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 13, 2024

Development

City approves Phillies' plan to expand New Era team store at Citizens Bank Park

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Phillies received approval from the Philadelphia Art Commission to expand the floor space and storage area of the New Era team store at Citizens Bank Park. The shop at the corner of Pattison Avenue and Citizens Bank Way will get about 3,500 square feet of added space for fans to look for apparel and souvenirs.

September 12, 2024

2024 Election

Visits to Vote.gov surged after Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris

by Michael Tanenbaum

Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris may have motivated a significant pocket of young voters to register to cast ballots in November's presidential election. Websites that offer voter registration information and resources recorded spikes in visits directed from the Vote.gov link Swift shared on Instagram.

September 12, 2024

Development

Fine Wine & Good Spirits to open store at Schuylkill Yards development in University City

by Michael Tanenbaum

Fine Wine & Good Spirits will open a store on the ground floor of a 14-story office tower nearing completion in University City. The building is part of the Schuylkill Yards development that covers 14 acres in the area surrounding the campus of Drexel University and 30th Street Station.

September 11, 2024

Investigations

Bristol man allegedly drugged and raped 6 women he met on a dating site

by Michael Tanenbaum

Andrew Gallo, 40, is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting at least six women he met on dating website sugardaddymeet.com over a period of about a year, Bucks County prosecutors said. Gallo allegedly drugged the women at his home by mixing methamphetamine with alcohol and violently assaulted them while they were impaired.

September 11, 2024

Development

Hundreds of people pack town hall for 76ers arena to discuss polarizing proposal in Center City

by Michael Tanenbaum

Hundreds of people packed the Convention Center on Wednesday night for a town hall meeting Mayor Cherelle Parker organized to hear perspectives on the proposed 76ers arena in Center City. Attendance was so high that two overflow rooms were fitted with monitors to allow more people to be a part of the event, which took place as the city nears a decision on the contentious project.

September 10, 2024

Courts

Montgomery County man, who killed and kidnapped his coworker, sentenced to life in prison

by Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Stark, 50, was found guilty of kidnapping, robbing and killing 50-year-old Matthew Branning in September 2021. The two men were coworkers at a Bucks County manufacturing facility at the time Branning went missing. Branning's remains were found in Virginia in November 2021. Stark was charged in March 2023 and was sentenced life in prison this week after a five-day trial.

September 10, 2024

Investigations

One injured in shooting on SEPTA subway platform in Center City; suspect in custody

by Michael Tanenbaum

A shooting on the platform of SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line at 15th Street Station sent riders scrambling out of concourse on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators said a 23-year-old man was shot multiple times and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A suspect was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered, police said.

September 9, 2024

Obituaries

Johnny Gaudreau's widow reveals pregnancy during eulogy for NHL star

by Michael Tanenbaum

During Monday's funeral for Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew, the former NHL star's widow, Meredith Gaudreau, revealed that she's pregnant with the couple's third child. The brothers died Aug. 29 when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while biking in New Jersey. The memorial service was held at Saint Mary Magdalen Church in Upper Providence, Delaware County.

September 9, 2024

Development

Mayor Cherelle Parker to discuss 76ers arena proposal at town hall Wednesday

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker will address the proposed 76ers arena during a town hall from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Parker has said she's still evaluating the project's pros and cons.

September 9, 2024

Transportation

Could widening the Blue Route's shoulders solve the highway's rush-hour traffic problems?

by Michael Tanenbaum

PennDOT plans to widen the left shoulders on Interstate-476, creating temporary third lanes on the northbound and southbound sides of the highway during rush-hour and other peak travel times. The project is planned along a 9-mile stretch from West Chester Pike south to where the Blue Route connects to I-95 in Chester. Construction could begin as soon as 2027, with a goal to complete the temporary lanes by 2030.