The Week in Philly: All things SEPTA, a caviar kiosk and dogs in need of adoption

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In the same week SEPTA reached a tentative agreement with the unions representing its city and suburban workers, General Manager Leslie Richards had her final meeting with the SEPTA Board. What’s next for the transit agency?

Plus, the latest on 76 Place, and how you can help save shelter dogs from being euthanized.

Look back, look ahead, and get a better understanding of the stories shaping the Philadelphia region on “The Week in Philly” with Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters. Listen on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM Saturdays at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Episodes are also available as a podcast or, you can check out individual segments below.

A new kiosk in Center City is selling caviar on the street. Yes, caviar. KYW Newsradio’s Shara Dae Howard visited the kiosk, run by Biederman's Specialty Foods, to find out what people think of Philly’s newest high-class snack and what exactly a "caviar bump" is.

The 76ers’ vision for a Market East arena has won over the mayor and some City Council members, too. But even if the plans ultimately get the legislative support necessary for approval, there’s still the not-so-tiny matter of who’s going to foot SEPTA's eight-figure bill for the project. Between ramping up service to the venue and making major renovations to Jefferson Station, SEPTA says it can’t afford the changes. KYW Newsradio City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb recaps the latest round of public hearings over the controversial proposal.

It might be a “same time, same place" scenario next fall, but at least for now, SEPTA and multiple unions representing thousands of city and suburban workers have come to terms on a tentative one-year agreement. The new deal will keep the transit system’s bus, trolley, and rail operations up and running uninterrupted, and contains some short-term wins for union members. And as far as the long-term storylines go, SEPTA’s big week ended with a big funding boost from Harrisburg. KYW Newsradio Transportation Reporter Mike DeNardo parses through the details.

SEPTA’s General Manager Leslie Richards announced last month that she is stepping down. Many have questions about her timing, as the announcement came amidst contract negotiations and a large budget deficit, but in her five years in the position, she has made a lot of progress for the region’s public transit. Her final meeting with the SEPTA Board was this week, and KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo sat down with Richards to discuss why she’s leaving and what comes next for both her and SEPTA.

Due to an overflow of dogs needing adoption or foster housing, Philadelphia’s animal care and control provider has reached a tragic crossroads. Lack of space at ACCT Philly’s facility in the Northeast has forced the organization to “timestamp” select dogs. If the dogs don’t find new homes by a certain date, they’re put down. While the situation is dire, there are ways to help. KYW Newsradio’s John McDevitt spoke with ACCT Philly leadership about how people can get involved to spare the lives of dogs at risk.

We finally got some significant rain this week, but not enough to quash the long-term impacts of this fall drought. Accuweather meteorologist Bob Larson gives us some context on just how dry this season has been in the Philly area and beyond, and whether it’s likely to continue.