Journalist

Crystal Herrera is a multimedia journalist and audio producer based in Philadelphia, with a passion for public-interest reporting and community-centered storytelling. A recent graduate of Northeastern University and a current newsroom intern at WHYY, Crystal has covered transit, education equity, housing, and local arts for outlets like PhillyCAM, South Philly Review, and Catholic Star Herald. Her work blends strong field reporting, narrative audio production, and a commitment to making local issues accessible to the communities she serves.

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My Work

April 30, 2025 - Block by Block

Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalis…

Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalis…

April 2, 2025 - Block by Block

Block by Block is PhillyCAM’s LIVE community news radio program, featuring stories from Philadelphia’s neighborhoods as reported by PhillyCAM’s Radio News Fellows, a multigenerational cohort of burgeoning local journalists. Tune in for new episodes every other week, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 PM on WPPM 106.5 FM and online at http://wppm.phillycam.org/

This episode features stories from our community news reporters about a fight over the future of a North Philly library, what it took to open a new Fi...

May 18, 2025 - Around the Block

Around the Block is a community news program from the Block by Block team at WPPM-LP 106.5 FM. On this program we explore issues in the Philadelphia region with voices from the community – with reports from our team of community journalists and live in-studio interviews.

This episode features a story about the annual Queen of the Park skateboarding competition for women and LGBTQ skaters at FDR Park in South Philly, and a live interview with Julie Platt of Better Civics about the May 20th prim...

Stanton celebrates Constitution Day with essay contest, civic lessons

By Crystal Herrera


In honor of Constitution Day, E.M. Stanton School, 901 S. 17th St., last Tuesday launched a week of civic engagement activities with a special visit from retired 6ABC Action News anchor Jim Gardner and Judge Marjorie Rendell. The event also kicked off the Rendell Center’s annual Citizenship Challenge, where students will tackle the question: “Should the Constitution be amended to eliminate the Electoral College and replace it with the national popular vote?”Gardner and Rend...

Rowan students reflect on intersection of faith, science

GLASSBORO – Rowan University hosted a lecture Jan. 22 by Dr. Stephen Barr, theoretical physicist, author of “Modern Physics and Ancient Faith,” and president of the Society of Catholic Scientists.


Sponsored by Rowan Catholic Campus Ministry, the presentation, titled “Science and Religion: The Myth of Conflict,” drew dozens of students to the university’s Student Center Ballroom eager to explore the relationship between faith and science.


For many, the lecture was not just an academic exerc...

Glassboro parish celebrates Epiphany with reflection, tradition

GLASSBORO—Saint Bridget University Parish celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord, also known as Three Kings Day, with a bilingual Mass on Jan. 5 that not only drew families from across the multicultural community, but included youth in a special way.


Three parishioners dressed as the Magi – representing the three wisemen who brought gifts to the infant Jesus – processed to the sanctuary as the 11 a.m. Mass began with the hymn “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” Families brought figures of the Christ Child...

Hitting the scholarship lottery

By Crystal Herrera


South Philly ReviewFamilies recently enjoyed a joyful day of sunshine, food and ice skating at the Independence Blue Cross River Rink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., where Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia awarded scholarships to help fund their children’s private education.


The Dec. 8 event brought exciting news to many parents.


“I was overwhelmed with emotion,” said Kenya Epps, upon learning that her 4-year-old daughter, Ladybug, had received a scholarship to attend...

Opera’s rising stars compete in Philadelphia’s prestigious competition

By Crystal Herrera


South Philly ReviewAt the Settlement Music School on Nov. 10, opera singers from across North America gathered to compete in one of the most prestigious competitions in classical music: the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition.


The event provided an open-to-the-public, free glimpse into the future stars of the opera world.


The competition, which has launched the careers of many of today’s opera greats, is known for its rigorous selection process...