Michael Tanenbaum
Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.
January 29, 2024
Food & Drink
Twin Peaks resumes plan to open 10 lodge-style sports bars in Pennsylvania
Twin Peaks, the lodge-style sports bar chain, has signed a franchise agreement to open 10 locations in Pennsylvania in the years ahead. The Dallas-based brand had aimed to expand to the state in 2022, but delayed those efforts due to a change in investors. The bar is known for its wall-to-wall TVs, 29-degree draft beers and scratch kitchen.January 26, 2024
Investigations
Man who allegedly abandoned infant at Northeast Philly Walmart faces multiple charges
Philadelphia police have charged 22-year-old Alganon Muhammad for allegedly abandoning a baby girl at Walmart last week when he and two other people were confronted for shoplifting at the store in Northeast Philadelphia. Muhammad is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, retail theft, criminal conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person. Police are still searching for the other two suspects.January 26, 2024
Investigations
Fire at Willow Grove auto-repair shop allegedly was set by ex-employee
Sean Gahagan, 56, of Lebanon, is charged with arson for allegedly starting two fires in Montgomery County on Dec. 29, 2023. Investigators say Gahagan set fire to a Willow Grove auto-repair shop where he once worked and another fire at a shed nearby in Huntingdon Valley.January 26, 2024
Courts
Tony Luke's cheesesteak shop owners sentenced to prison for tax fraud
The owners of South Philly's original Tony Luke's cheesesteak shop have each been sentenced to serve 20 months in prison for their decade-long tax fraud scheme. Nicholas Lucidonio, 57, and Anthony Lucidonio Sr., 84, concealed millions of dollars in sales from the IRS between 2006-2016, federal prosecutors said. The future of the decades-old business is now in question.January 26, 2024
Investigations
Escaped prisoner Shane Pryor fled University City with help of another teen, police say
Michael Diggs, 18, has been charged for allegedly aiding the escape of inmate Shane Pryor outside Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon. Diggs allegedly picked Pryor up after he fled from escort staff in the hospital's emergency parking lot. Pryor, who remains on the run, is charged with the 2020 killing of a woman who was fatally shot in the Holmesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia.January 26, 2024
Health News
Penn Medicine withdraws plan to use shuttered Brandywine Hospital for veterans care
Penn Medicine will not buy Coatesville's Brandywine Hospital from Tower Health after previously planning to convert the shuttered facility into a site for veterans care. Penn Medicine officials said the 171-bed hospital's infrastructure could not be repurposed for the VA project, which aims to shift some services out of Coatesville's existing VA medical center. Tower Health said it plans to find another buyer for Brandywine Hospital. Penn Medicine will now seek a different building in Chester County for its deal with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.January 25, 2024
Investigations
Video shows teen fugitive Shane Pryor in CHOP building moments after escape
Shane Pryor, the 17-year-old accused murderer who escaped custody in University City on Wednesday, was seen in video at a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia building minutes after he fled from authorities. Investigators believe Pryor left University City around 12:30 p.m. U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to Pryor's capture.January 25, 2024
Development
76ers have gathered 30,000 signatures backing their Center City arena proposal
The Philadelphia 76ers say they have collected 30,000 signatures from people who support their proposed $1.55 billion arena in Center City. The results follow a survey that found Washington Square West residents overwhelmingly oppose the arena, and various opposition efforts from Chinatown residents.January 24, 2024
Food & Drink
Menagerie Coffee to open new shop in Northern Liberties
Menagerie Coffee's new shop in Northern Liberties opens Jan. 25 at 908 N. 3rd St. across from Liberty Lands Park. The business is expanding from its original outpost in Old City, where cofounders April Nett and Elysa DiMauro opened their first shop in 2013. The location inside The Bourse Food Hall closed last fall.January 24, 2024
Investigations
Police search for 17-year-old accused of murder who escaped custody outside CHOP
Philadelphia police are searching for escaped prisoner Shane Pryor, 17, who is accused of murder for allegedly killing a woman in 2020 . Pryor fled Wednesday after being transported to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in University City, investigators said.Just In
- Meet Mandy Mango, the second Philly queen to be on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
- The holidays can mess up the healthiest of habits. Here's how to get back on track
- N.J. bill would write Gov. Murphy's 100% clean electricity goal into law before he leaves office
- In latest World Cup ticket phase, which ends Jan. 13, FIFA says requests are over 30 times higher than supply
- Eagles-Commanders Week 18 injury report, with analysis
- A look ahead at an extremely busy 2026 for sports in Philadelphia
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