Sophia Schmidt covers the environment for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. Before coming to Philadelphia in 2021, Sophia reported on her home state of Delaware for Delaware Public Media and produced interviews for NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” Sophia was a 2021 Metcalf Fellow.
More from the Contributor
Flooding has repeatedly battered parts of the Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood, damaging homes, ruining cars and forcing evacuations.
5 days ago
A judge declined to halt renovations at FDR Park. Residents opposing the plan are trying again
A Philadelphia judge wrote that most of the work the residents object to is done, and future project phases only “endeavor to improve” the park.
7 days ago
N.J. General Assembly passes bill requiring large data centers to pay for their grid upgrades
The bill aims to shield households and small businesses from electric bill hikes caused by large data centers.
1 week ago
Listen 1:04N.J. General Assembly passes bill requiring scrap metal facilities to improve fire safety measures
The bill would require scrap metal facilities to install heat detection equipment that could identify fires early, as well as develop fire safety plans.
1 week ago
Listen 1:12TerraPower Isotopes will manufacture a rare, radioactive isotope for use in developing cancer treatments.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:55Scrap metal safety bills advance through N.J. Assembly committee
The bills would require facilities like the EMR scrapyard in Camden to take fire safety precautions and come under new state regulation.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:11Mayor Parker budget plan could fund more library heating and air conditioning fixes next year
Philadelphia relies on libraries as heating and cooling centers, but they frequently close due to heat or air conditioning issues.
2 weeks ago
Listen 0:58No new Philly anti-dumping initiatives in Parker’s third budget proposal
Parker’s $7 billion budget proposal would continue existing efforts to combat litter and illegal dumping and add funding for 125 cameras.
3 weeks ago
Listen 1:05Lankenau students, staff and parents continue to fight proposed school closure
A school district leader told Lankenau students and staff that no final decisions have been made about closures during a press conference Wednesday.
4 weeks ago
The sponsor of the proposed incineration ban pulled the bill from a vote at the last minute in January once it appeared to lack support.
4 weeks ago
Listen 1:08Snowfall breaks daily records in Pa., Del. and N.J.
But meteorologists say records for total snowfall during a single snowstorm or winter are unlikely to fall.
1 month ago
New network of 76 air monitors throughout Philadelphia provides detailed look at air quality
The network will offer hourly air quality index updates posted to a new website, Breathe Philly.
1 month ago
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