Franki Rudnesky

Franki Rudnesky

Franki Maria Rudnesky is a staff writer for PhillyVoice, with interests in entertainment, social media, pop culture, education and the arts. Franki has worked as a staff writer, copy editor, and social media manager for The Hammonton Gazette. Before that, she was a digital intern and production assistant for NBC10. She is a South Jersey native who received her master's degree from Villanova University and her bachelor's from Saint Joseph's University.

franki@phillyvoice.com

November 21, 2024

Entertainment

Philly baker says 'proudest' moment of winning Hulu dessert competition was paying homage to her late mom

Lily Fischer, co-founder and head baker at Fishtown's Cake Life, emerged victorious on Episode 7 of Hulu's new baking competition 'Cookie, Cupcake, Cake,' hosted by Buddy Valastro and Samantha Seneviratne. This was Fischer's third TV baking show victory, and she said it was particularly meaningful because she got to pay tribute to her late mom with a special cake in the final round.

November 20, 2024

Travel

Philly airport strives to add more local brands, like Federal Donuts and Oyster House, ahead of busy 2026

Philadelphia International Airport is welcoming two local restaurants, Federal Donuts and Oyster House, in the spring. The airport is boosting the presence of local businesses ahead of a busy 2026 in the city, which includes America's 250th birthday festivities, the World Cup and March Madness. More Philly brands are expected to be announced.

November 19, 2024

Government

Donald Trump picks Howard Lutnick, Haverford College's largest donor, as commerce secretary

President-elect Donald Trump announced he's picking Howard Lutnick to be the next secretary of commerce. Lutnick, 63, is a Haverford College alum and the largest donor in the Delaware County school's history. Lutnick has served as the co-chair of Trump's presidential transition team since August.

November 19, 2024

Government

Mehmet Oz picked by Donald Trump to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday on Truth Social that he has chosen former surgeon and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator. Oz, 64, is a University of Pennsylvania alum and ran unsuccessfully in Pennsylvania for a U.S. Senate seat in 2022.

November 18, 2024

Parenting

'Hurried child syndrome' can lead to anxiety and depression; here's how parents can avoid overextending kids

'Hurried child syndrome,' coined by psychologist David Elkind in 1981, refers to parental tendencies to burden children with overcrowded schedules and too-high expectations. Research has found most hurried children have anxiety, depression and feel unworthy when they fail to fulfill their parents' expectations.

November 18, 2024

Business

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy but says service will continue 'without interruption'

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. The Florida-based company will attempt to bounce back after struggling to recover from pandemic-related dips in travel, increased competition from larger carriers and failures to merge with other airlines. Spirit is the lone commercial carrier at Atlantic City International Airport and also serves Philadelphia International Airport, but it said service will continue as usual.

November 17, 2024

Health News

Carrots sold at Trader Joe's, Wegmans recalled due to potential E. coli contamination

Carrots sold at grocery stores such as Trader Joe's and Wegmans are being recalled after being linked to a deadly multi-state E. coli outbreak that has sickened people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Grimmway Farms has issued a recall of some of its organic whole carrots and organic baby carrots that were sold under multiple labels including Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Bunny-luv, Nature's Promise, Simple Truth and 365. The products, which may be contaminated with E. coli, should no longer be available for purchase in grocery stores but may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

November 17, 2024

Holiday

Adventure Aquarium brings back world's tallest underwater Christmas tree for holiday festival

Christmas Underwater will be held at Adventure Aquarium from Saturday, Nov. 23, through Tuesday, Dec. 24. The kid-friendly holiday festival will feature the world's tallest underwater Christmas tree, indoor snow flurries, photo opportunities, a puppet show and appearances by Scuba Santa. Tickets can be purchased now online.

November 17, 2024

Entertainment

New trailer for 'The Madness' shows Colman Domingo as a media pundit framed for murder in the Poconos

In the upcoming Netflix series 'The Madness,' Philly-native actor Colman Domingo portrays a media pundit who becomes tangled in a dangerous conspiracy after he stumbles upon the murder of a white supremacist in the Poconos and is framed for the crirme. All eight episodes of 'The Madness' premiere on Thursday, Nov. 28. A new trailer shows Domingo on the run as he tries to prove his innocence.

November 14, 2024

Shopping

This candle line captures the scents of Philly – from Belmont Plateau to the art museum steps

A new candle line captures the scents of six Philadelphia landmarks and neighborhoods – the Gayborhood, Boathouse row, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Belmont Plateau, South Philly and Wanamaker building. The candles are the result of a collaboration from candlemaker by Color & Flame and the Philadelphia Visitor Centers Corporation.

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