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

May 14, 2021

Investigations

Prosecutor now says mom charged with harassing daughter's teammates did not make 'deep fake' video, photo

Bucks County prosecutors pursue charges that Raffaela Spone used 'deep fake' software to alter images and videos of girls on her daughter's cheerleading squad. Spone, who allegedly was trying to get the girls in trouble, is still charged with harassing the teens using text messages and phone calls from disguised phone numbers.

May 13, 2021

Sixers

In locker room after knee injury, Sixers star Joel Embiid checked his son's baby monitor for comfort

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid fortunately dodged a serious knee injury earlier this season against the Washington Wizards. As Philadelphia heads for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Embiid's family life may be a key to keeping in a championship frame of mind.

May 13, 2021

Investigations

Philly ATF offers $20,000 reward amid probe of fire that destroyed St. Leo's Church

A fire that destroyed the former St. Leo's Church in Northeast Philadelphia on May 9 is being investigated as arson, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. A $20,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to a conviction. The church, built in 1884, had been listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historic Places.

May 13, 2021

Government

Philly health commissioner resigns over handling of MOVE bombing victims' remains

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley submitted his resignation after admitting that he had cremated human remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing without identifying them and returning them to the Africa family.

May 12, 2021

TV

Delco's 'Dino Don' Lessem to appear on 'Shark Tank' this month

Don Lessem, founder of Dino Don, Inc., will be featured on an episode of ABC's "Shark Tank" on May 21. He'll pitch a new animatronics exhibition that builds on the technology that has made his work famous at exhibits around the world. Lessem's company is based in Media, Pa.

May 12, 2021

Health News

Rapid COVID-19 test developed at Penn uses electrodes to identify positive cases

The RAPID 1.0 COVID-19 test developed by scientists at Penn Medicine uses an electrical signal to detect the binding of the coronavirus spike protein to human cells. The research teams says the method is cost effective and offers a high level of accuracy for both nasal swab and saliva samples.

May 12, 2021

Media

Spike Eskin leaving SportsRadio 94WIP for New York's WFAN

Spike Eskin will depart from his role as program director at SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia to become president of programming at WFAN and CBS Sports in New York. Eskin, the son of SportsRadio 94WIP legend Howard Eskin, had been program director at the station since 2014. He will continue his Rights to Ricky Sanchez Sixers podcast.

May 11, 2021

Transportation

Variable speed limits now enforceable on Schuylkill Expressway between Philly and KOP

PennDOT's new variable speed limit system is now in effect along a 14-mile stretch of the Schuylkill Expressway between Philadelphia and King of Prussia. Varying speed limits displayed on 72 electronic signs are enforceable limits that adjust based on real-time traffic conditions.

May 11, 2021

Business

Blue Mountain Resort to be managed by Camelback operator, report says

Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, soon will be operated by California-based KSL Resorts, which currently operates Camelback Resort, another popular Poconos destination.

May 11, 2021

Food & Drink

PLNT Burger to open vegan eatery at Whole Foods in Jenkintown

Jenkintown will soon have a new plant-based restaurant inside the local Whole Foods Market with the arrival of PLNT Burger, a concept from restaurateur and former "Top Chef" competitor Spike Mendelsohn.

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