In Tuesday’s primary election, all eyes were on District 3’s congressional race, where progressive candidate Chris Rabb won over candidates backed by major Philadelphia Democrats. We hear about that and the broader election results in the Commonwealth, plus a battle in Lower Merion over laptop use in classrooms, and a fire that burned down a Delaware church with ties to the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Chris Rabb’s win demonstrates that Philly voters want change 07:30 Shapiro-backed Democrats win primaries in PA swing districts 14:56 Mother African Union Church destroyed by fire 19:55 Lower Merion parents protest “excessive” screen use in class 25:42 Shootings are at all-time low in Philadelphia 30:28 What’s doing on down the shore this summer Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

It’s been more than a year since the School District of Philadelphia, under the direction of the Board of Education, launched Project RiSE, an initiative aimed at tracking the future of charter school performance and accountability in the city. In addition to giving an update on the program’s timeline, Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ recent release of its own facilities master plan, and whether he deems the union’s proposal worthy of moving the needle. 00:00 Update on Project RiSE's timeline 01:54 Response to teachers union-commissioned facilities report Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] 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.

Residents in Limerick, Montgomery County are not happy about the proposal to build an AI data center in their community. Primary election day is Tuesday, and there’s really only one race that everyone’s watching in Philadelphia: the race to fill Dwight Evans’ congressional seat in District 3. We also hear about driverless cars in Philly, the PGA Championship, and the 76ers firing their president, as Matt Leon catches up with KYW’s reporters about the biggest stories in the region this week. 00:00 Intro 02:01 Montco residents push back against proposed AI data center 07:02 Stanford, Rabb, or Street? Who will win the heated District 3 congressional election? 12:28 Questions about Waymo’s driverless cars, and about SEPTA’s budget 18:03 Sixers fire president Daryl Morey after second-round playoff defeat 25:05 Local stories on the green at PGA Championship 30:01 Odunde festival expands for 2026 Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm

The School District of Philadelphia won’t be closing any facilities until after the 2026-27 academic year, but with his plan now approved by the Board of Education, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. realizes staff and students at lame-duck buildings could be in store for anxious, bittersweet emotions. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo how his administration intends to support communities ahead of impending facility transitions, and expresses hope that a new attendance initiative between the district and faith-based programs can make an impact. 00:00 When can communities impacted by impending school closures expect transitional support? 01:23 Navigating potential academic and social consequences for students and staff affected by school closures 04:04 The benefits of implementing new partnerships with faith-based leaders 06:19 Renaming district headquarters in honor of former superintendent Dr. Constance E. Clayton Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] 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.

Colman Domingo’s star has seen a meteoric rise the past decade. But the West Philadelphia native and Academy Award-nominated actor hasn’t forgotten the importance of his formative years, including the time he spent at Temple University. Earlier this week, while in town to give the school’s commencement speech, Domingo caught up with some old friends from his college days. One of them was KYW Newsradio’s own John McDevitt, who shares memories about what the younger Domingo was like. Learn about this story and more, as Matt Leon checks in with KYW’s team of reporters to explain major developments from the past week that shaped the region. 00:00 Intro 02:08 Final budget hearing draws major crowd to City Council 07:08 From deepfakes to medical care, AI regulation takes center stage in state legislature 13:29 Anti-Defamation League releases annual antisemitism report; where PA, Philly rank 18:17 A history of PGA and other major golf tournaments in our region 23:17 With global events on horizon, city prepares for human trafficking vigilance 30:18 KYW’s Colman Domingo connection Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Protesters caused a ruckus at this week’s Philadelphia School Board meeting, where the Board ultimately voted to pass the superintendent’s facilities plan that includes closing 17 schools. After a rough start to the season, the Phillies fired their manager, Rob Thomson. And Monday is the last day to register to vote for this year’s primary election - we hear about the biggest race on the ballot in Philly. 00:00 Intro 02:08 School facilities plan passes, despite protests 06:58 “Philly Rob” is out as Phillies manager 12:55 Investigation into Quakertown police use of force against student leaves residents dissatisfied 18:55 Philadelphia’s primary election centers on filling Dwight Evans’ seat in Congress 25:00 Extreme weather fluctuations have put local farmers’ livelihoods at risk 31:05 Pop-up shops bring new life to Market East corridor Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

The Philadelphia School Board was scheduled to vote on a plan to close 17 schools in the district this Thursday, but after pressure from City Council, they delayed the vote by a week. We hear the latest on what’s in that plan, including one more school that was removed from the list. Plus, a Montgomery County man found himself the target of an ICE investigation after sending a 4-sentence email advocating for an Afghan immigrant, and the State Senate made a new push to keep trans girls out of female sports.

