Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum Headshot

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

December 24, 2024

Development

To preserve Norristown's Airy Street Prison, Montgomery County seeks restoration proposals

The Airy Street Prison, built in Norristown in 1851, could be redeveloped after sitting vacant for decades. Montgomery County put out a request for developers to submit ideas to preserve the site for multiple potential uses. The county owns the structure and previously had planned to demolish it. Preservationists have advocated for a plan to refurbish the prison.

December 24, 2024

Investigations

Ex-Eagle Wendell Smallwood pleads guilty to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood pleaded guilty to federal charges that he defrauded two COVID-19 relief programs and submitted false documents to receive tax refunds from the IRS during the pandemic. Smallwood, 30, was a fifth-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2016 and played three seasons in Philadelphia.

December 23, 2024

Business

Ardmore's Suburban Square to add apartments and 7 new stores in 2025

Suburban Square, the shopping center in Ardmore, is adding 131 apartments and seven new stores, including a New Balance shop and a Van Leeuwen Ice Cream location, as part of the Coulter Place development. The project is expected to be complete in 2025.

December 23, 2024

Investigations

State hospital worker charged with stealing $130,000 from Bucks County mom serving life for killing her sons

Bridget Compton, an employee at Norristown State Hospital, allegedly stole more than $130,000 last year from Trinh Nguyen, the woman now convicted of killing her young sons in Upper Makefield, Bucks County in 2022. Prosecutors alleged Compton of forging checks from Nguyen's bank account.

December 23, 2024

TV

'Mare of Easttown' creator Brad Ingelsby signs HBO extension, but there's no word on a new season

Brad Ingelsby, the filmmaker behind the detective drama 'Mare of Easttown,' has extended his deal at HBO for another three years. Ingelsby is preparing to premiere 'Task,' his upcoming series starring Mark Ruffalo, in 2025. Ingelsby has said he's open to a sequel to 'Mare of Easttown,' but has not yet said whether it's in his plans.

December 20, 2024

Investigations

Couple who ran South Philly pharmacy charged in $20 million Medicare, Medicaid scheme

The owners of Broad Street Family Pharmacy in South Philly are charged with defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of more than $20 million, the Pennsylvania attorney general's office said Thursday. For five year, the pharmacy operators allegedly submitted false claims for expensive prescriptions that were never filled and instead paid customers kickbacks.

December 20, 2024

Media

Howard Eskin leaves SportsRadio 94WIP after 38 years

SportsRadio 94WIP host Howard Eskin revealed on Friday that he is leaving the station after 38 years. Eskin has long been dubbed "the king" of Philly sports talk radio for trailblazing WIP's identity as a personality-driven station. Audacy, the station's parent company, confirmed Eskin's departure.

December 20, 2024

Holidays

Brandon Graham's trash-talk yule log is the latest Philly-themed fireplace video to keep the holidays cozy

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham is known as one of the NFL's most prolific trash-talkers. The team created a Christmas yule log video with a compilation of Graham yapping at opponents on the field over the years. The video is one of a handful of Philly-themed yule log streams that offer cozy background entertainment during the holiday season.

December 19, 2024

Development

76ers arena project enters next phase as Chinatown advocates reel from long fight

City Council's approval of the 76ers' planned arena in Center City on Thursday will send the team's $1.3 billion project into the next phase of its planned development on East Market Street in Center City. Opponents of the project were left reeling and angry about how the deal will impact Chinatown and other neighborhoods in the years ahead.

December 18, 2024

Business

Avana, a new comfort food restaurant from Amina's owner, to open on Ben Franklin Parkway

Avana, a new restaurant from Amina and BlackHen owner Felicia Wilson, opens in the Park Towne Place apartment building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Dec. 29. It will offer comfort food, including a twist on McDonald's famed McRib sandwich. Wilson also recently opened the Latin Fusion restaurant Fia at Center City's Fairfield Inn & Suites.

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