Sophia Schmidt
@tough_schmidt_
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Environmental justice reporter @WHYYNews @PlanPhilly. 2021 @MetcalfURI fellow. Previously @NPRWeekend & @DelawarePublic. 🏳️🌈 she/her
Philadelphia, PA
Joined January 2017
With LIHEAP delayed due to the government shutdown, over 300,000 Pa. households will wait longer for help heating their homes. Here are some other resources for help paying your energy bills ↓ via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/LZYBfbo2hT
whyy.org
With the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program delayed, over 300,000 Pa. households will wait longer for help heating their homes.
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Philadelphia seniors are tracking microplastics in streams and working to "leave a better world." Here's how ↓ via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/WSSGnpKV8g
whyy.org
Members of the Senior Environment Corps wade into streams, peer through microscopes and teach kids how to identify aquatic critters.
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Some Philly neighborhoods, like Hunting Park, can reach 20+ degrees hotter than in greener areas. A new "cool pavement" pilot program aims to combat summer heat. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/E28GwbKsRQ
whyy.org
The city finished installing a second “cool pavement” test patch this summer. So far, results are mixed.
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The heat index will soar above 100 degrees early next week. Older adults, people with heart issues and those without A/C are at highest risk. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/bH2XPIjfbr
whyy.org
The heat index will soar above 100 degrees early next week. Older adults, people with heart issues and those without A/C are at highest risk.
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Question for a story: during heat waves, you often hear the advice to check on your neighbors. Has anyone done that during a heat wave? Or been checked on by a neighbor, family member or friend? How did it go?sschmidt@whyy.org
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Philadelphians are tracking air quality and pollution from their rowhouses in real time. With the fate of EPA regulations uncertain, advocates say such local environmental protection efforts are increasingly important. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/UuQTWHF6Rp
whyy.org
With the fate of EPA regulations uncertain, advocates say local environmental protection efforts, like a community air monitoring network, are increasingly important.
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Residents say officials should have communicated in “real-time” and released details about air monitoring and chemicals at the plant sooner. @tough_schmidt_ + @whyyfirst + @E_B_Neil
https://t.co/GHXb02MbZr
whyy.org
Residents say officials should have communicated in “real-time” and released details about air monitoring and chemicals at the plant sooner.
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Philadelphia’s first female battalion chief, Linda Long, retired in 2023 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. She thinks it’s linked to years of toxic exposures. 🎧 via @tough_schmidt_ + @WHYYThePulse
https://t.co/O8ovbLjLSA
whyy.org
Philadelphia’s first female battalion chief, Linda Long, retired in 2023 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. She thinks it’s linked to years of toxic exposures.
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‘We are really concerned’: Salty water creeps toward Philly drinking water intake as dry conditions persist via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/sgJlUavhJo
whyy.org
The Delaware River Basin Commission has a plan for situations like this, and could step up its efforts to repel the salt front if conditions worsen.
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Miriam and Benny Saladin were set to retire in Manville, N.J. But their home was located between two rivers, and in more than two decades, their house flooded three times. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/keAlli0Zsf
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Philly libraries are used as cooling centers during dangerous heat waves. But it turns out many have unreliable A/C. This summer more than a third of Philly libraries closed for at least a day due to cooling issues. @PlanPhilly @whyy
whyy.org
Philly libraries are used as cooling centers during extreme heat. But many have unreliable A/C.
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Philly libraries are used as cooling centers during extreme heat. But nearly two dozen closed this summer due to unreliable A/C. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/3XYu4UkHHN
whyy.org
Philly libraries are used as cooling centers during extreme heat. But many have unreliable A/C.
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A high-profile donation from Jalen Hurts landed A/C units in several more Philly schools. But 63 still lack sufficient air conditioning, district officials say. via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/10UEZ3ypGo
whyy.org
A high-profile donation landed A/C units in several more schools. But 63 still lack sufficient air conditioning, district officials say.
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As Debby moves up the East Coast, the Philly region faces threats of heavy rain, damaging wind and possible tornadoes. Here's what to know ↓ via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/PUXH5ipabl
whyy.org
Episodes of heavy rain and damaging wind are possible Friday. Sunny skies should return Saturday.
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Tropical Storm Debby could "supercharge" a cold front and bring heavy rain and flooding to the Philly region. Here's what to know ↓ via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/zwjzgZt7IC
whyy.org
Some areas have already seen a month’s worth of rain this week.
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Hydrogen-related businesses pay to network. Environmental justice advocates say those doors should be open to the public. @tough_schmidt_ explains ↓ https://t.co/VcHFe9eflc
whyy.org
MACH2 leaders say the business networking events don’t preclude community engagement. Activists say they’re an example of exclusivity.
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The Philly region is facing another heat wave. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and cool ↓ via @zoeread88, @mariapulcinella, @susanphill + @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/5xuCCZXk9o
whyy.org
Here’s what you need to know, from extreme heat terminology to how to stay safe and cool despite soaring temps.
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"The Inquirer asked the three turf companies the city might hire for samples of their product so we could test it. None would reply." https://t.co/JKroY3uE48
inquirer.com
The Inquirer asked the three turf companies the city might hire for samples of their product so we could test it. None would reply.
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With more than a month left of summer, demand is outpacing funding for Pa.’s LIHEAP air conditioner program. “They’re making it harder … for people with disabilities and older people,” said one Philly resident. “We need help." via @tough_schmidt_
https://t.co/gzgNeUwj4o
whyy.org
With more than a month left of the program, over a dozen county agencies have waitlists. “Demand is outrageous,” one official said.
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Philadelphians are missing out on flood insurance discounts. The city could cash in next year. @tough_schmidt_ explains ↓ https://t.co/V9bJspvgAi
whyy.org
Climate change will bring increased flooding to the Philly region, but flood insurance can be a hardship for many homeowners. A FEMA program could help lower the cost.
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