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
Mayor 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.
1 month 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.
1 month 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.
1 month 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.
1 month 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.
2 months 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.
2 months ago
Listen 0:59This West Chester, Pa. man was tired of winter. Then he invented Snowmelt Derby
The rules of Snowmelt Derby are simple: Guess when all the snow will disappear from Bob Mina’s Chester County backyard.
2 months ago
Listen 0:50Zoo staff say the female hawk and female turkey vulture share food, preen each other and have even attempted to raise eggs.
2 months ago
Listen 1:06New Jersey ratepayers will catch a break on electricity prices starting in June
Electricity bills jumped by as much as 20% for New Jersey households last year. This June, some customers’ bills will fall slightly.
2 months ago
Listen 1:15South Philly residents’ lawsuit against FDR Park renovations can continue, judge rules
After a three-day hearing, a judge disagreed with the city that the residents waited too long to sue. The residents want the judge to halt renovations.
2 months ago
Listen 1:12Arctic temps are returning to Philly. When will the snow finally melt?
Snow and ice still cover some street corners in Philly. Single-digit temperatures this weekend won’t help.
2 months ago
Protesters arrested after disrupting construction of CHOP parking garage in Grays Ferry
Three protesters were arrested after standing on the site for more than an hour Thursday morning. They say the garage will worsen air pollution.
2 months ago











