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.
October 26, 2023
Social Media
An escaped pet pig named Kevin Bacon is becoming an internet sensation
A pet pig, named after actor Kevin Bacon, escaped from his barn in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on Oct. 14. Since then, the 200-pound pig's adoptive family has had a difficult time trying to capture him. Owner Chelsea Rumbaugh created a "Bring Kevin Bacon Home" Facebook page for people to follow along as the family tries to get the pig under control.October 26, 2023
Development
New residential tower proposed for vacant site on Jewelers Row
Pearl Properties seeks to build a residential tower at the vacant site along Jewelers Row at Seventh and Sansom streets. The property was acquired last year from Toll Brothers, which had abandoned plans for a condo tower after demolishing five historic buildings. The new proposal calls for nearly 100 residential units and above-ground valet parking on the tower's lower levels.October 26, 2023
Development
Smokestack at Beesley's Point, for decades a landmark for travelers to the Jersey Shore, gets imploded
The smokestack at the former B.L. England power plant in Beesley's Point, New Jersey was demolished Thursday morning. Video shows the 463-foot structure collapse to the ground, completing the demolition of the facilities at the former coal and oil-burning power plant in Cape May County. The 350-acre site will be redeveloped in the coming years. The power plant was built in 1961 and was decommissioned in 2019.October 25, 2023
Lawsuits
Pennsylvania, New Jersey join federal lawsuit alleging Facebook, Instagram harm children's mental health
A federal lawsuit claims Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, designed its social media platforms to be addictive for children and teenagers. Forty-one states have joined lawsuits alleging Meta deliberately misled the public about the mental health dangers its products posed to young people, downplaying its own internal research in order to prioritize growth. Pennsylvania and New Jersey have joined the lawsuit.October 25, 2023
Investigations
Ex-Doylestown Hospital administrator charged with stealing $600,000 from charity fund
Former Doylestown Hospital medical staff director Norma Galagarza, 68, of Chalfont, has been charged with stealing more than $600,000 from a charity fund, Bucks County prosecutors said. Galagarza allegedly embezzled the money from a fund that helped the community and employees in need. She used the money to cover personal expenses for more than a decade, investigators said.October 25, 2023
Women's Health
Gaining too much weight while pregnant raises longterm risks of death from heart disease, diabetes
Pregnant women who put on too much weight are more likely to die of conditions like heart disease and diabetes than those who follow recommended guidelines, a new Penn Medicine study finds. Some weight gain during pregnancy is expected and considered healthy. How much weight women should gain during pregnancy is directly linked to their weight at the start of pregnancy.October 24, 2023
Food & Drink
Pennsylvania residents can join lotteries for 4,429 rare whiskey bottles
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is holding another round of limited-release lotteries for rare whiskey bottles. The five lotteries include 4,429 bottles of whiskey, including Blanton's Gold Straight Bourbon and Blanton's Gold Straight Bourbon. Pennsylvania residents of legal drinking age can enter the lotteries until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.October 24, 2023
Lawsuits
Penn student died from drinking Panera's 'Charged Lemonade,' lawsuit says
Panera Bread's highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade drink contributed to the death of 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Sarah Katz, her family claims in a wrongful death lawsuit. Katz drank the beverage on Sept. 10, 2022 and went into cardiac arrest hours later. She had a condition that made her heart vulnerable to high amounts of caffeine, but her family says Panera failed to properly label the drink at the West Philly store where Katz bought it.October 18, 2023
Phillies
Eagles' Terrell Edmunds predicted Kyle Schwarber homer from behind the plate
Eagles safety Terrell Edmunds and running back D'Andre Swift were sitting behind home plate for the Phillies' 10-0 win over the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. A video clip from the third inning shows Edmunds telling Swift that Kyle Schwarber was about to hit a home run. Moments later, Schwarber hit his first solo shot of the night.October 18, 2023
Entertainment
Pete Davidson to perform two stand-up sets at Rivers Casino
Former "Saturday Night Live" star Pete Davidson will perform two stand-up comedy sets at Rivers Casino Philadelphia on Nov. 25. The shows will be at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 20. Davidson was an "SNL" cast member from 2014-2022 and returned last weekend to host the debut of the show's 49th season.Just In
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- Bill to bring whole milk back as school lunch option awaits Trump's signature
- Pennsylvania, New Jersey join lawsuit against federal rules restricting gender-affirming care for minors
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