December 24, 2024
Development
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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
by
Michael Tanenbaum
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.