The best overall stories from our first year
What do mud, a replica space shuttle and a tent city all have to do with one another? Not much… except for the fact they’re all some of NewsWorks’ best news stories from our first year.
We’ve scoured through the content and put together a list of our favorites.
Think we missed one? Join the discussion in the comments section below and tell us the story you most remember from the past year.
Phila. school leader’s actions on charter deal raise ethical concerns
By Bill Hangley, Jr.
Just over a month ago, the chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission took part in a pivotal, closed-door meeting to discuss the fate of a charter-school deal potentially worth $60 million, only hours after he publicly recused himself from voting on the matter due to a conflict of interest. More »
All MLB baseballs get treatment from South Jersey mud
By Carolyn Beeler, Video by Todd Vachon
Even though the Phillies are out of the pennant race this year, a little bit of our area is still represented on every ball thrown in Major League play, right through the World Series. More »
‘End Dogfighting’ campaign begins in Philadelphia
By Elizabeth Fiedler
The Humane Society of the United States launched its “End Dogfighting” campaign Thursday at the Hunting Park Recreation Center in Philadelphia. Part of $50,000 the Humane Society received from the Eagles will go toward funding the new program. More »
In gas drilling, ‘fracking’ may not be the only threat to well water
By Susan Phillips
Crystal Stroud is a 29-year-old hairdresser who lives in Marcellus Shale country, on a rural road in Bradford County, Pa., hard by a stream, across from a farm. More »
Four guys and a tricked-out SUV blast off for Cape Canaveral
By Aaron Moselle, Video by Kimberly Paynter
Among the many cars that will cruise down Interstate 95 for the July 8 farewell launch of the space shuttle Atlantis, one vehicle likely will turn some heads. More »
One chance left: one woman’s battle to beat depression
By Maiken Scott
It is May of 2009. Tara Aliotta almost has a spring in her step. Her wardrobe is fashionable and bright, as if the cheerful colors could chase away the relentless depression that has darkened her life. More »
How Philadelphia quadrupled recycling rates in four years
By Kerry Grens in partnership with KQED’s QUEST
Until very recently Philadelphians recycled a dismal five-percent of their trash. The city was once a leader in recycling – having passed the first mandatory curbside recycling law in the 1980s. More »
Gridiron gold
By Elizabeth Fiedler
A North Philadelphia youth football team is headed to Florida to play this weekend in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. More »
Tent city occupants offer reasons for protest
By Elizabeth Fiedler
A tent city has sprouted up near Philadelphia City Hall, as Occupy Philadelphia nears the one-week mark. WHYY’s Elizabeth Fiedler stopped by the encampment Tuesday to talk with a few protesters about what drew them to the site. More »
‘Penn Christmas’ turns student trash into townie treasure
By Peter Crimmins
At the farm garden beside Martin Luther King High School in Northwest Philadelphia, yellow flowers on the okra plants are still blooming, but it’s about time to pull up this summer’s tomato plants. More »
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