Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum Headshot

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

December 14, 2021

Celebrities

Lil Uzi Vert says insurance tried to 'cut me off' over his $24 million forehead diamond

Rapper Lil Uzi Vert went on the "Scuffed" podcast by Twitch streamer Trainwreck and explained the background of his infamous $24 million pink forehead diamond. The Philadelphia rapper said his life insurance company wanted to cut him off because he thought the diamond was implanted. Uzi clarified that the diamond was a piercing that was attached to a back stud on his forehead.

December 14, 2021

Investigations

Police searching for owner of decades-old wedding ring found at Wawa in Delco

Police in Upper Providence Township, Delaware County are searching for the owner of a decades-old wedding band that was lost at the Wawa located at 1260 N. Providence Road. The owner must be able to provide police with the two sets of initials inscribed on the ring in order to recover it. The ring's inscription dates the band to Oct. 2, 1948.

December 13, 2021

Politics

'Dr. Oz Show' canceled by Sony Pictures amid host's Senate run in Pennsylvania

Sony Pictures announced it will cancel the "Dr. Oz Show" in January after a 12-year run on daytime television. The decision comes weeks after host Mehmet Oz announced he will run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania that will be open in 2022 when Pat Toomey steps away from politics. The show will be replaced starting Jan. 17 by "The Good Dish," a spinoff from Oz's daughter, Daphne.

December 13, 2021

Investigations

U.S. Marshals capture fugitive wanted in connection with deadly Thanksgiving shooting in Montgomery County

Kevon Clarke, 19, of Norristown, was arrested in Philadelphia by U.S. Marshals on Monday in connection with the fatal Thanksgiving shooting of 25-year-old Miguel Palaez Moctezuma. The victim was struck by a stray bullet that flew through the window of a family home, police said. The incident stemmed from an unrelated dispute over stolen alcohol at another nearby property, where Clarke allegedly opened fire in the street.

December 13, 2021

Government

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination to be required at Philly restaurants and games at Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia's COVID-19 vaccine requirement for people eating indoors at restaurants begins taking effect Jan. 3 and goes in full effect Jan. 17. The new rule covers staff and guests at restaurants, bars, indoor sports venues, movie theaters, cafes within larger establishments, hotel restaurants and all other food services businesses with indoor seating for customers. Staff must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 3.

December 10, 2021

Investigations

Man fatally shoots wife at home in Northern Liberties, police say

A 62-year-old man was arrested Friday morning in Northern Liberties after police say he fatally shot his wife. The incident happened along the 300 block of Poplar Street while the gunman's daughter and her two children were inside the home, according to investigators. The victim was identified as 55-year-old Margeret Lippi.

December 10, 2021

Courts

Statewide COVID-19 school mask mandate tossed by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has vacated the state's school mask requirement for schools, child-care programs and early-learning centers, effective immediately. The court's decision comes after a heated legal battle, but does not prevent individuals school districts and schools for enforcing their own mask requirements.

December 10, 2021

Investigations

One person injured in brawl caught on video at Atlantic City's Harrah's Resort

A brawl caught on video at Harrah's Atlantic City left one person injured on Tuesday morning, police said. The incident happened around 3 a.m. at the hotel casino on Harrah's Boulevard. Authorities said there will be no charges filed in the melee because no one involved wanted to sign a criminal complaint.

December 10, 2021

Government

As Philly weighs new COVID-19 restrictions, Penn bans indoor social gatherings

Philadelphia officials are weighing different strategies to address rising COVID-19 cases since the Thanksgiving holiday and the looming threat of the omicron variant. Possible measures could include a vaccine mandate for indoor dining at city restaurants. The University of Pennsylvania, which also has seen an increase in cases, has banned indoor social gatherings for the remainder of the fall semester.

December 8, 2021

Food & Drink

Twin Peaks bringing its lodge-style sports bars to Philly region

Sports bar Twin Peaks will open 10 new restaurants in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas as part of a broader expansion strategy into the Northeast. Founded in the Dallas suburbs, Twin Peaks is known for its lodge-style atmosphere, 29-degree draft beer and Twin Peaks girls who make up the waitstaff. The bar's TV packages cover all bases from the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL to college sports, boxing, UFC and soccer.

All PhillyVoice contributors