Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
@lizzymcrav.bsky.social
Writing and editing for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Otherwise reading, running, drinking coffee, raising children, and making excellent jokes.
Looking for another way to help out? Here's one local grassroots approach: www.inquirer.com/news/pennsyl...
‘Grocery buddies’ take action to help neighbors amid SNAP uncertainty
On social media and at community pantries, Philly-area residents are taking a grassroots approach to mutual aid akin to the early days of the pandemic.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Looking for another way to help out? Here's one local grassroots approach: www.inquirer.com/news/pennsyl...
And more useful info: www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
Need food assistance? Here’s where to find free groceries, meals, and community fridges near you.
Here’s where to find free groceries and meals across the Philadelphia region, including food pantries, mutual aid groups, and community fridges helping neighbors in need.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:25 PM
And more useful info: www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
Some useful info: SNAP benefits are freezing this Saturday. Here’s what Philadelphians need to know.https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/snap-food-assistance-benefits-questions-20251030.html
SNAP benefits are freezing this Saturday. Here’s what Philadelphians need to know.
SNAP benefits will shut down on Nov. 1. Here's a breakdown of how that will affect Philadelphia.
www.inquirer.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Some useful info: SNAP benefits are freezing this Saturday. Here’s what Philadelphians need to know.https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/snap-food-assistance-benefits-questions-20251030.html
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
In August, @lizzymcrav.bsky.social reported similar findings among Philadelphia employers www.inquirer.com/business/hyb...
Philly office workers have settled into hybrid ways, but the office evolution isn’t over yet.
Workers are leaning on any flexibility they can get as they balance work and life responsibilities. And SEPTA cuts could throw the whole routine into disarray.
www.inquirer.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
In August, @lizzymcrav.bsky.social reported similar findings among Philadelphia employers www.inquirer.com/business/hyb...
The leaders of three of Pennsylvania’s largest employers — the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast — on proposed SEPTA cuts
3 of Pa.’s largest employers urge: Fund SEPTA and other mass transit now | Opinion
Depriving public transit of needed resources will have economic impacts throughout the commonwealth, write the leaders of University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast.
www.inquirer.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The leaders of three of Pennsylvania’s largest employers — the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Comcast — on proposed SEPTA cuts
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
Check out my profile of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which is launching its most ambitious redevelopment and expansion plan since the 1960s at an extremely disadvantageous time www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
Inside PHA’s $6.3 billion plan to save public housing
Kelvin Jeremiah has led PHA into a new and scandal-free era that now includes a campaign to dramatically overhaul the agency's portfolio.
www.inquirer.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Check out my profile of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which is launching its most ambitious redevelopment and expansion plan since the 1960s at an extremely disadvantageous time www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
The planned cuts to SEPTA service would upend the lives of people who work in Philadelphia, and "crush" local businesses that have struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. By @jblumgart.bsky.social, Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells
SEPTA cuts would pose an ‘existential threat’ to Center City, business owners say
Philly employers, workers, and small business owners are ‘horrified’ by the possibility of steep SEPTA cuts.
inquirer.com
May 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The planned cuts to SEPTA service would upend the lives of people who work in Philadelphia, and "crush" local businesses that have struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. By @jblumgart.bsky.social, Erin McCarthy and Ariana Perez-Castells
What it's like to work for the National Park Service in Philadelphia right now
Philly’s National Park Service workers are understaffed and overworked
Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park is short-staffed and workers have been leaving the agency’s regional office based in Center City.
www.inquirer.com
May 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
What it's like to work for the National Park Service in Philadelphia right now
Intersex advocates say the idea of just two sexes doesn’t track with what we know about human biology — or about them.
www.inquirer.com/life/interse...
www.inquirer.com/life/interse...
