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.
March 13, 2025
Odd News
N.J. man finds unopened whiskey bottles, possibly from Prohibition era, scattered on Margate beach
While walking his dog at the Jersey Shore, U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Austin Contegiacomo discovered a collection of whiskey bottles on the beach near the Margate Pier south of Atlantic City. The 11 bottles appear to have been produced in Canada some time during the Prohibition era in the United States.March 13, 2025
Donations
CHOP gets record $125 million gift from Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to help fund new patient tower
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and his wife, Aileen, are donating $125 million to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — the largest gift in CHOP's history — to support the construction of a new patient tower that will have more than 700 private rooms, specialty imaging services and new amenities for families.March 12, 2025
Investigations
Man wanted for allegedly killing pregnant ex-girlfriend four years ago arrested in Georgia
Justin Smith, wanted since 2021 for allegedly killing pregnant ex-girlfriend Dianna Brice in Philadelphia, was arrested in Atlanta after four years as a fugitive. Smith faces murder charges and will be extradited.March 12, 2025
Transportation
As traffic on Delaware River Bridge rises, Pa. and N.J. turnpikes weigh options to ease congestion
The Pennsylvania and New Jersey turnpikes are considering long-term plans to rehabilitate or replace the Delaware River Bridge, which makes Interstate 95 continuous in both states. They are reviewing a series of alternatives to ease traffic over the bridge, which closed for 7 weeks in 2017 when a crack in one of its trusses was found.March 10, 2025
Education
Penn freezes hiring to brace for 'severe' impact of cuts to federal funding
The University of Pennsylvania joined a growing list of colleges to freeze hiring on Monday amid concerns about looming federal funding cuts and other policies that could disrupt their financial stability. Penn leaders said the reduction in federal support could be more severe than challenges faced during the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.March 10, 2025
Transportation
Sewer project will close Market Street ramp to I-95 South for two weeks
The Philadelphia Water Department will complete a sewer improvement project that's slated to close the Market Street ramp to I-95 South from Monday, March 24, through Sunday, April 6, PennDOT officials said. Motorists will be directed to travel southbound on Columbus Boulevard and use the I-95 South ramp at Morris Street to access the highway.March 6, 2025
Investigations
Voice recorder on medical jet that crashed in Northeast Philly contains no cockpit audio, NTSB says
The cockpit voice recorder on the Learjet 55 that crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Jan. 31 had not captured audio on flights for 'several years' before the aircraft went down near the Roosevelt Mall, killing 7 people and injuring 24 others, a preliminary NTSB report says. No audio data was recovered from the medical jet's flight.March 6, 2025
Government
Pa. plans $10.6 million overhaul of voter registration system and other election databases
Pennsylvania will soon undertake a major overhaul of its voter registration system and other databases for election administration, including those used for campaign finance and lobbying disclosures, state department officials said Wednesday.March 5, 2025
Business
World of Flight, Nike's Jordan Brand shop, clears hurdles for planned storefront in Center City
Nike has received approval from the city to move forward with its plans for a World of Flight apparel store in Center City. The Jordan Brand shop would be Nike's first location in the United States. The company's proposal included modifications to historic features of the property at 1617 Walnut St. Nike has not given a timeline for the store's opening. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand two years ago.March 5, 2025
Government
Gov. Shapiro encourages fired federal workers to apply for thousands of state job openings
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the state will recruit former federal employees who were recently fired as part of the Trump administration's DOGE initiative to reduce government waste. Shapiro said the state has about 5,600 job vacancies and needs nurses, accountants, civil engineers, emergency response personnel and other skilled workers.Just In
- Phillies news: Jhoan Duran latest reliever to be placed on IL
- Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday signs letter supporting federal PBM transparency rule
- Full injury reports for Sixers-Celtics Game 1 on Sunday
- New boozy ice cream shop that's coming to Rittenhouse to offer a spiked water ice sundae
- State awards $2.3 million grant to restore West Fairmount Park's 19th century fountain
- Montgomery County realtor charged with possessing child pornography
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