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.
December 28, 2021
Illness
Amid omicron surge, Philly seeing more COVID-19 cases than at any other point in the pandemic
Philadelphia is reporting more COVID-19 cases than at any other point in the pandemic, with an average of 1,462 new cases per day over the last two weeks and a test positivity rate of 15.9%, the health department said. The United States is seeing record numbers of infections driven by the omicron variant, which has spread rapidly across the country over the last month.December 27, 2021
Investigations
Former SEPTA police officer charged with excessive use of Taser on unruly bus rider
Former SEPTA Transit Police officer Floyd Whitaker has been charged with simple assault and related offenses after an April 12 incident at Frankford Transportation Center, where he allegedly used his Taser repeatedly on bus rider who had refused to leave the vehicle and made verbal threats against other SEPTA employees.December 27, 2021
Accidents
More than $600K raised for family of Bucks County father, sons who died in Christmas fire
A Quakertown family suffered a tragic loss on Christmas morning when a fire took the lives of 41-year-old Eric King and two of his sons, 11-year-old Liam and 8-year-old Patrick. King's wife, Kristin, and his 13-year-old son, Brady, escaped the home and were treated for injuries. A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $600,000 to support the surviving family members. The fire, which remains under investigation, appears to have been caused by the lights on a Christmas tree display.December 27, 2021
Investigations
Girl, 14, among three killed after car strikes toll plaza on Atlantic City Expressway
Keotepie Khiev, 14, of Atlantic City, was among three people killed in a car crash at the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway on Sunday, Dec. 26, officials said. The other two victims were identified as 31-year-old Reachthon Khiev and 27-year-old Reachsieh Khiev, both of Manchester, New Hampshire. A 12-year-old girl who survived the crash and a toll plaza worker each suffered moderate injuries in the accident, which remains under investigation.December 27, 2021
Social Media
A goat has gone viral for sounding exactly like a 'frightened Jerry Seinfeld' — what's the deal?
A viral video shows a goat whose noises sound a lot like comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The 67-year-old sitcom star is back in the spotlight these days as people binge the beloved NBC show on Netflix. A few experts on goats reviewed the video, which was shared on TikTok and Reddit, and confirmed that the noises the goat made are indeed authentic. This particular goat happens to sound like Jerry Seinfeld.December 25, 2021
Social Media
TikTok moderator sues social media giant over trauma from graphic videos
A moderator for viral video app TikTok has sued the company after becoming traumatized by her exposure to disturbing, graphic videos that she must watch as part of her job. The proposed class-action lawsuit claims that TikTok has not followed workplace guidelines to minimize mental health risks for employees and has not provided them adequate mental health support.December 25, 2021
Illness
Don't go to the emergency room for COVID-19 tests, Philly health department says
Philadelphia health officials and hospitals are urging the public not to come to emergency rooms to seek routine coronavirus testing. The shortage of PCR and rapid tests has caused a major backlog of demand during the holidays and the surge of the highly infectious omicron variant, but officials want the public to rely on primary care physicians, urgent care centers and community sites for their COVID-19 testing needs.December 25, 2021
Accidents
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey's New Jersey home catches fire on Christmas Eve
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey and his family are safe after a fire broke out at Maxey's home in Voorhees, New Jersey on Christmas Eve. There were no injuries reported in the fire, whose cause remains under investigation. The Sixers said they are working with Maxey and his family to ensure that they have the support that they need.December 25, 2021
Investigations
Bucks County father, two sons die in overnight house fire on Christmas
A Quakertown father and his two sons were killed on Christmas morning in a house fire that investigators believe may have been caused by lights on a Christmas tree. Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck identified the father as 41-year-old Eric King. His children, 11 and 8, were not identified Saturday. A mother and son living in an adjoining home that also caught fire managed to escape and were treated at a local hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.December 24, 2021
Obituaries
Last surviving dog rescued from Michael Vick's kennel eats steak dinner as final meal before dying surrounded by family
Frodo, the last surviving dog rescued from Michael Vick's dogfighting compound, died last Saturday at approximately 15 years old. A total of 48 dogs were saved from the property in Virginia, where authorities discovered a disturbing dogfighting ring that landed Vick in federal prison for 21 months before he returned to the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.Just In
- Man who allegedly killed Uber passenger in hit-and-run faces homicide charges
- Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. found not guilty of abusing his teen daughter
- Grammy-nominated producer opens new recording studio in Philly, 'the capital for indie rock'
- Gunman who killed 5 in 2023 Kingsessing shooting sentenced to 37 1/2 to 75 years in prison
- Primo Hoagies is covering adoption fees for large dogs at this N.J. animal shelter
- Report: Phillies add righty reliever Brad Keller on two-year deal
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