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.
June 2, 2022
Arts & Culture
Black Thought, legendary emcee of The Roots, gets honored with mural in Olde Kensington
Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter, the emcee of Philadelphia hip-hop legends The Roots, was at The Clay Studio in Olde Kensington to mark the unveiling of a new mural by Roberto Lugo. The mural is at 1425 N. American St. Trotter, 48, grew up in South Philly and became involved with mural arts at a young age through the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. He now serves on the board of Mural Arts Philadelphia, led by the long-time executive director Jane Golden. The annual Roots Picnic returns to the Mann Center in Fairmount Park on June 4-5.June 2, 2022
Investigations
Former Cowboys running back Marion Barber, 38, found dead at Texas apartment
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber was found dead at an apartment in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Barber was 38 years old. A cause of death remains under investigation. Barber spent eight seasons in the NFL, including six with the Cowboys, where he served as a power running back in the the mid- to late 2000's. Barber amassed 4,780 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns during his NFL career.June 1, 2022
Investigations
Missing swimmer in Wildwood presumed to have drowned
A swimmer who went missing in Wildwood on Tuesday afternoon is presumed to have drowned, the Wildwood Fire Department said Wednesday. The identity of the missing swimmer has not been released. Search crews are now involved in a recovery operation to locate the body of the swimmer. Three other swimmers who were in distress on Tuesday afternoon were rescued. There were no lifeguards on the beach.June 1, 2022
Development
Comcast Spectacor rethinks plans for Fusion esports arena, office tower at South Philly sports complex
Plans for an esports arena and an office complex at the stadium complex in South Philadelphia are being reconsidered by Comcast Spectacor in light of changing trends that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the company rethinks its plans, one idea is to emulate the fan experiences in cities like Toronto and Milwaukee, where Jurassic Park and the Deer District have become popular viewing areas for Raptors and Bucks fans. Comcast Spectacor is currently in the midst of a $300 million renovation of the Wells Fargo Center.June 1, 2022
Investigations
Identification of remains found at Philly's Awbury Arboretum in 2019 leads to charges against boyfriend
Keshaun Sheffield, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Rashid Young in August 2019. Young's remains were found at the Awbury Arboretum in Philadelphia in the days after Sheffield and Young had a fight at Young's apartment in Pottstown, resulting in Young's death. For months, Sheffield pretended Young was still alive by communicating with his family member's using Young's cell phone and Facebook account. Sheffield also allegedly stole money from Young's $2 million trust fund.May 31, 2022
Investigations
Coatesville man charged with double-homicide, death of unborn child
Mamadou Kallie, 23, is charged with fatally shooting two women on Sunday night in Valley Township, including one victim who was five months pregnant. The unborn child died in the shooting. Thirty minutes before the incident, police had responded to a report of a domestic dispute and had spoken with Kallie and one of the victims, police said. After the shooting, Kallie allegedly carjacked a man at gunpoint in East Bradford Township. He was eventually stopped and taken into custody, Chester County prosecutors said.May 31, 2022
Accidents
South Jersey woman dies after boat overturns in Absecon Bay
Lisa Maxey, 56, of Bridgeton, died Monday morning when a boat overturned in Absecon Bay, just outside Atlantic City. The 20-foot Bayliner was involved in an accident around 8 a.m. on Memorial Day. Four other people were on board the ship before it overturned, but it was not immediately clear whether anyone else was injured. The accident remains under investigation, New Jersey State Police said.May 31, 2022
Investigations
Coast guard searching for missing swimmer in Wildwood
A swimmer was reported missing in Wildwood on Tuesday afternoon near the beach off East Andrews Avenue by the Wildwoods Convention Center. The U.S. Coast and New Jersey State Police Marine Unit responded to the scene, where three other swimmers were rescued. The search for a fourth person continued Tuesday evening.May 31, 2022
Food & Drink
Earth - Bread + Brewery to permanently close after 13 years in Mount Airy
Earth Bread & Brewery, a staple in Philadelphia's Mount Airy neighborhood for 13 years, will close on July 1. The restaurant on Germantown Avenue, known for its house-brewed beer and flatbread pizza, has been a popular place for local events put on by husband-and-wife owners Tom Baker and Peggy Zwerver, who also co-own Fairmount's Bar Hygge. The restaurant also has been an advocate for sustainability charity.May 31, 2022
Investigations
Eagles' Jalen Reagor mourns death of best friend, TCU teammate in Dallas car crash
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor mourned the loss of best friend and former college teammate Jeff Gladney, the Arizona Cardinals cornerback who was killed in a car crash on Memorial Day. Gladney, 25, and his girlfriend suffered fatal injuries in the crash that happened after midnight along the Woodall Rogers Freeway in Dallas. Reagor and Gladney became close friends at Texas Christian University and were both first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.Just In
- Philly airport is first to use new facial recognition technology that lets Americans pass through customs faster
- Suspect sought in fatal shooting of Penn Wood High School student
- Eight Philly spots named on OpenTable's list of top 100 restaurants in America
- Philly bike protest targeting 'Zionist establishments' draws rebuke from city and state leaders
- Full injury reports for Sixers-Cavaliers on Friday
- Eagles-Giants Week 9 injury report, with analysis
- Fort Mifflin to recreate 1918 Marine Thanksgiving dinner with food from acclaimed Philly restaurant
- Philadelphia Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' returns Dec. 4 with $10 opening-night tickets
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