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.
January 26, 2021
Internet
Widespread Internet outages affect Philly, other East Coast cities on Tuesday
Philadelphia was impacted by a Verizon Fios internet outage on Tuesday that also disrupted service in other East Coast cities. The outage slowed down connectivity rates for Zoom, Slack, Gmail and Google Classroom. Verizon say it could be linked to a fiber optic cable that was cut in Brooklyn, New York.January 26, 2021
Violence Prevention
Philly receives 224 guns in buyback program offering grocery store gift cards
A Philadelphia Gun Buyback event sponsored by City Council took 224 firearms off the street last weekend. The event provided gun owners the incentive of $100 gift cards to local ShopRite grocery stores. Officials said the event is part of a multifaceted strategy to address the city's epidemic of gun violence.January 26, 2021
Recreation
Hikers told to avoid Appalachian Trail in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has urged hikers to postpone plans to trek the nearly 2,200-mile trail in 2021, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The popular trail covers about 230 miles in Pennsylvania and attracts roughly 3 million annual visitors across 14 states from Georgia to Maine.January 25, 2021
Investigations
Four family members slain in apparent murder-suicide in Chester County
Four family members in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, were found dead at their residence on Jan. 24, 2021. Authorities are investigating the discovery as a possible murder-suicide.January 25, 2021
Lottery
$1 million scratch-off ticket sold at Delco Wawa amid lottery frenzy
A $1 million Jackpot Party" Pennsylvania Lottery ticket was sold this past weekend at a Wawa in Wayne, Delaware County. The winning ticket was sold days after a $731 million jackpot-winning Powerball ticket was sold in Maryland and a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot was sold in Michigan.January 25, 2021
Business
Dixie Cup manufacturer closing Pennsylvania plant, leaving Lehigh Valley after nearly a century
Georgia-Pacific will shut down the Dixie Cup manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania by the end of 2021, the company said. The facility in Forks Township, Northampton County, will be consolidated into a single site in Lexington, Kentucky. Dixie Cups have been manufactured in the Lehigh Valley for nearly a century.January 25, 2021
Development
Plans for former Foxwoods site take shape along Delaware River waterfront
Development plans appear to be moving ahead for hundreds of apartments and commercial space at 1401 S. Columbus Blvd. in South Philadelphia, the site where the ill-fated Foxwoods Casino was once proposed along the Delaware River waterfront.January 22, 2021
Government
City unveils redesign plans for public spaces at North Philly intersection
A new design for the public spaces near the North Philly intersection of Broad Street, Germantown Avenue and Erie Avenue includes a circles layout, bright colors and trees. Improvements are slated to begin in May 2021.January 22, 2021
Opioids
Opioid overdoses are killing more Black Philadelphians, but fewer white residents
Opioid overdose deaths in Philadelphia have spiked among Black residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Penn Medicine study shows. During the same period, overdose deaths among white residents have unexpectedly fallen. The research comes as city health officials warn of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is appearing more frequently in mixtures with other illicit drugs.January 22, 2021
Government
Philly unveils $12 million COVID-19 relief program for restaurants, gyms
The Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to small businesses in the city that have been significantly impacted by the recent wave of pandemic restrictions.Just In
- Philly expands New Year's Eve firework shows so there are more places to 'enjoy the magic'
- There's an anti-cruising sign still standing in Rittenhouse. It reflects the area's complicated queer history.
- 'Stranger Things' star Cara Buono sees more than a 'clueless '80s mom' in Karen Wheeler as final season unfolds
- Climate change is coming for Rudolph, your hot chocolate and your white Christmas
- Eagles playoff scenarios: Are they locked into the NFC's 3-seed?
- Philadelphia Eagles 2026 opponents
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