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.
September 20, 2024
Technology
Plan would power new Microsoft AI data center with electricity from Pa.'s Three Mile Island nuclear reactor
One of the nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island, the Pennsylvania site of a partial meltdown that occurred March 28, 1979, would be brought back online power a Microsoft's artificial intelligence data center. Constellation Energy has signed a 20-year power purchasing agreement with the tech giant to draw nuclear energy from the plant along the Susquehanna River outside Harrisburg and about 85 miles west of Philadelphia.September 20, 2024
Courts
Sesame Place found not liable in lawsuit claiming discrimination at Bucks County theme park
A federal jury in Philadelphia determined that character performers at Sesame Place in Bucks County did not discriminate against Black children during visits to the theme park. The case was sparked by a viral video in 2022 that appeared to a show a mascot snubbing two Black girls. The lawsuit, which sought $25 million, was filed by another family that made similar allegations. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which owns Sesame Place, was found not liable.September 20, 2024
Courts
Man convicted of throwing firebomb that torched front stoop of Northeast Philly home
Jason Mattis, 51, was found guilty Thursday of throwing a firebomb at a home in the Tacony neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia during the summer of 2022, federal prosecutors said. Mattis was accused of throwing the homemade devices at multiple properties on two separate nights. He was found guilty of possession of an unregistered destructive device. Mattis faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of probation and a $250,000 fine.September 19, 2024
Business
An overnight market for food trucks is headed to Fishtown outside the Fillmore
A new space for food trucks is coming to Fishtown in an area outside the Fillmore Philadelphia concert venue starting in October. The Overnight Market will be open Thursday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. The project is a partnership between Fishtown District and the city's Commerce Department, which hopes to develop similar overnight markets in other Philly neighborhoods.September 19, 2024
TV
'Abbott Elementary' cast gets big raises ahead of Season 4 premiere
The cast of Abbott Elementary negotiated significant pay raises ahead of the premiere of season 4 of the ABC sitcom in October. Emmy Award-winning star Quinta Brunson reportedly will make between $350,000-$400,000 per episode of the series. Other stars on the show also reportedly had their pay doubled or tripled, Deadline reported. The comedy about Philadelphia's public school system returns to ABC on Oct. 9.September 19, 2024
Courts
Fantasy football rivalry goes awry, ending with fake reports of international threats and conviction for Philly man
A Philadelphia man submitted fake tips to police in Norway and at the University of Iowa, claiming a rival in his fantasy football league was planning mass shootings and bombings on two occasions in August 2023 and March of this year, federal prosecutors said. Matthew Gabriel, 25, pleaded guilty to charges on Wednesday.September 19, 2024
Transportation
Section of I-76 East to close during next four weekends to allow PennDOT repairs
A section of I-76 East will close each of the next four weekends in South Philadelphia while PennDOT makes bridge repairs. The closure extends from just before the ramp for the Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue (Exit 346B) to just before the 34th Street on-ramp. When the highway is closed, motorists will be detoured to I-676 East to get to I-95 South, or I-476 North to get to I-95 North.September 18, 2024
Development
Mayor Cherelle Parker endorses 76ers arena in Center City, saying agreement has been reached
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker endorsed the 76ers arena proposal in Center City on Wednesday afternoon. The $1.5 billion plan aims to build a new stadium on East Market Street just south of Chinatown, which is currently part of the Fashion District Philadelphia mall.September 18, 2024
Investigations
Atlantic City mayor, wife indicted for alleged abuse of teenage daughter
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La'Quetta, have been indicted on charges for allegedly abusing their teenage daughter on multiple occasions at their home last winter, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.September 17, 2024
Business
Wawa to close 51-year-old store on Route 70 in Cherry Hill
Wawa plans to close a 51-year-old store on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in early October. The company has said its newer operations and products can't be adapted to work in many of its older store designs. Wawa's original store in Folsom, Delaware County, opened in 1964 and was closed in 2016.Just In
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- Trailer for Sylvester Stallone biopic 'I Play Rocky' shows re-creations of some of 1976 film's most memorable scenes
- Flyers get Jamie Drysdale's extension done, for four years at $6.5 million per
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