Bob FernandezWhat I DoAn Inquirer reporter since 1993, I report stories with an emphasis on enterprise, corporations, college debt, and features with a money angle.(267) 443-3517How bankrupt Pa. drug firm Endo could earn $265 million on an ‘exceptionally powerful opioid’ it removed twice from marketThousands of government and private organizations have sued Endo for its alleged part in the nation’s opioid epidemic. The Malvern-based firm filed for bankruptcy in 2022.Bob Fernandez Jan. 8, 2023Link copied to clipboardBoyds opens permanent store outside Philly for first time in 84 years“We are committed to the city of Philadelphia,” said Boyds president Kent Gushner, though he expresses concerns about crime and safety.Bob Fernandez Nov. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboardWawa has gotten ‘so big they don’t need Philly.’ But its suburban sprawl is getting pushback from residents, too.Wawa has been evolving toward bigger, suburban stores with gasoline. Residents don't always welcome it.Bob Fernandez Oct. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboardVerizon begins 5G internet to Philadelphia homes, competing with Xfinity broadbandVerizon has officially launched its 5G internet-to-home service in Philadelphia. The coverage maps shows gaps but it's taking on Xfinity in Comcast Corp.'s headquarters city.Bob Fernandez Oct. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboardBurlington Stores employees win $11 million in overtime pay settlementIn the latest agreement, Burlington Stores agreed to pay an additional $11 million after an employee lawsuit alleged the company refused overtime pay.Bob Fernandez Oct. 3, 2022Link copied to clipboardBiden student debt cancellation plan won’t lower college costs, labor economist saysDebt cancellation will hurt college students in the long-term, says American Enterprise Institute expert Beth Akers.Bob Fernandez Sept. 20, 2022Link copied to clipboardConfused about next steps for student loan relief? Philly expert Fred Amrein has some answers.Fred Amrein makes a living tackling student debt complexities. He offers advice on steps borrowers can take now.Erin Arvedlund and Bob Fernandez Sept. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboard$5 million was set aside for small Pa. filmmakers. Harrisburg gave it to M. Night Shyamalan. Many indie filmmakers say Shyamalan deserves Pennsylvania film tax credits — but not from the reserve allocated for smaller film-production firms.Bob Fernandez Nov. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboardStruggling Philly real estate owner PREIT sells another mall to pay down its debt Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has sold the Cumberland Mall in Vineland to an undisclosed buyer for $45 million, allowing it pay off the mall’s mortgage.Bob Fernandez Nov. 2, 2022Link copied to clipboardOpioid-maker Endo $98 million bonuses are delayed in bankruptcy courtA bankruptcy judge on Thursday approved paying $93,000 in short-term incentives to employees and sales reps at Malvern’s Endo International.Bob Fernandez Oct. 14, 2022Link copied to clipboardScammers prey on student borrowers who hope for federal loan forgiveness, officials sayBeware, say government officials. Scammers are looking to exploit borrowers by offering help applying for the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness plan.Bob Fernandez Oct. 7, 2022Link copied to clipboardSafety concerns in Center City lead to more unarmed bike patrols and security guards around office buildings Saying there is a “negative halo” over Philadelphia, the head of the Center City District has organized city organizations to have more visible security personnel.Bob Fernandez and Erin Arvedlund Sept. 27, 2022Link copied to clipboardKnoxville, Tenn., traces its opioid crisis to a Malvern drug company“Endo likely inflicted more harm on Tennessee than any other state,” the state's Attorney General says.Bob Fernandez Sept. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboardJudge awards $11 million contested fee to law firm instead of former attorney in 2014 food truck explosion caseA suburban Philly judge says a local law firm is entitled to $11.3 million legal referral fee. A former attorney at the firm says it should have gone to him.Bob Fernandez Sept. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboardMalvern opioid maker Endo to be monitored by Obama’s former drug czar for $25K a month“This is straight out of the Purdue playbook,” said Temple University law professor Jonathan Lipson.Bob Fernandez Nov. 22, 2022Link copied to clipboardSuburban office parks now have millions of square feet of new vacant offices — enough to fill more than 2 Comcast Centers As employees go remote, suburban Philly office buildings could be repurposed or torn down. Companies are “getting rid of overhead,” said one township manager.Bob Fernandez Nov. 1, 2022Link copied to clipboardComcast has a new company president — the first outside the founding Roberts familyMike Cavanagh has been Comcast's chief financial officer since 2015.Bob Fernandez Oct. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboardA judge tossed out a suit brought by Phillies owner’s estranged sister, who claimed she was cheated by legal malpracticeA Philly federal judge tossed out a suit brought by Anna K. Nupson, estranged sister of Middleton, that claimed she should have gotten more of the family's wealth.Bob Fernandez Oct. 5, 2022Link copied to clipboardExecutive bonuses at Malvern opioid firm Endo were ‘excessive’ and ‘secret’ before bankruptcy, state AGs sayPennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro and a court-appointed bankruptcy watchdog are objecting to multimillion-dollar bonuses paid to Endo International executives.Bob Fernandez Sept. 23, 2022Link copied to clipboardLarry Yarbray, former head basketball coach at Chester High, dies in bicycle crash in DelawareThe incident is still under investigation.Bob Fernandez Sept. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
