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.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

July 13, 2023

Development

Renderings show proposed plans for Thomas Paine Plaza redesign

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philadelphia Department of Public Property has unveiled renderings for the proposed renovation of Thomas Paine Plaza outside the Municipal Services Building in Center City. The proposed design includes two main spaces at Thomas Paine Plaza, a 10,000-square-foot one on the southeast side along John F. Kennedy Boulevard and a 6,000-square-foot space on the northeast side along Arch Street. The plan includes more seating, trees, lighting and new public art.

July 13, 2023

Wildlife

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

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

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

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

Media

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

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 12, 2023

Development

Rivers Casino to open hotel at renovated PECO plant in Fishtown

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

Food & Drink

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

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 11, 2023

Addiction

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

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 11, 2023

Transportation

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

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

Government

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

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 10, 2023

Investigations

Fire heavily damages historic Broad Street Market in Harrisburg

by Michael Tanenbaum

A building that forms part of the historic Broad Street Market in Harrisburg was damaged by a fire overnight Monday in the Pennsylvania state capital. Broad Street Market is described as one the nation's oldest continuously operated market houses. The market was founded in 1860, just before the start of the Civil War. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams have pledged to rebuild the brick building damaged by the fire.