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.
February 10, 2023
Social Media
Matisse Thybulle spray-paints farewell message to Philly on Fishtown mural
Former Philadelphia 76ers forward Matisse Thybulle spray-painted a thank-you message on the Fishtown mural of him on the side of the Garage bar at Frankford and Girard avenues. Thybulle was traded to the Portland Trailblazers in a three-team deal Thursday that resulted in the Sixers getting Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets.February 9, 2023
Development
Landmark Northern Liberties building with American flag mural to be converted into apartments
The Philadelphia Warehousing & Cold Storage Building, notable for its American flag mural painted after the 9/11 attacks, will be converted into 96 apartments. The property sits on the southeast edge of Northern Liberties. The mural was painted renowned artist Meg Saligman. The building sits in an area that's undergoing a major transformation with hundreds of new residential units to be constructed in the years ahead.February 9, 2023
Investigations
Business associate charged in death of Jennifer Brown, the Montgomery County mom he reported missing
Blair Watts, 33, of Royersford, has been charged in the killing of 43-year-old Jennifer Brown, the Montgomery County mother that he reported missing in early January, prosecutors said Thursday. Watts, a business associate who had planned to open a restaurant with Brown, allegedly killed Brown at her home in Limerick and stole $17,000 from her. Watts is charged with homicide, theft and related offenses.February 8, 2023
Social Media
Students at two Philly high schools face discipline for racist blackface video
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is investigating after a blackface video was posted on social media by girls at St. Hubert Catholic High School and Franklin Town Charter High School in Northeast Philly. The racially insensitive video shows one student spray-painting another student's face black. One student from Franklin Towne has been expelled. St. Hubert's school officials said their students will be disciplined.February 8, 2023
Education
Pennsylvania school funding formula is unconstitutional, judge rules in landmark case
In a landmark school funding case, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Tuesday that Pennsylvania is in violation of its state constitution. The decision comes after a lawsuit was filed nearly a decade ago by districts, parents and advocates who argued the system based on property tax values unfairly disadvantages poorer communities in Pennsylvania, resulting in achievement gaps that are among the worst in the United States.February 8, 2023
Investigations
Woman struck in head by falling concrete slab from Center City apartment building
A woman stuck in the head by a piece of concrete that had fallen from a Center City, Philadelphia, apartment buiding on Wednesday morning. The concrete slab had become dislodged from the facade of the Walnut Square Apartment building, 201 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia police said. The woman was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and an investigation is ongoing.February 7, 2023
Media
6ABC hires Renee Washington as sports reporter, anchor
Renee Washington, a former standout for the La Salle University women's soccer team, has been hired by 6ABC as a sports reporter and anchor. Washington grew up in Ewing, New Jersey and previously worked as a sideline reporter covering college athletics for ESPN.February 7, 2023
Food & Drink
Big Charlie's Saloon, the Chiefs bar in South Philly, cancels Super Bowl watch party
Big Charlie's Saloon, the Kansas City Chiefs bar in South Philly, has cancelled its Super Bowl LVII watch party for the Eagles-Chiefs title game on Sunday. The bar's owners said ticket demand for the indoor-only event was more than the space could accommodate and that the atmosphere in the neighborhood with the hometown Eagles playing would make holding the event a greater challenge.February 7, 2023
Music
Lil Uzi Vert says 'Just Wanna Rock' has not replaced Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares' as Eagles rap anthem
Philly rapper Lil Uzi Vert's 'Just Wanna Rock' has become a hit with Eagles fans as the team prepares for Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Record exec and promoter DJ Drama recently said Uzi's song has replaced Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares' as the rap anthem of Philadelphia, but Uzi disagreed with that claim during an interview at the 2023 Grammy Awards.February 7, 2023
Higher Education
Temple receives $10.9 million gift to support students with physical disabilities
Temple University has received a $10.9 million gift to provide scholarships, assistive technology and career support services to students living with physical disabilities. The gift comes from the late Jeanne Zweig, a 1953 Temple graduate who earned her degrees while living with cerebral palsy and went on to create her own accounting firm. Funds from the new Jeanne Zweig Endowment will be available to eligible students starting in fall 2023 through Temple's Office of Disability Resources.Just In
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- Joel Embiid listed doubtful for Sixers-Celtics on Friday; full injury reports ahead of Game 3
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