Rebecca Redelmeier
@rebeccaredelmeier.bsky.social
Covering Philly's public schools for @chalkbeat.org
Listen up ppl!
I yelled when we didn't have a budget so only fair that I yell when we do have a budget
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philly schools will get $193 million more in a new state budget lawmakers finally passed
Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro said the budget deal reflects a bipartisan compromise.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Listen up ppl!
Philadelphia’s youngest learners aren’t getting support services they’re legally entitled to.
Some families say they're waiting months for early intervention services, putting kids behind before they start kindergarten.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Some families say they're waiting months for early intervention services, putting kids behind before they start kindergarten.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
How Philly’s early intervention program is failing the city’s youngest kids
When Kimberly Halevy’s son was 3, she started hearing from his preschool that he needed extra support. But more than a year later, she describes the effort to get her kid services through Philly’s ear...
www.chalkbeat.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Philadelphia’s youngest learners aren’t getting support services they’re legally entitled to.
Some families say they're waiting months for early intervention services, putting kids behind before they start kindergarten.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Some families say they're waiting months for early intervention services, putting kids behind before they start kindergarten.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Hey hi, Pennsylvania still doesn't have a state budget and it's having a REAL impact on our youngest learners www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philly preschool owners are draining their savings during the state budget impasse
More than 100 days into the Pennsylvania budget impasse, some Philly preschool owners are using their own savings and taking out loans to stay afloat. But lawmakers still seem far from a budget agreem...
www.chalkbeat.org
October 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Hey hi, Pennsylvania still doesn't have a state budget and it's having a REAL impact on our youngest learners www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
NEW: SEPTA is restoring some bus lines that serve schools after an outcry from Philly students and teachers who said transit cuts made getting to school on time impossible.
The city announced that SEPTA agreed "in concept" to restore some service on Sept. 2.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
The city announced that SEPTA agreed "in concept" to restore some service on Sept. 2.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
SEPTA is restoring some service for Philly students
The city said that SEPTA agreed “in concept” to dedicate funding to restore priority bus lines for students next week.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
NEW: SEPTA is restoring some bus lines that serve schools after an outcry from Philly students and teachers who said transit cuts made getting to school on time impossible.
The city announced that SEPTA agreed "in concept" to restore some service on Sept. 2.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
The city announced that SEPTA agreed "in concept" to restore some service on Sept. 2.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
The stellar @rebeccaredelmeier.bsky.social got up at the crack of dawn to ride SEPTA to school with two Philly students. The whole trip took over an hour and they missed a bus and had to walk the last mile to Palumbo. These cuts are already having a real impact on Philly's young people:
Follow 2 students as SEPTA cuts complicate their commute on the first day of school
Students across Philadelphia are waking up earlier and waiting longer for SEPTA to get them to school. But many say they’re bound to be late anyway, with less reliable service and more crowded routes....
www.chalkbeat.org
August 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The stellar @rebeccaredelmeier.bsky.social got up at the crack of dawn to ride SEPTA to school with two Philly students. The whole trip took over an hour and they missed a bus and had to walk the last mile to Palumbo. These cuts are already having a real impact on Philly's young people:
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
For 6 months, I’ve followed ELLIS, a Bronx HS for newcomers, to understand what it means to educate immigrant students in Trump’s second term.
Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive.
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive.
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
‘They’ve given her a lot of hope’: A NYC school fights to educate an undocumented teen under Trump
For Bridget and Marta, ELLIS Prep often felt like the only public institution with its arms open in a city and country that seemed not to want them.
www.chalkbeat.org
August 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
For 6 months, I’ve followed ELLIS, a Bronx HS for newcomers, to understand what it means to educate immigrant students in Trump’s second term.
Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive.
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Proud to share the 1st of 2 stories about ELLIS, Bridget, an undocumented teen, & the fight to keep her education alive.
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
A federal judge ruled a Philadelphia charter school that sued the school district to allow it to stay open despite poor academic performance must close.
