Molly McVety

Molly McVety is a staff writer for PhillyVoice with interests in both the natural and man-made environment, community debates and all things pop culture. She has previously written for DelawareOnline / The News Journal and received her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Delaware. When she’s not writing Molly enjoys making and listening to music, taking long walks and cooking.

molly@phillyvoice.com

July 23, 2025

Courts

Bryan Kohberger, who fatally stabbed 4 University of Idaho students, sentenced to life in prison without parole

by Molly McVety

Bryan Kohberger, the Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho students at their off-campus home in November 2022, was sentenced to four life sentences without parole on Wednesday. His sentence was part of a plea deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty.

July 23, 2025

Donations

Penn Athletics plans $25 million renovation to historic Weightman Hall

by Molly McVety

The University of Pennsylvania seeks to raise $25 million to renovate its Weightman Hall gymnasium into a state-of-the-art facility for its wrestling program. Weightman Hall was constructed in 1905 on the west side of Franklin Field and currently serves as a practice facility for several Penn sports.

July 22, 2025

Family-Friendly

Philadelphia Museum of Art to transform steps into weekend beer garden and food truck destination

by Molly McVety

The Philadelphia Museum of Art's Summer on the Steps features food trucks, beer garden and games atop the Rocky steps every weekend through September.

July 22, 2025

Transportation

SEPTA says Regional Rail delays to be resolved by late morning

by Molly McVety

SEPTA commuters experienced major delays Tuesday morning after power issues near 30th Street Station backed up all Regional Rail lines. Just before 7 a.m., an electrical problem impacted the area's signal system. John Golden, senior press officer with SEPTA, said the power was restored by 7:50 a.m., and that SEPTA is looking to resolve the issues by late morning.

July 22, 2025

Recreation

Help name FDR Park's new flock of eight bird-shaped boats

by Molly McVety

FDR Park has welcomed a flock of eight new bird-shaped boats and the Fairmount Park Conservancy is asking for help to name them. Independence Seaport Museum, which offers paddle boat rentals along the Delaware River, transported some of its vessels to South Philly and is partnering with the community group to host free events at Edgewood Lake this summer and fall.

July 22, 2025

Education

Postdoctoral scholars and research assistants at Penn vote to unionize

by Molly McVety

Research assistants and postdoctoral scholars at the University of Pennsylvania voted to unionize. Workers, who claim the school had enacted anti-union campaigns, are seeking higher pay and more job security.

July 21, 2025

Jobs

DC 33 members approve contract with city, ending possibility of strike resuming

by Molly McVety

After a weeklong voting process, nearly two-thirds of voting members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 agreed to the new deal with the city on Monday afternoon, ending a monthslong negotiation process that resulted in a strike of Philadelphia's largest union.

July 21, 2025

Development

Sonny's Cocktail Joint, which took years to recover from a fire, is closed again — this time for water damage

by Molly McVety

Sonny's Cocktail Joint suffered major flood damage in July. The bar reopened just six months ago after a structural fire shut down the bar for nearly three years. Ownership hopes the it can reopen by early August.

July 21, 2025

Celebrities

Tina Fey to produce film adaptation of hit Broadway play 'John Proctor is the Villain'

by Molly McVety

Nearly a decade after converting her comedic classic "Mean Girls" into a Broadway show, and just over a year since tailoring that play back into a movie musical, Tina Fey is now spearheading a stage-to-screen adaptation. The Upper Darby native will reportedly join award-winning producer Marc Platt on an original film for Tony Award-nominated play 'John Proctor is the Villain' for Universal Studios.

July 18, 2025

Adult Health

Researchers find link between ADHD traits and sleep disorders

by Molly McVety

Researchers from the University of Southampton and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience examined data from an online sleep survey based in the Netherlands to find links between ADHD traits and chronic sleep issues. In a separate study, the BMJ Group found that exercises like yoga, tai chi, jogging and walking can increase sleep time for people with insomnia.