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

January 25, 2024

Festivals

Watch ice sculptors at work at the Founders Philly Freeze-Out in Manayunk

by Michaela Althouse

Manayunk's Founders Philly Freeze-Out, hosted by Founders Brewing Co., returns Feb. 3. Festivalgoers can cool down with ice sculptures and beer and warm up with a chowder crawl and a three-mile run.

January 24, 2024

Government

Philly receives $25 million federal grant for flood prevention, drinking water projects

by Michaela Althouse

Drinking water improvements, flood prevention and a cleaner Delaware River are on the docket with a $25 million federal grant the Philadelphia Water Department received Wednesday. Funds, which come from President Biden's American Rescue Plan, will be put toward projects in Port Richmond, East Falls and Germantown.

January 24, 2024

Celebrities

Amanda Seyfried joins Philly police on ride-along to prep for TV series based on Temple professor's book

by Michaela Althouse

Actress Amanda Seyfried and author Liz Moore rode along with Philadelphia police Tuesday in preparation for filming of 'Long Bright River.' The novel, written by Moore, is being adapted into a Peacock miniseries. The story is based in Kensington and follows a police officer and a woman battling addiction. Filming will begin next month in New York City.

January 24, 2024

Books

Philly writer's new book 'Disillusioned' explores changes in America's suburbs

by Michaela Althouse

Benjamin Herold's new book, 'Disillusioned,' released Tuesday, explores suburbia through the stories of five families from across the country, including his hometown of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania.

January 23, 2024

Transportation

Countdown clocks arrive at more stations along Market-Frankford Line

by Michaela Althouse

Countdown clocks appeared at SEPTA's 30th Street and Girard stations along the Market-Frankford Line. They show riders when the next train is scheduled to arrive. SEPTA said it's testing the devices with no firm date on an official rollout.

January 23, 2024

Investigations

Fight at Robeson High School high school put school on lockdown

by Michaela Althouse

A fight at Paul Robeson High School for Human Services caused an hour-long lockdown Monday. Several students have been suspended, and school officials said family members of students were involved in the fight. A cause for the altercation remains unclear.

January 22, 2024

Festivals

New beer-tasting event in Center City to feature dozens of craft brewers

by Michaela Althouse

The Philly Beer Fest, a tasting event held Saturday, Feb. 17 at the 23rd Street Armory, will feature dozens of brewers from the Philadelphia region. Tickets cost $35 for three-hour tasting sessions running from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Early access tickets, which allow entry one hour beforehand, are $49.

January 22, 2024

Government

Norristown water main break leaves more than 300 properties without water

by Michaela Althouse

A water main break in Norristown early Monday morning caused flooding and street closures. The damaged pipe affected water service to about 300 properties. Some residents voluntarily evacuated their homes and repairs to the area are expected to take most of Monday, officials said.

January 19, 2024

Health News

Artificial intelligence in health care needs more regulation, WHO says

by Michaela Althouse

The World Health Organization released a number of guidelines Thursday on using generative artificial intelligence and other AI tools in health care. While generative AI can be useful in medicine, it has a record of producing false, inaccurate, biased and incomplete statements.

January 17, 2024

Books

Free Library community cookbook shares recipes from River Wards residents

by Michaela Althouse

In December, the Free Library released a community cookbook featuring over 80 recipes from residents of Kensington, Fairhill and the River Wards. Librarians who worked on the book say it documents what people were eating during the COVID-19 pandemic.