
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
East Falls Post Office reopening delayed, more than a year after Ida flooding
USPS estimated the post office would reopen at the end of September, but nearly a month later, it’s still closed. Residents are frustrated.
1 year ago
Penn students end protest encampment after 39 days
Over a dozen protesters were arrested after they disrupted Penn’s homecoming game. They still want the school to drop any investments in fossil fuels.
1 year ago
How to get a free, climate-resilient tree for your Philly yard
“Being able to green your community … is an act of self-determination and community care,” said an organizer of the tree giveaway program.
1 year ago
What to know about Philly’s ADA settlement over curb cuts
The ADA settlement covers ramps that connect sidewalks to streets, but not sidewalks themselves. “It takes time,” one disability rights advocate said.
1 year ago
Listen 4:49Philly will build or fix 10,000 curb cuts under settlement with disabled residents
The settlement filed Friday requires the city to build thousands of curb cuts over 15 years. It must be approved by a federal court.
1 year ago
Philly teens are sharing their climate change stories
High schoolers from around the city are talking about hot classrooms, devastating storms, and the convergence of climate change and inequity.
1 year ago
Philly tourism trailblazer gets Gayborhood street named after him
Jeff Guaracino is known as one of the forces behind the Philly tourism campaign “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay.”
1 year ago
This new haunted house in Philly is terrifying. It’s also an adaptation to flooding
One good thing to come out of Ida flooding: this horrifying haunted house in Manayunk.
1 year ago
Listen 3:58Ever wondered if the soil in your Philly yard has lead in it? Now’s your chance to find out
Got questions about keeping your kids safe from lead? This event in West Philly Saturday will have all the answers — and free smoothies!
1 year ago
Remnants of Ian to bring rain, wind to Philly region
The greatest impacts will be along the Delaware and New Jersey coasts, but a local meteorologist sees the event as “low concern.”
1 year ago
‘MeadowFest’ celebrates the FDR park meadows with art, activism, and citizen science
Beekeeping, painting, tree mapping — a weeklong festival celebrates what’s left of “the meadows.”
1 year ago
Penn students accuse school of ‘intimidation’ at housing, climate protest encampment
Students have camped out for over a week, demanding the school divest from fossil fuels and help save the UC Townhomes. They say they’re facing backlash.
1 year ago