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

March 19, 2024

Investigations

Philly rapper Phat Geez shot and killed in Brewerytown

by Michaela Althouse

Rapper Phat Geez, whose real name is Derrick Gant, was shot and killed on the 1200 block of North Taney Street in Philadelphia on Sunday night, police say. Gant was speaking to a passenger in a car before shots were fired, police say. He had a released a single, 'No Gunzone' in February that decried gun violence. Meek Mill mourned his death on X.

March 18, 2024

Investigations

Montgomery County man killed ex-wife in murder-suicide, police say

by Michaela Althouse

Al Allaberg, 44, fatally shot his ex-wife, Durdona Sultanova, 43, before killing himself Saturday in Huntingdon Valley, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Their bodies were found inside a walk-in closet at a home on the 400 block of Carson Terrace. Investigators ruled the shootings a murder-suicide after autopsies were performed Sunday.

March 18, 2024

Environment

Sections of Rittenhouse Square will close for a multi-year lawn restoration project

by Michaela Althouse

Sections of Rittenhouse Square will close for 18 months at a time over the next four years as crews work to restore the park's grasses. According to Friends of Rittenhouse leadership, the goal is to build better root systems for future generations.

March 15, 2024

Food & Drink

Cloud Cups to open new gelato shop in Kensington that offers 36 flavors

by Michaela Althouse

Cloud Cups is opening its new flagship store at 3525 I St. in Kensington on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The store will offer 36 gelato and sorbet flavors, owner Galen Thomas says. The store will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1-8 p.m. Cloud Cups formed in 2018 and opened its first storefront in Fishtown last year.

March 15, 2024

Food & Drink

Weavers Way Co-op to open new grocery store in Germantown in April

by Michaela Althouse

Weavers Way Co-op grocery store will open a Germantown location on April 17. General Manager Jon Roesser said the new, 6,000-square-foot space will feature indoor seating at a bar along the front windows, a small parking lot and a community fridge on the front sidewalk.

March 14, 2024

Politics

What's inside Mayor Cherelle Parker's first budget proposal

by Michaela Althouse

Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed city council on Thursday with her first recommended budget and a proposed five-year plan. In it, she made big investments in public safety, SEPTA, sanitation, education and more.

March 13, 2024

Food & Drink

Fishtown's Kensington Quarters is closing after a decade

by Michaela Althouse

After 10 years on Frankford Avenue, Kensington Quarters will serve its last plates later this week. Owners announced the news on Instagram but didn't give a reason for the closure.

March 13, 2024

Podcast

Jason and Travis Kelce's popular 'New Heights' podcast nabs major award

by Michaela Althouse

'New Heights,' the podcast by retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and brother Travis Kelce, of the Kansas City Chiefs, was named the winner of the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards. In a video acceptance speech, the brothers thanked their crew, fans and, of course, Swifties.

March 12, 2024

Lifestyle

Philly's first yarn crawl aims to create community among often solitary knitting hobbyists

by Michaela Althouse

The Philly Yarn Crawl, the first event of its kind in the region, takes place March 14 to 17 at 16 yarn shops in the city and suburbs. Knitters can stop for giveaways, exclusive yarns, free patterns and crafting events.

March 12, 2024

Lawsuits

Faculty group sues Penn for complying with House committee's antisemitism investigation, decries 'McCarthyism'

by Michaela Althouse

The Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine group and two professors are suing the university for complying with a U.S. House committee's investigation into antisemitism. They say the investigation amounts to 'McCarthyism' and threatens their free speech and academic freedom. Penn was asked to turn over any documents related to antisemitism on campus, including syllabi, emails and teaching documents.