But officials representing Memphis Street Academy Charter School say the school plans to stay open in the fall.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
But officials representing Memphis Street Academy Charter School say the school plans to stay open in the fall.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Federal judge rules that Philadelphia’s Memphis Street Academy must shut down
A federal judge has ordered a Philadelphia charter school to close after years operating on an expired charter agreement. But officials representing Memphis Street Academy Charter School say they plan...
www.chalkbeat.org
July 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A federal judge ruled a Philadelphia charter school that sued the school district to allow it to stay open despite poor academic performance must close.
But officials representing Memphis Street Academy Charter School say the school plans to stay open in the fall.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
But officials representing Memphis Street Academy Charter School say the school plans to stay open in the fall.
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
NEW: Philly school district officials have promised any future school closures will be benefit students.
But community leaders involved in the planning process say it's become opaque.
"We are not looked at as resources. We are looked at as obstacles.”
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
But community leaders involved in the planning process say it's become opaque.
"We are not looked at as resources. We are looked at as obstacles.”
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process
School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...
www.chalkbeat.org
June 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
NEW: Philly school district officials have promised any future school closures will be benefit students.
But community leaders involved in the planning process say it's become opaque.
"We are not looked at as resources. We are looked at as obstacles.”
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
But community leaders involved in the planning process say it's become opaque.
"We are not looked at as resources. We are looked at as obstacles.”
www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Philly's school district wants the community to participate in its closure/modernization process. But members of their advisory groups say their time has felt wasted by bureaucratic presentations. They worry the district is using them to add credibility to a flawed process.
Philadelphia community leaders ring alarm bells about school closure process
School district officials have pledged not to repeat mistakes that fractured communities and hurt students. But parents and community leaders involved in the district’s facilities planning process, wh...
www.chalkbeat.org
June 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Philly's school district wants the community to participate in its closure/modernization process. But members of their advisory groups say their time has felt wasted by bureaucratic presentations. They worry the district is using them to add credibility to a flawed process.
It's my first day at @chalkbeat.org, where I'm covering the School District of Philadelphia!
I am so happy to get to dig into the education beat in this great city. If you wanna chat Philly schools, please reach out!
I am so happy to get to dig into the education beat in this great city. If you wanna chat Philly schools, please reach out!
May 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
It's my first day at @chalkbeat.org, where I'm covering the School District of Philadelphia!
I am so happy to get to dig into the education beat in this great city. If you wanna chat Philly schools, please reach out!
I am so happy to get to dig into the education beat in this great city. If you wanna chat Philly schools, please reach out!
Very cool data visualization from @puddingviz.bsky.social on how middle schoolers are doing, based on survey answers from millions of students.
pudding.cool/2025/02/midd...
pudding.cool/2025/02/midd...
The Middle Ages
Follow hundreds of kids as they navigate their treacherous middle school years.
pudding.cool
March 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Very cool data visualization from @puddingviz.bsky.social on how middle schoolers are doing, based on survey answers from millions of students.
pudding.cool/2025/02/midd...
pudding.cool/2025/02/midd...
Trump’s federal job cuts have left many early-career scientists in turmoil.
WSKG's Aurora Berry and I spoke to Ph.D. students whose advisors, employed by the USDA, lost their jobs last month. They told us the upheaval has already taken a toll.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
WSKG's Aurora Berry and I spoke to Ph.D. students whose advisors, employed by the USDA, lost their jobs last month. They told us the upheaval has already taken a toll.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
‘Disheartening and lonely’: Trump’s federal job cuts leave Cornell scientists in turmoil
After thousands of Department of Agriculture employees were fired last month, some early-career scientists have lost advisers. Ph.D. students at Cornell university say they worry about the future of t...
www.wskg.org
March 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Trump’s federal job cuts have left many early-career scientists in turmoil.
WSKG's Aurora Berry and I spoke to Ph.D. students whose advisors, employed by the USDA, lost their jobs last month. They told us the upheaval has already taken a toll.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
WSKG's Aurora Berry and I spoke to Ph.D. students whose advisors, employed by the USDA, lost their jobs last month. They told us the upheaval has already taken a toll.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Ithaca got a lot of attention when it committed to electrifying all of its buildings by 2030. It partnered with a company called BlocPower to manage the effort.
