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 29, 2024

Food & Drink

Philadelphia Street Food Festival will serve up $5-or-less bites at Xfinity Live! on Nov. 9

by Michaela Althouse

The Philadelphia Street Food Festival, taking place Saturday, Nov. 9, at Xfinity Live!, will feature over 30 food trucks and vendors. All food items will be $5 or less at the family-friendly event.

October 28, 2024

Arts & Culture

On stage in November: 'Hamilton,' 'Peter Panto' and an unsanctioned Obama musical

by Michaela Althouse

Rock out to multiple political musicals this month when "Hamilton" and "44 — The unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL" come to town. Multiple theaters are also embracing the holidays with "The Thanksgiving Play" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

October 28, 2024

Arts & Culture

See where Billie Holiday and Jackie Robinson stayed in Philly on this Green Book walking tour

by Michaela Althouse

The Green Book Walking Tour on Saturday, Nov. 9, stops at about 15 sites once listed in the 'Negro Motorists Green Book,' a publication Black Americans used to find safe places to eat and stay in the early 20th century. The tour includes stops at places where jazz legend Billie Holiday and baseball star Jackie Robinson once stayed.

October 28, 2024

Investigations

Body of missing woman found wrapped in towel and blanket inside Lawncrest home

by Michaela Althouse

The body of Ivelisse Lugo, who was reported missing Saturday, was found wrapped in a towel and a blanket Sunday in the garage of a home on the the 5900 block of Elsinore Street in Lawncrest, Philadelphia police said.

October 26, 2024

Transportation

SS United States is destined to become an artificial reef off Florida. Here's a look at that process.

by Michaela Althouse

The SS United States is set to leave Philadelphia and be sunk off the coast of Florida to become an artificial reef, where it will attract scuba divers. An expert from a company that has sunk other ships explains the process for transporting and sinking the historic ocean liner.

October 25, 2024

Music

Temple University students swiped so much on Tinder that they earned a free concert

by Michaela Althouse

Temple University students won Tinder's Swipe Off Challenge for swiping on the dating app more often than their peers at any other college campus. Their reward? A free concert by Gunna and GloRilla at the Liacouras Center on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

October 24, 2024

Transportation

City Council approves bill to raise fines on parking or stopping in bike lanes

by Michaela Althouse

City Council unanimously approved a bill that bans vehicles from stopping in bike lanes. While drivers were previously afforded a 25-minute grace period, this legislation removes that protection and increases fines.

October 23, 2024

Nature

Here's a first look at Longwood Gardens' $250 million renovation project that will open to the public next month

by Michaela Althouse

Longwood Gardens will unveil its nearly decade-long renovation project on Nov. 22, and the Kennett Square horticultural attraction gave media a sneak peek on Tuesday. Longwood Reimagined includes a new conservatory, bonsai home, office building, restaurant and events space, plus a revamped waterlily display and upgraded overlook for its fountain shows.

October 23, 2024

Investigations

Lawndale man charged with running human trafficking ring in Northeast Philly

by Michaela Althouse

Terrance Jones, of Lawndale, allegedly ran a human trafficking ring from his Northeast Philadelphia home for more than a decade, prosectors say. Jones was among 22 people charged in the scheme. He is accused of posing as a woman to lure women in addiction into serving as sex workers.

October 22, 2024

Founder of Topsail Steamer, which sells one-pot seafood meals, to appear on 'Shark Tank'

by Michaela Althouse

Topsail Steamer, which sells one-pot seafood menus to be heated up at home, will be featured on 'Shark Tank' on Friday, Oct. 25. Topsail Steamer founder Danielle Mahon, who grew up in New Jersey, went on the show seeking an investment to help the chain grow. It has 10 locations, including four at the Jersey Shore.