Michaela Althouse

Michaela Althouse is a staff writer for PhillyVoice with interests in climate, technology, education and politics. She’s previously written for Technical.ly, Washingtonian Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, New Project Media and Metro Eireann. She is a Bucks County native who enjoys gardening, exploring Philly and finding the city’s best coffee.

michaela@phillyvoice.com

March 5, 2025

Food & Drink

South Philly Barbacoa chef Cristina Martínez to host dinner and dance party at the Mann

by Michaela Althouse

Chef Cristina Martínez, the owner of South Philly Barbacoa and Casa México, will host an event June 4 at the Mann Center. The audience will get to hear her story, eat her food and participate in a fandango dance party.

March 4, 2025

Neighborhoods

Hartranft Community Center, a hub in North Philly before it closed in 2009, reopens after $11.5 million renovation

by Michaela Althouse

The Hartranft Community Center, which closed in 2009, reopened Tuesday after 16 year. The facility features a playground, classrooms and an indoor pool. The $11.5 million renovation was part of a larger project from the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which is also building affordable homes nearby.

March 4, 2025

Investigations

Teenager fatally shot at Southwest Philadelphia playground, police say

by Michaela Althouse

A young male, likely in his late teens, was fatally shot Monday night while he was sitting at a the Russell DeRitis Playground in Kingsessing, police say. Police said the shooter snuck up and fired at least nine shots before fleeing. Investigators are still determining the identities of the shooter and the teen.

March 3, 2025

Technology

New online tool provides public data on demographics of drivers getting pulled over in Philly

by Michaela Althouse

A new online tool was introduced Monday that provides public data on traffic stops in Philadelphia. The Driving Equality Dashboard shows how many people are being stopped, where those stops are happening and the demographics of the drivers.

March 3, 2025

Movies

'The Brutalist,' set in Doylestown, takes home 3 Oscars, including best actor

by Michaela Althouse

At the 2025 Academy Awards, 'The Brutalist' won Oscars for best actor, best original score and best cinematography. The movie, set in Doylestown, stars Adrien Brody as a Holocaust survivor who seeks to build a community center. 'Anora' won best picture. 'Sing Sing' and 'A Complete Unknown' left empty-handed.

February 28, 2025

Arts & Culture

First look at the Philadelphia Flower Show: Here are 5 can't-miss exhibits

by Michaela Althouse

The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, which centers around the theme 'Gardens of Tomorrow,' has floral creations of a classroom studying aquaponics to highlight sustainability, a blooming cityscape to show the importance of growing an ecologically conscious future and woodland creatures dining together to symbolize humans' interaction with nature.

February 28, 2025

Women's Health

Menopause symptoms begin for most women in their 30s, study shows

by Michaela Althouse

Most women begin experiencing menopause symptoms in their early 30s, new research shows. Psychological symptoms like anxiety and irritability generally come before physical symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes. But many don't seek treatment until their 50s, according to the study from the University of Virginia.

February 28, 2025

Arts & Culture

On Stage in March: 'King Hedley II,' Philly GRIT and 'Romeo and Juliet' reimagined

by Michaela Althouse

Philly theaters have three Shakespearian performances: '& Juliet,' 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and 'Anthony & Cleopatra.' Plus, the Arden puts on August Wilson's 'King Hedley II,' and Bucks County Playhouse has a new, country-themed musical.

February 27, 2025

Government

Proposed $2 trillion U.S. spending cuts could slash food benefits used by about a third of Philadelphians

by Michaela Althouse

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps low-income households buy groceries, could see funding slashed after a Republican budget proposal calling for $2 trillion in spending cuts over a decade narrowly passed in the U.S. House on Tuesday. SNAP supports nearly 500,000 Philly residents — about a third of the city's population.

February 27, 2025

Transportation

5 Philly school zones may get speed cameras to improve student safety

by Michaela Althouse

Five Philadelphia schools zones would get automated speed cameras under a bill introduced Thursday in City Council. The legislation aims to prevent crashes involving students. Speed cameras have boosted traffic safety on Roosevelt Boulevard and are set to go up on Broad Street.