Laura Benshoff
Laura Benshoff covered stories of statewide interest for Keystone Crossroads and WHYY, with a focus on immigration. She previously reported on the suburbs, public education, and mental health. Her work has aired nationally on NPR, Marketplace and Reveal/CIR. Prior to becoming a journalist, she worked for the City of Philadelphia’s Commerce Department. Laura attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She diligently works at speaking Spanish and knows a little French.
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With pollen counts high this spring, many are reaching for their allergy meds. But some over-the-counter drugs require a photo ID to purchase. -
The U.S. immigration system is slow. Only a small amount of Afghans have been granted humanitarian parole — a fast track to enter the United States — since the initial evacuation of Kabul.
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Immediately after the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan last year, officials like Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made assurances that at-risk Afghans would still be able to leave. In the following months, tens of thousands of Afghans made a kind of emergency application to come to the United States. -
A controversial immigrant detention center in Berks County has reopened, after spending most of the last year empty. WHYY Keystone Crossroad’s Laura Benshoff reports the Berks County Residential Center held parents with their children for more than a decade, but now detains only adult women.(Original air-date: 2/11/22) -
After the omicron surge dashed hopes of a quick return to normalcy, companies in Philadelphia’s downtown core remain uncertain about the future of in-person work. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff reports that’s according to a new survey of more than 100 local companies. -
Two Starbucks locations in Philadelphia want to form unions. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff reports this is part of a wave of union drives by coffee chain employees across the country. -
Philadelphia is ramping up outreach around the federal expanded child tax credits. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff reports that’s happening even as the program faces an uncertain future. -
Omicron has pushed COVID cases in Pennsylvania to their highest peak since the start of the pandemic, but one of the key early tools, emergency sick leave, has expired. WHYY's Laura Benshoff reports that’s forcing hard choices. -
Philadelphia native Bob Saget is being remembered as a local booster by the institutions where he got his start. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff reports the actor and comedian was found dead in a Florida hotel room on Sunday. -
2022 will see some big changes to the pharmacy industry. WHYY’s Laura Benshoff reports that includes dozens of store closures by Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid.
