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.
May 15, 2023
Investigations
Fourth person arrested in connection with Philly prison break
Philadelphia police have charged Michael Abrams, 21, for his alleged role in helping inmates Ameen Hurst and Nasir Grant escape the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center. Abrams is the fourth person to be arrested in connection with the prison break. Grant was taken into custody last week. Hurst, who is charged with committing four homicides, is still at large.May 15, 2023
Business
Fanatics to acquire PointsBet's U.S. division in deal that will bring sportsbook to Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Fanatics, Inc is poised to acquired the U.S. operations of PointsBet in a $150 million deal that would provide the world's largest sports apparel company access to sports betting markets in 15 states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Fanatics, valued at $31 billion, expects to have access to most of the states where PointsBet operates by the start of the NFL season in September.May 12, 2023
History
Mütter Museum weighs ethical concerns over online exhibits displaying human remains
Philadelphia's Mütter Museum has removed all of its online exhibits and YouTube videos as part of an ongoing review about ethical questions surrounding the display of human remains in this manner. The museum is evaluating how it presents its collection online as part of a larger ethical debate about the display of human remains. It is planning to hold discussions with supporters about these issues.May 12, 2023
Odd News
Scientists confirm 4.56 billion-year-old meteorite struck New Jersey home
The meteorite that struck a home in the Titusville section of Hopewell, New Jersey on May 8 is about 4.56 billion years old, according to scientists at The College of New Jersey. The object, about 4 by 6 inches and 2.2 pounds, was examined by researchers who concluded it is a fragment of an LL chondrite, a type of meteor rarely found on Earth. Experts believe other debris from the event that brought it to Earth is likely scattered around the area.May 12, 2023
Media
John Kincade reveals colon cancer diagnosis, will take break from 97.5 The Fanatic show
John Kincade, host of “The John Kincade Show” on 97.5 The Fanatic, said he will step away from the program for a few weeks to undergo treatment for colon cancer. Kincade will have surgery on May 15 and expects to miss time at the sports radio station. A native of Broomall, Delaware County, Kincade is a two-time cancer survivor who previously overcame battles with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and testicular cancer in the 1990s.May 11, 2023
Recreation
Showboat's indoor Island Waterpark to open in Atlantic City this summer
Island Waterpark at Showboat Resort in Atlantic City is on track to open in June. The new indoor waterpark will have more than a dozen slides, a surf simulator, a nightlife venue for adults, a roller coaster and a tree house. The 103,000-square-foot facility has a retractable roof and is touted as the largest indoor beachfront waterpark.May 11, 2023
Investigations
Woman charged with helping the two escaped inmates from Philly prison
A 21-year-old woman allegedly helped inmates Ameen Hurst and Nasir Grant escape from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center in Holmesburg on Sunday night, authorities said. Xianni Stalling, 21, was arrested and charged Thursday. Police say she allegedly had a phone call with one of the men before the escape.May 11, 2023
Investigations
Delaware County man dies while skydiving in South Jersey
A skydiver was killed Wednesday when his parachute failed after a jump at SkyDive Cross Keys in Williamstown, New Jersey. Timothy Slachta, 48, of Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania was an experienced skydiver, the company said. The reason for the parachute failure is being investigated by Gloucester County prosecutors with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.May 10, 2023
Investigations
Prisoners' escape from Philly jail was not caused by staffing shortage, city says
The Philadelphia Department of Prisons denied claims made by the local correctional officers' union that the escape of Ameen Hurst, 18, and Nasir Grant, 24, was connected to staffing shortages at the Holmesburg jail on Sunday night. The city claimed a document stating armed guards were not stationed at the perimeter of the facility was 'forged.' Last week, AFSCME Local 159 held a unanimous 'no confidence' vote in Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney.May 10, 2023
Music
Meek Mill befuddled by AI-generated song about his dad, who was killed during the rapper's childhood
Meek Mill shared an AI-generated song written from the perspective of his father, who was killed when the Philly rapper was 5 years old. He tweeted, 'WTF' along with a video that includes the song, 'Back from the Grave.' As AI-generated music continues to enter the mainstream, Spotify has pulled thousands of machine-made songs over concerns about the latest method of 'artificial streaming,' which uses bots to inflate stream counts and earn royalties.Just In
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