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 26, 2022
Weather
Lighting bolt sets fire to steeple at Port Richmond church
A lightning bolt set fire to the steeple at Grace Episcopal Church and the Incarnation in Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood during a flash thunderstorm Monday afternoon. The church, which dates back to the 19th century, suffered water damage in addition to the destruction of the steeple. The church has created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of the insurance deductible to complete needed repairs.July 26, 2022
Courts
Wawa reaches $8 million settlement over 2019 data breach case
Wawa has agreed to an $8 million agreement with six states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, to resolve the fallout of a massive data breach that exposed millions of customers' payment card information in 2019. A separate, class action lawsuit remains tied up in court over a proposed settlement that would require Wawa to provide up to $8 million in gift cards and as much as $1 million in cash reimbursements to customers affected by the data breach.July 26, 2022
Social Media
Eagles' Gardner Minshew is selling his 'love shack' bus in Philly for $25,000
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew has been living in a bus since February while preparing for his fourth NFL season. The 26-year-old wrote on Instagram that he wants to sell the bus in Philadelphia and is asking $25,000. The vehicle has about 146,000 miles on it and comes equipped with an energy efficient A/C unit, cooktop and refrigerator.July 25, 2022
Development
West Philly apartment complex proposal includes 352 units, retail space
Alterra Property Group and JKRP Architects have proposed a six-story, 352-unit apartment complex with more than 20,000 square feet of commercial space at the southwest corner of 42nd and Market Streets in West Philadelphia. The site sits in an area that projects to see continued population growth amid the Schuylkill Yards development project in University City. The nearby neighborhoods have a history of residential displacement, which has prompted pushback from affordable housing advocates against further development.July 25, 2022
Investigations
Car crash involving Wisconsin state senator kills Pennsylvania woman, young daughter
A central Pennsylvania woman and her young daughter were killed in a car crash on July 22 in Ashland, Wisconsin, near Lake Superior in the northwest part of the state. Wisconsin state Sen. Janet Bewley had pulled out of a parking lot onto U.S. highway 2, near Lake Superior, and struck the car driven by Alyssa Ortman, 27. Ortman's car struck a third vehicle on the highway. No other serious injuries were reported.July 22, 2022
Social Justice
Sesame Place apologizes to Black family snubbed by Rosita mascot, pledges change
Sesame Place issued a lengthy apology on Thursday to the family of two Black girls who were snubbed by a mascot at the Bucks County theme park last Saturday. The Rosita character was seen in a viral video refusing to give high-fives to the girls, which prompted outrage and calls for the employee to be fired. Sesame Place has committed to mandatory diversity training for its employees, but has not indicated whether the employee will be fired.July 22, 2022
Investigations
Pennsylvania state trooper charged with animal cruelty for horse's death in Chester County
Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Michael Perillo has been charged with animal cruelty stemming from a December incident in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, where he allegedly rammed his vehicle multiple times into a horse that had escaped from an Amish farm. The horse was then euthanized by a second trooper, who shot the injured animal on the shoulder of Route 1 as it was pinned to the pavement.July 22, 2022
Prevention
Reducing violent crime in cities also results in fewer heart disease deaths, Penn research suggests
Heart disease deaths appear to be linked to rates of violent crime in city neighborhoods, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. An analysis of cardiovascular disease deaths and violent crime rates in Chicago from 2000 to 2014 found that as violent crime decreased, heart disease deaths also went down based on how significant the decrease in crime was in a neighborhood. The researchers say the study points to the significant health impact of the legacy of racial segregation on communities of color, which are disproportionately affected by violent crime.July 21, 2022
Transportation
Delayed by the pandemic, SEPTA marks progress in plans for double-decker Regional Rail trains
SEPTA's plans to add 45 double-decker coach cars to the Regional Rail system were delayed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed down Chinese manufacturer CRRC MA. The $138 million contract for the project was awarded in 2017. SEPTA now hopes to begin pilot testing some of the new trains in early 2023 and may introduce them into service later next year. In the meantime, SEPTA is trying to reinvent Regional Rail and restore ridership closer to its pre-pandemic baseline.July 20, 2022
Social Justice
Family's attorney wants Sesame Place mascot fired over 'intentional mistreatment' of Black girls
The family of the two Black girls who were ignored by a Sesame Place mascot last weekend has hired an attorney to investigate the incident in suburban Philadelphia. A video of the encounter with the Rosita performer went viral this week, prompting outrage against the Bucks County theme park. Attorney B'Ivory LaMarr has called on the park to fire the employee who plays Rosita and to provide a more formal apology to the family. Sesame Place has pledged to conduct bias training for its employees.Just In
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