William Bender
@wbender99
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Reporter @PhillyInquirer/@PhillyDailyNews, investigations team. Public corruption, gov't accountability, fraudsters, grifters. Tennis. 🎾🎾🎾
Joined March 2009
This @njvadala story on Philly's Thanksgiving parade -- 1986 Gimbel's drama! The villain from Sterns' parent company! Action News saves the day! -- is really good. And I have to admit my interest in the parade was close to zero before reading it https://t.co/w5Z1GQ3zFk
inquirer.com
The 1986 edition of the country's oldest Thanksgiving Day parade was imperiled by Gimbels' liquidation.
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"Federal investigators are treating the fire as arson."
inquirer.com
Property records show the notorious landlord signed a deed transfer two days before the June 2025 fire. The new owners are now demolishing the building.
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A W. Philly apartment building was destroyed in a suspected arson right after its tenants were evicted and the building sold to shell company. What is this, the ‘70s? Great reporting by @rw_briggs and Bill Bender.
inquirer.com
Property records show the notorious landlord signed a deed transfer two days before the June 2025 fire. The new owners are now demolishing the building.
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Former @PhillyInquirer photographer and a good guy, help him out 👇 https://t.co/knmR3ZIN0C
gofundme.com
On November 14th, my 61st birthday, I, David Swanson, was diagnosed with squamo… David Strathearn needs your support for Support David Swanson's Cancer Battle
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I’ve looked up to @catherine_lucey since I was a cub reporter and she was the queen of the Philadelphia City Hall press corps. She’s always been fearless, fair and great at asking questions.
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WASHINGTON (@AP) — The Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” when it secured an indictment against James Comey, a federal judge ruled Monday in directing prosecutors to provide grand jury materials to defense lawyers.
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We are proud to announce a scholarship fund for our friend @mikedays Michael I. Days as a way to carry on his legacy after his untimely death on Oct. 18, 2025. Pleass donate heartily so that more young journalists can follow in Mike's path! https://t.co/HpxL5GFtgc
givebutter.com
NABJ-Philadelphia has created this scholarship fund in honor of its inaugural president Michael I. Days
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Not sure how I just rediscovered this but 😆
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Rest in peace, Jack DeJohnette. It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of the legendary drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette…. Initially, his death was reported with confusion and lack of verification — rumours circulated, details were uncertain.
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The first two Alexander Calders don't get much space in the wondrous gardens that opened last month and are named for the third. I got to dig into the legacy of all three sculptors who helped shape Philadelphia's public spaces. https://t.co/Blyl2c7rE6 via @phillyinquirer
inquirer.com
The new Calder Gardens brings an opportunity to celebrate the family's dynasty in Philadelphia.
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HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING https://t.co/Og5oTPmN1i
inquirer.com
The new accommodations offer "the magic of the outdoors with modern comfort and convenience."
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"'His client, he told the court, 'is tough to control' and 'talks in a stream of consciousness and talks without regard to understanding the entire context of what’s going on as being perceived by people around him.'" Can't stop laughing at this sentence https://t.co/FzKjS5bBSF
inquirer.com
The state Board of Judicial Discipline is weighing whether to suspend Judge Scott DiClaudio without pay amid allegations that he tried to influence a fellow judge's decision in a criminal case.
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Very important reading to start the week with @JasonNark @dylancpurcell @wbender99's investigative piece on electric motorcycles. via @PhillyInquirer link below
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If you are using AI to send us news tips, please stop doing that. Let's keep it human to human as long as we can
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I found out this week Alice Ballard died when I called her for a story I'm working on. Prior to reading this, I didn't know anything about her. Worth reading. “We need to not give up when we lose,” she said. “Stick with it. Work hard. And whatever you do, don’t forget the past.”
Alice W. Ballard, celebrated public interest law attorney, has died at 77 https://t.co/3x2GjJl6ES via @phillyinquirer
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... and @marwooda. Thanks, Marty, hope you see this
This story on the collapse of the Valley Forge Military Academy was very difficult to pull together in five days, even with @MaxMMarin & @wbender99 We owe a debt to the many reporters who chronicled the school's long decline, especially @Jasper_Craven
https://t.co/HNu1xQf9iP
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Three years after my @MotherJones investigation into hazing and child abuse at Valley Forge Military Academy, the school has shuttered. Read this great piece in the @inquirer about how the school ultimately fell apart: https://t.co/6nicnyFMiJ
inquirer.com
One of the nation’s most esteemed military academies — alma mater to U.S. generals and J.D. Salinger — became an “unsustainable” mission. Critics said it was avoidable.
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This story on the collapse of the Valley Forge Military Academy was very difficult to pull together in five days, even with @MaxMMarin & @wbender99 We owe a debt to the many reporters who chronicled the school's long decline, especially @Jasper_Craven
https://t.co/HNu1xQf9iP
inquirer.com
One of the nation’s most esteemed military academies — alma mater to U.S. generals and J.D. Salinger — became an “unsustainable” mission. Critics said it was avoidable.
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We hit the goal, thank you very much. Still accepting donations obviously!
HEY EVERYONE ... I'm raising a few bucks for Friends of the Wissahickon through the All Trails Challenge, which I last did in 2020. If you appreciate the Wiss like I do, please consider contributing. Thanks.🍂🌿🍁 https://t.co/mOVcOSfCBs
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