The Why Archive

As we get ready to ring in the new year, we take a look back at some of the major stories that broke right here in Philadelphia.

A new coal mine is opening soon in Pennsylvania. Are President Trump's energy policies to thank?

Family portraits found under a bed unraveled the story of an African-American family with a rich history and blood ties to the first mayor of Philadelphia.

On this Christmas rebroadcast of The Why, we look back at the rise and fall of The Gallery, once holiday shopping institution in Philadelphia.

In April 2017, Katie Brennan went to police accusing Al Alvarez, her co-worker on Gov. Phil Murphy's campaign, of raping her. Why did it take over a year for Alvarez to quit?

Cell phones are banned at Kensington High School, so students are paying to stash their phones at corner stores. We break down the case for and against this new phenomenon.

Despite being America's poorest big city, Philly has a surprisingly low rate of street homelessness compared to other large cities. What's behind this counterintuitive trend?

Why a practice good-government groups and affordable housing advocates say is unfair and harmful to taxpayers continues in Philadelphia.

Requirements for a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania include having "good moral character," which can disqualify even those who say they've turned their lives around.

Amtrak's only remaining split-flap schedule board at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is retiring in January — or is it? And why would we miss it?

Studies show that when black students benefit from being taught by people who look like them. Yet the number of black teachers in Philly is on the decline. Why?

Selling homes seized by law enforcement was supposed to improve communities. But a new WHYY investigation found it's added to blight in some of Philly's poorest neighborhoods.

Even though U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's campaign paid $90,000 to an opponent who dropped out of the race, he won't be charged with a crime.

In Philly and Camden, many shooting victims arrive at trauma centers in the back of police vehicles. Is this "scoop and run" practice saving lives?

A look at one of the messiest political scandals in Pennsylvania history as the former state Attorney General begins her jail sentence.