Avi Wolfman-Arent

Avi Wolfman-Arent is a host on 90.9 FM and an education reporter with WHYY News, where he's worked since 2014. Prior to that he covered nonprofits for the Chronicle of Philanthropy and education technology for the Chronicle of Higher Education. Avi first took a shine to radio at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He earned his undergraduate degree at Haverford College and grew up in the D.C. area. Despite the latter he’s a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, devoting an unhealthy portion of his conscious thought to the Sixers, Phillies, and Eagles. He lives in South Philadelphia.

Recent Articles

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Headlines of Yore

1990s battle over Mt. Airy AIDS hospice center shows the power of grassroots opposition — and the limits of NIMBYism

After much controversy, Betak eventually opened, but it would not last long.

Headlines of Yore

A hateful crime, a false confession, a federal investigation: The 1975 Feltonville firebombing

By the end, six police detectives would be convicted of civil rights violations.

Headlines of Yore

40 years ago, a legendary Philly columnist helped defuse a prison hostage situation

The Graterford crisis was one of many negotiated by well-trusted Chuck Stone, who spent two decades at the Daily News.

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Headlines of Yore

How racial profiling drove away Philly’s first heavyweight boxing champion

"I'd rather be a lamppost in Denver than the mayor of Philadelphia."

Headlines of Yore

The Philadelphia ties of the Soviet refusenik once called a ‘modern-day Moses’

When Masha and Vladimir Slepak were released after 17 years, they had Philly friends to thank.

Headlines of Yore

The Philadelphia pennant race that brought 200 cops to a baseball game

Thanks to comments by Athletics' manager Connie Mack, Philly fans piled on the threats against Detroit's Ty Cobb.

Headlines of Yore

The ‘war tax’ resistance movement and the Philly athlete who pioneered anthem protests

After they were arrested at a 1961 sit-in, Philadelphians Juanita and Wally Nelson and Eroseanna Robinson continued activism throughout their lives.

Headlines of Yore

An abbreviated tale of Smedley D. Butler, the ‘fighting Quaker’ recruited to overthrow President Roosevelt

The Marine Corps major general and onetime Philadelphia director of public safety later became an outspoken critic of war.

Headlines of Yore

How the ‘Grande Dame of Broad Street’ led to the discovery of Legionnaires’ disease

It took months to pinpoint the cause of the outbreak at the Philly hotel.

Headlines of Yore

That time a match nearly torched a newlywed on the Atlantic City boardwalk

A Broadway actor who also showed up in Hollywood movies, she was saved by a comedian known as "the jolliest man in America."