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.
July 22, 2021
Investigations
Woman charged after video shows another racist tirade in Mount Laurel
Burlington County prosecutors have charged a New Jersey woman with bias intimidation and other offenses after a video showed her harassing a hotel clerk with the N-word in Mount Laurel. Elizabeth Trzeciak, 46, of South River, allegedly was intoxicated at the time of the incident at the Super 8 hotel on Fellowship Road.July 22, 2021
Illness
Philly 'strongly recommends' masks indoors as Delta variant fuels COVID-19 cases among children
New guidance from the Philadelphia health departments strongly recommends that people wear masks indoors when in public, even if they are already fully vaccinated. The new recommendations come as COVID-19 cases are rising among children under 12 years old, who are not yet eligible to get vaccinated. The Delta variant has led to a new wave of coronavirus infections across the United States.July 22, 2021
Investigations
Pennsylvania state Rep. Margo Davidson resigns amid theft charges
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Margo Davidson submitted her resignation amid charges that she stole state funds, failed to report campaign finance information and hindered prosecution. Davidson represented the 164th District covering parts of Upper Darby Township and the boroughs of East Lansdowne and Millbourne. The vacancy will necessitate a special election.July 22, 2021
Odd News
Seagull latches onto teen riding SpringShot ride at Morey's Pier in Wildwood
A video of a seagull flying into the face of a teenager on a ride at Morey's Pier in Wildwood has gone viral. The July 6 incident happened while 13-year-old Kiley Holman was on the SpringShot ride with her friend during a birthday trip to the Jersey Shore.July 21, 2021
Courts
Pennsylvania part of $26 billion national opioid settlement with distributors, manufacturer
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro was a leading figure in a multi-state coalition to reach a $26 million national opioid settlement. The 10-year agreement with Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson will resolve outstanding lawsuits in connection to the deadly epidemic in the United States, which claimed a record 93,000 lives in 2020.July 21, 2021
Movies
Rosie O'Donnell shares memory of disturbing '90s meeting with Harvey Weinstein, M. Night Shyamalan
Rosie O'Donnell recalled the last time she spoke with convicted rapist and disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was extradited to California on Wednesday to face additional criminal charges. In 1998, Weinstein had a meeting with young director M. Night Shyamalan about his movie, "Wide Awake," which was distributed by Miramax. O'Donnell called into the meeting to defend Shyamalan, but was verbally abused by Weinstein.July 21, 2021
Health News
New Jersey hospital system fires six employees for bucking COVID-19 vaccine mandate
RWJBarnabas Health in New Jersey fired six supervisory-level employees who refused to get COVID-19 vaccines by a mandated date, the network said. The New Jersey hospital system is among a wave of health care institutions across the United States that are requiring COVID-19 vaccinations.July 21, 2021
Investigations
Man found bound, fatally shot in Yeadon parking lot, police say
A man was found bound and fatally shot in a parking lot in Yeadon, Delaware County on July 21, 2021. Authorities are investigating the man's death as a homicide. The victim was found in a parking lot across from the Fernwood Cemetery on Baltimore Pike.July 20, 2021
Investigations
Search for Cassandra Johnston, missing Bucks County woman, intensifies after Philly visit
Cassandra Johnston, 26, went missing on July 10 after visiting friends in Philadelphia. She never returned home to her family in Bucks County. Authorities and family members have launched an extensive search for the Temple University student.July 20, 2021
Transportation
Philly unveils plans for reopening MLK Drive, future closure patterns
Martin Luther King Drive in Philadelphia will reopen to vehicle traffic on Aug. 4, 2021, after nearly 15 months of closure during the coronavirus pandemic. The city will maintain a schedule of weekend closures during certain timeframes and will explore other opportunities for dedicated recreation on MLK Drive.Just In
- Report: Phils ace Zack Wheeler to return Saturday vs. Braves
- Educators, tech advocates weigh in on Mayor Parker's proposed rideshare tax
- For older adults, excessive daytime napping may be a sign of underlying health issues
- Philly's MLB All-Star Game schedule includes fan festival and new 3-on-3 competition
- Who's John Ternus, the Penn graduate named next CEO of Apple?
- Exploring scenarios for the Eagles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
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