The Why: Philly Explained

Do Philly voters even know there's a mayoral primary going on? Why is the campaign so quiet, even as outside groups pour money into the race?

Pa. House Speaker Turzai says he's protecting the special-needs community. Pro-choice advocates say he's chipping away at abortion rights.

Black males in Philadelphia have a lower life expectancy than everybody else. Why does this disparity exist and how should we work to close the gap?

A WHYY investigation found Philly was ticketing people for not moving their cars during street sweeping — even though streets weren't being swept. What's happened since?

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia that recently showed up in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, and poses big problems for farmers.

A Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. has been under fire after her prayer opening a recent voting session. A look into the constitutional debate over religious invocations.

Archaeologists say the remains of at least 491 people were found on a construction site in Old City. Could there be more forgotten burial grounds waiting to be unearthed?

Some expectant mothers of color are looking to midwives as alternatives to hospital deliveries. But those looking for familiar faces in Philly may be hard-pressed to find one.

PFAS, a class of toxic chemicals, are found in lots of everyday products from pizza boxes to dental floss. Why don't scientists know if they're safe?

A deadly house fire at an illegal rooming house in North Philadelphia last March had city officials calling for reform. But one year later, nothing has changed.