July 13, 2023
Wildlife
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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.