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

January 30, 2025

Investigations

Body found in trash can near West Philly community center, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Human remains were found inside a trash can near the Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center and Parkway West High School in West Philadelphia on Thursday morning, authorities said. The case is being investigated as a homicide, police said.

January 30, 2025

Investigations

Montgomery County prisoner allegedly tried to hire a hitman on Instagram to kill his ex-girlfriend

by Michael Tanenbaum

Montgomery County Correctional Facility inmate Zunier Walker-Wilson, 22, allegedly devised a murder-for-hire plot to have his ex-girlfriend killed in exchange for $15,000 in cash, a luxury watch and a Dodge Durango, the district attorney's office said. Wilson-Walker is accused of instructing Jaden Jones, 20, of Norristown, to put out the hit on Instagram.

January 29, 2025

Investigations

'Sadistic' dog owner charged with stabbing and killing his two pets inside Bucks County home

by Michael Tanenbaum

A Bucks County man faces animal cruelty charges after allegedly abusing and killing his two dogs in his Newtown Township home. Prosecutors say he could face up to 18 years in prison.

January 29, 2025

Lifestyle

What's included in the Bellevue Hotel's $59,000 Super Bowl package?

by Michael Tanenbaum

The historic Bellevue Hotel in Center City is offering a $59,000 package for a Super Bowl party in its presidential suite on the 14th floor of the renovated building on South Broad Street. The VIP promotion for the Eagles-Chiefs game includes catering by Cescaphe, top-shelf bar service, gifts and a photographer to capture it all.

January 28, 2025

Business

Whole Foods workers in Center City become chain's first union in decades

by Michael Tanenbaum

Workers at Philadelphia's flagship Whole Foods grocery store voted Monday night to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union. They are the first Whole Foods employees to do so since Amazon bought the chain in 2017. Workers at a Wisconsin store briefly unionized more than two decades ago, but it later dissolved.

January 28, 2025

Business

ReAnimator Coffee's Saquon Barkley-inspired blend raises money for Philly schools

by Michael Tanenbaum

ReAnimator Coffee is following its tradition for Eagles Super Bowl runs with a new 'Rusher's Roast Blend' inspired by star running back Saquon Barkley. The coffee is a medium roast breakfast blend with hints of brown sugar and fruit. It's being sold online and at ReAnimator's five cafes in Philadelphia. Proceeds will go to the Fund for the Schools District of Philadelphia. In years past, ReAnimator has made special blends for Nick Foles and Jalen Hurts.

January 28, 2025

Travel

Philly airport to bring back direct flights to Mexico City this summer

by Michael Tanenbaum

Aeroméxico will start offering nonstop flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Mexico City on June 5 to meet growing demand. The Philly airport has not had direct flights to the Mexican capital since January 2019. Since 2014, air traffic from Philadelphia to destinations in Mexico has increased by 8.3% annually, airport officials said.

January 27, 2025

Celebrities

Gillie Da Kid is the latest Philly rapper to embrace role as Eagles hype man during run to the Super Bowl

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia-born rapper and "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast host Gillie Da Kid has emerged as the Eagles' hype man during the team's Super Bowl run this season. He follows in the footsteps of Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert, two rappers and Philly natives who have helped set the tone for the Eagles during past seasons. Gillie has been promoting fellow rapper Too Short's 2006 hit "Blow The Whistle" as the team's playoff anthem.

January 27, 2025

Courts

M. Night Shyamalan cleared in $81 million lawsuit alleging 'Servant' used stolen premise

by Michael Tanenbaum

Director M. Night Shyamalan has been cleared by a federal jury in a lawsuit that alleged his Apple TV series 'Servant,' filmed in Philadelphia, stole plot elements from the 2013 independent film 'The Truth About Emanuel.' Shyamalan, Apple and others had been sued by filmmaker Francesca Gregorini, who sought $81 million in damages.

January 24, 2025

Business

Two Philly sports pubs set the record straight: We're not Commanders bars

by Michael Tanenbaum

As the Eagles prepare for Sunday's NFC title game against the Commanders, two Philly bars are telling Washington fans not to listen to misleading information online that they are welcoming to supporters of the NFC East rivals. Bayou Bar & Grill in Manayunk is recommended on the Commanders website as a place for their fans to watch games, but the owner said his business has always been an Eagles bar. And in South Philly, Woolly Mammoth distanced itself from its former reputation as a bar that caters to Washington fans.