For Philly’s intersex community, Trump administration’s focus on gender and sex is a threat
Intersex people are speaking out in the face of the administration’s efforts to define sex as a biological binary.
www.inquirer.com
May 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Intersex advocates say the idea of just two sexes doesn’t track with what we know about human biology — or about them.
www.inquirer.com/life/interse...
www.inquirer.com/life/interse...
Childcare for two kids costs more than housing in Philadelphia and 13 other major metros in the U.S. And in Philly, both essentials are getting more expensive. www.inquirer.com/consumer/chi...
In Philly, childcare for two kids costs more than rent — and both are getting more expensive
Rental housing and childcare for two kids in Philly costs 61% of the area median income.
www.inquirer.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Childcare for two kids costs more than housing in Philadelphia and 13 other major metros in the U.S. And in Philly, both essentials are getting more expensive. www.inquirer.com/consumer/chi...
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
"I'm talking to my fellow Main Liners when I say it is time for you to get involved.
This is not an issue to be solved by just putting out yard signs... It requires us to be so loud that they can hear us all the way to Harrisburg.” — Olivia Loudon
This is not an issue to be solved by just putting out yard signs... It requires us to be so loud that they can hear us all the way to Harrisburg.” — Olivia Loudon
Memo from Montco: Deep SEPTA cuts would make the county less livable and prosperous
Elected leaders, college officials, and students gathered at the Bryn Mawr train station to talk about how SEPTA impacts Montgomery County's economic success.
www.inquirer.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
"I'm talking to my fellow Main Liners when I say it is time for you to get involved.
This is not an issue to be solved by just putting out yard signs... It requires us to be so loud that they can hear us all the way to Harrisburg.” — Olivia Loudon
This is not an issue to be solved by just putting out yard signs... It requires us to be so loud that they can hear us all the way to Harrisburg.” — Olivia Loudon
Here's what to do if you have a prescription at a Rite Aid www.inquirer.com/business/rit...
What Rite Aid pharmacy customers can expect as stores begin to close
Rite Aid will keep filling prescriptions for now, but script files are set to be sold in an auction next week.
www.inquirer.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Here's what to do if you have a prescription at a Rite Aid www.inquirer.com/business/rit...
Big news about Rite Aid www.inquirer.com/business/rit...
Rite Aid files for bankruptcy again, plans to close or sell all stores
The pharmacy chain based in the Navy Yard has been struggling for years. It first filed for bankruptcy in October 2023.
www.inquirer.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Big news about Rite Aid www.inquirer.com/business/rit...
Wondering how much Jersey Shore towns spend to market themselves as the go-to vacation place? www.inquirer.com/business/jer...
Selling the Shore: Wildwood, Atlantic City, and other beach towns spend millions on ads to attract summer visitors
The communities spend anywhere from $80,000 to $4 million to market themselves. Some seek to rebrand, while others reemphasize the attributes that their loyal visitors know and love.
www.inquirer.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Wondering how much Jersey Shore towns spend to market themselves as the go-to vacation place? www.inquirer.com/business/jer...
Some big Philly law firms are pulling DEI language from their websites www.inquirer.com/business/law...
Some big Philly law firms are pulling DEI language from their websites
Only a couple Philadelphia firms were singled out by the EEOC under Trump, but several more have been tweaking their messaging around DEI efforts.
www.inquirer.com
April 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Some big Philly law firms are pulling DEI language from their websites www.inquirer.com/business/law...
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
The full story behind all of the corruption involved with the recent renovation of Amtrak's 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is well worth the read:
www.inquirer.com/crime/amtrak...
www.inquirer.com/crime/amtrak...
How the restoration of Philly’s historic 30th St. Station became a corruption bonanza
Contractors lavished an Amtrak manager with $150,000 in cash bribes, luxury cars, vacations, and a pure-bred German shepherd puppy. In exchange, he approved millions of dollars in extra work.
www.inquirer.com
April 25, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The full story behind all of the corruption involved with the recent renovation of Amtrak's 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is well worth the read:
www.inquirer.com/crime/amtrak...
www.inquirer.com/crime/amtrak...
Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi writes: "The global trade war has already seriously damaged our safe-haven status and will be costly to our economy." Time to salvage it is running out. www.inquirer.com/economy/trum...
Trump’s ‘ham-handed’ tariffs have long-term implications for global markets and interest rates, economist Zandi says
If the Trump administration stands down from the trade war soon, it could salvage the country's safe-haven status. But if not, it will cost the U.S. economy dearly.
www.inquirer.com
April 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi writes: "The global trade war has already seriously damaged our safe-haven status and will be costly to our economy." Time to salvage it is running out. www.inquirer.com/economy/trum...
Thousands of federal workers have been laid off this year, and more are planned to be fired. Here's what it's like for those who remain.
For Philly’s remaining federal employees, work evokes anxiety, guilt, resentment
Federal employees in Philadelphia are dealing with increased work loads, returning to the office full-time, and weighing whether to remain in public service amid job uncertainty.
www.inquirer.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Thousands of federal workers have been laid off this year, and more are planned to be fired. Here's what it's like for those who remain.
Not shopping this year? You're not alone.
These Philly-area residents are doing No-Buy 2025. Here’s how much they’ve saved.
Interest in the challenge is at an all-time high nationwide. Local participants say it has resulted in more savings, less screen time, and longer walks but has also made dating harder.
www.inquirer.com
April 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Not shopping this year? You're not alone.
Nobody likes us. Not even the rats. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipSL...
Why Philly fields fewer rat complaints than New York City and D.C.
YouTube video by The Philadelphia Inquirer
www.youtube.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Nobody likes us. Not even the rats. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipSL...
Panic buying your must-have imports? @beaforman.bsky.social wrote about it. But this quote at the end of her piece also struck me... “I’m in a holding pattern. I’m basically just buying food ... If other consumers are like me, the economy is going to tank.”
Philadelphia-area shoppers don’t regret panic purchasing Korean skincare, Mexican Cokes, and Japanese stationery amid tariff uncertainty
When President Donald Trump announced he was pausing the majority of tariffs for 90 days, Philly shoppers had already started panic buying. Now, they say the extra time is an excuse to stockpile.
www.inquirer.com
April 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Panic buying your must-have imports? @beaforman.bsky.social wrote about it. But this quote at the end of her piece also struck me... “I’m in a holding pattern. I’m basically just buying food ... If other consumers are like me, the economy is going to tank.”
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
I talked with a bunch of real estate industry leaders about how Trump's tariffs, and the erratic nature of his second term in office, are effecting an industry that was already facing immense challenges: share.inquirer.com/fUT70l
What Trump’s tariff policies mean for Philadelphia real estate development
President Trump has further raised tariffs on China, which provides appliances and construction material, and economic uncertainty is making it difficult to borrow money.
share.inquirer.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I talked with a bunch of real estate industry leaders about how Trump's tariffs, and the erratic nature of his second term in office, are effecting an industry that was already facing immense challenges: share.inquirer.com/fUT70l
Reposted by Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
The fear among academics and lawyers now talking on the record on just about any topic that involves the federal government or the White House is really extraordinary and worrisome, and getting worse, it seems to me, every week. Dissent by an establishment figures becoming verboten in the US
April 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The fear among academics and lawyers now talking on the record on just about any topic that involves the federal government or the White House is really extraordinary and worrisome, and getting worse, it seems to me, every week. Dissent by an establishment figures becoming verboten in the US
While the number of remote workers has been shrinking locally and nationally, telework opportunities still exist. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and especially Delaware, conditions are favorable for those who work from home.
Here’s why Pa., N.J., and Del. rank among the best states to work remotely
The ranking considered work environment factors such as share of people working from home, households’ internet access, and cybersecurity risk.
www.inquirer.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
While the number of remote workers has been shrinking locally and nationally, telework opportunities still exist. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and especially Delaware, conditions are favorable for those who work from home.