Media Mentions
America’s big birthday year is coming. Will Philadelphia be ready? | Editorial
The many international visitors in town for the FIFA Club World Cup made themselves at home within the city’s exuberant sports culture, culminating with a July 4 finals match at the Linc. Their lively presence was a reminder of what next year will bring several times...
Pennsylvania reacts to One Big Beautiful Bill Act
(The Center Square) - Politicos across Pennsylvania are reacting with a mix of triumph, anger and despair following the passage of the federal budget resolution. Once enacted, the law will support a massive expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, make...
Five Ways SEPTA Can Save Itself
“Imagine the entire city of Pittsburgh suddenly driving in and out of the Philadelphia region every day,” says Alexander Milone, transit committee co-chair for 5th Square, a Philadelphia urban political action committee. Sound terrible? That’s what I-95, I-76 and...
Teachers union, Philadelphia School District go to state capitol together to fight for public school funding
Against the backdrop of negotiations over a new contract, Philadelphia teacher’s union and the School District of Philadelphia traveled to the state capitol together Wednesday to join lawmakers fighting for Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed increase in public school...
Lessons for Democrats from a progressive victory in NYC
‘Political earthquake’ and ‘progressive miracle’ are how some describe the results of this week’s New York City mayoral primary. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblymember and democratic socialist, came first in the ranked-choice election, an upset for establishment...
Losing their routes: PA’s transit funding crisis looms over rural systems
All the transit talk in Harrisburg has been focused on the commonwealth’s two biggest cities – Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – and the need for state funding to support their public transit systems. But, as many transit advocates have pointed out during rallies, there...
Philadelphians rally for ‘No War on Iran’
A coalition of more than a dozen organizations rallied in Philadelphia on Saturday against U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war. Protesters called for de-escalation and a ceasefire in the war that began June 13 when Israel bombed Iranian military and nuclear sites....
Philadelphians rally in Center City against U.S. military action in Iran
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Local activists rallied in Center City on Saturday to protest U.S. military involvement in the growing conflict between Iran and Israel. The demonstration came after President Donald Trump said he is weighing whether to use military...
Pa., N.J. elected officials react to U.S. strike on Iran
President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Iran, and joined Israel’s assault on the country that began June 13. Both Pennsylvania U.S. senators applauded Trump’s decision, citing concerns over Iran’s...
Solar panels coming to some Philly schools
It was a sunny celebration for the Solar for Schools grants, which will supply funding for Philadelphia schools. Local legislators came together at Community College of Philadelphia to speak about how green energy will help students in the School District of...
Pennsylvania House passes Shapiro’s transit proposal, with more money for roads
With two weeks until the state budget deadline, the Pennsylvania state House agreed Tuesday to commit nearly $300 million of tax money to public transportation agencies. It’s a key part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, and was recently amended to include half a...
A SEPTA funding boost is uncertain amid a complex state budget struggle
With less than two weeks to go until the theoretical deadline for passage of the state budget, it’s still very uncertain that legislators will approve spending the hundreds of millions of additional dollars that SEPTA and other transit agencies say they need to avoid...
Environmental groups rally in Love Park to ‘save EPA’
Advocates gathered Monday morning in Center City to rally behind the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which they say is being “gutted” under President Donald Trump’s administration. Lee Zeldon, Trump’s appointee, has sought to roll back dozens of environmental...
Immigrant detentions surge at Pa. center accused of abuse as Trump crackdown intensifies
HARRISBURG — As the Trump administration ramps up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, advocates in Pennsylvania worry that existing civil rights and safety problems at the state’s largest federal detention center will get worse. Known problems at Moshannon...
Home Repairs 2.0 Hits Harrisburg
There are many sides to the housing crisis. While rental prices in cities get a lot of attention, the rising costs of homeownership in rural and suburban areas have also swelled. In Pennsylvania, where about 60 percent of all homes were built before 1970 (and roughly...
Philly immigrant communities and allies brace for ICE workplace raids
José has lost count of how many times he’s shuttered his store in the last three months amid rumors that ICE was poised to strike the venerable Italian Market. The undocumented 45-year-old business owner, who declined to provide a last name out of fear of deportation,...
Passionate advocates, elected officials rally in Harrisburg for more state transit funding
State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Philadelphia, doesn’t have to look very far to see the importance of public transit in his Central City district. Studies have shown a higher percentage of workers in Waxman’s district use public transit to get to work than any other district...
Abney, Benham bill would tax rideshare services to fund public transit
Allegheny County state House Democrats Aerion Abney and Jessica Benham say they’ve got some ideas to fund the state’s struggling public transportation system: add a tax on ride-share trips such as Uber and Lyft, and increase fees on car rentals and leases.
PA Fairness Act reintroduced by LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
HARRISBURG, June 3 – As Pride Month begins, state lawmakers in the Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus on Monday announced the reintroduction of the Fairness Act at a state Capitol news conference. “Discrimination is something many LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians still...
Allegheny County state House members hope to revive a pandemic-era home repair program
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, including two from Allegheny County, want to bring back a program that helps pay for badly needed housing repairs — this time using state funds instead of federal pandemic aid. Restarting the Whole-Home Repair initiative,...
SEPTA appoints Scott Sauer general manager, removing interim tag, to lead authority through dire budget crisis
SEPTA's board appointed Scott Sauer general manager of the transit authority on Monday, removing the interim title he received when Leslie Richards stepped down in November, officials said. Sauer, who began his career as a SEPTA trolley driver in 1990, will continue...
