wellness policy.

00:00 Why were Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School spared?

02:09 The controversial Lankenau High School decision

03:53 Reaction to public blowback to facilities master plan

06:43 Incorporating mandatory bathroom breaks for students and other changes into wellness policy

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.

Two Philadelphia schools saved from closing, ‘The Pitt’ takes inspiration from Philly, and students arrested during anti-ICE protest Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

Superintendent Tony Watlington presented his facilities plan to the school board, which includes closing 18 schools - down by two from the original 20 he proposed - at a marathon meeting with passionate speeches from students, teachers, and public officials. In Quakertown, an anti-ICE protest led to student arrests and calls for the police chief to resign. We also hear stories about AI in medicine, a new LGBTQ+ visitor center, and a Philadelphia doctor who influenced a beloved neurodivergent character on ‘The Pitt’.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Public response to the updated Philadelphia school closure plan

07:01 Quakertown student anti-ICE protest ends in violence and arrests

12:37 Impacts of the region’s latest winter storm

18:08 Philly Pride Visitor Center welcomes LGBTQ+ tourists

23:40 PA House committees debate AI in healthcare

29:41 The real Philly doctor who helped create Dr. Mel King for ‘The Pitt’

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 critical facilities presentation awaits Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

First came the School District of Philadelphia’s recommendations, then waves of feedback from community stakeholders and public figures. Now, the time has come for Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. to formally submit his facilities master plan to the Board of Education. On the eve of the high-stakes Feb. 26th meeting, Watlington Sr. shares his final thoughts on the proposal to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo.

00:00 Would Watlington, with the benefit of hindsight, have done anything differently in preparing his facilities plan?

00:56 Are the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' building safety concerns valid?

02:43 Reaction to Gov. Josh Shapiro signing legislation mandating cursive instruction in Pennsylvania public and private schools

President’s House slavery exhibit partially restored, school district facilities plan scrutinized by City Council, and Montgomery County gets a billion-dollar bet Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

A war with the Trump Administration isn’t over yet, but supporters of the President’s House slavery exhibit on Independence Mall won a major battle resulting in the restoration of some signs and placards that had previously been taken down. (Shortly after this recording, an appeals judge said they did not have to restore the rest of the panels for now.) With days to go before the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan is formally submitted for approval, key stakeholders, including superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. and Board of Education President Reginald Streater, appeared before City Council to address the fairness and effectiveness of the proposal. Plus, state prosecutors decided to drop racketeering charges against South Jersey power broker George Norcross, and healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson unveiled a billion-dollar investment in Montgomery County.

00:00 Intro

02:07 National Park Service complies, restores parts of President’s House slavery exhibit

08:36 School district facilities master plan peppered at City Council hearing

13:54 Racketeering charges dropped against NJ’s influential George Norcross

19:11 Another day, another water main break in the city of Philadelphia

24:37 Johnson & Johnson makes billion-dollar bet on new Montgomery County facility

29:34 GameChangers readies for annual celebration

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: Superintendent faces Philadelphia City Council Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Members of Philadelphia City Council have been among the most prominent voices to weigh in on the school district’s proposed facilities master plan, and earlier this week, they had a chance to share their criticism and questions with superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. during a high-stakes hearing at City Hall. While Council controls several funding mechanisms for the district, Watlington Sr. sounded confident in telling KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo that the merits of the district’s proposal outweigh perceived drawbacks.

00:00 Any definitive updates to schools on the proposed closure list?

00:53 Facing City Council

03:26 Getting feedback from school district parent and PA Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton

Philly students stage walkout, sexualized AI images of Radnor students, and new evidence in bizarre suit vs. Lehigh Valley doc Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

As the date draws nearer for the School District of Philadelphia to formally submit its facilities master plan to the Board of Education, public opposition has started to ramp up - now in the form of student protests. The ripple effects from the recent expiration of federal tax credits have emerged in the Pennsylvania healthcare marketplace, and the early data, while not surprising, is alarming. After AI-generated sexualized images of students surfaced in the Radnor school district, families and community members seek answers.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Philly students stage protest against proposed facilities master plan

06:45 With federal tax credits expired, Pennie enrollment takes major hit

11:57 Sexualized AI-generated images of students rock Radnor

17:47 Potential new evidence uncovered in bizarre lawsuit vs. Lehigh Valley doctor

23:18 A fan’s guide to Phillies spring training in Clearwater

29:48 Following a series of fire-related deaths, Philadelphia Fire Department spreads word about safety

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: Facilities plan update Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

In the month since its release, the School District of Philadelphia’s proposed Facilities Master Plan has generated mixed reaction, from empathic support to impassioned objection. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. has been keeping tabs on community input and listening to feedback. Ahead of a February 26th meeting where he will formally submit his administration’s recommendations to the Board of Education, Watlington talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about whether his mind is fully made up when it comes to the fate of the 20 buildings earmarked for closure or repurposing.

0:00 Could some schools come off the proposed closure list?

4:47 Watlington explains why he hasn't attended community meetings

09:07 How the district is keeping staff from potentially impacted schools in the loop

The future of the President’s House, Shapiro budget proposal, and Benji the dog’s viral snow adventure Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

Debate over the Trump administration’s decision to remove displays referencing George Washington’s slave ownership at the President’s House exhibit on Independence Mall has reached the courts, and the judge presiding over the case set a direct tone. We also get the latest from Harrisburg, where earlier this week Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro unveiled his 2026 budget proposal. And you've got to hear the remarkable story of a Fishtown bernedoodle that defied the odds by reuniting with its owners after 48 hours in the snow.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Keon King, accused of killing Kada Scott, gets preliminary hearing

07:01 Gov. Shapiro pitches $50 billion-plus budget

13:22 Community hearings for public school facilities plan begin; superintendent proposes eliminating half-days

18:54 Group gives tips for documenting ICE in public spaces

24:44 The debate over the President’s House heads to court

29:56 Benji the bernedoodle’s wild, viral snow adventure

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: Libraries, librarians, and literacy Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. can still picture his high school’s two-story library. He knows how influential these spaces can be, as well as the librarians who staff them. The School District of Philadelphia, however, continues to contend with a decades-long dearth of library facilities. Watlington and KYW Newsradio education reporter Mike DeNardo discuss how the district is dealing with this issue, and where literacy falls on Watlington’s list of priorities.

00:00 Listener question: how is the district addressing the need for school libraries?

03:24 The importance of teaching students where and how to find trustworthy sources of information

Anti-ICE legislation, winter storm fallout, and slavery exhibits removed Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

The region has been battling snow, ice, and frigid cold all week. We take a look at the impact, from streets to schools. Plus, Philadelphia has been pushing back against the Trump administration with bills that would limit ICE and a lawsuit over the removal of slavery exhibits at the President's House. We also hear about a potential new life for Crozer hospitals and an extension for Center City Restaurant Week.

00:00 Intro

02:00 The biggest snowstorm in a decade

06:51 Schools and SEPTA recovering from the storm

12:51 City Council introduces ICE OUT bills

18:16 The fight over slavery exhibits on Independence Mall

24:02 Plans to reopen shuttered medical buildings in Delaware County

29:03 Center City Restaurant Week extended after being interrupted by storm

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.