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

November 14, 2022

Accidents

Eastbound lanes of Ben Franklin Bridge reopen after tractor-trailer crash

by Michael Tanenbaum

The eastbound lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge have reopened hours after a tractor-trailer overturned late Monday morning, leading to a full closure of the bridge heading into New Jersey. Crews remained at the scene into Monday afternoon and the Delaware River Port Authority had advised motorists to use alternate routes into New Jersey from Pennsylvania.

November 14, 2022

Celebrities

Actor John Aniston, who died at 89, once lived in Delco with his daughter Jennifer

by Michael Tanenbaum

Actor John Aniston and his daughter, "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston, lived in Eddystone, Delaware County, just outside Chester, Pennsylvania, during the early year's of Jennifer's life. John Anniston, who died Nov. 11 at age 89, moved the family to New York when he began to get bigger roles on daytime TV shows. He's best known for playing Greek crime boss Victor Kiriakis on "Days of Our Lives."

November 14, 2022

Investigations

South Jersey's Funny Farm Rescue offers $1,800 reward for missing rooster that 'thinks he's a kitten'

by Michael Tanenbaum

Funny Farm Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, is seeking the public's help to find Squiggy, a rooster who went missing last week under mysterious circumstances. The farm is offering an $1,800 reward for Squiggy's return. Funny Farm Rescue houses more than 600 animals and is a popular place for families to visit.

November 11, 2022

Did John Fetterman reference 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' during his victory speech?

by Michael Tanenbaum

After Democrat John Fetterman defeated Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race, he gave a rousing speech to a crowd of supporters in Pittsburgh. At one point, he used a phrase that appeared prominently in an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," leading some of observers to speculate that the Dennis Reynolds reference was intentional.

November 11, 2022

Wildlife

New Jersey may revive black bear hunts amid increased safety concerns

by Michael Tanenbaum

New Jersey may reintroduce black bear hunting in designated areas, citing increased populations and dispersal into areas inhabited by people. The growing number of black bears, primarily in North Jersey, has resulted in an increasing number of human interactions, raising concerns about relying solely on non-lethal wildlife management methods. Environmental groups and animal rights activists are opposed to bringing back the bear hunt, which would return in December if approved by the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Council.

November 11, 2022

Investigations

11 Temple students robbed at gunpoint inside North Philly off-campus apartment

by Michael Tanenbaum

Eleven Temple University students were robbed at gunpoint inside an off-campus apartment in North Philly early Friday morning by two males. It happened at a residence on the 1300 block of North 15th Street. The students were asleep inside prior to the robbery. The robbers took the students' debit and credit cards, cell phones and the keys to a Lincoln MKZ, which was used to flee the scene.

November 10, 2022

Courts

Three former Sharon Hill cops plead guilty in fatal shooting of 8-year-old Fanta Bility

by Michael Tanenbaum

Three former Sharon Hill police officers pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of reckless endangerment in connection to the fatal shooting of 8-year-old Fanta Bility on Aug. 27, 2021. Bility was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game at Knight Park, which she had attended with her family. Three others also were wounded in the shooting, which allegedly happened when the former officers opened fire in response to another nearby shooting. The former officers had manslaughter charges dismissed as part of the plea deal with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

November 10, 2022

Investigations

Teen charged in fatal shooting on SEPTA's Broad Street Line, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

A 21-year-old man was shot and killed Monday afternoon while riding a SEPTA Broad Street Line subway in the area of Fairmount Station in North Philadelphia, police said. Rashod Born, 16, has been charged with homicide and related offenses in the incident, which authorities said stemmed from an attempted robbery. Born also was shot in the arm during the struggle.

November 10, 2022

Celebrities

Kevin Hart finds dark humor in recalling his mother's response to a gunpoint robbery in North Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

Actor Kevin Hart shared that he and his mother were robbed at gunpoint in North Philadelphia when he was a kid. Speaking on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, hosted by Philly hip hop veteran Gillie Da King and influencer Wallo267, Hart talked about memories from growing up in Philadelphia. Hart's mom died of ovarian cancer in 2007.

November 10, 2022

Investigations

Drunk driver exceeded 120 mph in Mount Laurel crash that killed restaurant owner, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Desmond Newberry, 45, has been charged with vehicular homicide and related offenses in the Sept. 3 crash that killed Glenn Keen, 52, the owner of the Cucina Carini in Mount Laurel. The crash happened outside of the Italian restaurant on Hainseport-Mount Laurel Road after Keen pulled out of the parking lot in his Ford SUV. Newberry was driving drunk and exceeding 120 mph at the time of the crash, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said.