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

December 16, 2023

Food & Drink

Victory Brewing, Tastykake join forces on Koffee Kake Ale

by Michael Tanenbaum

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 16, 2023

Economy

Philly had the nation's highest grocery price inflation in 2023, report says

by Michael Tanenbaum

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 14, 2023

Investigations

Bucks County synagogue evacuates children from preschool after bomb threat

by Michael Tanenbaum

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

by Michael Tanenbaum

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

by Michael Tanenbaum

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

Transportation

Speed cameras could expand from Roosevelt Boulevard to more Philly streets under Pa. bill

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pennsylvania lawmakers are poised to pass a bill expanding the use of speed cameras from Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia to five other dangerous corridors in the city. The bill also would allow for speed cameras to be installed in up to five school zones and highway work zones. The debut of the automated speed enforcement program on Roosevelt Boulevard has led to significant reductions in crashes and speeding violations, traffic safety advocates say.

December 13, 2023

Labor

SEPTA transit police go on strike as contract negotiations stall

by Michael Tanenbaum

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.

December 12, 2023

Transportation

Speed limit on Kelly Drive lowered to 25 mph in hopes of reducing crashes

by Michael Tanenbaum

Kelly Drive has a new 25 mph speed limit. Philadelphia officials lowered the top speed from 35 mph as part of a program that is testing lower speed limits on six dangerous corridors. The change does not come with any new speeding enforcement, but officials hope it will encourage drivers to be more safe on the winding road that borders the Schuylkill River.

December 12, 2023

Investigations

Man charged with shooting 2 Philly police officers in Holmesburg

by Michael Tanenbaum

Dioul Devaughn, 40, has been charged with shooting two police officers in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday morning. The officers, 31 and 32, are expected to recover from their injuries, and Devaughn was critically injured. The shootout happened after police say they pursued a suspect for a reported shooting in the area of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.

December 12, 2023

Women's Health

Pregnant women who use marijuana face higher risk of birth complications, study finds

by Michael Tanenbaum

Pregnant women who use marijuana face higher risks of birth complications — including low birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth — and hypertensive disorders, according to a new study on how cannabis affects outcomes for mothers and their babies. As a growing number of states move to legalize medical and recreational marijuana, the study, led by researchers at the University of Utah and published Tuesday in the journal of the American Medical Association, raises new questions about the drug's safety for pregnant women.