How bankrupt Pa. drug firm Endo could earn $265 million on an ‘exceptionally powerful opioid’ it removed twice from marketThousands of government and private organizations have sued Endo for its alleged part in the nation’s opioid epidemic. The Malvern-based firm filed for bankruptcy in 2022.Bob Fernandez Jan. 8, 2023Link copied to clipboard
How bankrupt Pa. drug firm Endo could earn $265 million on an ‘exceptionally powerful opioid’ it removed twice from marketThousands of government and private organizations have sued Endo for its alleged part in the nation’s opioid epidemic. The Malvern-based firm filed for bankruptcy in 2022.Bob Fernandez Jan. 8, 2023Link copied to clipboard
Boyds opens permanent store outside Philly for first time in 84 years“We are committed to the city of Philadelphia,” said Boyds president Kent Gushner, though he expresses concerns about crime and safety.Bob Fernandez Nov. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Boyds opens permanent store outside Philly for first time in 84 years“We are committed to the city of Philadelphia,” said Boyds president Kent Gushner, though he expresses concerns about crime and safety.Bob Fernandez Nov. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Wawa has gotten ‘so big they don’t need Philly.’ But its suburban sprawl is getting pushback from residents, too.Wawa has been evolving toward bigger, suburban stores with gasoline. Residents don't always welcome it.Bob Fernandez Oct. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Wawa has gotten ‘so big they don’t need Philly.’ But its suburban sprawl is getting pushback from residents, too.Wawa has been evolving toward bigger, suburban stores with gasoline. Residents don't always welcome it.Bob Fernandez Oct. 18, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Verizon begins 5G internet to Philadelphia homes, competing with Xfinity broadbandVerizon has officially launched its 5G internet-to-home service in Philadelphia. The coverage maps shows gaps but it's taking on Xfinity in Comcast Corp.'s headquarters city.Bob Fernandez Oct. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Verizon begins 5G internet to Philadelphia homes, competing with Xfinity broadbandVerizon has officially launched its 5G internet-to-home service in Philadelphia. The coverage maps shows gaps but it's taking on Xfinity in Comcast Corp.'s headquarters city.Bob Fernandez Oct. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Burlington Stores employees win $11 million in overtime pay settlementIn the latest agreement, Burlington Stores agreed to pay an additional $11 million after an employee lawsuit alleged the company refused overtime pay.Bob Fernandez Oct. 3, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Burlington Stores employees win $11 million in overtime pay settlementIn the latest agreement, Burlington Stores agreed to pay an additional $11 million after an employee lawsuit alleged the company refused overtime pay.Bob Fernandez Oct. 3, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Biden student debt cancellation plan won’t lower college costs, labor economist saysDebt cancellation will hurt college students in the long-term, says American Enterprise Institute expert Beth Akers.Bob Fernandez Sept. 20, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Biden student debt cancellation plan won’t lower college costs, labor economist saysDebt cancellation will hurt college students in the long-term, says American Enterprise Institute expert Beth Akers.Bob Fernandez Sept. 20, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Confused about next steps for student loan relief? Philly expert Fred Amrein has some answers.Fred Amrein makes a living tackling student debt complexities. He offers advice on steps borrowers can take now.Erin Arvedlund and Bob Fernandez Sept. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Confused about next steps for student loan relief? Philly expert Fred Amrein has some answers.Fred Amrein makes a living tackling student debt complexities. He offers advice on steps borrowers can take now.Erin Arvedlund and Bob Fernandez Sept. 10, 2022Link copied to clipboard
$5 million was set aside for small Pa. filmmakers. Harrisburg gave it to M. Night Shyamalan. Many indie filmmakers say Shyamalan deserves Pennsylvania film tax credits — but not from the reserve allocated for smaller film-production firms.Bob Fernandez Nov. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
$5 million was set aside for small Pa. filmmakers. Harrisburg gave it to M. Night Shyamalan. Many indie filmmakers say Shyamalan deserves Pennsylvania film tax credits — but not from the reserve allocated for smaller film-production firms.Bob Fernandez Nov. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Struggling Philly real estate owner PREIT sells another mall to pay down its debt Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has sold the Cumberland Mall in Vineland to an undisclosed buyer for $45 million, allowing it pay off the mall’s mortgage.Bob Fernandez Nov. 2, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Struggling Philly real estate owner PREIT sells another mall to pay down its debt Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has sold the Cumberland Mall in Vineland to an undisclosed buyer for $45 million, allowing it pay off the mall’s mortgage.Bob Fernandez Nov. 2, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Opioid-maker Endo $98 million bonuses are delayed in bankruptcy courtA bankruptcy judge on Thursday approved paying $93,000 in short-term incentives to employees and sales reps at Malvern’s Endo International.Bob Fernandez Oct. 14, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Opioid-maker Endo $98 million bonuses are delayed in bankruptcy courtA bankruptcy judge on Thursday approved paying $93,000 in short-term incentives to employees and sales reps at Malvern’s Endo International.Bob Fernandez Oct. 14, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Scammers prey on