Pride March and Festival mark milestone with joy, remembrance
The 2025 Philadelphia Pride March and Festival kicked off Pride Month with a vibrant cascade of color, and a half-mile procession through the city and its history. Marking 50 years since Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to protect LGBTQ+ employees from...
Pictures of Philly’s Pride March and Festival
Marchers carried a newly expanded 600-foot-long Pride flag up Walnut Street from Washington Square to the Gayborhood for a Festival with food trucks, stages, and performances to continue the celebration. The The theme for this year's event was LUV or “Legacy, Unity...
‘We are not going anywhere.’ Philly kicks off Pride Month with a parade and day-long festival
GAYBORHOOD (KYW Newsradio) — Pride Month is here and Philadelphia kicked it all off on Sunday with a 600-foot Pride flag, a parade full of drummers, and tens of thousands of community members flocking from Old City to the Gayborhood for the celebration.
Proposal announced by group of Pennsylvania legislators for a program that will help to fix houses in Pennsylvania every year
(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Pennsylvania Senate, a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators announced a legislative proposal for the PA Home Preservation Program. The sponsors for the legislation are: State Senators David Argall (R–Luzerne,...
Bipartisan legislation introduced to battle blight, housing crisis
HARRISBURG – A bipartisan, bicameral effort led in part by local legislators is attempting to fight blight and the state’s housing crisis. Senators David Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) sponsored the legislation in the Senate while Reps. Lindsay...
Pennsylvania Senators look to protect worker gender identity, expression in workplace
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Two Pennsylvania Senators announced legislation that aims to prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Senators Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) argued in...
Pa. lawmakers to consider sealing certain eviction records, as pitched by Rep. Smith-Wade-El
Most rental applications ask potential tenants whether they’ve ever faced an eviction. This Watchdog, whose lease ends in July, has been asked that question quite a few times recently. It’s best not to lie when answering. Eviction filings are public documents, and...
Governor Shapiro Visits Philadelphia’s Chinatown, Highlighting His Administration’s Support for Small Businesses and Communities Across Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro visited Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood to meet with small business owners, celebrate the community’s cultural and economic contributions, and highlight his Administration’s work to support local economies, improve...
Residents rally for SEPTA funding
Northwest Philadelphia residents and Save the Train Coalition members united Monday morning, taking the Chestnut Hill West line to SEPTA headquarters for a rally. At the rally, Save the Train organizers, elected officials and several other speakers advocated for the...
On Day 1 of SEPTA’s public budget hearings, riders were scared by proposed cuts
Nicholas Orlowsky graduated from the University of Texas at Austin last week, and he said that he decided to move to Philadelphia because of its transit system. “If SEPTA were in the state it will be in after these cuts, I likely would not have made the decision to...
With budget talks looming, Dems rally for SEPTA
(The Center Square) - Mass transit advocates rallied to gather support on Monday for SEPTA funding ahead of the state’s upcoming budget negotiations in June. Over the next three days, SEPTA will be holding public hearings to discuss their 2026 operating budget, and...
As SEPTA shortfall looms, riders say possible major cuts would hurt families, businesses in Philadelphia area
SEPTA is, once again, facing a major hole in its budget. The Philadelphia-based transit agency says it's staring down a $213 million shortfall in its operating budget starting on July 1. If it doesn't get money from the state, leaders say major cuts will take place...
SEPTA workers bring their funding battle to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
On the ornate steps in the rotunda of the state capitol on Tuesday, May 13, transit union members held signs that read “Transit moves us” with a heart for the “o” - and a lot on the line. “People are scared,” said SEPTA employee John Lipscomb, who made the trip to...
Investing in the Navy Yard
Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the Philadelphia Navy Yard to highlight a $30 million investment of transforming 54 acres into advanced manufacturing, life science and commercial use sites. The money was awarded through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance...
Highlighting health benefits and safety for bicyclists
The streets of South Philadelphia are often flooded with bicyclists. Some may be out for a joyride or running an errand, but studies show that South Philly has one of the highest rates of workers using a bike for their morning and evening commutes.
Primary Elections, Bike to Work Day, and TWO New Arboretums
“Bike to Work & Wherever Day” celebrated urban cycling and highlighted the need for safe, protected bike lanes. The Bicycle Coalition with Independence Blue Cross hosted a group bicycle ride starting in five different neighborhoods and all ending in a press conference...
Rebuilding Philadelphia, One Block at a Time
It’s a scene he’s been manifesting for some time. Alongside his neighbors in the street are dozens of volunteers and housing contractors, who, like an army of ants, continuously flow into and out of 11 different homes on the block. The teams steadily execute a list of...
Pennsylvania Senate passes transphobic school sports bill
A Republican-led state Senate passed the Save Women’s Sports Act (SB9) on May 6 — a piece of legislation that would ban trans people from participating in school-sponsored athletic teams that align with their gender identities. If the bill becomes law, the rule would...
Local lawmakers rebuke Jameson after no-show at City Council hearing on DEI
ocal lawmakers convened at Philadelphia City Hall on Friday to condemn Penn’s “mind boggling” rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs — and University leaders’ “refusal” to attend the hearing. The May 9 joint committee hearing — held by Philadelphia...