John Kopp

John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.

john@phillyvoice.com

August 5, 2015

Crime and Courts

Ex-city workers charged with selling fake SEPTA passes

by John Kopp

Federal officials brought criminal charges against a pair of former City of Philadelphia employees who allegedly counterfeited more than 2,000 SEPTA TransPasses, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger announced Wednesday.

August 5, 2015

Technology

Is hitchBOT coming back to Philly?

by John Kopp

HitchBOT met its demise last weekend in Philadelphia. But its creators are considering rebuilding the hitchhiking robot and sending it back to the City of Brotherly Love.

August 5, 2015

Politics

Report: Kane could be charged as early as Thursday

by John Kopp

Attorney General Kathleen Kane could face criminal charges as early as Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation that stems from testimony she gave to a grand jury last year, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

August 4, 2015

Politics

McGinty announces Senate campaign

by John Kopp

The former chief of staff to Gov. Tom Wolf announced her Senate candidacy Tuesday in a video posted to YouTube. Katie McGinty will enter a Democratic primary against former U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak, who lost to incumbent Republican Pat Toomey in the 2010 general election.

August 4, 2015

Technology

Was hitchBOT's destruction part of a publicity stunt?

by John Kopp

HitchBOT might have been the victim of a Philadelphia prank. The destruction of the globetrotting robot created an internet frenzy Monday, leaving Philadelphia as the punchline to countless jokes about its "brotherly love." But noted pranksters Ed Bassmaster and Jesse Wellen — the last people known to have seen the ill-fated robot — might be getting the last laugh.

August 4, 2015

Politics

Christie admits to rockin' and rollin' to more than the rhythm method

by John Kopp

Gov. Chris Christie candidly broached the topic of birth control Tuesday, providing late-night fodder two days before the first Republican presidential primary debate.

August 3, 2015

Technology

Philly techies trying to revive hitchBOT

by John Kopp

The Philadelphia tech community is attempting to reconstruct hitchBOT, a hitchhiking robot that met its demise in Old City Saturday night.

August 3, 2015

FBI

FBI names new Philadelphia head

by John Kopp

William F. Sweeney Jr. was tapped Monday by FBI Director James B. Comey to run the Philadelphia field office. Sweeney replaces Edward Hanko, who retired Friday after leading the office since March 2013.

August 3, 2015

Papal Visit

Lower Merion awaits specifics on papal visit

by John Kopp

Lower Merion Township — where Pope Francis will stay at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary — is hosting an informational meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to update residents on the township’s papal visit plans.

July 31, 2015

Accidents

Police identify fatal victims in Northeast Philly car crash

by John Kopp

Philadelphia Police have released the identities of the three deceased victims who were inside a car that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia Wednesday night. Sabrina Rhoads and Yvette Gonzalez, both 17 and from Philadelphia, were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead Wednesday night. Felipe Hernandez, 20, of Medford, New Jersey, was trapped inside the car and died at the scene.