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The Why

Listen to episodes of WHYY’s “The Why.”

Ranked #1

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Students say this N.J. school is failing to deal with sexual misconduct

Students say this N.J. school is failing to deal with sexual misconduct

WHYY recently revealed Stockton University hired a a professor with a troubling history of sexual harassment allegations... Read more

28 Oct 2019

Ranked #2

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The N.J. Democrat who voted against the impeachment inquiry

The N.J. Democrat who voted against the impeachment inquiry

New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew was one of only two House Democrats to vote against the impeachment inquiry playing... Read more

20 Nov 2019

12mins

Ranked #3

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Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ controversy continues with puzzling ruling

Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ controversy continues with puzzling ruling

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission says “Redskins” is a slur for Native Americans, but will still allow a Bucks... Read more

26 Nov 2019

13mins

Ranked #4

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Comcast at the Supreme Court, with U.S. civil rights at stake

Comcast at the Supreme Court, with U.S. civil rights at stake

Media mogul Byron Allen says Philadelphia-based cable giant Comcast wouldn’t carry his channels because he’s black. The ... Read more

19 Nov 2019

14mins

Most Popular Podcasts

Ranked #5

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How ‘prison gerrymandering’ could impact your voting district

How ‘prison gerrymandering’ could impact your voting district

The census counts prisoners in the districts where they’re in incarcerated — not where they’re from. Researchers at Vill... Read more

3 Oct 2019

Ranked #6

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Her daughter went missing. Then the social media attacks began

Her daughter went missing. Then the social media attacks began

Five-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez has been missing since mid-September. Almost immediately, the community came together t... Read more

29 Oct 2019

Ranked #7

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After Philly police standoff, an uncommon fix for a sadly common problem

After Philly police standoff, an uncommon fix for a sadly common problem

Almost three months after the nearly eight-hour police standoff in North Philly, which saw six officers shot, but no one... Read more

13 Nov 2019

13mins

Ranked #8

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How the Dems could take Delco

How the Dems could take Delco

One of the biggest political showdowns in next month’s election is in Delaware County, where Democrats could take contro... Read more

23 Oct 2019

Ranked #9

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Treating drug overdoses as homicides in Pa.

Treating drug overdoses as homicides in Pa.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in prosecuting drug overdose deaths as homicides. Prosecutors say it’s an important tool t... Read more

18 Nov 2019

13mins

Ranked #10

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Philly’s hidden school attendance problem

Philly’s hidden school attendance problem

The School District of Philadelphia boasts about its improved attendance numbers as a sign of success. But at Edison Hig... Read more

7 Oct 2019

Ranked #11

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Prosecutors want death for Tree of Life gunman. Why some survivors object

Prosecutors want death for Tree of Life gunman. Why some survivors object

Federal prosecutors want a man accused of killing 11 people at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh one year ago to ... Read more

24 Oct 2019

Ranked #12

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When the rules for treating transgender inmates aren’t followed

When the rules for treating transgender inmates aren’t followed

The federal government has guidelines in place for how transgender inmates should be treated in America’s jails and pris... Read more

14 Nov 2019

14mins

Ranked #13

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Philly doctors worried about a ‘lost generation’ of sickle-cell patients

Philly doctors worried about a ‘lost generation’ of sickle-cell patients

It used to be that when you were diagnosed with sickle-cell disease, you weren’t expected to live past your twenties. No... Read more

22 Oct 2019

Ranked #14

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When a real-life doomsday cult built a cave in Philadelphia

When a real-life doomsday cult built a cave in Philadelphia

Just in time for Halloween, we bring you the (mostly) true ghost story of a dank cave and an earnest monk who brought th... Read more

31 Oct 2019

Ranked #15

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The changing face of refugees in Pa. as Trump cuts arrivals

The changing face of refugees in Pa. as Trump cuts arrivals

As President Trump has continued to slash the number of refugees allowed to come to the United States, the administratio... Read more

16 Oct 2019

Ranked #16

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How independents pulled off a historic upset in Philly

How independents pulled off a historic upset in Philly

Philly’s no longer a two-party town. History was made Tuesday night when Working Families Party candidate Kendra Brooks ... Read more

7 Nov 2019

14mins

Ranked #17

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Philly’s supervised drug injection site moves forward

Philly’s supervised drug injection site moves forward

A federal judge recently ruled that opening a place where people could use illegal drugs under the watch of doctors and ... Read more

10 Oct 2019

Ranked #18

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On a judge’s whim, probation can become a trap

On a judge’s whim, probation can become a trap

In Philadelphia, 1 in 23 adults is on probation or parole. Violations of those terms can lead to even more time under co... Read more

12 Nov 2019

12mins

Ranked #19

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Why the iconic Painted Bride building will stand — for now

Why the iconic Painted Bride building will stand — for now

The Painted Bride, Philadelphia’s oldest alternative art space, wanted to pursue a more nomadic vision and sell its land... Read more

8 Oct 2019

Ranked #20

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How Philly narrowly avoided disaster after refinery explosion

How Philly narrowly avoided disaster after refinery explosion

Federal regulators have confirmed that more than 3,000 pounds of a toxic chemical called hydrofluoric acid was released ... Read more

21 Oct 2019

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