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
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.
2 months 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.
2 months ago
Listen 1:12TerraPower Isotopes will manufacture a rare, radioactive isotope for use in developing cancer treatments.
3 months 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.
3 months 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.
3 months 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 months 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.
3 months 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.
3 months 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.
3 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.
4 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.
4 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.
4 months ago
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