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As 2025 comes to a close, WHYY News remembers five of the stories that mattered most to readers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

At Independence Mall, where the first large public menorah lighting took place in 1974, Philly’s Jewish community gathered again to celebrate “light over darkness.”

The store is doing brisk business selling everything from engineer vests for youngsters to shot glasses and water bottles for transit fans.

For America's 250th birthday, living history programs at Washington Crossing Historic Park will shed light on the role of revolutionary women and noncombatants.

Lack of energy supply and continuing price hikes for gas and electricity this year have frustrated Delawareans over ability to afford higher utility bills.

Here’s a view from WHYY News photographers of how the last 12 months unfolded in real time.

Construction on the new homeless shelter in Lansdale is ongoing. Montgomery County officials are tentatively planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for February 2026.

The annual tradition that sees homes adorned with holiday lights and decorations has grown so popular that honking from impatient drivers is becoming a problem for some.

Camden and Essex counties have the most children in foster care. New Jersey has the lowest placement rate in the country.

Google’s new “preferred sources” feature offers readers more control over which publishers show up in their search results.

The Pennsylvania Youth Choral Ensemble will premiere a song based on a tale about pandas written by the daughter of a cancer patient.

From shorter days to colder weather, winter is tough on everyone, but especially seniors. Here’s what to do, and why it’s so important.

The officer died almost seven years after his accident. His wife said he was a mentor who always tried to help others.

Over 3 ½ hours, the men hit several cars, stole money from one victim’s bank cards, and led police on highway chases with two more crashes.

Some Delawareans say that Founding Father Caesar Rodney should be remembered as a patriot. Others say his legacy is tarnished as an owner of enslaved people.