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.
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Philly sanitation crews prep for mountains of trash from celebrating Phillies fans
When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, city crews picked up 92 tons of celebratory trash. “If we see that the game is going in our direction… we'll be ready.”
2 years ago
7 arrested at ‘people’s decommissioning’ of oil tank farm in Southwest Philly
Residents want the tank farm associated with the former PES refinery permanently shut down, but the new owner has left the door open to restarting it.
2 years ago
Western end of Washington Ave. to get traffic calming measures
The road west of Broad Street will get speed bumps and “hardened centerlines,” even though it’s being left out of the road narrowing plan.
2 years ago
Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters gather outside hearing for new trial
It’s the latest hearing in a high-profile case that some see as a symbol of a broken criminal justice system.
2 years ago
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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.
2 years 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.”
2 years 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.
2 years ago
Listen 3:58