Community news: Local stories from Philly, Delaware & NJ

On March 5, 2021, at her warming center in the Yorkship Family School gym, Tawanda Jones, right, tries to convince a patron known as Sarah Ann to allow Jones to help her rent a room at a boarding house. Sarah Ann had told Jones that if there was nowhere else to go that night, she would sleep in Camden's Evergreen Cemetery. (Photo by April Saul for WHYY)

Tawanda Jones was on a mission to relocate dozens of people from a school gym, to keep them warm over the weekend.

4 years ago

NPR

‘This is the reality of Black girls’: Inauguration poet says she was tailed by guard

Gorman, who lives in Los Angeles, wrote on Twitter that as she approached her building, the guard demanded to know if she lived there.

4 years ago

W.P.M.'s Pamela Rogow launched a 'typewriter takeout' rent-to-buy program during the pandemic. (Courtesy Pamela Rogow)

Business

Philadelphia

Technology

Billy Penn

Pandemic typewriter boom: Sales double at Philly shops as the click-clack goes viral

It’s not just antique collectibles — faux typewriter keyboards are a hot TikTok trend.

4 years ago

These are among the Central Americans who were expelled by the border patrol from the United States and left in Reynosa, Mexico. They say Mexican officials told them if they don't leave they would be sprayed with water. (John Burnett/NPR)

NPR

Immigration

International

Social Justice

Asylum-seekers are entering the U.S. again — but many more migrants are left behind

U.S. immigration agents have begun admitting some asylum-seekers after the Biden administration reversed policies put in place by the Trump administration.

4 years ago

Volunteers load food boxes into cars during a food distribution by the Food Bank of South Jersey in Riverside, Burlington County on June 6. (Jon Hurdle/NJ Spotlight)

Demand at N.J. food banks remains high, but so does support

As demand for food banks remains elevated one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, growing support has helped them keep pace, officials say.

4 years ago

Gun Violence

Neighborhoods

Philadelphia

Billy Penn

‘Up the Block’: A new resource hub for Philadelphians affected by gun violence

An initiative by The Trace wants to connect you with information on recovering from shootings, keeping young people safe, and holding local leaders accountable.

4 years ago

Fishtown naturalists are excited over an apparent beaver at Penn Treaty Park (not to scale). (Billy Penn illustration)

Environment

Outdoors

Philadelphia

Billy Penn

The Fishtown beaver is a good sign for Penn Treaty Park

Caretakers are now working to balance the rodents’ destructive chew with the environmental benefits of their dams.

4 years ago

Left: Kareem Rosser (Lezlie Hiner) Right: Shariah Harris (courtesy of Shariah Harris)

Philadelphia’s Horseback Riding Clubs

Philadelphia has a long history of urban riding clubs. Today, we talk to two riders whose careers in polo were launched in Philly.

Air Date: March 5, 2021

Listen 49:16

Ta'Quan Woodley poses for a photo with Tracey Hall, who invited him to live in her Camden home in February of 2020. She said he has been

‘It’s his story to tell’: Camden High basketball star stands by article that outraged others

The Courier Post is under fire for a headline perceived as racist. Ta’Quan Woodley, the subject of the story, stands with the publication and urges calm among his supporters.

4 years ago

The State Capitol in Trenton, N.J. (Alan Tu/WHYY)

Employment

Income Inequality

New Jersey

N.J. says no need to file new unemployment claim as benefit year ends

The announcement comes as new unemployment claims in N.J. are at their lowest levels since the pandemic began.

4 years ago

Philly Council creates anti-violence hotline as residents demand more action on gun crisis

A bill passed Thursday will create a still-unfunded hotline designed to connect people affected by gun violence to available support resources and services.

4 years ago

Crime

Gun Violence

Public Safety

7 people were shot, 3 fatally, over less than 6 hours in Philadelphia on Wednesday

Wednesday’s violence comes as shootings and homicides continue to surge at historic levels and police struggle to make arrests in both fatal and non-fatal shooting cases.

4 years ago

Environment

Food & Drink

International

17% of food production globally wasted, UN report estimates

A new report from the United Nations estimates that 17% of food produced globally is wasted each year. But the report notes the need for better data on food waste globally.

4 years ago