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.
June 29, 2021
Government
Philly announces road closures, COVID-19 precautions for July 4th fireworks
Philadelphia's Wawa Welcome America series returns in 2021 with a free Fourth of July concert at the Mann Center and a fireworks display over the Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The city will close a number of roads during Sunday's events and for other events leading up to Independence Day.June 29, 2021
Illness
How concerning is the COVID-19 Delta variant? Americans share worry, but 'move on' from pandemic in new poll
The Delta variant of the coronavirus is quickly becoming more prevalent in the United States, raising concerns about whether the country faces another spike in COVID-19 over the next few months. Vaccines appear to protect against the highly infectious variant, but experts believe parts of the U.S. could be hit hard by the Delta variant. An Ipsos/Axios poll found most Americans are somewhat worried about the variant, but fewer people are willing to return to stringent mitigation measures.June 29, 2021
Investigations
Philly woman charged in fatal shooting outside Delaware's Christiana Mall
A Philadelphia woman is facing manslaughter and weapons charges in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Christiana Mall in Newark, De. on Monday, June 28, 2021. Shaidiah McNeair, 24, allegedly shot the victim and left her inside a vehicle outside a Target store.June 28, 2021
Investigations
Man, 23, drowns in river at Weymouth Furnace in Atlantic County
A 23-year-old man drowned Sunday at Weymouth Furnace park in Hamilton Township. The Atlantic County park is a popular starting place for canoeing on the Great Egg Harbor River, but swimming and standing in the water are prohibited.June 28, 2021
Transportation
'SEPTA Key 2.0' sets table for future upgrades to fare payment system
SEPTA plans to introduce mobile fare payment across the transit system starting later this year, but 'SEPTA KEY 2.0' is just the beginning of a long-term plan to keep current with a changing landscape of technology, privacy issues and cyber threats. A Request for Information issued this week will seek expertise from vendors with experience implementing these systems in other cities, with an eye toward what SEPTA can do to stay ahead of the curve.June 28, 2021
Government
Upcoming Philadelphia water rate hike reduced by settlement
Philadelphia residents will see more moderate increases to their water bills over the next two years as a part of a settlement between the water department and a public advocate. The original rate hike would have been 17.6%, but the settlement brings that number down to 10.2%.June 25, 2021
Prevention
Philly Vax Sweepstakes awards cash prizes to first group of winners
The Philly Vax Sweepstakes awarded 12 cash prizes to city residents after the first drawing was held on June 21. Two people received $50,000 prizes for getting their COVID-19 vaccination. The second drawing, which will include another 12 cash prizes, will be held July 6. The third and final drawing will be on July 19.June 25, 2021
Sixers
Scottie Pippen's comments on Ben Simmons highlight the catch-22 of his NBA 'humiliation'
Scottie Pippen told GQ Magazine that Ben Simmons is "afraid of being humiliated," which raises a fundamental question about what the Sixers star perceives as humiliation. In the early part of his NBA career, Simmons has opted for passive failure. If he's ever going to reach another level offensively, he has to be willing to fail while taking a more aggressive approach.June 25, 2021
Accidents
Off-duty correctional officer swam 300 yards to rescue elderly man at Jersey Shore
New Jersey correctional officer Chad Ammerman rescued an 82-year-old man whose boat sank Monday evening off the coast of Ocean County, police said. Ammerman, off-duty at the time, emptied a cooler to use as a flotation device and swam 300 yards to reach the victim, who had been stranded in the water for three hours.June 24, 2021
Development
Renderings show North Philly apartment building proposed at shuttered CVS site
A seven-story apartment building with ground floor retail is proposed at the corner of Broad St. and Girard Ave. in North Philadelphia. The site was previously occupied by CVS/Pharmacy and the building will be demolished to make way for the new project at the busy intersection.Just In
- Heroes and zeroes from Day 8 of Eagles training camp: Saquon Barkley still has slick moves
- The end is nearing for Eagles star RT Lane Johnson, and 2026 is "probably" it for him
- Kennedy, Oz contend fraud crackdown, not skyrocketing prices, led millions to leave Obamacare
- While Philly's marquee events are over, some improvements the city made for 2026 are here to stay
- Philly's parallel parking contest will showcase drivers' skills. Its organizers hope it also spurs better etiquette
- Cape May County water systems targeted in cyberattack
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