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.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

October 24, 2024

Investigations

Three people charged with ethnic intimidation of Jewish men outside Northeast Philly pool hall

by Michael Tanenbaum

Three men have been charged with ethnic intimidation for allegedly shouting antisemitic insults at three Jewish men outside Blue Grass Billiards in Northeast Philadelphia on June 30. One of the defendants is accused of pulling a gun on the men and using it to crack the windshield of their car.

October 24, 2024

Investigations

Video purporting to show mail-in ballots being torn up in Bucks County is fake, DA says

by Michael Tanenbaum

A video circulating on social media, purporting to show a person tearing up mail-in ballots cast for former President Donald Trump and other Republicans in Bucks County, is fake and an attempt to undermine the upcoming election, that county's district attorney's office said Thursday.

October 24, 2024

2024 Election

Here's where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on the economy, immigration and abortion

by Michael Tanenbaum

In the Nov. 5 presidential election, voters will choose between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The race features stark differences between the two candidates on issues including the economy, immigration and abortion. The election is widely expected to be decided by results in key swing states Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia.

October 23, 2024

Courts

Former N.J. trooper sentenced to probation for punching handcuffed woman

by Michael Tanenbaum

Former New Jersey state trooper Nicolas Hogan, 28, will serve two years of probation after pleading guilty to striking a woman who was handcuffed in the back of a squad car in Upper Deerfield, Cumberland County, in September 2022. The woman, who's since filed a lawsuit, had spit toward another trooper from the back of a squad car, prosecutors said.

October 23, 2024

Investigations

Second person charged in killing of West Philly rapper YBC Dul

by Michael Tanenbaum

Rashawn Williams, 18, is the second person charged in the drive-by shooting death of YBC Dul, a West Philadelphia rapper and gang leader. Dul, whose name was Abdul Vicks, was fatally shot Aug. 23 in Olney, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old Aiden Waters two weeks later.

October 23, 2024

Investigations

Man caught on video setting fire outside Old City synagogue early Tuesday

by Michael Tanenbaum

A man seen on video Tuesday morning setting a fire in a dumpster outside the Congregation Mikveh Israel synagogue in Old City is wanted by Philadelphia police. The fire damaged a window at the temple. Separately a statue was vandalized at the synagogue later in the day, police said.

October 22, 2024

Arts & Culture

Philly's new portal sculpture goes live, connecting LOVE Park to three cities around the world

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia's new portal sculpture at LOVE Park went live Tuesday morning, linking the city to livestreams from other installations in Dublin, Ireland; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Lublin, Poland. The network will later expand to include cities in Brazil and Ethiopia. Each portal is mounted with a camera and has a screen showing live video from the other sculptures around the world.

October 21, 2024

2024 Election

Experts question legality – and effectiveness – of Elon Musk's money handouts to boost voter turnout

by Michael Tanenbaum

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, has been offering money to people who sign a conservative-leaning petition in hopes that it will increase Republican turnout in November's election. Some experts believe Musk's actions in Pennsylvania and other states violate federal election law. One Temple University professor thinks the Tesla and SpaceX founder's strategy will fail.

October 21, 2024

Arts & Culture

New Portal sculpture at LOVE Park will link Philly to other cities via livestream

by Michael Tanenbaum

A Portal sculpture at LOVE Park is part of an art project that connects cities using 24/7 livestreams that show what's happening in the places where the sculptures are installed. The concept coming to Philadelphia was developed in 2016 by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys. Other Portals can be found in Lithuania, Poland and Ireland cities.

October 18, 2024

Business

Radio host Andre Gardner laid off from 102.9 WMGK after 22 years

by Michael Tanenbaum

Andre Gardner, the longtime host of the afternoon show at 102.9 WMGK, revealed Friday he has been laid off by station owner Beasley Media Group after 22 years at the classic rock station. Gardner said his position was eliminated due to budgetary issues stemming from challenges that face the radio industry at large, including declining advertising revenue and the switch to digital formats.