Michaela Althouse

MIchaela Althouse

Michaela Althouse is a staff writer for PhillyVoice with interests in climate, technology, education and politics. She’s previously written for Technical.ly, Washingtonian Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, New Project Media and Metro Eireann. She is a Bucks County native who enjoys gardening, exploring Philly and finding the city’s best coffee.

michaela@phillyvoice.com

April 16, 2026

Government

City Council committee to investigate CHOP parking garage collapse

City Council will form a special committee to look into last week's collapse of a parking garage in Grays Ferry. The panel will review the incident and make recommendations for inspecting, monitoring and licensing future projects.

April 15, 2026

Books

Free Library completely restores Saturday hours for first time since before the pandemic

The Free Library of Philadelphia will now be open on Saturdays at 52 of 54 branches. The only closed locations are a specialty branch and one that's under repair. Now, the system is exploring adding Sunday hours.

April 15, 2026

Courts

Penn appeals order to release info on Jewish students and employees

The University of Pennsylvania has appealed a court ruling requiring it to submit information on Jewish students and staffers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It also has requested a stay on the subpoena while the appeal is heard.

April 14, 2026

Religion

Archbishop Nelson Pérez defends Pope Leo XIV after Trump's criticisms

Nelson Pérez, archbishop at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, defended Pope Leo XIV following recent criticisms from President Donald Trump. The president had called the pope 'weak' for calling for peace in Iran.

April 14, 2026

History

Chester Springs mill is grinding flour with wheat stones that date back to 1747

The Mill at Anselma, a historic site in Chester Springs, Chester County, has restored its wheat stones that were last used in the 1880s. They were first used to mill flour when the mill opened in 1747.

April 13, 2026

Transportation

Waymo's self-driving vehicles may help Philly fill its many potholes

Waymo and Waze have teamed up to map potholes in five cities — and they plan to do likewise in Philadelphia, once Waymo's self-driving cars gain approval to operate fully autonomously.

April 13, 2026

Immigration

City Council advances bills to restrict ICE agents, but Parker administration says they contain 'problematic language'

City Council is considering new restrictions on federal immigration agents, including banning them from using city-owned property to conduct immigration raids. The Parker administration warns that the legislative package contains some 'legally problematic language.'

April 13, 2026

Investigations

Bodies of two ironworkers recovered from collapsed CHOP parking garage

The bodies of two ironworkers who were trapped when the CHOP parking garage collapsed Wednesday were recovered early Monday morning. The cause of the collapse, which killed three people, remains under investigation.

April 10, 2026

Pets

PAWS offering name-your-fee adoptions after garage collapse caused evacuation

Philly animal shelter PAWS is offering pay-what-you-can adoptions at its Old City location this weekend after it had to evacuate animals from its Grays Ferry clinic due to the parking garage collapse.

April 9, 2026

Immigration

Bill about special visas for crime victims is City Council's latest effort to add protections for immigrants

New legislation in Philadelphia City Council would add requirements to speed up the application process for U and T visas, which protect victims of human trafficking and other crimes.

All PhillyVoice contributors