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

November 12, 2024

Wildlife

Axolotls are everywhere, including now at the Philadelphia Zoo

by Michaela Althouse

An axolotl, a type of salamander that's become a pop culture phenomenon, is now on display at the Philadelphia Zoo. The creatures are a favorite among kids after they were introduced in the video game Minecraft.

November 12, 2024

Environment

PECO is adding more solar power to its mix of energy sources

by Michaela Althouse

PECO is adding 25 megawatts of solar power to the mix of energy sources it uses to provide electricity to 1.7 million customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The addition is PECO's largest solar energy project and will provide enough energy to power 3,000 homes. Currently, just 0.5% of PECO's energy comes from solar power.

November 11, 2024

Investigations

Police fatally shot armed man after domestic dispute in West Philly, investigators say

by Michaela Althouse

An armed man was fatally shot by police after he carjacked a pickup truck and led officers on a 2-mile chase in West Philly following a domestic incident, investigators said. Officers opened fire on the man, 47, during the carjacking and again at the end of the pursuit. He was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

November 11, 2024

Weather

Drought conditions persist in Philly region despite first rainfall since September

by Michaela Althouse

The Philadelphia region received its first rainfall since September on Sunday, Nov. 10, but it won't have a huge impact on the drought conditions. Burn bans are still in place across much of the region, and the wildfire risk remains extreme in parts of South Jersey.

November 8, 2024

Nature

The Philadelphia Zoo's Andean bear is leaving for good later this month

by Michaela Althouse

Sinchi, the Philadelphia's Zoo's only Andean bear, is departing for another zoo during the week of Nov. 18. He is joining a breeding program at an unannounced location. His departure coincides with the zoo's $20 million renovation project of its bear exhibit.

November 8, 2024

Arts & Culture

Philadelphia Ballet releases limited amount of $10 tickets for opening night of 'The Nutcracker'

by Michaela Althouse

At 8 a.m. Friday, the Philadelphia Ballet will start selling 1,000 discounted tickets for the 7 p.m. show on Dec. 6 at the Academy of Music. They're available on a first-come, first-serve basis and the ballet expects to sell out quickly. Tickets normally cost from $27 to $241.

November 8, 2024

Investigations

Racist texts received by Lower Merion, Upper Darby students under federal investigation

by Michaela Althouse

Several students in the Lower Merion and Upper Darby school districts received racists texts messages similar to those reportedly received by dozens of Black people across the United States this week. The texts, which state that the recipients will be picked up by slaveholders to go pick cotton, are being investigated by the FBI.

November 7, 2024

Government

In first post-election comments, Mayor Cherelle Parker says she's committed to transparency

by Michaela Althouse

Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed the city Thursday following Donald Trump's presidential election win. Going forward, she said she's more committed to 'empowering the tool of transparency' and plans to rely on her intergovernmental roundtable to work with the federal government.

November 6, 2024

2024 Election

Republicans sweep Pennsylvania races for attorney general, auditor general and treasurer

by Michaela Althouse

Republicans swept Pennsylvania's row offices in the 2024 general election. Dave Sunday will become the new attorney general, defeating Eugene DePasquale. Auditor General Timothy DeFoor and Treasurer Stacy Garrity were reelected, defeating Malcolm Kenyatta and Erin McClelland, respectively.

November 6, 2024

Transportation

SS United States set to start moving out of South Philly pier on Nov. 14

by Michaela Althouse

The SS United States will start departing the South Philadelphia pier its called home since 1996 in a two-day process beginning Nov. 14. The ship will then undergo a yearlong cleaning process in Mobile, Alabama, before it's sunk and turned into an artificial reef off the Florida Panhandle.