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Layla A. Jones

Reporter

layla@billypenn.com @bae_lay

Layla A. Jones is a general assignment reporter for WHYY's Billy Penn. She's previously worked as a communications director for Councilwoman Cindy Bass, as a political reporter for the Philadelphia Tribune, and as an arts and entertainment web producer at the Inquirer.

She has a journalism degree from Temple University, back when Klein College was called the School of Communications and Theater. Layla's written everything from breaking news to feature-length artists profiles, but has a special focus on covering Black life, culture and politics.

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These gift boxes from young Black women are getting out the Philly vote

"Party at the Mailbox" debuted during the Baltimore primary, and the project made an impact.

One of the secure mail ballot drop boxes set up by Philadelphia's Office of City Commisioners

Confused by the Pennsylvania ballot tracker? Here’s what your status means

The online tool relies on a system that's two decades old, and some of the wording is unclear.

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Philly’s coronavirus response

With unemployment hotline overloaded and stimulus on hold, PA boosts chatbot 90x

If Congress approves a new package, benefits would be retroactive through September.

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Members of the Richard Allen, Penn Town and Harrison housing communities hold a 'Put the Guns Down' peace walk through their neighborhood

North 11th Street

A peace walk through feuding North Philly communities, because stopping the violence ‘starts with us’

“Listen, young brother, you got to give yourself a chance at life.”

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Holidays in Philly

Pumpkin patch guide: 12 places near Philly to pick your own, take hayrides, explore mazes and shop fall markets

Autumn fun with social distancing built in.

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Guía para las elecciones generales de 2020 en Filadelfia para aquellos que procrastinan

Una hoja de trucos para estar informado el día de las elecciones.

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Procrastinator’s guide to the 2020 general election in Philadelphia

A cheat sheet for what you need to know to cast your vote.

Tamika Morales holds a photo of her son Ahmad, who was killed July 2020 in South Philadelphia

Philly is suing Pennsylvania so the city can enact stronger gun control laws

The legal action comes as local lawmakers struggle to combat rising violence, with homicides hitting a decade-long high.

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Ballot question: Should Philly constitutionally abolish ‘stop and frisk’ — and would it make a difference?

The charter amendment is largely symbolic.

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¿Debería Filadelfia constitucionalmente abolir la práctica de detener y registrar (‘stop and frisk’)? ¿Haría una diferencia?

La enmienda del estatuto es en gran parte simbólico.