The Why Archive

New Jersey is poised to become the 11th state to legalize adult use of recreational marijuana. Here's why the black market could still thrive.

Temple University's mumps outbreak started just before spring break earlier this month. Why would there be an outbreak of an illness we've had a vaccine for since the 1960s?

It's been years since Philadelphia put in bike lanes to make the streets safer, but it hasn't always worked. Why have bike lanes if they don't protect cyclists?

Over the last several years, Cheyney University has struggled to stay afloat. Now, it looks like it has a recovery plan. Will it survive and what's at stake for students?

Rev. Karyn Wiseman has been at the center of the United Methodist Church's conflict over same sex-marriage and LGBTQ clergy her entire life. Why is the church so fractured?

The Last Stop is a recovery house that offers free rehabilitation services for those suffering from addition. But it's run into conflicts with the city. Can it survive?

More and more it seems business improvement nonprofits like Center City District are monetizing the public spaces it operates. Why are they allowed to do this?

Philadelphia is set to ban cashless businesses. But there was no huge outcry, so why did City Council make the bill a priority?

Philly's sweetened beverage tax, better known as the "soda tax" passed almost three years ago. So why are politicians, business owners, and lobbyists still fighting about it?

Drexel University has proposed taking over the 130,000-piece collection of the Philadelphia History Museum. Will the public get to see it? And why does Drexel want it?

Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico has been outspoken about the sexual abuse scandals that have stained the Catholic Church. Even he is taking a wait-and-see approach.

The controversy has raised the question of what takes precedent: the safety and security of prisons or the protection of attorney-client privilege?

The state says there's no evidence its voting machines have ever been hacked. So why is Pa. forcing all 67 counties to buy new ones to the tune of $120 million?

After several incidents came to light in the early 2000s, the school said it would take action. So why are beatings still happening?

Gov. Tom Wolf and others have called for Daylin Leach to step down amidst sexual misconduct allegations — but the Pa. state senator is standing firm.