The Week in Philly: Pa. and the new presidential race, Eagles training camp impressions and NJ commuter woes

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While the ripple effects of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 election are only beginning to play out, which way Pennsylvania ultimately swings — Democrat or Republican — will be one of the biggest dominoes to drop.

How will Vice President Kamala Harris being thrust into the race impact voting in the state, and what could her nomination mean for turnout in Philadelphia?

How is the nation’s first Black-owned swim club continuing to help young swimmers get their feet wet in Delco? Lose something at the Jersey Shore? We talked to a guy who might be able to help you out.

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.

President Biden stepped out of the 2024 race for the White House Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. People have been theorizing that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro could be on the short list for Harris’s running mate. What would that mean for the commonwealth? How does this change the game in our battleground state for both the presidential election and state politics? KYW spoke with Dr. John Kennedy, a political science professor at West Chester University, to discuss how the historic events of the past few weeks have affected the election outlook.

It’s no secret. All you need to do is look at the voting rolls to see which way Philadelphia leans. But even though Biden’s staunchest local allies claimed his standing in the city hadn’t diminished on the heels of an unsteady debate performance, they also now can’t deny that Harris has breathed fresh life into the race for the White House. KYW Newsradio City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb has the scoop.

About 69% of African Americans do not know how to swim. The Nile Swim Club in Yeadon, Delaware County — the country’s first Black-owned swim club founded in 1959 — wants to change that by offering free lessons for all kids as young as 3 months old. KYW Newsradio’s Justin Udo tells us about their No Child Will Drown In Our Town initiative.

New Jersey Transit’s River Line has been a mess with commuters complaining of regular delays and cancellations over the past few weeks. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo digs in to find out what’s behind this and gives us a look at the new rail cars and an updated way to pay coming to SEPTA.

Aside from bad weather or a sunburn, the only other thing that could spoil a summer trip to the shore is losing a cherished personal item in the sand. For over a decade, metal-detecting recovery specialist Matt St. Germain has helped people find these valuables. KYW Newsradio’s John McDevitt finds out the keys to St. Germain’s success, and why he doesn't charge for his services.

The first rule of Eagles training camp this year is that you don’t talk about the team’s disastrous collapse last season. Just ask offensive lineman Jordan Mailata. KYW Newsradio’s Dave Uram checks in from the sports desk with this nugget and other takeaways from the first few days of practice at the NovaCare Complex.