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 17, 2025

Family-Friendly

Enjoy Philly's green spaces? You can help beautify them during Love Your Park Week

by Michaela Althouse

Love Your Park Week 2025 takes place May 10-18 in Philadelphia. Volunteers are needed to help beautify Philly's parks by picking up trash, planting flowers, removing dead tree branches and other tasks.

April 16, 2025

Investigations

Shooting outside Center City hookah bar leaves 1 man dead, another injured

by Michaela Althouse

A shooting outside Byblos hookah bar in Center City early Wednesday morning killed a 77-year-old man who was driving an SUV and critically injured his 22-year-old passenger, Philadelphia police said.

April 16, 2025

Celebrities

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Camden-born artist Mickalene Thomas and Kalaya chef Nok Suntaranon named to TIME100 list

by Michaela Althouse

Three people with ties to the Philly area were named to the 2025 TIME100 list of the world's most influential people: Kalaya chef Nok Suntaranon, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Camden-born artist Mickalene Thomas.

April 15, 2025

Education

Philly school district is updating its reassignment room process for teachers facing misconduct investigations

by Michaela Althouse

The School District of Philadelphia will more closely monitor the cases for teachers in reassignment rooms, where educators are sent during misconduct investigations. The process overhaul comes after a City Council member pushed for a hearing to look into complaints about the holding facility's conditions and the wasted time and money.

April 15, 2025

Celebrities

Bryce Harper reveals gender of his fourth child by using a baby blue bat

by Michaela Althouse

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper used a blue bat during Monday night's game to reveal the gender of his fourth child. He and his wife, Kayla, have one son and two daughters. Their fourth child will be a boy.

April 14, 2025

Nature

Rare trees named for Ben Franklin to be planted at Carpenters' Hall

by Michaela Althouse

Two rare Franklin trees will be planted outside Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia on April 25. The species was named by John Bartram after his friend, Benjamin Franklin, but it went extinct in the wild. Every surviving tree descends from seeds first planted at Bartram's Garden.

April 14, 2025

Arts & Culture

The Portal is moving from LOVE Park to City Hall courtyard; here's a livestream

by Michaela Althouse

The Portal, a sculpture that connects passersby in Philly with counterparts in three European cities, is moving from LOVE Park to the City Hall courtyard Monday morning. It is being transported along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and making a stop at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of a procession.

April 11, 2025

Performances

Orchestral performance of 'Twilight' comes to Philly in November

by Michaela Althouse

The 60-city 'Twilight' in concert tour will stop by the Met in Philadelphia on Nov. 22. While the movie plays, a 12-piece orchestra will perform the soundtrack live.

April 11, 2025

Illness

Measles case reported in Philly; people may have been exposed at 2 hospitals

by Michaela Althouse

A measles cases was confirmed in Philadelphia in a person who had been traveling abroad. People may have been exposed to the virus at Pennsylvania Hospital on Sunday and Holy Redeemer Hospital in Montgomery County on Tuesday.

April 10, 2025

Government

Philly renters could get more protections under bills aimed at making landlords keep up with repairs

by Michaela Althouse

A bill package introduced in City Council on Thursday calls for additional regulation for landlords who neglect repairs at their properties. Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke, who introduced the Safe Healthy Homes Act, said it was meant to protect tenants and give "teeth" to existing laws.