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.
July 17, 2024
Food & Drink
Essex Squeeze, a New York-based juice bar and cafe, opens in Northern Liberties
New York-based juice bar Essex Squeeze opened its first Philly location in Northern Liberties this week, serving smoothies and bowls. Co-founder Cedric Hernandez said the owners of SET NoLibs helped convince them to move into the neighborhood.July 17, 2024
Education
Denis O’Brien named interim president of Drexel following John Fry's departure for Temple
Denis O'Brien was named interim president of Drexel University on Tuesday. O'Brien, a longtime board member and energy executive, will replace John Fry, who announced earlier this month that he would be moving to Temple once a successor was named.July 16, 2024
Courts
Corruption trial for Nadine Menendez, wife of Sen. Menendez, postponed indefinitely
The trial for Nadine Menendez, wife of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, has been postponed indefinitely due to her health. The couple has been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for aiding foreign governments, though the senator's attorneys have argued Nadine accepted the bribes without her husband's knowledge.July 15, 2024
Jobs
Patient actors at Thomas Jefferson University who unionized this year hold rally for new contract
A group of workers at Thomas Jefferson University who simulate patients for medical students held a rally Monday at Washington Square Park. The workers, known as standardized patients, unionized in January and are seeking a pay raise and better health care. But they say the school is trying to limit membership and isn't bargaining in good faith.July 15, 2024
Weather
Hot weather has Philly in a heat health emergency through Wednesday night
Philadelphia is under a heat health emergency through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s early this week, and possibly reach 100 degrees on Tuesday. The city has opened cooling centers. The Corporation for Aging's heatline at (215) 765-9040 is available between 8:30 a.m. and midnight.July 12, 2024
Government
City employees expected in the office Monday after judge denies injunction on mayor's policy
A judge denied a request for an injunction on Mayor Cherelle Parker's return-to-office policy, which is set to take effect Monday, July 15. After a two-day hearing, it was determined that the union representing city workers could not prove irreparable harm.July 11, 2024
Government
With Philly's return-to-office deadline looming, city employees await ruling on union lawsuit
Mayor Parker's return-to-office mandate takes effect Monday, pending a judge's decision. Last week, the AFSCME District Council 47, representing the city's white-collar workers, filed a lawsuit claiming that Parker's plan violates the union's contract.July 10, 2024
Transportation
Philadelphia Parking Authority says scammers are sending texts about fake unpaid tickets
The Philadelphia Parking Authority issued a warning about a phishing scam that asks people to pay fake outstanding tickets. Scammers claiming to be from the PPA are sending texts messages asking people to make payments on a link that is not connected to the PPA. Any outstanding parking violations can be verified on the PPA's website.July 10, 2024
Government
Mayor Cherelle Parker stands firm on return-to-office policy as union's lawsuit to block it heads to court
All Philadelphia municipal employees will be required to return to in-person work five days a week starting Monday, July 15, if Mayor Cherelle Parker's new policy withstands a lawsuit to stop it filed by the city's white-collar workers union. The lawsuit will be heard in Common Pleas Court on Thursday, July 11.July 5, 2024
Food & Drink
Diggs Boys Bourbon, a spirits company born of the COVID lockdowns, to begin selling bottles in Pa. state stores
Diggs Boys Bourbon, a Black-owned spirits company started during the COVID-19 pandemic by three friends from the Philadelphia region, plans to open a distillery and taproom in the city in 2025. Its high-rye bourbon is available online and at stores in 12 states, and Pennsylvania state stores soon will sell it, too.Just In
- Colman Domingo reportedly working to write live-action adaptation of Disney's 'The Princess and the Frog'
- Taylor Farms lettuce test for cyclospora yielded false positive, FDA says
- Win, lose or draw: A breakdown of Philly's experience as a World Cup host
- Temple medical student uses real-life experiences to create fictionalized storylines in debut novel
- Report: Phillies will call up reliever Alex McFarlane straight from Double-A
- MLB trade rumors: Phillies 'would love to acquire' Mets top reliever
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