student borrowers who hope for federal loan forgiveness, officials sayBeware, say government officials. Scammers are looking to exploit borrowers by offering help applying for the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness plan.Bob Fernandez Oct. 7, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Scammers prey on student borrowers who hope for federal loan forgiveness, officials sayBeware, say government officials. Scammers are looking to exploit borrowers by offering help applying for the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness plan.Bob Fernandez Oct. 7, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Safety concerns in Center City lead to more unarmed bike patrols and security guards around office buildings Saying there is a “negative halo” over Philadelphia, the head of the Center City District has organized city organizations to have more visible security personnel.Bob Fernandez and Erin Arvedlund Sept. 27, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Safety concerns in Center City lead to more unarmed bike patrols and security guards around office buildings Saying there is a “negative halo” over Philadelphia, the head of the Center City District has organized city organizations to have more visible security personnel.Bob Fernandez and Erin Arvedlund Sept. 27, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Knoxville, Tenn., traces its opioid crisis to a Malvern drug company“Endo likely inflicted more harm on Tennessee than any other state,” the state's Attorney General says.Bob Fernandez Sept. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Knoxville, Tenn., traces its opioid crisis to a Malvern drug company“Endo likely inflicted more harm on Tennessee than any other state,” the state's Attorney General says.Bob Fernandez Sept. 16, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Judge awards $11 million contested fee to law firm instead of former attorney in 2014 food truck explosion caseA suburban Philly judge says a local law firm is entitled to $11.3 million legal referral fee. A former attorney at the firm says it should have gone to him.Bob Fernandez Sept. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Judge awards $11 million contested fee to law firm instead of former attorney in 2014 food truck explosion caseA suburban Philly judge says a local law firm is entitled to $11.3 million legal referral fee. A former attorney at the firm says it should have gone to him.Bob Fernandez Sept. 9, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Malvern opioid maker Endo to be monitored by Obama’s former drug czar for $25K a month“This is straight out of the Purdue playbook,” said Temple University law professor Jonathan Lipson.Bob Fernandez Nov. 22, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Malvern opioid maker Endo to be monitored by Obama’s former drug czar for $25K a month“This is straight out of the Purdue playbook,” said Temple University law professor Jonathan Lipson.Bob Fernandez Nov. 22, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Suburban office parks now have millions of square feet of new vacant offices — enough to fill more than 2 Comcast Centers As employees go remote, suburban Philly office buildings could be repurposed or torn down. Companies are “getting rid of overhead,” said one township manager.Bob Fernandez Nov. 1, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Suburban office parks now have millions of square feet of new vacant offices — enough to fill more than 2 Comcast Centers As employees go remote, suburban Philly office buildings could be repurposed or torn down. Companies are “getting rid of overhead,” said one township manager.Bob Fernandez Nov. 1, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Comcast has a new company president — the first outside the founding Roberts familyMike Cavanagh has been Comcast's chief financial officer since 2015.Bob Fernandez Oct. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Comcast has a new company president — the first outside the founding Roberts familyMike Cavanagh has been Comcast's chief financial officer since 2015.Bob Fernandez Oct. 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A judge tossed out a suit brought by Phillies owner’s estranged sister, who claimed she was cheated by legal malpracticeA Philly federal judge tossed out a suit brought by Anna K. Nupson, estranged sister of Middleton, that claimed she should have gotten more of the family's wealth.Bob Fernandez Oct. 5, 2022Link copied to clipboard
A judge tossed out a suit brought by Phillies owner’s estranged sister, who claimed she was cheated by legal malpracticeA Philly federal judge tossed out a suit brought by Anna K. Nupson, estranged sister of Middleton, that claimed she should have gotten more of the family's wealth.Bob Fernandez Oct. 5, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Executive bonuses at Malvern opioid firm Endo were ‘excessive’ and ‘secret’ before bankruptcy, state AGs sayPennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro and a court-appointed bankruptcy watchdog are objecting to multimillion-dollar bonuses paid to Endo International executives.Bob Fernandez Sept. 23, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Executive bonuses at Malvern opioid firm Endo were ‘excessive’ and ‘secret’ before bankruptcy, state AGs sayPennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro and a court-appointed bankruptcy watchdog are objecting to multimillion-dollar bonuses paid to Endo International executives.Bob Fernandez Sept. 23, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Larry Yarbray, former head basketball coach at Chester High, dies in bicycle crash in DelawareThe incident is still under investigation.Bob Fernandez Sept. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Larry Yarbray, former head basketball coach at Chester High, dies in bicycle crash in DelawareThe incident is still under investigation.Bob Fernandez Sept. 11, 2022Link copied to clipboard