AltWeeklies Wire
The Cash Machinenew

How the Philly D.A. seizes millions in alleged crime money — whether there's been a crime or not.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
11-30-2012 |
Crime & Justice
Down and Outnew

The homeless search for their place in post-Occupy Philadelphia.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
12-13-2011 |
#OCCUPY
Philadelphia's School District is Efficient Only When it Wants to Benew
Last Wednesday, 65-year-old Suong Nguyen appeared before the School Reform Commission to plead that the School District of Philadelphia clear the name of her grandson, Hao Luu (who you might know from last week's cover story).
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
03-30-2010 |
Education
A Student Blamed for Violence at South Philadelphia High School Shares His Storynew
On Thursday, Dec. 3, more than 20 Asian students were attacked on their way home from South Philadelphia High School by a mob of as many as 100 of their peers, most of them African-American.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
03-23-2010 |
Crime & Justice
The 'Truth' on Taxes: Does Philadelphia Mayor Have Science on His Side?new
When it comes to taxes, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is a man of conviction. We might even call him a man of faith, so strong and unwavering is his belief that Philadelphia must not, cannot, shall not raise its wage and business taxes to help plug the great gaping $2 billion hole in Philadelphia's five-year budget.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
04-21-2009 |
Policy Issues
Did the Push to Save Philadelphia's Libraries Backfire?new
The decision not to close any of Philly's libraries may come at a cost. Because while all branches remained open this fall, the libraries did suffer from the first round of budget cuts: Free Library Director Siobhan Reardon now faces the prospect of running all 49 branches with significantly fewer resources per library.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
03-24-2009 |
Economy
How Slot Machines Are Secretly Designed to Seduce and Destroy Younew

Slots-only gambling parlors located in highly populated areas are precisely the model that Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos hope to replicate in Philadelphia. Gov. Ed Rendell and others have portrayed slots as a safe medium. The opposite is true.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
01-13-2009 |
Economy
Do Pay Phones Do More Harm Than Good?new
As fewer and fewer people use pay phones, some city governments and neighborhood groups increasingly see them as invitations to crime. Still, removing pay phones from city property is one thing; getting rid of those on private property is another.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
08-12-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Living on Scrap: How Two Men Found Their Calling in the Garbagenew

The skyrocketing market for metal is turning into a boom for scrappers, guys who roam the streets searching for metal they can pile into their truck haul to the scrap yard for cold hard cash. Despite having led hard lives and having checkered pasts, Greg and Ron are now making an honest go of it as scrappers.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
08-05-2008 |
Economy
Can Philly's Bold Experiment in Preventing Foreclosures Work?new
With the foreclosure crisis in full swing, Judge C. Darnell Jones issued an order declaring that before any foreclosure goes to sale, a representative for the lender must sit down with the borrower in court. He also postponed all sales of owner-occupied houses scheduled for April or May until July. The order immediately drew national attention, and last week, the experiment began.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
06-24-2008 |
Housing & Development