Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum Headshot

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

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 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

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

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

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.

September 27, 2023

Arts & Culture

Dr. Mira Irons, CEO of College of Physicians of Philadelphia, resigns amid Mütter Museum's ethical review

Mira Irons, president and CEO of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which owns the Mütter Museum, resigned Wednesday as the museum is in the middle of an ethical review of its collections that she and executive director Kate Quinn spearheaded.

September 27, 2023

Illness

For millions with long COVID, some answers are emerging about its causes

A new study on long COVID offers possible explanations for the lingering symptoms that millions of Americans experience after coronavirus infections. Researchers believe changes in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the immune systems of those with long COVID might play a role.

September 26, 2023

Lawsuits

Pennsylvania, New Jersey join FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Amazon

An antitrust lawsuit filed against Amazon alleges the company uses illegal business strategies to maintain its monopoly power, inflate consumer prices and stifle sellers who use its platform. It was filed by the Federal Trade Commission and 17 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in federal court Tuesday.

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