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.
April 15, 2022
Government
Wolf pushes for some Pennsylvania households to get $2,000 checks
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wants to use the state's unspent funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to send checks of up to $2,000 to households making $80,000 or less. He also wants to provide small business grants and property tax relief, and to fund health care and conservation programs. The state has about $2.2 billion in surplus ARPA funds that must be allocated by the end of 2024.April 15, 2022
Movies
Netflix gets rights to Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson movie 'The Man from Toronto'
"The Man from Toronto," an action comedy starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, will premiere on Netflix later this year. The streaming platform acquired the rights to the movie from Sony Pictures, which previously had planned to release the film in theaters this summer. The project, which revolves around a case of mistaken identity involving an assassin, faced multiple delays over the past two years.April 15, 2022
Odd News
Sailboat runs aground in Avalon with sleeping man aboard
A sailboat ran aground in Avalon, New Jersey on Thursday after its anchor came loose while the owner of the vessel was asleep. The 35-foot boat sustained damages that left it unsalvageable, Sea Tow Cape May said on Facebook. The owner of the boat did not suffer any injuries in the incident.April 14, 2022
Marijuana
New Jersey recreational marijuana sales set to begin on April 21
New Jersey recreational marijuana sales will begin on April 21 with 7 companies operating 13 dispensaries throughout the state. The rollout comes a year and a half after voters approved a ballot question green lighting sales to people ages 21 and older.April 14, 2022
Courts
Philly man gets prison time for stealing $1 million in federal PPP funds
Devron Brown, a Philadelphia man who fraudulently obtained nearly $1 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program funds during the coronavirus pandemic, has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison. He used the money to buy a home in Florida and to cover other personal expenses. He was caught by federal authorities when he attempted to apply for more money in June 2021.April 14, 2022
Investigations
Brooklyn subway shooter allegedly rented Philly apartment, kept weapons cache in storage unit
Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank James allegedly rented a short-term apartment in North Philadelphia in late March in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's attack, which injured 29 people. Investigators raided the property in Nicetown, discovering ammunition, personal belongings and other supplies. James also allegedly had a storage unit with a weapons cache in Hunting Park, where he rented the U-Haul truck he took to New York before the incident.April 14, 2022
Real Estate
Prominent Oldies.com warehouse on Blue Route listed for sale
The Oldies.com warehouse off I-476 in West Conshohocken, a visible marker for many Philadelphia area commuters, has been listed for sale as the company plans to seek a smaller warehouse. The business, which has a rich and interesting history, carved out a niche as a vintage seller of rare vinyl and CDs, movies, books, magazines and pop culture gifts.April 13, 2022
Real Estate
A look inside the Philadelphia real estate market and steps that can be taken for the future of affordable housing
The Philadelphia real estate market poses stark challenges for first-time home buyers, from low home supply to high competition, price inflation and rising mortgage rates. The popular Philly First Home program will resume giving out grants of up to $10,000 to help first-time buyers with down payment assistance costs, creating new pathways to home ownership. City planners and developers face difficult questions about affordable housing, new home construction, neighborhood preservation, gentrification, and the rising cost of apartment rentals for low- and middle-income residents. This in-depth Philadelphia real estate guide examines the city's housing landscape, policy challenges, community concerns and how strategies such as public land disposition could shape the city's future.April 13, 2022
Transportation
Wawa's mobile app will save you 15 cents per gallon of gas over the next few weeks
Wawa is offering a discount of 15 cents per gallon of gas to those who download the company's app and follow simple steps when filling up their tanks. The promotion will last through May 8, 2022. As gas prices continue to remain high due to global economic pressures, U.S. consumers would be wise to look into a range of gas loyalty and reward programs that can reduce price of gas.April 13, 2022
Investigations
Brooklyn shooting suspect Frank James taken into police custody, authorities say
Frank James, the 62-year-old suspect in Tuesday morning's Brooklyn subway shooting, was taken into custody after a manhunt and will be charged with violating a law that prohibits terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transportation systems, officials said. James, who allegedly rented a U-Haul in Philadelphia before traveling to Brooklyn, seriously injured 10 people and wounded 19 others.Just In
- Free Library's most-borrowed book of the year was written by a local author
- Mummers Parade 2026: Road closures, parking restrictions and how to watch
- People test out parenthood by getting dogs — but not cats
- Phillies trade RP Matt Strahm to Royals
- Joel Embiid ruled out for Sixers-Knicks with illness, right knee injury management
- Man who allegedly killed Uber passenger in hit-and-run faces homicide charges
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