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

June 15, 2023

Transportation

I-95 livestream shows repair work at highway collapse site in Northeast Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

PennDOT's livestream of the I-95 repairs in Northeast Philly offers a look at the progress being made to rebuild the highway section that collapsed due to a tanker-truck fire on June 11. Construction crews are building a temporary road that will allow traffic to utilize the highway while a new bridge is built at the site. The project is expected to take months to complete.

June 15, 2023

Food & Drink

LaScala's Beach House bar and restaurant opens in Brigantine; replaces the former Laguna Grill & Rum Bar

by Michael Tanenbaum

LaScala's Beach House, the new Brigantine bar that replaces the former Laguna Rum Bar & Grill, opens Thursday at 1400 Ocean Ave. with several days of live music. The bar is the latest concept from the restaurant group behind LaScala's Fire, LaScala's Pronto and LaScala's Birra.

June 15, 2023

Investigations

Yogi Berra's World Series rings, Warhol and Pollock paintings among valuables stolen by Pa. thieves, feds say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Federal prosecutors charged nine Pennsylvania residents as part of a theft ring that stole sports memorabilia, works of art, and other valuable during a two decade span. The defendants allegedly stole World Series rings and trophies belonging to a Yogi Berra museum in New Jersey, an Andy Warhol painting, various sports memorabilia and antiques. The stolen items allegedly were sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars in New York City.

June 14, 2023

Illness

Japanese plum juice, touted as a natural remedy to heart disease, actually works, Temple researchers say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Juice concentrate from Japanese plums can reduce high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of heart disease. The fruit, also known as ume, has long been a popular health supplement for a range of ailments. In experiments on mice, researchers at Temple University demonstrated that the juice concentrate is effective at preventing metabolic processes that lead to the development of hypertension.

June 14, 2023

Transportation

Temporary road to replace destroyed I-95 bridge, eventually reopening highway while permanent structure is completed

by Michael Tanenbaum

The site of the tanker-truck fire that collapsed the I-95 bridge in Northeast Philadelphia will be backfilled and paved to create a temporary roadway reconnecting the highway with three lanes traveling in each direction, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday morning. The temporary roadway will remain open during the reconstruction of a permanent bridge to replace the collapsed span in the months ahead. No official timeline has been given for each of these phases of the project, which will be fully funded by the federal government.

June 14, 2023

Transportation

City Council expected to hold hearings on proposed Northeast Philly subway line in wake of I-95 collapse

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia City Council will hold hearings about extending SEPTA's subway system with a new line to the Northeast section of the city. A resolution to discuss the proposal was introduced by Sixth District Councilmember Mike Driscoll, who was joined by 12 other cosponsors. Momentum for the large-scale project could build in the aftermath of the tanker-truck fire that caused a portion of I-95 to collapse in Tacony on Sunday, shutting down the highway.

June 14, 2023

Investigations

Motorist fatally struck by metal debris that crashed through her windshield on I-95 in South Philly, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Caramia Panichelli, of Philadelphia, who was struck by metal debris that crashed through her windshield Monday afternoon as she drove on I-95 in South Philly. Authorities are seeking information from witnesses as part of an ongoing investigation.

June 13, 2023

Education

Drexel, Salus move forward with university merger plan

by Michael Tanenbaum

Drexel University and Salus University have signed a merger agreement that will combine the health sciences programs of both universities. Salus University, a private school with a campus in Elkins Park, Montgomery County, specializes in optometry and also has programs in audiology, physician assistant studies, biomedicine, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and orthotics and prosthetics. Drexel's top health sciences tracks are its medical, biomedical, public health, nursing and health professions programs.

June 13, 2023

Investigations

18-year-old charged with stabbing three people, killing one, near Wildwood boardwalk

by Michael Tanenbaum

DaJohn L. Taylor, 20, of Hightstown, Mercer County, is charged with homicide and related offenses in connection with a triple stabbing that happened overnight Sunday at a home near the Wildwood boardwalk, investigators said. Kaiden Braithwaite, 20, of Cliffwood, died of multiple stab wounds. Two others also were stabbed during a fight that broke out after an argument outside the property at 307 E. Magnolia Ave.

June 13, 2023

Transportation

PennDOT's plan to rebuild I-95 bridge in Northeast Philly will be unveiled Wednesday

by Michael Tanenbaum

PennDOT will provide details Wednesday on its plan to reconstruct the I-95 bridge destroyed by Sunday's tanker truck fire in Northeast Philly, officials said. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll will provide a timeline for the work ahead and share other measures being taken to minimize the impact. Authorities are still working to identify the remains of the driver involved in the crash.