Maria Murray

Syracuse

Founder, President and CEO at thereadingleague.org

The Reading League, @reading_league founder and CEO, former literacy professor turned advocate for change, personal account and views.

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Articles

Philadelphia teachers have voted to authorize a strike. Here’s what to know

1 week ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers voted Tuesday night to authorize a strike if the union and district fail to reach an agreement by August, when the current contract expires. Arthur G. Steinberg, president of American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement that the school district needs to pick up the pace at the negotiation table.
Ex-N.J. Sen. Bob Menendez set to report to federal prison for 11-year bribery sentence

1 week ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is set to report to federal prison on Tuesday to begin serving an 11-year sentence for accepting bribes of gold and cash and acting as an agent of Egypt. The New Jersey Democrat has been mocked for the crimes as “Gold Bar Bob,” according to his own lawyer. Menendez’s lawyers revealed in court papers last month that he is expected to be housed at a facility in eastern Pennsylvania that has both a medium-security prison and a minimum-security prison camp.
Takeaways from New Jersey election: Trump looms large and signs of Democratic enthusiasm

2 weeks ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

New Jersey primary voters chose their nominees — and President Donald Trump notched a win in his endorsement belt — in one of two high-stakes governor’s races being held this year.
Elkins Park School in Cheltenham to close

1 month ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!Cheltenham School District’s board of directors unanimously approved a plan Tuesday evening to shutter Elkins Park School at the end of the academic year. The school is the only one in the district currently serving fifth- and sixth-grade students, but the aging building on the 10-acre campus is deteriorating.
Mass shooting in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park leaves 2 people dead and 9 others wounded

1 month ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

This story originally appeared on 6abc. Two people are dead and nine others were wounded after a mass shooting in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park late Monday night. The victims killed include an adult man and an adult woman, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. Three teenagers, between 15 and 17 years old, are among the wounded. The gunfire erupted around 10:27 p.m. on Lemon Hill Drive at Poplar Drive.
Democratic Rep. McIver charged with assault after skirmish at ICE center, New Jersey prosecutor says

1 month ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver is being charged with assault after a skirmish with federal officers outside an immigration detention center, said New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, who also announced Monday that she was dropping a trespassing case against the Newark mayor whose arrest led to the disturbance.
Trump, in a new interview, says he doesn't know if he backs due process rights

1 month ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

President Donald Trump is circumspect about his duties to uphold due process rights laid out in the Constitution, saying in a new interview that he does not know whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens alike deserve that guarantee. He also said he does not think military force will be needed to make Canada the “51st state” and played down the possibility he would look to run for a third term in the White House.
Pope Francis death: First Latin American pontiff dies at 88

2 months ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Farrell from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker launches overnight speech to protest Trump's agenda

2 months ago | whyy.org | Maria Murray

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker carried an all-night speech in protest of President Donald Trump’s agenda into Tuesday morning. Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” He was still on the floor more than 12 hours later. “These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said at the start of his speech. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.
Trump will order a plan to shut down the U.S. Education Department

Mar 20, 2025 | whyy.org | Maria Murray

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House official, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement. Trump has derided the Department of Education as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology.