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 21, 2025
Arts & Culture
Dilworth Park fountain soon will let people re-create famous Mickey Mouse scene in 'Fantasia'
An art installation coming to Dilworth Park will invite people to recreate the famous Mickey Mouse scene in 'Fantasia' by waving a wand to control the fountain's water jets and the classical music playing in the park. The installation honors the Philadelphia Orchestra's role in performing the score for the 1940 Disney film.July 21, 2025
Business
Pennsylvania reports record $6.4 billion in gambling revenue
Pennsylvania's $6.4 billion in gambling revenue during the recently ended fiscal year set a record, the state's gaming control board said Monday. Online games and internet sports betting accounted for nearly $2.5 billion in revenue reported by casinos. The growth of online gambling has been the biggest driver of increased revenue. Table game revenues are are down and slots are roughly flat year over year.July 21, 2025
Investigations
21-year-old man drowns in Brandywine Creek in Chadds Ford
Sergio Ayala-Vilches, a 21-year-old man, drowned Sunday in the Brandywine Creek in Chadds Ford after going swimming with a woman he had met the night before, Pennsylvania State Police said. Ayala-Vilches, a citizen of Mexico, drowned after he became caught in a current in the center of the creek, the woman told investigators.July 18, 2025
Immigration
Trump administration aims to use South Jersey military base to detain immigrants
The Trump administration plans to use Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey to detain undocumented immigrants, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers in a memo this week. Democratic officials in New Jersey have called the plan an 'abhorrent' use of military resources that will disrupt preparedness.July 18, 2025
Business
Angelo's Pizzeria to open shop in South Jersey at former Di'Nic's space
Beloved South Philly cheesesteak spot Angelo's Pizzeria plans to open a new shop in New Jersey, replacing Di'Nic's Roast Pork & Beef in West Collingswood Heights. Owner Danny DiGiampietro said he bought the property and plans to renovate the space before an opening. Angelo's also is exploring adding locations in Conshohocken and Wilmington.July 17, 2025
Business
Chef from Rittenhouse sandwich shop Huda to open burger joint in Fishtown
Huda Burger, a new concept from Rittenhouse chef Yehuda Sichel, will open in Fishtown in August. Sichel's Center City sandwich shop Huda is known for its homemade milk buns, which are based on a Japanese method that makes the bread fluffy and slightly sweet. At the Frankford Avenue storefront in Fishtown, the same buns will be used for a rotating selection of burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches.July 17, 2025
Investigations
Customs officials in Philly seize $1.8 million worth of ketamine shipped from Europe
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 72 pounds of ketamine with a street value of $1.8 million in two separate shipments from Europe earlier this month, authorities. said. The anesthetic, commonly used as a party drug, has entered the city's port multiple times this summer en route to destinations in Florida.July 16, 2025
Development
Ocean City residents lean against hotel plan at Wonderland Pier, Rutgers poll finds
Plans to build a luxury hotel at the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier site on the Ocean City Boardwalk have driven debate in the Jersey Shore community about whether the project should be approved. A survey by Rutgers University's Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling found most residents lean against developer Icona Resorts' 252-room hotel. The survey was commissioned by Ocean City 2050, a community group opposed to the hotel project.July 16, 2025
Health News
Virtua, ChristianaCare health systems to explore $6 billion merger
Virtua Health and ChristianaCare intend to explore a merger that would combine their health systems into a regional network spanning 600 sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The health systems said they would generate a combined $6 billion in revenue and employ more than 30,000 people.July 16, 2025
Education
How Trump's education cuts could have long-term impact on organizations that serve schools
Major cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and the deferred payment of more than $6.8 billion in federal funding for programs will create instability at the start of the upcoming school year, Philadelphia Education Fund president Farah Jimenez says. If the lawsuit to get the funds released is not successful, the impact could be devastating for organizations that have long provided services to schools — and some may not be able to survive.Just In
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