The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

Latest Episodes:

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: Big takeaways from the facilities planning survey Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

The School District of Philadelphia has revealed the four primary themes that emerged from its recently-conducted facilities planning process survey. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. identifies what they are, and how they’ll better inform the district’s decision-making about the future of its buildings. Plus, Watlington talks about the tangible and intangible benefits of opening two brand new facilities - AMY at James Martin Middle School and Thomas Holme Elementary.

00:00 Facilities planning process survey yields four key themes: what they are, and what they mean

03:38 Are there links between better facilities and better academic performance by students?

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.

Atlantic City mayor's verdict, officer Andy Chan remembered, and funding for Chinatown Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

This week, we cover the emotional conclusion to the trial of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who was found not guilty on all charges. We also remember former Philadelphia highway patrol officer Andy Chan, who was laid to rest six years after suffering a severe injury in the line of duty. Finally, we discuss the new bill introduced by Congressman Brendan Boyle to restore federal funding for the major infrastructure project designed to reconnect the Chinatown neighborhood. The SEPTA trolley tunnel remains closed but we get an important update and lastly we go around to Philadelphia's public schools to find out the different ways children today celebrate the holidays

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: How "record-setting" responses will shape facilities suggestions Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Public feedback has been a cornerstone of the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities planning process. Now that the open-ended survey period has closed, and with thousands of responses being reviewed by analysts, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. says the findings could be shared as early as next week.

00:00 Reaction to the Board of Education adopting a resolution to explore turning vacant school buildings over to city

02:45 How a “record-setting” number of responses to facilities planning process public survey will shape district suggestions

City Council challenges Parker, Krasner during busy final week Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

A last-minute agreement between SEPTA and transportation workers avoids a strike. Hear the details as City Council takes on Mayor Parker, pushing for changes to her affordable housing plan. Plus, Council holds a crucial hearing questioning District Attorney Larry Krasner on the handling of domestic violence charges in a high-profile murder case. In sports news, the University of Delaware football team earns a bowl bid in its inaugural FBS season, and the Phillies make major offseason waves, re-signing slugger Kyle Schwarber and extending manager Rob Thomson. And finally, we break down the disbarment of a top Philly prosecutor for knowingly lying in court.

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: What to do with vacant district buildings Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

The October murder of Kada Scott on vacant Philadelphia public school district property ushered to the forefront the question of what the district should do with the nearly two dozen buildings it no longer uses. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. has an idea that he believes will not only address the safety concerns posed by these defunct facilities, but impact the school district’s bottom line in positive ways as well.

00:00 The reasons for a substantial year-to-year enrollment drop

02:31 How transferring vacant buildings to the city could be wins for the school district budget, and Mayor Parker’s housing plan

06:14 New facilities planning process update and feedback data

Schuylkill closures, housing plan clash, NJ hearing chaos & A new cruise terminal Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Philadelphia drivers brace for months of overnight closures on the westbound Schuylkill Expressway as bridge repairs begin. In City Hall, Council advances Mayor Parker’s affordable housing initiative but sparking political tension.

Across the river, a contentious hearing in Trenton regarding oversight legislation turns raucous, drawing high-profile opposition from top Democrats. We also explore a troubling survey showing how immigration crackdowns are causing families to avoid medical care out of fear. Finally, pack your bags: Philadelphia is officially getting its own cruise terminal, with Norwegian Cruise Lines setting sail in 2026.

0:00- Intro

2:10 - Major road closure

6:37- Philly's Affordable Housing Plan

12:34- ICE's medical impact

18:47-NJ's comp controller

24:09- Willian Penn's art fund

30:25- Norwegian cruises coming to Philly

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: Quinta Brunson's big field trip gift Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

It’s always a momentous week when a big tie alum steps up to give back. On Giving Tuesday, “Abbott Elementary” star and Charter High graduate Quinta Brunson announced a fundraising push to make field trips more accessible for Philadelphia public school students. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington reacts to the initiative, and shares updates on policy considerations for bathroom breaks.

00:00 Follow up on Lift Every Voice Philly’s concerns over bathroom break protocols

02:38 How Quinta Brunson’s new field trip fund will benefit district students

04:25 Explaining the bump in applications for criteria-based and CTE schools

Suspects in 2023 cop killing found guilty, SEPTA gets latest lifeline, Wanamaker holiday light show returns Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

There were some unexpected twists and turns during jury deliberations, but in the end, the suspects in the 2023 killing of Philadelphia police officer Richard Mendez were found guilty. KYW Newsradio’s Kristen Johanson was in the courtroom for the emotional trial, and provides a recap. We also learn more about the latest emergency lifeline extended to SEPTA; this time to address its recent Regional Rail woes. And even though the building that hosts the Wanamaker holiday light show has undergone changes in the past year, one of Philly’s signature holiday traditions lives on for another year. Matt Leon covers these headlines and others with KYW’s news team.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Trial of men convicted of killing Philadelphia police officer ends with dramatic deliberations

08:15 Shapiro steps in with SEPTA Regional Rail funding

14:02 Whole Foods union seeks recognition from Amazon

19:33 It’s GameChangers season!

25:09 Newstudies reporters get valuable reps

30:28 Wanamaker light show returns for another year

Listen to The Week in Philly on KYW Newsradio every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

After School with Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.: How much should teachers stick to curriculum guidance? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr.’s mailbag is always open on “After School!” This week’s edition begins with a question from a School District of Philadelphia teacher, who wanted to know how much, on a circumstantial basis, she and her colleagues are allowed to deviate from certain curriculum material. Dr. Watlington addresses this topic, as well as the recently-completed round of contract negotiations with the district’s principals union.

00:00 A teacher asks: can I deviate from the English curriculum script?

06:11 Going behind-the-scenes of contract negotiations with district’s principals union

07:57 Reasons to give thanks

Regional rail inspections, city contracts, uninsured children, murder case, Michelin stars, and marching band wins big Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

SEPTA's regional rail inspections are ongoing. The city's new executive order reserves a percentage of city contracts for small local businesses. A study revealed 153,000 Pennsylvania children lack health insurance. A 2017 double murder in Maple Shade, NJ, involving Nazir Hamid, was revisited. Philadelphia restaurants received Michelin star recognition, and the Upper Darby School District's marching band won both state and national championships.

2:08-SEPTA

6:58-City Council

12:57- Child Healthcare

18:47- Maple Shade murders

24:31- Michelin stars

30:37- Upper Darby School marching band