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

May 22, 2023

2023 Election

As Philly's next mayor, Cherelle Parker says struggling communities would be her top concern

by Michael Tanenbaum

Cherelle Parker, the Democratic mayoral nominee in Philadelphia, detailed her policy proposals for stop and frisk policing, year-round schooling and trash collection Monday during her first press conference since winning the primary election. She will face Republican David Oh in November's general election. Parker is poised to become the first woman elected mayor in Philly.

May 19, 2023

Food & Drink

R & S Keystone Diner in Bucks County is the latest Philly-area diner to close

by Michael Tanenbaum

The R & S Keystone Diner in Telford, Bucks County closed Thursday after a 75-year run. The original R & S Grill was on Line Lexington Road in Hatfield, Montgomery County, where it opened in 1948. It moved to its location on 4714 Bethlehem Pike in Telford in 1960. It has been run by owner JoAnn Kerr since 1981, when she took it over from her late parents.

May 19, 2023

Development

A Center City office building will be converted into 120 apartments

by Michael Tanenbaum

An eight-story office building at 2100-12 Arch St., formerly owned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, will be converted into a residential apartment complex with 120 units and commercial ground floor space. The adaptive reuse project is an example of the much-discussed push for residential conversions that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with remote work resulting in commercial real estate vacancies.

May 19, 2023

Media

NBC10 hires new meteorologist Justin Godynick

by Michael Tanenbaum

Meteorologist Justin Godynick will join NBC10's First Alert Weather Team on June 7. The South Jersey native will provide weather reports during the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts Wednesdays through Fridays as well as on weekend evenings. Godynick last worked at NBC-owned WBTS-TV in Boston and previously was a meteorologist for stations in the New York metropolitan area.

May 18, 2023

Prevention

CDC warns of summer mpox resurgence, urges vaccination for high-risk groups

by Michael Tanenbaum

The CDC has urged high risk groups to get vaccinated against mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, to prevent another outbreak of the disease. A cluster of 21 cases was reported in Chicago this month, leading public health officials to worry about a resurgence. Vaccination is recommended for gay and bisexual men as well as transgender and nonbinary people who have had more than one sexual partner or a new STD diagnosis in the past six months.

May 18, 2023

Investigations

Camden County woman found dead near Jersey City after being reported missing on Mother's Day, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Norelis Mendoza, 32, of Lindenwold, Camden County, was found dead on the side of Route 440 in Bayonne on Wednesday, authorities said. The mother of two, who was visiting her mom in Jersey City, was reported missing on Mother's Day after she was last seen the night before. Investigators say her death is suspicious. The cause of death has not yet been released pending the outcome of an autopsy.

May 18, 2023

Investigations

Woman fatally struck by tractor-trailer after getting off SEPTA bus at Temple, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

A 52-year-old woman was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer Thursday morning after she got off a SEPTA bus and tried to cross Cecil B. Moore Avenue at the intersection of Broad Street, on the campus of Temple University in North Philadelphia, police said. The tractor trailer was stopped at a red light around 9 a.m. and accelerated when it turned green, striking the woman.

May 17, 2023

Investigations

Manhunt ends with arrest of second escaped Philly inmate Ameen Hurst

by Michael Tanenbaum

The manhunt for Ameen Hurst, the second of two prisoners who escaped from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center on May 7, ended Wednesday morning with his arrest in West Philly, police said. Fellow inmate Nasir Grant, who also escaped, was taken into custody last week. Three others — Xianni Stalling, Jose Alberto Flores-Huerta and Michael Abrams — are also facing charges for their alleged roles in the jailbreak, which remains under investigation.

May 17, 2023

Investigations

Two men injured in shooting on SEPTA bus in North Philly, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Two men were injured Wednesday in a shooting on a SEPTA bus in North Philadelphia, police said. The shooting happened in the area of 21st and Diamond Streets. The two victims, both 18, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident comes days after a 14-year-old boy was fatally shot while standing on the Market-Frankford Line subway platform at 52nd Street Station. Last week, SEPTA promoted Charles Lawson as the authority's transit police chief. His predecessor, Thomas Nestel III, resigned last year amid increasing problems with crime and safety on the transit system.

May 17, 2023

Government

Wildwood weighs strict law banning alcohol on boardwalk, beaches

by Michael Tanenbaum

Wildwood leaders are considering laws that would prohibit alcohol on the city's boardwalk and beaches and give police more authority to arrest minors who violate local laws. One ordinance would prohibit the consumption, display or possession of any alcoholic beverage on the beach and boardwalk. Another would designate underage drinking, alcohol possession and other behaviors as "breach of peace" violations, giving police more power to detain juveniles.