This episode features stories from reporters Milan Parker and Alisha Miranda about how communities are stepping up to fill a gap left by the small number of Philadelphia schools staffed by professional librarians, and a look a the history of Philadelphia’s iconic Bellevue hotel. We also speak with Alexa Palma about the Save the Academy Movement that has arisen since Drexel University announced it would close the Academy of Natural Sciences, effective September 27th. Alex Palma is an archivist, lecturer and grants consultant in the Philadelphia area. He is president of the Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia and an ally of the Save The Academy coalition.
Block by Block
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Around the Block
August 16, 2026 (Around the Block)
This episode features a story about efforts preserve the character of Philadelphia’s historic buildings and neighborhoods from unchecked development, and an interview with Philadelphia City Council Education Chair Isaiah Thomas and Children First Policy Director Symbol Lai about pre-school pushout and the impact of only some Philadelphia schools offering Algebra I classes to eight grade students.
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Around the Block
July 19, 2026 (Around the Block)
This episode features a story about events that took place around the July 4th holiday to call attention to the ugly truths behind the some of the nation’s foundational stories, and a live in-studio interview with Chloe Harris, director of Starr Garden Playground and Rec Center, which is known for its LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC inclusive programming.
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Around the Block
June 21, 2026 (Around the Block)
This episode features reports from our community journalists about a program bringing soccer to kids in Southwest Philly, an effort to keep AI data centers out of the region, and an interview with Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Executive Vice President Kate McNamara about development at the Navy Yard in South Philly.
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Block by Block
June 10, 2026
This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a political activist’s return to the US after being detained by the Israeli military while participating in the largest flotilla attempting to break through Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, what it takes for students to succeed when learning English as a […]
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Block by Block
May 27, 2026
This episode of Block by Block features stories from our community news reporters about a group of Philadelphians working to bring back the spirit of the early web by hand-coding their own websites, the importance of diversity among archivists and research librarians, a new Yemeni-style coffee shop in West Philly, and a Northwest Philly non-profit […]
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Around the Block
May 17, 2026 (Around the Block)
Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews. This episode features reports from our community journalists about […]
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Block by Block
May 13, 2026
This episode features stories from our community news reporters about an exhibit featuring the work of Philly photographers and media artists whose work documents decades of community resistance against oppression, a long-time Philly educator who opened a tutoring center after closing a charter school, a local non-profit working to bring a bit of Hollywood to […]
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Block by Block
April 29, 2026
This episode features stories from our community news reporters about candidates running for seats in Philly’s Democratic City Committee in hopes of changing the system, a remembrance of a massive protest in Philly during the country’s bicentennial anniversary – 50 years ago, an artist whose work brings past and present together, and why an award-winning […]
Posted inPodcast Episodes, Radio, Around the Block
April 19, 2026 (Around the Block)
Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews. This episode features a report on Philadelphia City Council’s […]