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

September 9, 2020

Obituaries

Pennsylvania college football player, 20, dies of suspected COVID-19

Jamain Stephens, a 20-year-old football player at California University of Pennsylvania, died on Sept. 8. His death was believed to be linked to complications from COVID-19.

September 9, 2020

Grants

Seven Philly organizations receive state historic preservation grants

Pennsylvania's Keystone Historic Preservation program provides grants to historical and heritage organizations, museums and local governments. In Philadelphia, seven organizations received grant funding in 2020, including Eastern State Penitentiary.

September 9, 2020

Protests

Mayor Kenney calls encampment resistance 'disappointing,' 'unacceptable'

Philadelphia's Sept. 9 deadline to evict the residents of three homeless encampments was met with resistance on Wednesday morning. The encampments, formed in June, were given notice by the city to clear by 9 a.m., but organizers said they do not intend to leave.

September 8, 2020

Eagles

Derrick Gunn launches Eagles podcast after NBC Sports Philly departure

Former NBC Sports Philadelphia reporter Derrick Gunn launched his new independent Eagles podcast after he was let go by the network last month. Gunn's first guest was Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham.

September 8, 2020

Investigations

Harleysville woman accused of faking cancer diagnosis in GoFundMe scheme

A former Harleysville woman allegedly faked having brain cancer to raise money on GoFundMe to move to Australia, according to federal prosecutors. Vanessa O'Rourke, 32, was a Temple University student at the time she launched the fake crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than $11,000 in donations.

September 8, 2020

Illness

Temple's COVID-19 outbreak appears to be slowing down, but parties still a worry

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley believes the COVID-19 outbreak at Temple University is subsiding since the switch was made to all-online instruction. The city also reopened indoor dining at restaurants across the city, but will stick to 25% capacity as the rest of Pennsylvania moves to 50% on Sept. 21.

September 8, 2020

Illness

Penn researchers advance potential cure for type 1 diabetes

Scientists have long believed islet cell transplantation may cure type 1 diabetes. But transplanted cells have not shown longterm durability. Penn Medicine researchers have found a new method for transplanting healthy beta cells in animal models, according to a study published in Nature Metabolism.

September 4, 2020

Lawsuits

Pennsylvania couples sue Gov. Wolf for acting as 'king' amid COVID-19 crisis

A federal lawsuit filed against Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and other state officials seeks to end the mask mandate and contact tracing program put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. The two couples who filed the suit claim Wolf's emergency powers have given him the free reign of a king.

September 4, 2020

Illness

After decades of research, Temple doctor sees 'real hope' in promising ALS drug combo

A new treatment appears to slow the rate of functional decline in people with ALS. Temple University researcher Terry Heiman-Patterson, who was part of Amylyx's promising clinical study of AMX0035, says the combo drug offers hope for people battling Lou Gehrig's Disease.

September 4, 2020

Investigations

Son-in-law stole $484,000 from family business in Montgomery County, prosecutors say

Chrisopher Oleksa, 36, allegedly stole more than $484,000 from Firely Pediatric and Home Care, a business owned by his wife's parents, between 2014 and 2020, according to Montgomery County prosecutors. He faces multiple criminal charges after the alleged credit card fraud was discovered.

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