Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum Headshot

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.


tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

July 13, 2023

Wildlife

The limpkin, a tropical bird native to Florida, spotted in Pennsylvania for the first time as its range expands

For the first time, a limpkin was spotted in Pennsylvania, at Lancaster County's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. The tropical bird species, native to Florida and Georgia, has expanded its range over the last decade thanks to the spread of invasive snail species in its diet. More than 100 bird watchers came out to see the lone limpkin, a wading species, as it fed in shallow water.

July 13, 2023

Social Media

Jalen Hurts lookalike — a UPS driver and Cowboys fan — is flying to Philly to meet Eagles quarterback

Jalen Hurts has a lookalike in Texas named Mykol Gummings, a UPS driver and Dallas Cowboys fan who has gone viral on TikTok for his resemblance to the Eagles quarterback. Gummings said ESPN is planning to shoot a feature on him and Hurts, and that he'll soon be flying to Philly to meet the quarterback.

July 12, 2023

Food & Drink

Rosenberger's now has a hard iced tea made by Lansdale's Boardroom Spirits

Rosenberger's Iced Tea and Vodka takes the century-old Pennsylvania brand's classic beverage and mixes it in a canned cocktail made by Lansdale-based distillery Boardroom Spirits. The caffeinated, 4.5% ABV drink only is available in Pennsylvania. It can be purchased online and shipped anywhere in the state. It's also being sold at Boardroom Spirits' bottle shop and tasting room at 595 W. 3rd St in Lansdale, Montgomery County.

July 12, 2023

Development

Rivers Casino to open hotel at renovated PECO plant in Fishtown

Rivers Casino is opening a hotel in Fishtown later this year at The Battery, the renovated former PECO power plant along the Delaware River waterfront. The 62-room boutique hotel will have one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. It will also have co-working spaces, lobby gathering spaces, a pool table and an indoor basketball court. The Battery will include a mix of rentals, office space and event space inside the historic Philadelphia building.

July 12, 2023

Media

Flyers apologize after staff members mocked reporter's question during Zoom call with Garnet Hathaway

The Philadelphia Flyers issued an apology after two members of the team's marketing staff were overheard ridiculing an Inquirer beat writer's question during a Zoom call with newly-signed forward Garnet Hathaway. President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones called the incident 'completely unacceptable' and said the team had reached out to the reporter and the Inquirer.

July 11, 2023

Government

Two new public restrooms, dubbed Philly Phlush, are now open in the city – with more on the way

Philadelphia is installing six prefabricated restrooms from Portland Loo, which created kiosk-like structures that each include a changing table, menstrual products and the overdose prevention drug Narcan. The first two, at Fotterall Square in North Philly and near LOVE Park in Center City, have opened. Another is planned for Clark Park in West Philly. The three remaining sites have yet to be determined.

July 11, 2023

Transportation

Sinkhole repair on Route 202 could keep Upper Merion roadway closed for days

The section of U.S. Route 202 that was closed due to a large sinkhole on Monday night may not reopen until Wednesday or Thursday, a PennDOT spokesperson said. The road is closed in both directions between Henderson Road and Saulin Boulevard. The sinkhole was discovered during an investigation of a water outage reported to PA American Water, the utility provider in Montgomery County. Repair work is underway.

July 11, 2023

Addiction

White House plan targets xylazine, the animal sedative now commonly found in Philly's drug supply

The White House has outlined a national strategy to address the public health impact of xylazine, the veterinary sedative commonly mixed with fentanyl and other street drugs. The drug has fueled the opioid epidemic in recent years by complicating established treatment protocols for overdoses. In April, the White House declared xylazine an emerging health threat. The plan released Tuesday calls for developing an improved treatment framework that emphasizes community-level resources.

July 10, 2023

History

First Bank of the United States to be renovated, reopened as museum

The First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia will be renovated into a museum that will feature exhibits about the nation's economic history. The historic building at 120 S. Third St. served as the nation's original federal bank, established in 1791 at the urging of then-U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton. It is regarded as one of the most important artifacts of George Washington's administration. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

July 10, 2023

Investigations

Police suspect poisoned feeders led to unusual bird deaths at Warminster park

Numerous dead birds were found Saturday at Warminster Community Park in Bucks County, where authorities suspect someone poisoned a series of bird feeders that were placed at the park earlier that day. Investigators said the bands on the dead birds' feathers are consistent with homing pigeons. The bodies have been sent out for necropsies to determine how the birds died. The substance found in the feeders also has been sent to a lab for analysis. Police said the substance is dangerous to humans. The public should report bird feeders in the area that look like those recovered from the park.

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