
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
What to know about fire safety rules for your Philadelphia home or apartment
Whether you live in an apartment building, rowhouse apartment, or single-family home, here’s what you should expect when it comes to fire safety.
3 years ago
Philadelphia Housing Authority CEO Kelvin Jeremiah said the deadly fire that engulfed a PHA apartment highlights the need for investment in public housing.
3 years ago
Investigators look at Christmas tree as cause of deadly Fairmount fire
The tragedy marked the city's deadliest single fire in at least a century, with eight children among those who lost their lives.
3 years ago
The best sledding hills in Philly and the suburbs
Philadelphia is home to hills large and small for sledders of all sizes. Here is a list of our top picks.
3 years ago
A carbon pledge, a bag ban, a tree plan: Philly’s year in environmental news and what’s next
2021 was a big year for environmental issues in Philadelphia, and the fruits of many of the city’s efforts will come in the new year.
3 years ago
Philly will start enforcing plastic bag ban next year. Many stores aren’t ready
The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections has issued 120 warnings to 84 businesses believed to be operating in violation of the ban.
3 years ago
White Christmas? Philly instead expects a wet Christmas as the planet warms
It looks like Philadelphia will not get a white Christmas tomorrow. A wet Christmas is more likely — and with climate change, this may not be a surprise.
3 years ago
Leadership of the strike-prone SEPTA union has changed. Don’t expect much difference
Former SEPTA union president Willie Brown won raises and parental leave — and led two disruptive strikes. His successor promises to follow in his footsteps.
3 years ago
Philly launches COVID test giveaways at Saturday vaccine clinic. 9 more are scheduled next week
Participants were limited to two free kits, each of which contains two tests. The goal is to increase testing amid the current COVID surge.
3 years ago
D.C. is sending $30M to fast-track cleanup of toxic soil in Philly
The federal dollars will allow the EPA to move forward with remedying an environmental injustice.
3 years ago
Fairmount Park’s iconic maple tree is gone. Arborists cite climate change
Officials suspect a few things are behind the tree’s decline: its age, compaction around its roots where people walked around and had picnics, and climate change.
3 years ago
Listen 4:13Philly’s warm weekend broke records. Here’s what climate scientists say about it
Saturday’s warm weather broke records in several places throughout the Philadelphia region — and climate change likely contributed, scientists say.
3 years ago