Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

February 6, 2026

Odd News

Truck freezes in Jersey Shore lake after driver cracked through ice doing donuts

by Michael Tanenbaum

A man who drove his pickup truck onto a frozen lake at the Jersey Shore last month and plummeted through the ice is charged with reckless driving and related offenses. Video of the man's stunt have spread widely on social media.

February 5, 2026

Business

Dirty Franks adopts 25-and-older policy to 'save the bar' from underage drinkers using fake IDs

by Michael Tanenbaum

Center City dive bar Dirty Franks now has a 25-and-up age limit due to crowds of young people presenting suspicious IDs that trick scanners but appear to be fake. The bar plans to keep the new rule until it finds a reliable system to detect fake IDs.

February 5, 2026

Investigations

Camden firefighter dies after falling through ice into Delaware River

by Michael Tanenbaum

A Camden firefighter died Thursday morning after falling into the icy water of the Delaware River at Wiggins Waterfront Park, officials said. The firefighter fell into the water during a maintenance check on the department's fire boat.

February 4, 2026

Business

Super Bowl ads with Philly ties: Xfinity spoofs 'Jurassic Park' and Sabrina Carpenter pops Pringles

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philly area will be well-represented in Super Bowl commercials this year. Bradley Cooper teams up with Matthew McConaughey for an Uber Eats ad, Shane Gillis continues his Bud Light series and Sabrina Carpenter pops Pringles.

February 4, 2026

Government

Gov. Josh Shapiro is again pushing for Pa. to legalize marijuana, but advocates say it's a long shot in 2026

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called on the state legislature to send him a bill to legalize marijuana during his annual budget address Tuesday. Cannabis advocates believe it could be a long shot again in 2026, but they see some reasons for optimism in Harrisburg.

February 4, 2026

Arts & Culture

Philadelphia Museum of Art reverts to old name, but will keep griffin logo from rebrand

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is going back to its old name, abandoning the Philadelphia Art Museum rebrand less than four months after making the change. The museum will keep the new logo of a griffin that it adopted when the changes were revealed in October

February 3, 2026

Investigations

Owner of North Philly pizzeria pleads guilty to evading $1.8 million in taxes

by Michael Tanenbaum

The owner of Mimmo's Pizza and Kitchen in North Philly pleaded guilty Tuesday to evading $1.8 million in taxes from 2015 to 2019. Cihan Calkap, 42, faces up to five years in prison, restitution payments to the IRS and a $250,000 fine.

February 2, 2026

Recreation

Six Flags' new regional pass covers 8 parks, including Great Adventure and Dorney

by Michael Tanenbaum

Six Flags is introducing a new Gold Pass that offers access to all of its parks within a given geographic region. The East Coast pass covers Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey and Dorney Park, in Allentown, Pennsylvania for the first time.

February 2, 2026

Weather

The Schuylkill River is frozen, but walking out onto its icy surface is not just dangerous. It's illegal.

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia police are warning people to stay off the frozen Schuylkill and Delaware rivers after reports of people walking and ice skating on the ice. Moving water weakens river ice and conditions can change fast.

January 30, 2026

Business

Regal abruptly closes retro-styled Cross Keys theater in South Jersey

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12 movie theater has abruptly closed. Theater in the Turnersville section of Washington Township opened in December 1994. Another Regal-owned theater nearby, the Regal UA Washington Township, remains open.