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 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 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 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 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.May 10, 2023
Business
Giant to open supermarket in Jenkintown, continuing company's expansion in Philly region
Giant will open a 50,000-square-foot store in Jenkintown at the corner of Old York and Wyncote Roads, redeveloping the site of the former Glanzmann Subaru dealership and adjacent parcels. The grocery store chain has been expanding in the Philly region over the last several years. The Jenkintown store will be the company's 22nd in Montgomery County.May 9, 2023
Investigations
Bob Marley bag hidden on Philly-bound flight contained $400,000 worth of cocaine, authorities say
More than $400,000 worth of cocaine was seized from a passenger jet that arrived at Philadelphia International Airport from Montego Bay, Jamaica last Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials said. The drugs were hidden in a drawstring bag decorated with the face of reggae legend Bob Marley. Officials said about 12 pounds of cocaine were taken and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. No arrests have been made.May 9, 2023
Odd News
Possible meteorite crashes through roof of New Jersey home, police say
A black, metallic-looking rock that crashed into a home in Hopewell Township, New Jersey may be a meteorite, police said. The object penetrated the home's roof and ceiling before denting the its hardwood floor and coming to a rest. If the object is a meteoroid, then it was an uncommon occurrence. Most meteorites are never recovered because they land in the ocean or in remote parts of the earth.Just In
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