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 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

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.

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 3, 2020

Illness

Philly officials respond to CDC updates on COVID-19 vaccine, evictions

Philadelphia officials are taking preliminary steps to preparing for the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, which the White House and CDC suggested could arrive as soon as November. City officials also discussed the CDC's nationwide eviction moratorium through the end of 2020, as well as the COVID-19 outbreak at Temple University.

September 3, 2020

Biology

Botanist discovers new wildflower species native to Philly-area

The few-flowered roundleaf mud-plantain is a newly identified flower species native to Southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The discovery was made by botanist Charles Horn, a professor of biology at Newberry College in South Carolina.

September 3, 2020

Travel

Four Seasons hotel and spa earn Philly's first prestigious five-star designation from Forbes

The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia and Spa became the first in the city to receive a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. Since opening in August 2019, the hotel and world-class spa have become destinations in Philadelphia.

September 2, 2020

SEPTA sets date to phase out paper ticket sales on Regional Rail

SEPTA will end sales of paper tickets on the Regional Rail system on Oct. 2, 2020. Riders instead will be required to pay their fares using the SEPTA Key Travel Wallet.

September 2, 2020

Investigations

Four charged in Chester County scheme to steal COVID-19 benefits for prisoners

Four Chester County residents, including two prison inmates, were charged with conspiracy and fraud after they allegedly tried to illegally obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits, federal prosecutors said.

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