But the whole thing didn't quite go as planned. For @npr.org, I reported on the lessons learned:
www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...
But the whole thing didn't quite go as planned. For @npr.org, I reported on the lessons learned:
www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...
Lessons from Ithaca's Green New Deal
As part of its Green New Deal, Ithaca pledged to decarbonize all of its buildings by 2030. It hasn't gone as planned, but the city has lessons for others trying to tackle this key climate challenge.
www.npr.org
February 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Ithaca got a lot of attention when it committed to electrifying all of its buildings by 2030. It partnered with a company called BlocPower to manage the effort.
But the whole thing didn't quite go as planned. For @npr.org, I reported on the lessons learned:
www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...
But the whole thing didn't quite go as planned. For @npr.org, I reported on the lessons learned:
www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
BlocPower promised to help electrify Ithaca. Now it has ended its support.
The company ended its collaboration with the city in New York after completing the electrification of only 10 buildings.
grist.org/buildings/bl...
#GreenSky #Climate #NewYork #Ithaca
The company ended its collaboration with the city in New York after completing the electrification of only 10 buildings.
grist.org/buildings/bl...
#GreenSky #Climate #NewYork #Ithaca
BlocPower promised to help electrify Ithaca. Now it has ended its support.
In 2021, the small city of Ithaca announced it would electrify all of its 6,000 buildings with the help of one key partner: a technology company called BlocPower, whose then-CEO Donnel Baird said the ...
grist.org
February 10, 2025 at 7:06 PM
BlocPower promised to help electrify Ithaca. Now it has ended its support.
The company ended its collaboration with the city in New York after completing the electrification of only 10 buildings.
grist.org/buildings/bl...
#GreenSky #Climate #NewYork #Ithaca
The company ended its collaboration with the city in New York after completing the electrification of only 10 buildings.
grist.org/buildings/bl...
#GreenSky #Climate #NewYork #Ithaca
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Support your local public radio stations. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/b...
F.C.C. Chair Orders Investigation Into NPR and PBS Stations
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, recently expressed concern about NPR and PBS’s sponsorships.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Support your local public radio stations. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/b...
NEW: The green tech company BlocPower promised to help electrify cities like Ithaca. It raised millions and won awards for its work.
Now, it has apparently given up.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Now, it has apparently given up.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
BlocPower promised to help electrify Ithaca. Now it has ended its support
The technology company said it would help make Ithaca the first fully-electrified city in the U.S. It left town after initiating only 14 electrification projects.
www.wskg.org
January 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
NEW: The green tech company BlocPower promised to help electrify cities like Ithaca. It raised millions and won awards for its work.
Now, it has apparently given up.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Now, it has apparently given up.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
The American Climate Corps is over. What even was it?
Biden's green jobs program was never what it seemed. Now it's shutting down before Trump takes office.
grist.org/politics/ame...
#Biden #ClimateCorps
Biden's green jobs program was never what it seemed. Now it's shutting down before Trump takes office.
grist.org/politics/ame...
#Biden #ClimateCorps
The American Climate Corps is over. What even was it?
Biden's green jobs program was never what it seemed. Now it's shutting down before Trump takes office.
grist.org
January 15, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The American Climate Corps is over. What even was it?
Biden's green jobs program was never what it seemed. Now it's shutting down before Trump takes office.
grist.org/politics/ame...
#Biden #ClimateCorps
Biden's green jobs program was never what it seemed. Now it's shutting down before Trump takes office.
grist.org/politics/ame...
#Biden #ClimateCorps
New York passed a ban on gas stoves in new buildings. Could Trump interfere?
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
New York passed a ban on gas stoves in new buildings. Could Trump interfere?
The president-elect is reportedly considering an executive action meant to protect gas stoves from local and statewide bans.
www.wskg.org
January 14, 2025 at 11:18 PM
New York passed a ban on gas stoves in new buildings. Could Trump interfere?
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Galen Buckwalter, 68, shared with me his harrowing tale of being forced to flee the Eaton fire alone on his wheelchair through dark streets and fierce winds, dodging debris as fire neared his home.
