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

July 20, 2026

Health News

Taylor Farms lettuce test for cyclospora yielded false positive, FDA says

by Michaela Althouse

The iceberg lettuce linked last week to the cyclosporiasis outbreak is no longer believed to be the culprit, the Food and Drug Administration said Sunday. A sample of the lettuce, produced by Taylor Farms and supplied to Taco Bell, produced a false positive, the FDA said.

July 20, 2026

Books

Temple medical student uses real-life experiences to create fictionalized storylines in debut novel

by Michaela Althouse

Lizzie Buehler, a Temple student, will release her debut novel 'The Obsessed' on July 28. 'I turned a lot of the things that I was seeing into fictionalized bits of stories, and ... wove it together into a full narrative,' she says.

July 17, 2026

Food & Drink

Map at Lion Sports Bar shows it's had customers from 165 countries and 48 states during the World Cup

by Michaela Althouse

The Lion Sports Bar, a soccer pub in Center City, put up a map and asked customers to place a sticker on their home cities and countries during the World Cup. Visitors from 165 nations and 48 states made their mark.

July 17, 2026

Health News

Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce supplied to Taco Bell in 5 states

by Michaela Althouse

Contaminated lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants in five states has been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, federal health officials say. The supplier reportedly is Taylor Farms in Mexico.

July 16, 2026

History

Here's how new panels at the President's House differ from the original displays

by Michaela Althouse

The federal government installed 11 new panels at the President's House this week that some historians say soften the language about George Washington's role in slavery. Here's how they differ from the originals.

July 16, 2026

Odd News

Emergency crews rescue man trapped under manhole cover in Northeast Philly

by Michaela Althouse

Police, fire and water departments were called to Northeast Philly on Wednesday to rescue a man who was trapped under a manhole. Officials said he entered the sewer a few blocks away and couldn't find a way out.

July 15, 2026

Transportation

Amtrak trains to run at reduced speeds due to heat wave

by Michaela Althouse

Amtrak is reducing train speeds along the Northeast corridor through Friday due to hot temperatures. Extreme heat puts added stress on the railroad's overhead wires and tracks, potentially leading to system failures.

July 15, 2026

Environment

Camden County has a $400 million plan to clean up waterways for swimming and fishing

by Michaela Althouse

Camden County officials announced a $400 million plan to improve the county's lakes and rivers. Here's what that might look like, and why leaders think it's important for the future.

July 14, 2026

Investigations

Teen charged in fatal shooting of pizza delivery driver in Strawberry Mansion

by Michaela Althouse

Sincere Camps, 14, has been charged in the fatal shooting of a pizza delivery driver in Strawberry Mansion last month. Anshul Kuncha, 28, was allegedly lured to a vacant residence and shot.

July 13, 2026

Weather

Cleanup efforts continue in Philly after severe storms downed trees, power lines

by Michaela Althouse

Philadelphia is continuing cleanup efforts Monday after a severe thunderstorm knocked down trees and power lines on Saturday afternoon. Property owners can submit damage reports as the city seeks disaster relief funding from the state and federal governments.