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.
October 3, 2023
Opioids
Fatal overdoses reached another all-time high in Philadelphia last year
Philadelphia recorded 1,413 deaths from unintentional drug overdoses in 2022. That's highest number on record and an 11% increase over the previous year. The biggest increases in deaths came among Black and Hispanic people, and the fatal overdoses are increasingly happening when fentanyl is mixed with stimulants like cocaine.October 2, 2023
Investigations
Journalist Josh Kruger fatally shot inside his Point Breeze home
Josh Kruger, a Philadelphia journalist and LGBTQ advocate, was shot and killed at his home in the Point Breeze neighborhood early Monday by a person who entered the residence. Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen.September 29, 2023
Lawsuits
Sharon Hill reaches $11 million settlement with family of Fanta Bility, the 8-year-old killed by police in 2021
The family of Fanta Bility has reached an $11 million settlement with Sharon Hill in a federal lawsuit filed after the 8-year-old girl was fatally shot by police in August 2021. Three others were injured when police opened fire after an Academy Park High School football game. The officers previously pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment charges and were each sentenced to five years of probation.September 29, 2023
Technology
Privacy advocates say the Phillies' facial recognition entrance puts their fans' data at risk
Protesters at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night cautioned against using the facial recognition entrance, which the Phillies and MLB debuted in August. The opt-in ticketing system lets fans enter the ballpark by uploading selfies to the league's ticketing app, enabling them to pass through scanners. Privacy advocates say the technology puts people's safety and data at risk.September 29, 2023
Transportation
Historic drawbridge in Stone Harbor must be replaced, Cape May County says
Cape May County plans to replace the 96th Street drawbridge that crosses into Stone Harbor from Middle Township by 2028. The span was built in 1930 and has structural problems with the movable part that opens for boats to pass. Detours and traffic disruptions are expected during construction.September 28, 2023
Odd News
Wally, the emotional support alligator not let into the Phillies game, has made news here previously
Wally, the emotional support alligator turned away from going to the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, should be familiar in Philadelphia. In August 2022, his trip to the fountains in LOVE Park in Center City also went viral on social media.September 28, 2023
Investigations
Retired minister extradited to face charges in 1975 killing of Delaware County girl
David Zandstra, the former Broomall minister charged with killing 8-year-old girl Gretchen Harrington in 1975, has been extradited to Delaware County to face charges of murder and kidnapping. Zandstra, who was living in Georgia, allegedly confessed to kidnapping the girl in Broomall, Marple Township, and then fatally beating her after she resisted his attempt to sexually abuse her at Ridley Creek State Park. Nearly five decades later, Zandstra, 83, will be tried in Delaware County.September 27, 2023
Arts & Culture
Dr. Mira Irons, CEO of College of Physicians of Philadelphia, resigns amid Mütter Museum's ethical review
Mira Irons, president and CEO of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which owns the Mütter Museum, resigned Wednesday as the museum is in the middle of an ethical review of its collections that she and executive director Kate Quinn spearheaded.September 27, 2023
Illness
For millions with long COVID, some answers are emerging about its causes
A new study on long COVID offers possible explanations for the lingering symptoms that millions of Americans experience after coronavirus infections. Researchers believe changes in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the immune systems of those with long COVID might play a role.September 26, 2023
Education
Temple names Richard Englert interim president following JoAnne Epps' death
Temple University has named Richard Englert interim president in the aftermath of the death of JoAnne Epps, who had been serving as acting president during the school's search for a new president. Englert previously served as president from 2016-2021 and had remained at the university as chancellor following his retirement. Epps died last week after she became ill during a university event.Just In
- Joel Embiid ruled out for Sixers-Celtics Game 3
- New Jersey launches website to show how tax dollars are being spent and what programs are funded
- I-95 and I-76 lanes to close for two weeks for bridge cleaning
- Ticket prices for the Flyers' playoff game Saturday rival the cost to attend last year's Stanley Cup Final
- Eagles Round 1 draft grade roundup: USC WR Makai Lemon
- Rob Mac travels back to the 1700s for Ancestry.com commercial
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