Claudia Vargas

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Claudia Vargas

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Watch and read some of my news reporting over the years.


2025 Highlights

A look back at some of my favorite stories from 2025.


Television

Uninhabitable public housing

The Philadelphia Housing Authority owns hundreds of homes that have been deemed to be uninhabitable by the city. This while tens of thousands of people are on public housing wait lists. Aired December 2025.

Cyber Charter OVERSIGHT

Following the death of one student and near-death of twin boys -- all enrolled in Pennsylvania's largest cyber charter school-- I looked into the oversight and accountability of cyber charters. Aired September 2025.

Preventable Police Crashes

Philly police involved ‘preventable' accidents cost taxpayers $15 million in a four-year period. More than 60% of PPD accidents were deemed to be avoidable by department board. Aired May 2025.

Unreported Police Pursuits

Philadelphia Police have not been reporting hundreds of vehicle pursuits to the state as required by law. I found cases where innocent bystanders were killed or severely injured that were missing from the official statewide pursuit database. Aired December 2024.  Tambien en Español.

Crime Rewards

Even when crime reward applicants seem to meet the criteria for the $20,000 reward, Philadelphia Police doesn't pay. Aired December 2024.  

Forever chemicals in SCHOOLS

A look at the schools in our region that tested above the limits for so-called Forever Chemicals, and how Pennsylvania officials are responding. This is one of five stories in a series looking at how our tri-state region is handling the water contamination.  Aired September 2024.

City-owned building demolished after NBC10 investigation

Results after my investigation into the city's delay in demolishing dangerous buildings. Aired February 2024.

Housing loophole

Thousands of people have figured out a way to skip the decade-long, closed wait list for Section 8 housing, thereby delaying housing for others. Aired November 2022. Check out Part 2 when Philly resident "ports" to Hawaii.  

Race in philly: reforming criminal justice

A 30-minute special looking at Philly's criminal justice issues and reform.  Aired November 2020. 

Rejected Recruits

A Philadelphia police department training academy class had no Black recruits, leading some to question internal practices. I found that nearly 70% of applicants were people of color.  Yet, in the last year, 71% of recruits who made it into the police academy are white. Only 29% were people of color. ⁠ Aired August 2020. 


PRINT Investigations

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

Photo credit: Jessica Griffin

Trash, Pass, Get a Pass. Philly trash truck avoided disciple after 2k crashes, costing taxpayers millions


Hundreds of accused domestic abusers in Philly have not turned in guns 

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

Photo credit: Jose F. Moreno

SSI backlog: Thousands waiting years for disability hearing


This city-run nonprofit has been handing out millions of your dollars — without any oversight


PRINT DATA ANALYSIS

PRINT ACCOUNTABILITY

PRINT DATA ANALYSIS

Overtime pay boosting Philly workers’ pensions — and could cost the city $17 million in a single year


Philly eased police residency rules. Then the exodus began

PRINT News Features

PRINT News Features

PRINT DATA ANALYSIS

Photo credit: Jose Moreno

Puerto Rican hurricane evacuees in Philadelphia: 'No help at all'


Fair value? Sharswood Redevelopment


PRINT Profiles

PRINT News Features

PRINT Long-form

Photo credit: Heather Khalifa


The shaping of the new mayor: Jim Kenney 


Bob Brady, Philly congressman and Capitol Hill’s ‘mayor’

PRINT Long-form

PRINT News Features

PRINT Long-form

Photo credit: Jose F. Moreno


N.J. Blueberry farms house workers in storage sheds, pollute groundwater


Freedom - and forgiveness


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