Philadelphia Inquirer

It’s Tuesday, Dec. 24th.

Before we get going today, we wanted to let you know that this will be our last broadcast for a bit. We’re taking a break for now as we continue to explore new and creative ways of bringing Inquirer journalism to you. Thanks for listening.

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Dec. 24th. Before we get going today, we wanted to let you know that this will be our last broadcast for a bit. We’re taking a break for now as we continue to explore new and creative ways of bringing Inquirer journalism to you. Thanks for listening. Arlene Casey graduated from Haverford College in May with the goal of becoming a teacher.

Good morning. It’s Monday, December 23rd. Last week, an explosion in South Philly leveled several rowhomes, leaving two people dead. The explosion shook the neighborhood on South Eighth Street on Thursday. Searchers were about to recover the first body on Friday and the second on Saturday. As of Monday morning, neither had been identified. Into the weekend, crews continued to use heavy machinery to clear the survey the area where the explosion and three-alarm fire took place.

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 20th. One day after voting against the impeachment of President Donald Trump, New Jersey representative Jeff Van Drew officially switched sides and joined the Republican Party. The former Democrat was expected to make the change prompting several members of his staff resigned in anticipation of it. Van Drew won his seat as a Democrat but disagreed with party leadership over impeachment. He argued that doing so would further tear the country apart.

Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 19th. According to new census data released this morning, Philadelphia remains a city of extremes. In some neighborhoods, residents prosper. And in others poverty deepens at the same time. A new survey from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey looked at poverty and median household income by neighborhood, among other variables, over five years.

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 18th. The U.S. House is voting today on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. The vote is expected to break down almost entirely along party lines. And the Philadelphia region is no different. Every regional Democrat is expected to support the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against Trump, except for Jeff Van Drew, the South Jersey Representative expected to switch parties and become a Republican.

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo has agreed to pay Philadelphia $10 million to settle a federal lawsuit. The suit alleged that the bank discriminated against minority borrowers. That issue has gained more attention as studies and investigations have repeatedly found that minorities have barriers to fair housing.

Good morning. It’s Monday, December 16th. Congressman Jeff Van Drew of South Jersey is reportedly on the verge of switching parties. Van Drew, of Cape May County, has been elected as a Democrat for more than two decades. But sources say he will join the Republican ranks. Van Drew was one of just two House Democrats to vote against the impeachment inquiry into President Trump and has vowed to vote against impeaching him altogether.

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 13th. Philadelphia City Council approved changes to the city’s controversial ten-year tax abatement. The tax break applies to newly built residential properties. Thursday’s vote was unanimous and brings significant changes to the policy for the first time since it was enacted twenty years ago. The changes will reduce the value of the tax break by roughly half.

Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 12th. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office dropped charges against an 18-year-old who had been accused of fatally shooting his twin brother earlier this month. Charges of murder, posession of an instrument of crime, unsworn falsification to authorities, and obstructing justice were all dropped against Fayaadh Gillard [Fey-aad Gill-erd].