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.
December 20, 2023
Investigations
Action News' Chopper 6 helicopter crashes in South Jersey; pilot and photographer killed
Action News' Chopper 6 crashed in South Jersey late Tuesday night, killing pilot Monroe Smith and photographer Christopher Dougherty, the station in Philadelphia said. The helicopter went down around 8 p.m. in Washington Township as it was returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.December 19, 2023
Investigations
Philly police say suspect in recent Pennypack Park knife attacks is also the Fairmount Park rapist
Philadelphia police identified Elias Dias, 46, as the suspected Fairmount Park rapist behind a series of cold case sexual assaults and a homicide that happened between 2003-2007. Dias was arrested Monday and charged in a separate series of knife attacks that happened in November on the Pennypack Trail. Authorities say DNA evidence appears to link Dias to the 2003 killing of Rebecca Park, a 30-year-old medical student who was found dead at Fairmount Park.December 16, 2023
Labor
SEPTA reaches tentative contract agreement to end transit police union strike
SEPTA's transit police union ended its strike Saturday after reaching a tentative agreement on a new labor contract, officials said. Officers agreed to return to their patrols Saturday following the announcement of the deal, which still needs to be authorized by the SEPTA board and the membership of the Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109.December 16, 2023
Economy
Philly had the nation's highest grocery price inflation in 2023, report says
Philadelphia led the U.S. in grocery price increases in 2023 and Pennsylvania was tops among states for price hikes at the supermarketer, according to a Consumer Affairs analysis. In the Philadelphia metro area, the price of a 15-category basket of goods rose 7.1% over the last 12 months. In Pennsylvania, it increased by 8.2%.December 16, 2023
Development
Rivers Casino opens boutique hotel at former PECO plant in Fishtown
The Riversuites, a new boutique hotel from Rivers Casino Philadelphia, is located inside The Battery redevelopment of the former PECO power plant on the Delaware River waterfront. The Riversuites Hotel began taking reservations this week for 62 apartment-style suites that occupy four floors of the complex, which also will have apartments, offices and event spaces. Hotel amenities include an indoor basketball court, pool table, lobby gathering spaces and co-working space.December 16, 2023
Food & Drink
Victory Brewing, Tastykake join forces on Koffee Kake Ale
Tastykake and Victory Brewing Co. have teamed up on a new beer called Koffee Kake Ale, a 6% ABV stout with notes of pound cake and cinnamon. The new beer will be available starting Dec. 22 at Victory's taprooms in Downingtown, Philadelphiaa, Kennett Square and Parkesburg. It also will be available on draft and at stores in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles until March 2024.December 14, 2023
Investigations
Bucks County synagogue evacuates children from preschool after bomb threat
A bomb threat at the Shir Ami synagogue in Newtown Township prompted the religious school to evacuate its day school on Thursday afternoon, police said. The synagoguereceived a threatening email, according to investigators. Authorities searched the building and determined there were no explosives. Investigators are working with the FBI to follow up on reports of similar incidents at other religious facilities in Pennsylvania, police said.December 14, 2023
Courts
Limerick man sentenced to life in prison for killing his business partner, burying her body near Royersford warehouse
Blair Watts was found guilty of killing his business partner, Jennifer Brown, on Wednesday after a five-day trial. The Limerick man was immediately sentenced to life in prison. Watts and Brown had been planning to open a restaurant in Phoenixville. Montgomery County prosecutors said Watts stole money from Brown before killing her and burying her in a shallow grave behind a Royersford warehouse.December 13, 2023
Opioids
Fentanyl withdrawal is driving more opioid users to leave hospitals early, Penn researchers say
Fentanyl withdrawal is causing an increasing number of opioid users to leave hospitals early against medical advice, according to research by Penn Medicine. The rate of early discharges increased by more than 50% between 2016 and 2020, with patients most often citing withdrawal and pain.December 13, 2023
Labor
SEPTA transit police go on strike as contract negotiations stall
SEPTA's transit police union voted Wednesday to go on strike after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract ahead of their deadline. The union plans to picket outside SEPTA's headquarters in Center City on Thursday. SEPTA said its contingency plan includes bringing in replacement officers from the Philadelphia Police Department, university police departments and other agencies in the region.Just In
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