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

January 7, 2025

Restaurants

Irv's Ice Cream, which has operated out of a Cherry Street Pier trolley, is opening a shop in Bella Vista this spring

by Michaela Althouse

Irv's Ice Cream, which operates out of one of the trolleys at Cherry Street Pier, will open its first storefront this spring at 932 E. Passyunk Ave. in Bella Vista. The shop serves Latin American-inspired flavors like horchata and coquito alongside classics like chocolate peanut butter brownie and brown butter pecan.

January 7, 2025

Business

Federal Donuts to open Willow Grove shop, its second in the Philly suburbs, on Friday

by Michaela Althouse

Federal Donuts & Chicken is opening a Willow Grove store – its second shop in the Philadelphia suburbs – on Friday, Dec. 10, 2025. Another suburban shop is coming to Conshohocken later this year, and other Federal Donut locations are slated to open in South Jersey and at the Philadelphia International Airport.

January 6, 2025

Investigations

Man charged with shooting that killed North Philly couple

by Michaela Althouse

Bilal Simmons was arrested Sunday for allegedly shooting to death Jocelynn Marshall, 35, and Terrell Sanders, 39, on Dec. 19 in North Philadelphia. Simmons has been charged with murder and related offenses.

January 6, 2025

Arts & Culture

Ushers at Ensemble Arts prepare to strike after rejecting latest contract proposal

by Michaela Althouse

Ushers at Ensemble Arts Philadelphia said they could strike as early as Wednesday after rejecting the latest proposal for a new contract. Workers are seeking increased wages and clarification on job duties following last year's merger.

January 6, 2025

Health Insurance

Pa.'s Medicaid program now covers biomarker tests that lead to personalized cancer treatments

by Michaela Althouse

All Pennsylvania-regulated medical plans, including the state's Medicaid program, must now cover biomarker tests that potentially allow for personalized cancer treatments by identifying unique patterns in a person's cancer. Another change for 2025: Doulas now can bill Medicaid directly for reimbursements, a move aimed at expanding access to their pregnancy and postpartum services.

January 3, 2025

Weather

With Arctic blast on the way, here's how to keep your home protected from the freezing temperatures

by Michaela Althouse

Meteorologists expect up to a week of below-freezing temperatures in the Philly area starting Wednesday, Jan. 8. Here's what utility companies say to do to keep your home safe from the frigid weather.

January 2, 2025

Holiday

Instead of putting your Christmas tree out on trash day, you can recycle it at these locations

by Michaela Althouse

This month, Christmas trees can be dropped off for recycling at locations across the city or picked up at your door. Neighborhood groups and composting companies will turn them into wood chips, mulch and compost for parks and green spaces.

January 2, 2025

Transportation

Some SEPTA cards are being declined because they are encoded with the wrong expiration date

by Michaela Althouse

Some student, senior, reduced-fare and paratransit SEPTA cards are being rejected at stations and on buses because of a production error that shows the wrong expiration date. The transit agency expects the issue to continue into next week but said riders should still be able to board.

December 31, 2024

Weather

Arctic air blast to bring frigid weather to Philly region in early 2025

by Michaela Althouse

The Philadelphia region is expected to have several days with sub-freezing temperatures in January 2025 due to an Arctic air blast that is blowing in from Canada, forecasters say. The cold weather could strain the electrical grid and cause pipes to burst.

December 31, 2024

Investigations

Gunfight in Kensington leaves 23-year-old man dead, police say

by Michaela Althouse

A shootout between three people on the 700 block of East Willard Street in Kensington on Monday night left a 23-year-old man dead, Philadelphia police say. Two others involved in the gunfight were arrested after they were spotting smashing windows and climbing out the backdoor of a nearby house.