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

September 16, 2021

Investigations

New Jersey woman accused of killing her two daughters in Arizona

by Michael Tanenbaum

Retta Cruse, 35, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, is charged with murder in the deaths of her two daughters at their home in Phoenix, Arizona, where the victims were found dead on Sept. 8. Investigators believe the girls died of drug overdoses. Cruse also was hospitalized with multiple apparent self-inflicted stab wounds, according to authorities, and was arrested upon her release. The father of one the girls is hoping to bring the child back to New Jersey to be buried.

September 15, 2021

Investigations

Crew member suffers serious injury on set of Kevin Hart movie in Hollywood

by Michael Tanenbaum

A 38-year-old film crew member suffered a serious injury after reportedly falling from a platform on the set of the upcoming Netflix movie "Me Time," starring Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg. The victim was taken to a nearby regional medical center in critical condition and an investigation will be conducted CAL-OSHA.

September 15, 2021

Innovation

B.PHL Innovation Fest hits hybrid stride in third year, promising 'something for everyone'

by Michael Tanenbaum

The B.PHL Innovation Fest will mark its third year in Philadelphia with hybrid in-person and virtual event from Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The festival will feature nearly 90 interactive workshops and speaker sessions focused on the theme of rising through collaboration. This year's exciting list of speakers includes CNN anchor Don Lemon, Grammy Award-winning artist Eve, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, and Villanova University basketball coach Jay Wright, who will hold a talk with writer Brad Inglesby, the mind behind HBO's hit series "Mare of Easttown."

September 15, 2021

Education

Faced with bus driver shortage, Philly school district offers $300 per month to parents who drive their students

by Michael Tanenbaum

The School District of Philadelphia doubled the incentive for parents to drive students to and from school instead of taking the school bus. The program will now offer families $300 per month, or $3,000 for the school year, to take children to and from school in the morning and afternoon.

September 14, 2021

Food & Drink

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams opening first Philly stores in Fishtown, Rittenhouse

by Michael Tanenbaum

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams will open a pair of locations in Philadelphia this fall in Fishtown and Rittenhouse, the company announced. The popular brand is sold at local supermarkets, but the two storefronts in Philly will be Jeni's first in Pennsylvania.

September 14, 2021

Investigations

Former Penn State football star Brandon Short's daughter killed in shooting

by Michael Tanenbaum

Karli Short, the daughter of former Penn State University and New York Giants linebacker Brandon Short, was fatally shot in McKeesport, Allegheny County on Sept. 13, 2021, according to investigators. Brandon Short confirmed the tragic loss of his oldest daughter on Facebook. An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.

September 14, 2021

Celebrities

Remembering Norm MacDonald's brutal childhood encounter with a Flyers legend

by Michael Tanenbaum

Comedian Norm McDonald, who died Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 61, shared a story on Howard Stern in 2009 about the time as a child when he asked Philadelphia Flyer Dave "The Hammer" Shultz for an autograph. Fans and comedians recalled the Canadian stand-up, who died after a long bout with cancer.

September 14, 2021

Jobs

Amazon to hire 4,800 workers in Philly region as part of national recruiting push

by Michael Tanenbaum

Amazon will hire 4,800 workers in the Philadelphia region as the Seattle-based e-commerce giant looks to expand its workforce in locations around the United States. Amazon plans to open five new fulfillment centers in Southeastern Pennsylvania over the course of the next year and touts its competitive wages, benefits and educational advancement opportunities to prospective workers.

September 13, 2021

Courts

Chester County funeral home director sentenced to prison for stealing $257K from terminally-ill client

by Michael Tanenbaum

Former Chester County funeral director Kenneth Neeld, 47, was sentenced to prison for stealing more than $257,000 from a terminally ill client who had hired him to manage his estate and distribute his assets to local charities. Neeld, who founded the Neeld Family Funeral Care in Malvern, will be required to pay restitution and will forfeit his licenses.

September 13, 2021

Investigations

'Massive' spike in overdoses in Berks County prompts warning about dangerous batch of heroin in area

by Michael Tanenbaum

Authorities are investigating nearly 70 drug overdoses that occurred in the area of Reading and West Reading on Sept.11-12, the Berks County District Attorney's office said. Officials have linked the cases to a dangerous batch of drugs that appears to be a mix of heroin, fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary sedative known on the street as "tranq" or "sleep cut," according to preliminary toxicology reports.