00:00 Intro

02:00 School closing vote delayed, one more school removed from list

07:05 A bold robbery and a crash into a police station in Northeast Philly

12:35 PA lawmakers take on the state budget and trans girls in sports

18:06 The 4-sentence email that launched an ICE investigation in Montgomery County

24:32 Eagles trade up to draft Makai Lemon

29:27 Brad Lidge’s journey from baseball to archaeology 

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

As the Board of Education appears poised to take a long-awaited position on the School District of Philadelphia’s facilities master plan, tensions have escalated between district officials and local lawmakers. Some Council members have gone as far as to threaten withholding funds from the district if it follows through on closing over a dozen buildings. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. finds himself smack dab in the middle of the controversy. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo why reconciling his proposal isn’t as easy as pointing to the district’s considerable $4.6 billion budget. 

00:00 “Final ‘final’ recommendations” and changes to facilities plan ahead of upcoming Board meeting

01:38 Why Watlington has kept Lankenau and Robeson High Schools on the closure list

04:25 Watlington’s back-and-forth with City Council members

07:22 Are SEPTA passes with unlimited rides for students a good idea?

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] 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.

Cue the boxing bell! It’s round 1 between Mayor Parker and Uber, as the two sides duke it out over the administration’s proposed rideshare tax to help fund Philadelphia public schools. Also at City Hall this week, lawmakers moved forward with legislation aimed at limiting ICE’s power in Philly. And the Flyers are Stanley Cup playoffs-bound for the first time in six years (while the Sixers’ postseason prospects look somewhat…dim). Learn about these stories and more, as Matt Leon checks in with KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters to explain major developments from the past week that shaped the region. 

00:00 Intro

02:08 Parker vs. Uber, Round 1

08:40 City Council poised to restrict ICE’s activities

13:45 “Rooted in racism”: Black Maternal Health Week continues to fight systemic obstacles

18:18 Nearly a year later, identity of Jane Doe hit-and-run survivor remains a mystery

24:27 Get ready for Flyers (and 76ers) playoff action!

30:13 Philly Pride Festival pivots from the Gayborhood to the Parkway

Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm on KYW Newsradio 103.9FM.

So far, the press for the School District of Philadelphia’s $2.8 billion facilities plan has skewed mostly in one direction. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. gets it. Communities feel strong attachments to schools; closure talks cause tension. The counterpoint, however, is that nearly 160 buildings will benefit from the proposal. Watlington tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo what type of improvements to expect, and also addresses the emerging lobbying tiff between Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and ride-share giant Uber over taxes aimed at funding Philadelphia public schools. 

00:00 Mayor Parker vs. Uber; will Watlington get involved?

01:27 More details about building improvements in facilities master plan

03:18 Looking ahead to upcoming appearance in front of City Council

Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at [email protected] 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.

A garage being built for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia collapsed on Wednesday, killing multiple construction workers. America 250 has been the talk of the town, but new tourism predictions say it might not draw the crowds we’ve been expecting. The former World Cafe Live was shut down for operating without a liquor license. And the Philadelphia Latino community has been grappling with the tarnished legacy of political activist Cesar Chavez and what to do with his mural in North Philly.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Garage collapse leads to multiple deaths in Grays Ferry

07:00 America 250 may not bring such a big surge in tourism

12:23 Former World Cafe Life shut down, staff arrested

16:58 Cezar Chavez mural replaced in North Philly

22:53 A tour of the Newtown Square golf course hosting the PGA Championship

28:17 A new album captures “The Sounds of Delco”

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.