The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr: “We can’t kick this can down the road” Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. was ready for backlash. The superintendent anticipated the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities planning recommendations would strike a deep nerve within affected communities, and he was right. But while Watlington and his administration stand by their findings, he also said his team is keeping an open mind about the future of certain buildings based on public feedback. Watlington talks with KYW Newsradio education reporter Mike DeNardo about the fallout from the release of last week’s report.

00:00 Any surprising feedback from the facilities planning report?

03:27 Could district employees lose jobs due to building closures?

03:48 The importance of preserving the names and identities of schools that could ultimately close

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.

Public school facilities plan takeaways, ICE protest fallout, and Mayor Parker’s big affordable housing announcement Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

Now that the School District of Philadelphia has released its anticipated facilities planning report to the public, what happens next? From community forums to timelines, get the answers here. We’ll also take you inside a recent ICE protest that resulted in action from law enforcement, and fill you in on the implications of New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill’s first week in office. Catch up on the week’s news with Matt Leon and KYW’s news team.

00:00 Intro

02:01 Facilities plan could close nearly two dozen public schools

06:57 Inside a Center City ICE protest

12:57 Mayor, construction trade unions strike first-of-its-kind housing deal

18:22 PA lawmakers hold hearing on rising energy costs

23:57 Mikie Sherrill’s first week as NJ governor

30:18 Philly readying for next major winter blast

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: “There is no perfect plan” Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

There have been community conversations and surveys, data collection and analysis. Now, the School District of Philadelphia is on the cusp of making public recommendations formed from its facilities planning process. Devised as part of a five-year strategic project and put into motion in September 2024, the facilities initiative will determine the fate of several of the city’s public school buildings. The architect of the plan, superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr., explains what families and community stakeholders should expect from the report, and how they can make their voices heard once it has been released.

00:00 The importance of reaching out to public school communities ahead of facilities planning process report release

01:46 How and when can the public provide feedback?

04:00 Ensuring that parents and families have their say

05:32 The role that the facilities planning process recommendations will have in further advancing the School District of Philadelphia’s progress

Sheriff Bilal’s viral response to ICE, measles on the rise, and Eagles disappoint in playoffs Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

After Renee Good was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Philadelphians held vigils while local law enforcement spoke out - with Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s response garnering national attention. There was a possible measles exposure in Philadelphia, as the United States is on track to lose its elimination status at the end of this month. Plus, some relief for SEPTA riders, and Delco officials are looking for help in a bizarre grave robbing case. Catch up on the week’s news with Matt Leon and KYW’s news team.

00:00 Intro

02:08 City officials’ message for ICE

07:10 SEPTA trolley and Regional Rail service getting back to normal

12:15 The U.S. could lose its measles elimination status

18:30 Delco officials need help identifying stolen human remains

24:35 Gov. Murphy’s final State of the State

30:36 The Eagles’ big let down

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: “"This is going to be game-changing work" Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

For decades, the Harlem Children’s Zone has provided a blueprint for impoverished urban neighborhoods to improve educational and societal advancement opportunities for children and families across generations. Now, with sights set on narrowing the academic performance gap for Black and brown students, School District of Philadelphia superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. intends to tap into the support of HCZ’s leader for the opening of two new, year-round schools.

00:00 The case for year-round choice and demonstration schools in North Philadelphia

03:05 Implications of year-round schools on labor negotiations with PFT

06:45 Update on facilities planning process

Venezuelans in Philadelphia react, Eagles playoff preview, and two new schools coming to the city Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

After American forces seized control of Venezuela and deposed President Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan community in Philadelphia expressed uncertainty, wondering what comes next and how much things will actually change. The Eagles are in the playoffs, and in New Jersey, Camden reported its lowest homicide rate in over 40 years. Plus we check in on the state of Philadelphia schools, Pennsylvania politics, and more with Matt Leon and KYW’s team of reporters.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Venezuelans in Philadelphia process President Maduro’s removal

08:00 Gov. Shapiro’s re-election campaign and Sen. McCormick’s first year in review

15:16 Philadelphia announces two new year-round schools

20:11 Camden sees lowest homicide rate since 1984

24:37 Carnaval de Puebla canceled for second year over fears of ICE

29:48 Eagles take on the 49ers in the first weekend of playoffs

35:18 Celebrating 52 Philadelphia firsts for America’s 250th birthday

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: “We will not tolerate this" Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

The first days of the new year brought with them a disturbing development for the School District of Philadelphia, as racist graffiti was tagged on one of its buildings. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. shares how the Roxborough High School community has responded in the wake of the incident, and doubles down on the district’s zero-tolerance policy for hate crimes and hate speech.

00:00 Listener question: how can the district win teacher recruitment battles with suburban schools?

04:09 Dr. Watlington addresses the racist graffiti incident at Roxborough High School

06:28 Slowing the spread: what is the district doing amidst local surge in winter viruses

The Year in Philly, Part 2: Elections, elation, and the end of an era Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

A big race in New Jersey underscored a defining national trend from an off-year election cycle, while Philly sports fans kicked off 2025 with another(!) chance to toast their favorite football team. Plus, the long-discussed fate of an iconic Delaware River landmark was finally resolved, as a famed ship bid bon voyage for its final destination. Relive some of the region’s most impactful stories from the last 12 months with Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters.

00:00 Intro

02:08 New Jersey gubernatorial race ushers in nation-wide off-year election blue wave

06:48 Shapiro, family, and staff survive arson at governor’s mansion in Harrisburg

12:35 Your Philadelphia Eagles - Super Bowl champions, again!

18:40 Philadelphia public schools continue push towards progress

24:27 As well-documented issues linger, Kensington aims to clean up

30:19 The SS United States’ final voyage

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.: 2025 in review, 2026 resolutions Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

The 2025 calendar year marked Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. 's third helming the School District of Philadelphia. In a reflective conversation with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, the superintendent discusses his major highlights from the past 12 months, hands out grades for different areas of the district’s progress, and shares his resolutions and goals for 2026.

00:00 Dr. Watlington reflects on 2025 highlights

01:43 Giving out grades for the past year

03:57 Looking ahead to a year of labor peace

05:12 Resolutions for 2026

The Year in Philly, Part 1: Revisiting the city’s biggest stories from 2025 Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

From a tragic plane crash in the Northeast to a grueling budget impasse in Harrisburg that fueled a series of SEPTA sagas, 2025 was a year of heartbreak, seismic shifts, and profound change in the Philadelphia region. Dive into the biggest stories that defined the year, including a harrowing murder, aspirational housing initiative, and local pride for the selection of an American pope. Matt Leon revisits and unpacks the headlines with KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters.

00:00 Intro

02:05 Tragic plane crash rocks the Northeast

07:15 A year of sagas for SEPTA

14:00 Kada Scott’s murder sparks outrage, cries for change

21:16 Cleaning up Pennsylvania’s budget impasse mess

26:42 Mayor Parker pushes ambitious affordable housing initiative

30:02 Shocker! New pope boasts local ties

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.