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

October 5, 2024

Nature

Saturday could be the best chance to see the northern lights in the Philadelphia area

by Michaela Althouse

A powerful eruption on the sun will extend the visible range of the northern lights to possibly as far south as Pennsylvania, and maybe even into the Philadelphia region. The best chance to see the colorful auroras is predicted to be Saturday night. The expanded range of the aurora borealis is due to a coronal mass ejection the occurred Thursday.

October 3, 2024

Streaming

What to stream: 'Love is Blind' D.C. season and 'Bridesmaids'

by Michaela Althouse

Looking for something to stream in October? Check out new episodes of "The Golden Bachelorette" and new seasons of "Love is Blind" and "Abbott Elementary." Plus, "Bridesmaids" comes back to Netflix.

October 2, 2024

Courts

Two former Penn State students sentenced to prison for their roles in fraternity hazing death of Timothy Piazza

by Michaela Althouse

Brendan Young and Daniel Casey, leaders of the former Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State University, each were sentenced to two to four months in prison Tuesday for their roles in the 2017 death of Timothy Piazza. Piazza, 19, died after becoming intoxicated and suffering fatal injuries during a hazing event.

October 1, 2024

Investigations

Police identify suspect wanted for shooting DoorDash driver in East Mount Airy

by Michaela Althouse

A DoorDash driver was shot while making a delivery on the 1500 block of East Johnson Street in Mount Airy on Monday night, Philadelphia police say. The driver, 29, is in critical condition. No arrests have been made.

October 1, 2024

Entertainment

The Friendship Bus rolls into Philly this month to help people make connections

by Michaela Althouse

The Friendship Bus stops in Philadelphia on Oct. 15-16 to help people make new connections. Staff will provide prompts to spark conversation and participants meet new people.

September 30, 2024

Jobs

Free Library taps new team to lead its Author Events program following abrupt staff departures last summer

by Michaela Althouse

The Free Library of Philadelphia has a new team leading its Author Events program following last summer's abrupt departure of the staffers who previously managed it. Jenny Bogoni will head the library's newly formed Department of Community Engagement and Public Programming, which oversees the Author Events, Read by 4th and One Book One Philadelphia initiatives. Four other people also have been hired to the department.

September 30, 2024

Investigations

Police searching for 3 men who robbed Fairhill business in masks and bulletproof vests

by Michaela Althouse

Police are searching for three men who robbed a Fairhill business in masks and bulletproof vests on Saturday night. One man fled on foot; the other two fled back inside the business and barricaded themselves inside before escaping. The store owner and a woman who were inside the store were each injured.

September 27, 2024

Performances

On stage in October: 'Frankenstein,' 'Jersey Boys' and 'tick, tick ... Boom!'

by Michaela Althouse

'The Book of Mormon,' 'The Rocky Horror Show' and 'tick, tick...Boom!' all will be on stage in the Philadelphia region in October. Plus, 'Jersey Boys' comes to the Walnut Street Theatre and spooky-season productions of 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula.'

September 26, 2024

Government

City Council explores creating prison oversight office in response to staff shortages and inmate deaths

by Michaela Althouse

Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Nicolas O'Rourke co-introduced legislation Thursday to create a Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight for better accountability in the city's jails. The move comes after two people died this month while in custody.

September 25, 2024

Courts

Man tied to rapper PnB Rock's death sentenced to 31 years to life in prison

by Michaela Althouse

Freddie Trone, the man convicted of orchestrating the robbery that left rapper PnB Rock dead in Los Angeles two years ago, was sentenced to 31 years to life in prison on Monday. Prosecutors say Trone's teenage son was acting on his fathers orders when he robbed and fatally shot the Philadelphia native in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2022.