John Kopp

John Kopp is the Chief Health Reporter/Assistant Editor at PhillyVoice. He joined the newsroom after spending five years reporting for the Delaware County Daily Times. He spent the prior year covering state and local politics, including a $4 million Pennsylvania state Senate race. He previously covered Chester city government, the Chester Upland School District and high-school sports. A Temple University graduate, John enjoys long-distance running, watching baseball and exploring new places.

john@phillyvoice.com

February 14, 2025

Celebrations

The Eagles parade was a must-see event for these Penn State alums who missed the 2018 Super Bowl celebration

by John Kopp

The Philadelphia Eagles championship parade on Friday was particularly special for a pair of Penn State University alums who missed the team's 2018 Super Bowl celebration. Massimo Cusumano, 26, and Julia Young, 29, were particularly excited to see Penn State alum Saquon Barkley address the crowds from the art museum.

February 5, 2025

Investigations

Seventh victim in Northeast Philly plane crash identified

by John Kopp

The seventh person killed by the medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday has been identified as Steven Dreuitt, a 37-year-old city resident. Dreuitt was found dead in a car that had been traveling along the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue, where the plane crashed, killing all six people on board.

January 29, 2025

Health Insurance

Independence Blue Cross CEO Gregory Deavens to retire at the end of the year

by John Kopp

Gregory L. Deavens, the CEO of Independence Blue Cross since January 2021, says he will retire at the end of the year. Deavens was the first Black man to lead the company – the biggest health insurer in the Philadelphia region. The company's consolidated revenue grew by nearly $10 billion under his tenure.

August 6, 2024

2024 Election

Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as her running mate over Josh Shapiro, others

by John Kopp

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, bypassing Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was among several top contenders. The 2024 Democratic ticket will face Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, in November's general election.

July 12, 2024

Baseball

MLB's most nomadic team, the Oakland Athletics, are abandoning another city, like they did to Philly 70 years ago

by John Kopp

The Athletics left Philadelphia for Kansas City in 1954, a move forced by ownership squabbles, attendance declines and baseball's changing economics. Seventy years later, the A's again are moving – from Oakland to Sacramento and Las Vegas – prompting former Philly A's fans to reflect on the team's final years in Philadelphia.

April 7, 2024

Weather

Partly cloudy skies may make the solar eclipse harder to see in Philly

by John Kopp

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the Philadelphia region on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 2:08 p.m. to 4:35 p.m., with 90% totality occurring at 3:23 p.m. The National Weather Service forecast calls for partly cloudy skies. Clouds may impact visibility of the eclipse.

April 7, 2024

Adult Health

Loneliness may cause unhealthy food cravings, study suggests

by John Kopp

New research from UCLA Health helps explain why binge eating is a common coping mechanism for loneliness. In a study, women who felt lonely had increased brain activity in regions tied to cravings – particularly when they were shown images of sugary and other high-calorie foods. They also tended to have higher amounts of body fat, poor diets, more food cravings and increased levels of anxiety and depression.

April 7, 2024

Transportation

I-95 North in Port Richmond reopens after Conrail wraps up bridge repairs

by John Kopp

PennDOT reopened I-95 North in Port Richmond at 4 p.m. Saturday – five days after a tractor-trailer with an oversized load hit a railroad bridge that passes over the highway. The road closure had prompted traffic delays in Philadelphia while Conrail crews repaired the bridge. Motorists were detoured along Aramingo and Adams avenues.

April 7, 2024

'Saturday Night Live' roasts Charles Barkley in cold open about Women's NCAA Tournament

by John Kopp

'Saturday Night Live' riffed on March Madness, Kim Mulkey and the TBS postgame show during its cold open on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Keenan Thompson's impression of Charles Barkley poked fun at the former Sixers star's gambling habits, commercial appearances and storytelling.

December 7, 2023

Illness

RSV is spreading rapidly as the holiday season kicks into gear

by John Kopp

RSV cases continue to rise rapidly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with influenza and COVID-19 ticking upward. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get vaccinated against these respiratory illnesses and take other precautions as the holiday season approaches.