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

July 11, 2023

Transportation

Sinkhole repair on Route 202 could keep Upper Merion roadway closed for days

by Michael Tanenbaum

The section of U.S. Route 202 that was closed due to a large sinkhole on Monday night may not reopen until Wednesday or Thursday, a PennDOT spokesperson said. The road is closed in both directions between Henderson Road and Saulin Boulevard. The sinkhole was discovered during an investigation of a water outage reported to PA American Water, the utility provider in Montgomery County. Repair work is underway.

July 10, 2023

History

First Bank of the United States to be renovated, reopened as museum

by Michael Tanenbaum

The First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia will be renovated into a museum that will feature exhibits about the nation's economic history. The historic building at 120 S. Third St. served as the nation's original federal bank, established in 1791 at the urging of then-U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton. It is regarded as one of the most important artifacts of George Washington's administration. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

July 10, 2023

Investigations

Fire heavily damages historic Broad Street Market in Harrisburg

by Michael Tanenbaum

A building that forms part of the historic Broad Street Market in Harrisburg was damaged by a fire overnight Monday in the Pennsylvania state capital. Broad Street Market is described as one the nation's oldest continuously operated market houses. The market was founded in 1860, just before the start of the Civil War. There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams have pledged to rebuild the brick building damaged by the fire.

July 10, 2023

Investigations

Police suspect poisoned feeders led to unusual bird deaths at Warminster park

by Michael Tanenbaum

Numerous dead birds were found Saturday at Warminster Community Park in Bucks County, where authorities suspect someone poisoned a series of bird feeders that were placed at the park earlier that day. Investigators said the bands on the dead birds' feathers are consistent with homing pigeons. The bodies have been sent out for necropsies to determine how the birds died. The substance found in the feeders also has been sent to a lab for analysis. Police said the substance is dangerous to humans. The public should report bird feeders in the area that look like those recovered from the park.

July 7, 2023

Food & Drink

Jason Kelce creates charity donut for Fractured Prune's Jersey Shore shops

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce has partnered with Jersey Shore donut shop Fractured Prune to create a new "Fat Kelce" donut with a peanut butter glaze, crumbled bacon topping and chocolate and honey drizzle. The donut is available at the stores in North Wildwood, Ocean City and Sea Isle City all summer long. All proceeds will benefit Kelce's (Be)Philly Foundation, a nonprofit that supports youth programs in Philadelphia.

July 7, 2023

Transportation

SEPTA gives riders free transit access while fare system glitch is fixed

by Michael Tanenbaum

SEPTA's fare collection system went down Friday morning, prompting the transit authority to offer free rides on all trains, subways, buses and trolleys. Officials are working to restore the fare system. In the meantime, riders will not be charged and all transit modes will run on normal schedules. The glitch comes as SEPTA begins the process to award a new contract for its upgraded fare collection system, dubbed SEPTA Key 2.0.

July 7, 2023

Fires

Power expected back for thousands in Wildwood on Friday night; residual outages likely to continue Saturday

by Michael Tanenbaum

A fire at an electric substation in Wildwood knocked out power for more than 24,000 homes and businesses on the island on Friday. Hours after power was lost, officials said there is still no estimate for when it will be restored. Atlantic City Electric later said it expects about 15,000 impacted customers to have power restored some time Friday night. Residual outages likely will linger into Saturday following the substation fire that knocked out electricity on the island on Friday.

July 6, 2023

Crime

Camden County official won't apologize for telling 'gun-bearing freaks' from Philly to stay out of New Jersey

by Michael Tanenbaum

Camden County Commissioner Louis Cappelli, Jr. directed his anger at Philadelphia after a 6-year-old girl was injured in a shooting during a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Cappelli said one of the suspects has ties to Philadelphia and blamed the 'thugs' and 'gun-bearing freaks' in the city for bringing violent crime to South Jersey. Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson called on Cappelli to apologize.

July 6, 2023

Social Media

Parody Twitter account NBA Paint redesigns 76ers logo, turns numbers into brothers

by Michael Tanenbaum

NBA Paint, a popular Twitter account the shares crude drawings and videos of NBA players and team logos, shared its take on a redesigned logo for the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday. The new logo turns the 7 and 6 into siblings who signify brotherly love, one playing offense and the other defense. The parody account debuted in 2020 and has amassed more than 200,000 followers, drawing attention from NBA stars along the way.

July 6, 2023

Media

6ABC hires West Chester-native Caroline Goggin, who survived a stroke at 27 years old

by Michael Tanenbaum

6ABC has hired West Chester-native Caroline Goggin as an anchor and reporter for "Action News," Goggin recently announced on Facebook. The Penn State graduate suffered a stroke when she 27 years old and working as a reporter for WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island. When she returned to the station, she and her husband gave emotional interviews for a special segment on her health scare. Goggin has since become an advocate for stroke awareness among young people.