Peter Crimmins

Reporter

WHYY’s arts and culture reporter Peter Crimmins first became interested in radio in the fourth grade, when he smuggled a contraband crystal-diode radio into the Boy Scout summer camp. Subsequent radio projects were more successful.

Crimmins has been reporting on arts and culture for WHYY News since 2010, as well as filing award-winning radio and print stories locally and nationally. He started his career in the San Francisco Bay Area, cutting his teeth at community station KALX and producing syndicated radio programming for Ben Manilla Productions. He lives in Fishtown with his wife and two dogs.

More from the Contributor

Sam Moyer’s ''Doors for Doris'' is on display in Central Park. All three parts will come to the Philadelphia waterfront in October. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Contemporary)

Arts & Entertainment

Sculptures to sprout along the Delaware River waterfront all year

Works by Tracey Emin and Sam Moyer will launch an ongoing program to present major public artwork along Philadelphia’s waterfront.

5 years ago

Arts & Entertainment

Delaware Art Museum to reboot a major Black arts show, 50 years later

A nearly forgotten exhibition of contemporary Black artists circa 1971 will be recreated by the Delaware Art Museum.

5 years ago

Asked if his run for DA was a vendetta for being fired, Vega vigorously denied the idea. He had never before wanted to run for office, the former homicide prosecutor said, but the escalating murder rate in the city drove him into the political ring. “I see the numbers of murders that have been happening since [Krasner] took office. Just this past year, 499 murders,” Vega said. “As a father, a single dad, a person of color — we suffer the most. I decided to run for office.” Krasner countered that the rise in gun violence is not related to his policy reforms. “In 50 major U.S. cities last year the increase in gun violence was 42%. The increase in Philly is 40%, which is terrible, but what is happening is not unique to Philly,” Krasner said. “The FOP and their candidate — my opponent — are weaponizing a national tragedy.” Other issues got little air time, and there was little difference in the candidates’ responses. Each tread similar ground when asked about the opioid crisis in the Kensington neighborhood, saying aggressive prosecution of those living with addiction should be a low priority, with the city instead offering social services and diversionary programs to avoid criminal proceedings and jail time. Krasner also said his office has been working with the FBI on wiretapping investigations to identify and arrest major dealers and those involved in drug trafficking, though he declined to elaborate.

Courts & Law

Final Philly DA debate: Vega touts putting police in prison, Krasner says opponent lied in court

The two Democratic candidates for district attorney traded jabs and accusations during a live broadcast on WURD, Philly’s only Black-owned radio station.

5 years ago

Todd Rundgren speaks during AOL's BUILD Speaker Series

Arts & Entertainment

Upper Darby’s own Todd Rundgren will be inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame considers artists who have been making records for at least 25 years. Rundgren has had a career more than twice that long.

5 years ago

William Valerio, director of the Woodmere Art Museum sits in the Rose Room at St. Michael Hall, envisioning the room as a performance venue. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Arts & Entertainment

A grand Chestnut Hill home-turned-convent could become part of the Woodmere

The Sisters of St. Joseph would prefer that the next owner be the museum, just a stone’s throw away, if it can raise the money to acquire the property.

5 years ago

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