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 3, 2023
Opioids
Fatal overdoses reached another all-time high in Philadelphia last year
Philadelphia recorded 1,413 deaths from unintentional drug overdoses in 2022. That's highest number on record and an 11% increase over the previous year. The biggest increases in deaths came among Black and Hispanic people, and the fatal overdoses are increasingly happening when fentanyl is mixed with stimulants like cocaine.October 3, 2023
Investigations
Motorcyclist wanted for smashing car's back windshield, pointing gun at driver near City Hall
A motorcyclist wanted for smashing a woman's rear windshield and pointing a gun at her has been identified by Philadelphia police, authorities said. The incident outside City Hall was caught on video and went viral. The woman's two children and girlfriend were in the car at the time of the incident. The suspect's name was not released and he has not been arrested at this time, police said.October 3, 2023
Investigations
Pat Pespas, star in HBO's 'Telemarketers' series, reported missing in Pennsylvania
Pat Pespas, one of the stars of the HBO docuseries 'Telemarketers,' has been reported missing in Pennsylvania. He was last seen by loved ones in Easton, police said. In 'Telemarketers,' Pespas, 54, plays a prominent role in highlighting the scams perpetrated by Civic Development Group, a call center operator that was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission in 2010.October 3, 2023
Lawsuits
New Jersey woman sues Tinder for allegedly letting scammers use her photos
A New Jersey woman has sued the dating app Tinder, alleging that her photos were used by scammers to create fake profiles. The class action lawsuits contends that Tinder's photo verification process is unreliable and allows stolen photos to be verified on the app, putting the safety and personal data of users at risk.October 2, 2023
Investigations
Journalist Josh Kruger fatally shot inside his Point Breeze home
Josh Kruger, a Philadelphia journalist and LGBTQ advocate, was shot and killed at his home in the Point Breeze neighborhood early Monday by a person who entered the residence. Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen.September 29, 2023
Technology
Privacy advocates say the Phillies' facial recognition entrance puts their fans' data at risk
Protesters at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night cautioned against using the facial recognition entrance, which the Phillies and MLB debuted in August. The opt-in ticketing system lets fans enter the ballpark by uploading selfies to the league's ticketing app, enabling them to pass through scanners. Privacy advocates say the technology puts people's safety and data at risk.September 29, 2023
Lawsuits
Sharon Hill reaches $11 million settlement with family of Fanta Bility, the 8-year-old killed by police in 2021
The family of Fanta Bility has reached an $11 million settlement with Sharon Hill in a federal lawsuit filed after the 8-year-old girl was fatally shot by police in August 2021. Three others were injured when police opened fire after an Academy Park High School football game. The officers previously pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment charges and were each sentenced to five years of probation.September 29, 2023
Transportation
Historic drawbridge in Stone Harbor must be replaced, Cape May County says
Cape May County plans to replace the 96th Street drawbridge that crosses into Stone Harbor from Middle Township by 2028. The span was built in 1930 and has structural problems with the movable part that opens for boats to pass. Detours and traffic disruptions are expected during construction.September 28, 2023
Investigations
Retired minister extradited to face charges in 1975 killing of Delaware County girl
David Zandstra, the former Broomall minister charged with killing 8-year-old girl Gretchen Harrington in 1975, has been extradited to Delaware County to face charges of murder and kidnapping. Zandstra, who was living in Georgia, allegedly confessed to kidnapping the girl in Broomall, Marple Township, and then fatally beating her after she resisted his attempt to sexually abuse her at Ridley Creek State Park. Nearly five decades later, Zandstra, 83, will be tried in Delaware County.September 28, 2023
Odd News
Wally, the emotional support alligator not let into the Phillies game, has made news here previously
Wally, the emotional support alligator turned away from going to the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, should be familiar in Philadelphia. In August 2022, his trip to the fountains in LOVE Park in Center City also went viral on social media.Just In
- Instant observations: With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, another late-game collapse sinks Sixers in Toronto
- N.J. becomes latest state to ban cellphones in classrooms as Murphy signs bill into law
- N.J. lawmakers fast-track bills limiting cooperation with ICE after Minneapolis shooting
- Open thread replay: 49ers 23, Eagles 19
- Data centers are straining N.J.'s power grid. A bill would make them pay for it.
- At Philly's new 'Disaster University,' first responders get immersive training for mass-casualty events
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