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
Fleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’
An evacuation order when the Eaton fire threatened Galen Buckwalter’s Sierra Madre home triggered a nightmare odyssey through chaotic streets
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Galen Buckwalter, 68, shared with me his harrowing tale of being forced to flee the Eaton fire alone on his wheelchair through dark streets and fierce winds, dodging debris as fire neared his home.
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
“In emergencies, disabled people are the last to get services…We have no system. You’re on your own”
New York’s new ‘Climate Superfund’ law requires oil and gas companies to pay for some of the damages caused by climate change.
But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges before it raises any funds
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges before it raises any funds
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
New York’s ‘Climate Superfund’ law expected to face legal challenges
The new legislation requires oil and gas companies to pay for some of the damages caused by climate change. But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges.
www.wskg.org
January 8, 2025 at 4:38 PM
New York’s new ‘Climate Superfund’ law requires oil and gas companies to pay for some of the damages caused by climate change.
But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges before it raises any funds
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges before it raises any funds
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
A new law in New York that promises to make oil and gas companies pay for damages caused by climate change is expected to face a court battle before it raises any funds, according to legal scholars and others familiar with the legislation.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
New York’s ‘Climate Superfund’ law expected to face legal challenges
The new legislation requires oil and gas companies to pay for some of the damages caused by climate change. But legal experts say it's expected to face legal challenges.
www.wskg.org
January 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
A new law in New York that promises to make oil and gas companies pay for damages caused by climate change is expected to face a court battle before it raises any funds, according to legal scholars and others familiar with the legislation.
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
www.wskg.org/regional-new...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Outraged by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a wilderness survival trainer spent years undercover climbing the ranks of right-wing militias.
He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends. The one person he told was ProPublica reporter @josh-kaplan.bsky.social.
propub.li/3DGXECO
He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends. The one person he told was ProPublica reporter @josh-kaplan.bsky.social.
propub.li/3DGXECO
The Militia and the Mole
Outraged by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a wilderness survival trainer spent years undercover climbing the ranks of right-wing militias. He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends. The one person he told was a ProPublica reporter.
propub.li
January 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Outraged by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a wilderness survival trainer spent years undercover climbing the ranks of right-wing militias.
He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends. The one person he told was ProPublica reporter @josh-kaplan.bsky.social.
propub.li/3DGXECO
He didn’t tell police or the FBI. He didn’t tell family or friends. The one person he told was ProPublica reporter @josh-kaplan.bsky.social.
propub.li/3DGXECO
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
Do you have a child care story to share as a parent/caregiver and/or provider? I'd love to hear it. Fill out this form and I'll be in touch as I start working on our next early ed stories (nothing will be published before I reach out!): docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Child care experiences
Hi! As I continue to cover the child care industry in America, I'd love to speak to more parents and providers about experiences finding and navigating child care. I will never publish what you send i...
docs.google.com
January 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Do you have a child care story to share as a parent/caregiver and/or provider? I'd love to hear it. Fill out this form and I'll be in touch as I start working on our next early ed stories (nothing will be published before I reach out!): docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
A recent survey finds that more than half of young people aged 16-25 are highly worried about climate change. Some universities are now trying to help them navigate those emotions in class.
College students get emotional about climate change. Some are finding help in class
A recent survey finds that more than half of young people aged 16-25 are highly worried about climate change. Some universities are now trying to help them navigate those emotions in class.
www.npr.org
December 23, 2024 at 4:33 PM
A recent survey finds that more than half of young people aged 16-25 are highly worried about climate change. Some universities are now trying to help them navigate those emotions in class.
Reposted by Rebecca Redelmeier
During the dark days of December, it can be difficult to find joy out in the cold. In Ithaca, an annual sporting event based around a root vegetable is meant to bring some cheer to the season.
A freezing rutabaga curl brings joy and competition to Ithaca
The unlikely competition involves rolling Rutabagas down a bocce-like course. Costumes and revelry encouraged.
www.wskg.org
December 26, 2024 at 2:50 PM
During the dark days of December, it can be difficult to find joy out in the cold. In Ithaca, an annual sporting event based around a root vegetable is meant to bring some cheer to the season.