SEPTA union looks for raises up to 5 percent in next contract
March 11, 2009
SEPTA management is continuing to negotiate with the union representing bus, subway, and trolley operators to come to a new contract agreement. Transport Workers Union Local 234 delivered a proposal to management yesterday, and SEPTA officials are expected to bring a counter-offer this morning. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports.
District hearing on plan to close North Philadelphia's William Penn High School this afternoon
March 11, 2009
Opponents of the plan to close North Philadelphia's William Penn High School will get their say at a school district hearing this afternoon. WHYY's Bill Hangley reports.
Philadelphia School Reform Commission considers district's five year reform plan
March 9, 2009
Philadelphia's School Reform Commission is considering the School District's five year reform plan. Meanwhile, apprehension about school closures and restructurings is pushing students, parents, and teachers to speak out. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports.
The clock is ticking on a contract between SEPTA and roughly 5,000 operators and mechanics. Today SEPTA officials and Transport Workers Union officials are negotiating - trying to avoid the first strike since a seven-day work stoppage in 2005. More from WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler.
Philadelphia-area schoolteachers got a unique learning experience today in one of Philadelphia City Hall's hidden gems. WHYY's Tom MacDonald reports from a session at the State Supreme Court's Philadelphia Home.
Caption: At right, State Supreme Court Justice Ronald D. Castille.
One hundred twenty New Jersey troopers are fighting to work past the mandatory retirement age of 55. The troopers have filed a lawsuit against the state. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports.
Nine convicts were released from Pennsylvania prisons when DNA evidence proved them innocent. Now the state will launch its own "Innocence Project" based at Temple University's Law School. Temple law students will research the cases and work with volunteer attorneys to file appeals. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports.
Pennsylvania Higher Education Asssistance Agency says cost-cutting will continue
March 6, 2009
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board-members say they're confident cost-cutting measures will continue, despite this week's firing of PHEAA president and CEO Michael Hershock. WHYY's Scott Detrow reports on the foundation's new leader.
Philadelphia is expanding a program seeking to help workers employed in the city buy homes. WHYY's Tom MacDonald reports those who work for qualifying companies could get city money to transition from renters to homeowners.
Philadelphia officials are satisfied with their response to a test of the city's Emergency Operations Center. The test is mandated by the state, and WHYY's Tom MacDonald reports the mock operation was meant to test the system.
Penn announces plan for green space along Schuylkill
March 5, 2009
The University of Pennsylvania is building Penn Park, a $40 million green space on what used to be U.S. Postal Service parking lots. It's the centerpiece of its Penn Connects fundraising campaign. WHYY's Denis Devine has the story.
Dave Heller spoke with Mayor Michael Nutter about the latest economic data for Philadelphia, the Board of Revision of Taxes and the decisions by other city officials to take or not to take voluntary pay cuts.
