The Jawncast from KYW Newsradio

Burning $2 million in medical debt on Walmart pier

Anyone who has had medical debt could tell you how unexpected and crippling it can be. What's worse, that debt can even follow your family after you die. But a group of queer activists in Philadelphia found a loophole in the system. With the help of Undue Medical Debt [https://unduemedicaldebt.org/], they bought and forgave $2 million of medical debt, and they celebrated it in a symbolic burning. Sabrina Boyd-Surka finds out exactly how this was possible, talking with the local organizers, Undue Medical Debt’s CEO, and a patient whose life was changed when her debt was relieved.

Colman Domingo and Da’Vine Joy Randolph rep Philadelphia and Temple at the 2024 Oscars

We're about to have a golden opportunity to see Philadelphians shine on a global scale: at the 2024 Academy Awards. Colman Domingo, born in West Philly, is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in "Rustin", and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, from Mount Airy, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for "The Holdovers". Both are Temple University graduates. Sabrina Boyd-Surka digs into their Philadelphia origin stories and how the city has shaped who they are today, with help from KYW's Nigel Thompson. Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for IMDb.

Flaming chairs and hardcore heroes: the extreme story of Philly pro wrestling

The biggest event in professional wrestling is coming to Philadelphia in just a few weeks. Join super fans and KYW Newsradio staffers Andre Bennett and Tim Jimenez for this ode to the audacious; a love letter to legends of the squared circle; an appreciation for how Philly became the home of hardcore wrestling and left an indelible mark and legacy on a multibillion-dollar industry that continues to grow. Featuring commentary and stories from WWE superstar Drew Gulak, former ECW and WWE superstar the Blue Meanie, and more.

Presenting "Ricochet", from Gone Cold: Philadelphia Unsolved Murders

Introducing a new project from another KYW Newsradio Original Podcast - "Ricochet" is a mini-series from Gone Cold: Philadelphia Unsolved Murders [https://omny.fm/shows/gone-cold-philadelphia-unsolved-murders] that examines the gun violence crisis in our country through stories of unsolved shootings in Philadelphia. In the first episode, we talk with Joan Ortiz, whose 2-year-old daughter Nikolette was shot and killed in her arms. It was at the hands of a man named Tayvon Thomas, who grew up abused and neglected, and turned to drugs. We dig into both sides of this tragedy, examine the systemic failures that contributed, and ask why the most vulnerable feel the least protected. To hear more of "Ricochet", follow Gone Cold: Philadelphia Unsolved Murders [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gone-cold-philadelphia-unsolved-murders/id1270346131] wherever you get your podcasts.

This Black female cannabis pioneer is cultivating a budding industry

Recreational adult use of marijuana has been legal for over a year and a half in New Jersey, but small businesses still struggle to break into the industry, even if they were operating underground before. Sabrina Boyd-Surka [http://www.twitter.com/sabrinakayab] visits the first Black, woman-owned cannabis manufacturing business in Delaware and the first independent edibles brand on shelves in New Jersey, ButACake [https://butacake.com/], to find out how they established themselves legally after years as a legacy operator in New Jersey. And KYW South Jersey reporter Mike Dougherty [https://twitter.com/MicDougherty] joins us for a look inside the grow house of a multi-state operator, The Cannabist Company [https://cannabistcompany.com/], where the team is trying to use their funding and resources to help smaller companies like ButACake get off the ground. For pictures of ButACake’s kitchen and The Cannabist Company’s grow house, follow us on X @TheJawncast [http://twitter.com/thejawncast]. Check out Matha Figaro’s other business, CannPowerment, here [https://cannpowerment.com/].