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.
July 12, 2023
Media
Flyers apologize after staff members mocked reporter's question during Zoom call with Garnet Hathaway
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
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 11, 2023
Addiction
White House plan targets xylazine, the animal sedative now commonly found in Philly's drug supply
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
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
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
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.July 10, 2023
History
First Bank of the United States to be renovated, reopened as museum
The First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia will be renovated into a museum that will feature exhibits about the nation's economic history. The historic building at 120 S. Third St. served as the nation's original federal bank, established in 1791 at the urging of then-U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton. It is regarded as one of the most important artifacts of George Washington's administration. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.July 10, 2023
Investigations
Police suspect poisoned feeders led to unusual bird deaths at Warminster park
Numerous dead birds were found Saturday at Warminster Community Park in Bucks County, where authorities suspect someone poisoned a series of bird feeders that were placed at the park earlier that day. Investigators said the bands on the dead birds' feathers are consistent with homing pigeons. The bodies have been sent out for necropsies to determine how the birds died. The substance found in the feeders also has been sent to a lab for analysis. Police said the substance is dangerous to humans. The public should report bird feeders in the area that look like those recovered from the park.July 7, 2023
Fires
Power expected back for thousands in Wildwood on Friday night; residual outages likely to continue Saturday
A fire at an electric substation in Wildwood knocked out power for more than 24,000 homes and businesses on the island on Friday. Hours after power was lost, officials said there is still no estimate for when it will be restored. Atlantic City Electric later said it expects about 15,000 impacted customers to have power restored some time Friday night. Residual outages likely will linger into Saturday following the substation fire that knocked out electricity on the island on Friday.July 7, 2023
Transportation
SEPTA gives riders free transit access while fare system glitch is fixed
SEPTA's fare collection system went down Friday morning, prompting the transit authority to offer free rides on all trains, subways, buses and trolleys. Officials are working to restore the fare system. In the meantime, riders will not be charged and all transit modes will run on normal schedules. The glitch comes as SEPTA begins the process to award a new contract for its upgraded fare collection system, dubbed SEPTA Key 2.0.Just In
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