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 26, 2021
Investigations
Gunman in Pat's King of Steaks shooting will claim self-defense, attorney says
Paul Burkert, the man charged with homicide in a fatal shooting outside Pat's King of Steaks in South Philadelphia, will claim he fired his weapon in self-defense, attorney Chuck Peruto said. Burkert, 36, of Reading, was charged last week in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old David Padro outside the cheesesteak shop.July 23, 2021
Investigations
Philly police identify man charged in fatal shooting at Pat's King of Steaks
Paul C. Burkert, 36, of Reading, is charged with homicide and related offenses in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old David Padro outside Pat's King of Steaks in South Philadelphia on July 22. A fight about the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants is believed to have played a role in the deadly shooting.July 23, 2021
Courts
Amish teen's killer gets lengthy prison sentence in plea deal
Justo Smoker, 35, will serve decades in prison for the abduction and murder of 18-year-old Linda Stoltzfoos, an Amish teenager who went missing from her Lancaster County community in June 2020. Smoker pleaded guilty in order to avoid the death penalty and led investigators to the teen's body in April, ending a 10-month search.July 23, 2021
Investigations
Delaware man snuck hidden cameras inside King of Prussia Mall changing rooms, police say
Joseph Stevenson, 26, of Smyrna, Delaware, allegedly placed hidden cameras inside fitting rooms at Hollister and Urban Outfitters stores at the King of Prussia Mall, Upper Merion Township police said. The two cameras, hidden inside pens, were discovered on July 3 and allegedly contained images of eight women and one man. Stevenson is charged with invasion of privacy and other offenses.July 23, 2021
Business
Pennsylvania Goodwill flips donated vintage Nintendo games for $30,000
A Goodwill store in Hanover, Pennsylvania auctioned a donated collection of 27 sealed, vintage Nintendo games for $30,000. The cartridge package is the highest selling item of any merchandise that Goodwill Keystone Area has placed for auction.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
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 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
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 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.Just In
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- Eagles 2026 training camp battle tracker
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