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.
December 12, 2019
Government
Philadelphia passes ban on single-use plastic bags
Philadelphia City Council passed a bill Thursday that will ban retailers from providing customers with single-use plastic bags, though the law does include a 15-cent fee for all other single-use bags. The ordinance would take effect July 2, 2020, pending the signature from Mayor Jim Kenney.December 12, 2019
Opioids
FDA issues warning letter to Vivitrol makers for excluding serious risks in ad
The U.S. Food & Drug Adminstration has issued a warning letter to Alkermes, Inc., the makers of Vivitrol, for failing to disclose the injectable drug's most serious risks in an advertisement.December 12, 2019
Obituaries
Philly comedian Chris Cotton, 32, mourned after death
Comedian and South Philadelphia Chris Cotton has died at the age of 32. He appeared regularly on Comedy Central's digital programming and was an author. A GoFundMe page will support his wife, who is expecting to have their first child in early 2020.December 12, 2019
Investigations
Former Eagle Correll Buckhalter charged with defrauding NFL health benefit program
Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter is among 10 retired NFL players charged with defrauding the league's retiree health care benefits plan, according to a pair of indictments unsealed Thursday.December 11, 2019
Investigations
Philadelphia police officer charged with assault, false report
A Philadelphia police officer charged with assault and filing a false report will be dismissed from the department, officials said Wednesday.December 11, 2019
Investigations
Charges dropped against Philly teen in shooting of twin brother
Murder charges and other offenses against Fayaadh Gillard, 18, have been dropped. Gillard is the twin brother of Suhail Gillard, the Philadelphia high school football star who was fatally shot at his father's apartment in Overbrook, according to court documents.December 11, 2019
Health News
ChristianaCare develops tool to catch unintended CRISPR gene editing errors
As medical researchers continue to push toward the clinical frontier of gene editing, the safety and risks of CRISPR/cas9 and other technologies remain serious concerns.December 11, 2019
Immigration
Pennsylvania auditor general calls Berks County ICE facility 'essentially a jail'
Pennsylvania Auditor Eugene DePasquale released a report this week on the Berks County Residential Center, an ICE-operated facility that holds immigrant families who have not been charged with crimes. DePasquale and other public officials want to shut the center down or use the building for another purpose.December 10, 2019
Eagles
Former Eagles Orlando Scandrick and Asante Samuel mock Philly's narrow victory over the Giants
In a game they desperately needed, the Philadelphia Eagles squeaked past the New York Giants in overtime on "Monday Night Football," ending a their three-game skid and pulling into a 6-7 tie with Dallas for the NFC East lead.December 10, 2019
Investigations
Kennett Township manager allegedly stole $3 million from taxpayers
Lisa Moore, 46, of Kennett Township, Chester County, allegedly stole more than $3 million in public funds while working as the township manager. Authorities say she spent the money on luxury travel and goods, as well as family and friends.Just In
- City Council to consider expanding SEPTA’s student fare program
- Former Bucks County home of judge in Abscam case is listed for $5.85 million
- American spending on prescription drugs to surpass $1 trillion this year
- Temple medical school to open branch campus in Atlantic City
- Standouts from the Phillies' first winning series – a sweep! – since Easter weekend
- Eagles way-too-early 53-man roster projection
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