Kenny Cooper
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Kenny Cooper
@kennycooper.bsky.social
Reporter at WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR station
Philly-area U.S. House members expressed displeasure over Senate Democrats making a deal to reopen the federal government without healthcare guarantees.

Each of the local members of Congress dismissed calls for an overhaul in Senate leadership.

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Philly-area U.S. House members express displeasure over shutdown Senate deal
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Philadelphia, said he doesn’t understand why his Democratic Senate colleagues would break ranks on the continuing resolution.
whyy.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
We crunched the numbers (that were available).

Philadelphia’s suburbs saw their highest voter turnout for an off-year election cycle dating back to 2011.

Was it Trump backlash? Interesting judicial races? Or good local candidates?

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Philly suburbs hit best off-year voter turnout since 2011
Voters in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties showed up in droves, despite there being no big-ticket federal race.
whyy.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM
A small town a few dozen miles west of Philadelphia made history Wednesday morning by electing Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor.

Downingtown mayor-elect Erica Deuso said she carries “that responsibility with care and with purpose.”

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Downingtown elects Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor
Democrat Erica Deuso defeated Republican Richard Bryant in the borough of Downingtown’s mayoral election.
whyy.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Delaware County’s highest elected office will remain under sole Democratic control.

Unofficial results in this high-turnout, off-year election show Democrats defeating Republicans in the race for two seats on Delaware County Council.

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Democrats retain unanimous control of Delaware County Council
Democrats Richard Womack and Joanne Phillips prevailed over Republicans Brian Burke and Liz Piazza.
whyy.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 AM
1 in 3 Pa. SNAP recipients are kids. As cuts remain in limbo — and the state budget impasse continues, Philly-area schools face “uncertainty” feeding students.

Upper Darby School District only has sufficient food service funds through December.

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1 in 3 Pa. SNAP recipients are kids. Philly-area schools face ‘uncertainty’ feeding students
Nearly 241,000 children in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties receive SNAP benefits.
whyy.org
November 1, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The William Penn School District in Delaware County could run out of cash as early as Jan. 31 if Pennsylvania’s budget impasse continues.

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William Penn School District could run out of money within months
More than half of the Delaware County school district's revenue comes from the state. Without a budget, funds could run dry by the end of January.
whyy.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Chesco250 posted on Facebook Tuesday honoring Confederate President Jefferson Davis for fighting “for a more perfect union.”

"The content originated from an intern unaware of Jefferson Davis’ role in American history," Chesco250 said in an apology.

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Chesco250 apologizes for Facebook post highlighting Confederate leader
Chesco250 said “the content originated from an intern unaware of Jefferson Davis’ role in American history and was posted through an automated process.”
whyy.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The starting bid for Crozer-Chester Medical Center is $7 million and the starting bid for Springfield Hospital is $3 million.

Prospect believes a sale will happen. If the sales fall through, a judge is allowing the company to abandon the property.

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Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Springfield Hospital to be abandoned if a sale fails
Springfield’s solicitor said that word of a possible abandonment came as a “total surprise.”
whyy.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Teachers and staff at Delaware County's second-largest school district have been working without a contract since Sept. 1.

The two sides are finally inching closer to a deal.

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Haverford school district at odds with teachers union over wage increase proposal
Staff in Delaware County’s second-largest school district have been working without a contract since Sept. 1. The two sides are finally getting closer to a deal.
whyy.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As the flotilla gains worldwide attention, Philly, Montco and Delco lawmakers have signed on to legislation that would block the U.S. from sending certain weapons to Israel.

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Why a Glenside veteran joined the global flotilla to get aid to Gaza
As the flotilla gains worldwide attention, Philly, Montco and Delco lawmakers have signed on to legislation that would block the U.S. from sending certain weapons to Israel.
whyy.org
October 2, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Pennsylvania’s budget impasse has paused dollars from reaching the cash-strapped William Penn School District just as contract negotiations between the district and its teachers union stalled.

The result? No homecoming dance. No extracurriculars.

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‘We don’t have enough seats’: Funding crisis upends William Penn School District
A perfect storm of circumstances, including the Pennsylvania budget impasse, has led to problems for the chronically underfunded school district in Delaware County.
whyy.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Crozer Health was once Delaware County’s largest health system.

Now, investors are picking at what’s left of its shuttered carcass for property.

Prospect Medical Holdings is auctioning off Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Springfield Hospital.

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Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Springfield Hospital head to auction block
Prospect Medical Holdings is selling real estate from the shuttered hospitals, with a possible auction if enough bids come in, court documents show.
whyy.org
September 29, 2025 at 8:06 PM
SPS Technologies is pledging to rebuild its aerospace fastener facility in Abington, just months after a huge fire reduced the century-old plant to ash.

The company pledges the new facility will be smaller. Construction is set to begin in 2026.

