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.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

January 6, 2022

Courts

Philly man pleads guilty in DUI crash that severely injured four Neshaminy High School girls

by Michael Tanenbaum

Shane Brolly, 24, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to DUI and related offenses in a March 2021 crash in Northampton Township that severely injured four teenage girls who attend Neshaminy High School in Bucks County. Brolly, a U.K. citizen who was driving without a license, had blood alcohol level of 0.21, more than twice the legal limit, at the time of the crash.

January 6, 2022

Eagles

Eagles could have stockpiled another 2022 1st round draft pick if they wanted, report claims

by Michael Tanenbaum

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman reportedly had an opportunity to collect an additional first-round draft pick last year before selecting Alabama wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Eagles, who now hold three first-round picks in the next draft, reportedly turned down a deal with the Chicago Bears that the New York Giants accepted instead.

January 5, 2022

Illness

FEMA COVID-19 testing site expected to open in Southwest Philly this week

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia will soon have a FEMA COVID-19 testing site at the Cibotti Recreation Center, located at 2500 S. 77th St. The coronavirus testing site will ramp up to a capacity of about 500 tests per day as the city continues to deal with surging COVID-19 infections caused by spread of the omicron variant.

January 5, 2022

Food & Drink

97.5 The Fanatic host Mike Missanelli to debut a cooking show, event series

by Michael Tanenbaum

97.5 The Fanatic afternoon host Mike Missanelli is launching a new cooking show, "The Every Day Cook," that will feature family dishes and VIP guests. The show will include a mix of virtual and live audience events, with shows available to watch on YouTube. The first event, set premiere on Cameo Live, is scheduled for Jan. 18.

January 5, 2022

Animals

Colorful Mandarin duck at Pennypack Park found dead, environmental center says

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Mandarin duck that has been spotted and photographed at Philadelphia's Pennypack Park has died, according to the environmental center at the park. The species is not not native to the area and the duck at Pennypack Park likely was a pet who had been released into the wild. Since late November, park visitors have been taking photos and sharing them online to appreciate the rare guest.

January 5, 2022

Social Media

Former Pa. auditor general intervened to help woman caught in fight at Pitt-Michigan State bowl game

by Michael Tanenbaum

Eugene DePasquale, the former auditor general of Pennsylvania, rushed to the aid of a woman who got swept in a fight during halftime of last Thursday's Peach Bowl between the University of Pittsburgh and Michigan State University took his son to Atlanta last Thursday to see the University of Pittsburgh take on Wake Forest in the Peach Bowl at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. A video of the incident has been viewed more than 8.8 million times on Twitter.

January 5, 2022

Education

Penn Law professor Amy Wax skewered again for claiming U.S. is 'better off with fewer Asians'

by Michael Tanenbaum

University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax is under fire again for remarks about Asian immigration in the United States. A tenured professor at the Ivy League School, Wax has a history of sharing bigoted views about minorities. She recently said the U.S. would be 'better off with fewer Asians,' claiming that the group does not embrace American values and poses a danger to the culture. Wax again faced heavy backlash for her comments, but Penn has not taken action to remove her because of her protected status of tenure.

January 4, 2022

NFL

Terrell Owens, 48, wants Buccaneers to sign him for playoff run

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pro Football Hall of Fame Terrell Owens floated the idea that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should sign him for their playoff run this year after Antonio Brown's bizarre exit from the team last Sunday. Owens is 48 years old and hasn't gotten a tryout in the NFL since 2012, but he hasn't given up hope of a Super Bowl. The Bucs are the most likely first round playoff opponent of the Eagles, who clinched a wild card spot on Sunday.

January 4, 2022

Food & Drink

Bagels & Co. plans Fishtown location, further expansion in Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

Bagels & Co., which opened at the Piazza in Northern Liberties last year, plans to open a second location on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown this spring and hopes to add several other stores in Philadelphia by the end of 2022. The concept is one of several that Glu Hospitality has introduced to Philadelphia in recent years.

January 4, 2022

Government

Philly health department warns residents against 'unaffiliated' pop-up COVID-19 testing sites

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philadelphia health department has warned residents not to seek COVID-19 tests from unaffiliated pop-up tents in the city. Two sites in Center City were reported to the health department last week. Staff at these sites claimed they had received funding from FEMA, but officials said that this was not true. Those who see unaffiliated testing sites are asked to notify the health department.