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

September 11, 2026

Social Media

Penn student who went viral for his dorm room design wins $100,000 prize in a content creator competition

by Michaela Althouse

University of Pennsylvania student Marcus Quinn went viral in May for his design of his 80-square-foot dorm room. This summer, he took home a $100,000 prize in an online competition for content creators.

September 11, 2026

Courts

Leader of cargo theft operation that stole $230,00 worth of dimes and other items from tractor trailers sentenced to prison

by Michaela Althouse

Haneef Palmer, 33, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for leading a cargo theft operation that stole $1.5 million in goods from tractor trailers in Philadelphia in 2023. Palmer pleaded guilty earlier this year.

September 10, 2026

Arts & Culture

Notice the hundreds of new triangular paintings under the El in Kensington? Here's why they're there

by Michaela Althouse

More than 400 steel gusset plates under the Market-Frankford Line along a 1.4-mile stretch from Huntingdon to Tioga are now adorned with paintings created by residents who participated in the Gusset Plate Project.

September 10, 2026

Recreation

Clementon Park in South Jersey to shut down and be put up for sale

by Michaela Althouse

Clementon Park and Splash World, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, is closing at the end of the 2026 season and will be put up for sale, its owners say.

September 10, 2026

Food & Drink

Attic Brewing's Czech dark lager to be available for first time since it won gold at the World Beer Cup

by Michaela Althouse

Attic Brewing is making Common Nightjar available at the Germantown taproom Friday for the first time since the 5.2% ABV Czech dark lager won gold at the World Beer Cup in April.

September 9, 2026

Education

Cheltenham School District to pay $266,000 to superintendent who resigned amid football hazing scandal

by Michaela Althouse

The Cheltenham School District will pay $266,884 to former superintendent Brian Scriven, who resigned amid a hazing scandal involving the Cheltenham High School football team. Four coaches and six players were charged for their alleged roles in two assaults against a player and an attempted coverup.

September 8, 2026

Development

Sixers, Flyers release first renderings of their proposed South Philly arena

by Michaela Althouse

The Flyers and 76ers have released exterior renderings of the arena they are proposing to be built on the site of the former Spectrum. The arena in South Philly, projected to open in 2030, is being designed by architect Moody Nolan and the design firm Populous.

September 8, 2026

Podcasts

Donovan McNabb to co-host weekly Eagles podcast that will stream live on YouTube on Tuesdays

by Michaela Althouse

Former quarterback Donovan McNabb will co-host the Eagles Collective alongside longtime team reporter Zach Berman and sports content creator Thomas Mott. The podcast will stream live on YouTube on Tuesdays.

September 7, 2026

Arts & Culture

CraftNation, a new crafting studio in Port Richmond, is a place for creatives to 'find their folks'

by Michaela Althouse

CraftNation, a new crafting studio, opened in June in Port Richmond. The space offer classes in candle-making, chainmail and other crafts. There are also open studio hours when people can come use the space for beading, collaging and other more approachable crafts.

September 7, 2026

Books

In need of a fall read? These 8 new books from Philly authors explore everything from witchcraft to Penn's history

by Michaela Althouse

Looking for your next read? Check out these eight books from Philadelphia-area authors, from historical dives to tales of werewolves to a mystery in the Montana wilderness.