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SPS Technologies pledges to return to Abington, unveils new design
The aerospace parts manufacturer’s old plant went up in flames months ago and prompted evacuations and school closures in Abington, Cheltenham and Jenkintown.
whyy.org
September 26, 2025 at 11:49 AM
A growing number of communities in Montgomery County have turned to welcoming policies to prevent local law enforcement from assisting ICE.

Cheltenham residents are urging township officials to act to protect local immigrants.

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Cheltenham residents urge officials to adopt immigrant welcoming policy
A growing number of communities in Montgomery County have turned to welcoming policies to prevent local law enforcement from assisting ICE.
whyy.org
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Kenny Cooper
ICE officials denied U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon entry to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania.

It's the regions largest ICE facility.

Scanlon plans to join other Democratic lawmakers in suing the Trump administration.

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U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon denied entry to region’s largest ICE detention center
Delaware County’s member of Congress is considering joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
whyy.org
August 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM
ICE officials denied U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon entry to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania.

It's the regions largest ICE facility.

Scanlon plans to join other Democratic lawmakers in suing the Trump administration.

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U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon denied entry to region’s largest ICE detention center
Delaware County’s member of Congress is considering joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
whyy.org
August 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Following similar trends across the country, the city of Chester has experienced an 85% decline in homicides since June.

There were seven homicides during the summer of 2024.

There has been one homicide this summer.

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Chester city homicides decline 85% this summer
Reported instances of both nonviolent and violent crime are down in Delaware County’s only city during the summer of 2025.
whyy.org
August 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Stalled negotiations in Harrisburg have upended SEPTA operations — and are beginning to slice into crucial community services in Chester County.

The county Department of Human Services has already missed out on $10 million in state funding.

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Pennsylvania budget impasse halts millions in state funding to Chester County
Stalled budget negotiations have upended SEPTA operations and are beginning to impact crucial services in Chester County.
whyy.org
August 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents surrounded a home Thursday in the Chambersburg section of Trenton. ICE failed to gain entry to detain an unknown number of people inside.

Immigration advocates are claiming victory.

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ICE engaged in ‘standoff’ in Trenton, N.J.
ICE agents failed to gain entry to detain an unknown number of people inside a home on Bayard Street.
whyy.org
August 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Norristown Municipal Council voted 4-1 Tuesday evening to appoint Michael Trail as the next chief of police.

Two council members opted to abstain. Trail will become Norristown's fourth police chief in as many years.

He declined to comment.

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Norristown appoints new police chief. Not every councilmember was on board
Michael Trail, who is currently Lansdale’s chief of police, will begin his tenure as Norristown’s top cop Nov. 3.
whyy.org
August 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
SEPTA is facing a major budget shortfall. Without an influx of state funding, the transit agency plans to cut 45% of its services.

Bucks County officials rallied Thursday at SEPTA’s Yardley station, demanding more funding for the agency.

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Bucks County Democrats call on state legislators to fund SEPTA ahead of deadline
Elected officials and residents expressed concerns over how SEPTA cuts could impact students, seniors and commuters who live in the suburbs.
whyy.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
For the first time in nearly four decades, Lansdowne Theater is opening its doors on August 22nd with a presentation of “Chazz Palminteri: A Bronx Tale.”

The small town theater is making a big comeback.

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‘A feast for your ears’: Century-old Lansdowne Theater set to return as concert hall
The historic theater in Delaware County is set to open its doors Aug. 22 for the first time in nearly 40 years.
whyy.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:12 PM
State Sen. Art Haywood, of Montgomery County, wants to prevent President Donald Trump from taking over local police like he did in D.C.

Legal scholars agree that Trump would have a difficult time finding any basis for such a move in other cities.

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Pennsylvania legislator to introduce bill blocking federal takeover of local police
State Sen. Art Haywood, of Montgomery County, wants to prevent President Donald Trump from taking over police in Pennsylvania like he did in Washington, D.C.
whyy.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Through Daniel Hoffman’s hands, ashes of the dead receive new life as art for the living.

Grieving customers send a scoop of cremated remains to Ahava Memorials where the Ardmore artist turns the last vestige of a loved one into a ceramic memorial.

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From ashes to art: Ardmore artist crafts ceramics from cremated remains
Grieving clients send cremated remains to Ahava Memorials, where artist Daniel Hoffman transforms ashes into ceramic art.
whyy.org
August 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Kenny Cooper
An Ardmore artist crafts ceramics out of cremated remains to help families memorialize their loved ones.

via @kennycooper.bsky.social
From ashes to art: Ardmore artist crafts ceramics from cremated remains
Grieving clients send cremated remains to Ahava Memorials, where artist Daniel Hoffman transforms ashes into ceramic art.
whyy.org
August 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM