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André Natta

@acnatta.bsky.social
3.4K followers 572 following 234 posts

I've been a journalist, a planner, and a hotel general manager. It's always about buying the ticket and taking the ride. Bronx native. Executive director/Executive editor, @bhamwatch.bsky.social

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Reposted by André Natta
BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Tom Arenberg's latest About News column look at what radio will sound like in Alabama come Thursday. Just remember, if you hear a local reporter say ‘the Gulf’ after Thursday, they probably mean the one nearby.
birminghamwatch.org
WBHM, other outlets deal with pointless law on Gulf name - BirminghamWatch
Just remember, if you hear a local reporter say ‘the Gulf’ after Thursday, they probably mean the one nearby.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Today's World News Day. It's also the start of @bhamwatch.bsky.social's twelfth year of operations. There's much to celebrate + reasons for concern, so I decided to share some thoughts and make the case for why you should #choosetrustedjournalism — today and every day.
birminghamwatch.org
Celebrating eleven years of independent nonprofit local journalism in Birmingham - BirminghamWatch
Eleven years: much to celebrate, much cause for concern. Our executive editor takes a moment to reflect.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There's so much connected right now. It'll be worth watching this case as it moves forward.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
An update from last week (and even from when this graphic was made): we've received $4,058 in donations and pledges so far — THANK YOU!
Grey text on a yellow background, saying, "Thanks for $3,558 in support so far, Birmingham! Donate today to help power journalism for the City Built to Change the South." The logo for BirminghamWatch, a silhouette of the city's skyline, sits in the middle of the image.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Yes, this is true. Yes, I'm stressed. Yes, we're going to see what happens. Yes, I’ve deferred compensation for the last three months, assuming we'd be receiving this funding.
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Reposted by André Natta
BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The store’s grand opening is Sept. 19. James Harris, its owner, said it is the first of many to come to Birmingham. But he said it will be the last that he and his family own. “All of the future Carver Jones (stores) will be owned by the Carver Jones Foundation,” Harris said Wednesday.
birminghamwatch.org
Carver Jones Market cuts ribbon for soft opening of grocery in Titusville - BirminghamWatch
The store officially has a grand opening Sept. 19 to serve one of Birmingham’s many food deserts.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I think today's the day I finally realized you can only hope Birmingham believes it deserves better for so long before you realize it doesn't necessarily want that (or to support efforts to lead in that direction). Yep.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Sharing one more time since seeing our totals rise would make me happy on my birthday… seriously!
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Yep.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Any help you can provide for us at @bhamwatch.bsky.social as we work to wrap up our summer campaign would be greatly appreciated!
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I'm going to need to find someone to talk through my experience watching The Rivals of Amziah King. It was good, but there's a lot to suss through. I'm totally saying it's Southern Gothic.
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Reposted by André Natta
BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
We've recently made some tweaks to our donation platform in time for an ambitious summer fundraising campaign. Click through to learn more about the changes and how you can help us continue our work.
birminghamwatch.org
A Better, Simpler Way to Give: Updates to Our Donation Page - BirminghamWatch
A note about our redesigned online giving experience as BW continues its summer fundraising campaign.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
In case you forgot, there's a special congressional primary being held in Alabama next week. I recently sat down with the fine folks at WBHM to discuss it and the voter guide @bhamwatch.bsky.social produced in advance of it. (If nothing else, it is a rare audio appearance by yours truly.)
wbhm.org
Some Alabama voters will go to the polls next week. Here's what you need to know
Alabama will hold a special primary election in four congressional districts on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Two of those districts cover the Birmingham area.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Finally got to give the order to make the change. I hope we've done right by folks in the process. Check it out!
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Reposted by André Natta
John R. Bennett @johnreidbennett.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
City of Tybee Island Mayor Brian West on the beach this morning asking federal government to help fund beach renourishment, as it has done since 1970s. Funding was withheld for first time this year.
A photo of a press conference by Tybee Island mayor on the beach.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
What. A. Match. Wow
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
😱😱😱
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
An unplanned view during an unexpected portion of travel. Deep breaths.
A view from Gate A74 at Detroit's airport as the sun sets on Jul. 10, 2026.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I'll be honest, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel hopping into one of these at Fordham Rd. for the first time. It'll be fun.
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Reposted by André Natta
BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
It's Budget Week in Birmingham as the City Council takes up items to wrap up the current fiscal year (which ends tomorrow) and to prepare for fiscal 2027. Otherwise, it's pretty quiet around here...
birminghamwatch.org
Monday Morning Watch | Week of Jun. 29, 2026 - BirminghamWatch
BirminghamWatch's weekly rundown of public meetings and agendas in the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Yesterday was a battle with some… difficult vines and whatnot attempting to keep the other plants from enjoying their space (and a lot of cutting back of hydrangea elsewhere in the property). The hat wave shows a lot of this down for the next few days. It's a great stress reliever though…
A pile of vines sit at the top of a slight incline, visible in front of a stacked stone wall along the side of a house.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Today's long hike took me back to Ruffner Mountain. The left knee was not happy, but the soul was.
A portion of the Possum Loop trail at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve as it appeared on June 27, 2026. Some longer portions of fallen trees sit over the path.
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Reposted by André Natta
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Crocheted canopy for shade in public space, created by 40 local women of Cartaya, Spain #WomensArt
Three photos of a crocheted canopy stretched over a street in many circular patterns and colours
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Reposted by André Natta
BirminghamWatch @bhamwatch.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
This week's Monday Morning Watch includes an interesting consent item that suggests things are starting to pick up even more in Fountain Heights + Druid Hills.
birminghamwatch.org
Monday Morning Watch | Week of Jun. 22, 2026 - BirminghamWatch
BirminghamWatch's weekly rundown of public meetings and agendas in the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County.
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Reposted by André Natta
John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 21/06/2026
And thus South Carolina begins its descent into licentiousness and anarchy scdailygazette.com/2026/06/17/s...
scdailygazette.com
SC law legalizes pinball for youth, ending decades-old prohibition • SC Daily Gazette
The law was never enforced, but supporters said it caused anxiety for otherwise rule-abiding business owners.
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Reposted by André Natta
The City Reporter @thecityreporter.nyc · 21/06/2026
A plan from Vanderbilt University would expand NYC Health + Hospitals pharmacies to serve New Yorkers on Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, while shoring up independent drug stores with price discounts.
buff.ly
Mamdani Meds? Think Tank Pitches City-Owned Pharmacies to Lower Drug Prices
Never mind city-owned groceries. A plan from Vanderbilt University would expand NYC Health + Hospitals pharmacies to serve New Yorkers on Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, while shoring up…
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Reposted by André Natta
SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️‍⚧️ @skwinnicki.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Both totally unnecessary and extremely funny that the Guardian has an interactive graphic for you to change the color of the US flag's blue to the color of the Reflecting Pool from 8 to 19 June and counting
Screenshot of the article's graphic, showing color swatches derived from the Earthcam archive, illustration the color of the reflecting pool calibrated against satellite imagery, from 8 June to 19 June 2026. I chose yesterday, 19 June, so it rendered the US American flag with a green hue instead of blue.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
It's been said that football is a religion in the South. I'll go a bit further and say that sport is religion, religion is politics, and politics is sport.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
I mean, there *was* baseball today and they even got a mascot race. Oh yeah, "Hello, Pittsburgh (+ #INNDays26)!"
Picture of "Raise the Jolly Roger" located just outside PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
This was fun (and a reminder of how much I enjoy cooking).
Shrimp and grits with pimento cheese and roasted okra in a white bowl sitting on a green-tiled kitchen countertop. It was tasty.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
😱 🏀 🗽
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Next week marks the first multi-day business trip of 2026 after a few months of recovery from some unexpected head trauma. It's also the first of two chances to take part in conversations that have been top of mind for a few years now.
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Reposted by André Natta
ContempraInn 🌹 @contemprainn.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Pink Magnolias 🌸
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The good thing about the rain. The way the week's started, there's going to be a lot of yard work in the early evening.
A bright gree hosta in full bloom with pinkish purple flowers with red stones underneath. A rose bush sits to its left.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Honestly, Bryant Park makes a lot more sense as a location.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
It's amazing just how insane the bot attacks are getting on @bhamwatch.bsky.social. Currently, it's a big one originating from Singapore... Not much to do right now, but it's kind of sad.
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Reposted by André Natta
Alabama Reflector @alabamareflector.com · 03/06/2026
BREAKING via Anna Barrett: The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday evening allowed Alabama to use a 2023 congressional map, reversing a lower court’s ruling that repeatedly deemed the map racially discriminatory.
alabamareflector.com
Supreme Court allows Alabama to use 2023 congressional map in August special primary | Alabama Reflector
The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday evening allowed Alabama to use a 2023 congressional map, reversing a lower court’s ruling that repeatedly deemed the map racially discriminatory. In an unsigned 6-3 decision on the case known as Allen v. Milligan, the court wrote that the lower court’s map would not be “more convenient” for Alabama than […]
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
…and this is why I never ever take @karlthefog.bsky.social for granted
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I didn't get much sleep last night after I woke up to the sound of gunfire just outside the house. I assumed when I didn't see anything else happen that maybe it wasn't actually gunfire. Yeah, at least six police cars have been in front of our house for at least the last hour…
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Reposted by André Natta
Oliver Darcy @oliverdarcy.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Scott Pelley has provided @status.news a statement blasting current CBS News management and even accusing them of having tried (and failed) to "inject falsehoods and bias" into his stories. www.status.news/p/scott-pell...
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Nonprofits and cultural institutions across the country are facing an uncertain future (including the one where I serve as ED & CEO). Add the National Symphony Orchestra to that list. Check out this note from Ben Folds.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
It's always interesting to see who reads the headline only versus who actually reads the story. You can always tell, too. Always.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Today, I remember some advice I used to be better at acting upon—sometimes, you need to go and listen to what those who came before have to say to you.
View from Oak Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama, looking towards the former Bellsouth building in the central business district to the south. Several mature trees in full bloom are in midfield with several older headstones placed throughout.View from Oak Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama, looking towards the north. Several mature trees in full bloom are in midfield with several older headstones placed throughout. The top of a stone building is visible in the distance slightly to the left of center.
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Reposted by André Natta
Alabama Reflector @alabamareflector.com · 29/05/2026
Via Andrea Tinker: U.S. District Judge Edmund LaCour Jr. wrote that UA’s decision to suspend Alice, a magazine targeted at women, and Nineteen Fifty-Six, which covered issues related to UA’s Black student community, did not amount to viewpoint discrimination. ow.ly/uisw50Z5nJ0
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NPR @npr.org · 27/05/2026
At least 18 NPR journalists have accepted buyouts and another 10 have been laid off as the public media network attempts to save money and reorganize the newsroom. n.pr/3RxYWqE
n.pr
NPR's newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs
At least 18 NPR journalists have accepted buyouts and another 10 have been laid off as the public media network attempts to save money and reorganize the newsroom.
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André Natta @acnatta.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
💔
whyy.org
Gretjen Clausing, founder of PhillyCAM, has died
Clausing founded PhillyCAM in 2009 to put media production into the hands of all Philadelphians.
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Reposted by André Natta
Alabama Reflector @alabamareflector.com · 26/05/2026
BREAKING via Anna Barrett: A three-judge panel on Tuesday morning blocked Alabama from using a 2023 congressional map the panel ruled racially discriminatory and ordered the state to use a remedial map aimed at giving Black Alabamians a chance to elect their preferred leaders.
alabamareflector.com
Federal judges block Alabama's use of 2023 congressional map | Alabama Reflector
The court ruled that the purpose of the map "was to distribute Black voters across districts to dilute their votes."
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Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
This is completely deranged: Iran is required to play games in the US but ISN’T ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY OVERNIGHT. They will instead have to fly back to Mexico. www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Sheinbaum said her government had been approached by Fifa after the US made it clear it did not want Iran's squad to stay in the country during the tournament.
"We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum said.
"The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there.
"So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?' And we said: 'Yes, no problem.' We have no problem."
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PBS News @pbsnews.org · 25/05/2026
The travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called "sanctuary cities" in a move that could jeopardize international flights. to.pbs.org/4du9mjA
pbs.org
Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports
The travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary ci...
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Erin Kissane @kissane.myatproto.social · 22/05/2026
I would not myself call this "deleting 15 years of data" when talking about an agency that holds crucial datasets going back decades because I don't like giving people heart attacks, but obviously it's not good.
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