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 16, 2023
Investigations
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Philly police officer Richard Mendez
Yobranny Martinez Fernandez, 18, was arrested in connection to the shooting that killed Philadelphia police officer Richard Mendez and wounded his partner Thursday inside a parking garage at Philadelphia International Airport. The shooting also killed 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera Duran, who is believed to have been an accomplice. Authorities are searching for at least two more suspects.October 16, 2023
Wildlife
Report of possible mountain lion near Allentown turns out to be feral house cat, officials say
Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have determined an animal spotted in Lower Macungie Township on Sunday was a feral house cat, not a mountain lion. Authorities searched the area and recreated photos submitted to police using life-sized cutouts of a house cat, a bobcat and a mountain lion. They determined the animal was just a house cat. Bobcats are the only surviving wild cat species native to Pennsylvania, but it's possible for large cats held in captivity to get loose or be released by their owners.October 13, 2023
Investigations
Philly police ID officer slain in airport shooting, share video of suspect in purported getaway car
Philadelphia police officer Richard Mendez, 50, was fatally shot in an airport parking garage on Thursday night. He and his partner, 60-year-old Raul Ortiz, were confronting a group of people who were attempting to break into a car. Police shared surveillance video of a Dodge Durango believed to have left the scene and dropped off a shooting victim at CHOP. That man later died.October 13, 2023
Government
Orsted pledges New Jersey's first offshore wind farm will operate by 2025
New Jersey's first offshore wind farm, Orsted's Ocean Wind 1 project, will operational by 2025, the company says. The state Board of Public Utilities secured a $100 million guarantee from Orsted that the project will be operational by December 2025. Otherwise, the money will be forfeited. The project has faced hurdles due to increasing costs and resistance from some groups in New Jersey's coastal communities.October 13, 2023
Environment
Philly region chosen as one of Biden administration's hydrogen energy hubs
Philadelphia is getting one of seven regional hydrogen hubs that will aim to spur the development of the fossil fuel alternative, thanks to a new $7 billion federal program, President Joe Biden announced Friday. The Philly region will get $750 million to create the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, or MACH-2. The project will include new hydrogen production facilities intended to wean manufacturers, electricity generators and vehicles off of coal and oil.October 12, 2023
Government
At meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. lawmakers saw the pain in the Israeli leader's eyes, Rep. Norcross says
In the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross met with Israeli leaders as part of a congressional delegation that already had been in the Middle East to discuss peace. Norcross reflected on the pain he saw in Israel and how it summoned flashbacks to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.October 12, 2023
Investigations
Armored truck driver shot, robbed outside South Philly bank, police say
The driver of an armored Brinks truck was shot in South Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon while making a delivery at Bank of America branch on the 1900 block of South Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Police are searching for at least two suspects who stole money and a gun from the driver, who was hospitalized in critical condition. The suspects fled the scene in a gold-colored sedan.October 12, 2023
Women's Health
Penn, CHOP to study how environmental factors affect pregnancy, children's health
The University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are leading a study on how environmental factors impact the health outcomes of mothers and their children. A $50 million grant from the National Institutes of Health — part of the ECHO program — will support the seven-year study.October 11, 2023
Food & Drink
Eating at Zahav, Laser Wolf, K'Far and Goldie on Thursday will help people in Israel get medical aid
On Thursday, all of sales at Zahav, Laser Wolf, K'Far and five Goldie locations in Philly will be donated to a charity that provides free medical services to people in Israel. On Saturday, the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, including the massacre of children.October 11, 2023
Books
Free Library of Philadelphia to adjust hours, open Saturdays at all branches
The Free Library of Philadelphia will revise its hours beginning Monday, Oct. 16 and plans to open Saturdays at all of its branches in the near future. Saturday hours will resume once the Free Library hires new staff to fill those hours. Starting Oct. 16, the Parkway Central Library will operate Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Just In
- Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey drops one spot in latest All-Star Game voting returns, barely trailing Jalen Brunson
- At Trump's directive, CDC lowers amount of recommended vaccines for children
- My dad is gone, I'll just keep swinging
- Dead whale found on bow of ship at South Jersey port prompts investigation
- Flakely Gluten Free bakery to move from Manayunk to Bryn Mawr in February
- Weight-loss drug Wegovy now available as a daily pill, sparing users weekly shots
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