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Alex Boyd

@alexboyd.bsky.social
9.2K followers 573 following 1.3K posts

Senior reporter, provincial affairs. CBC Calgary. Formerly: Toronto Star investigations. Interested in: Misinformation, politics, culture. Signal: alexboyd.56 alex.boyd@cbc.ca

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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Heather Campbell @thatheatherc.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Albertans are voting on October 19. Here's a "what you need to know guide", that's translated into several languages for Calgary. 🗳 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... With appreciation to @calgaryhester.bsky.social. 🎨
cbc.ca
Want a simple, visual guide to the 2026 Alberta referendum? Download it here | CBC News
CBC News created this simple guide in collaboration with several community media organizations. Feel free to share with anyone who needs it.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Hello, fellow Albertans: this is such a handy guide to the reporting CBC has done on all *ten* referendum questions, all compiled in one place by @joeldryden.bsky.social and Rukhsar Ali. (Alt headline: one link to send those who don't know there are other Qs on the ballot) www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
A guide to the 10 questions in Alberta's Oct. 19 referendum | CBC News
CBC News breaks down each of the referendum questions to help voters prepare to mark the 10 ballots.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Bill Mudron @mudron.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Dr Lindsay Tedds @lindsaytedds.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Last summer, I spotted a roof rat three times in our backyard in Calgary. The Rat Control guy (who looked exactly like Adam Driver) took me seriously because I called it a roof rat that what we would have in BC urban areas. We never caught it and he assumed it likely hitched a ride from BC.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One of my favourite interview anecdotes from the last couple of years was the government person that pointed out that reported rat sightings in Alberta are (uniquely?) unreliable because so few people in Alberta can accurately identify one. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Alberta’s self-image as world’s only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat
Province’s rat patrol called in to investigate as town of Bowden announces discovery of dead vermin
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Not sure which article you read, but this one says that Janet Brown, arguably the best known pollster in Alberta, found that support was 27 per cent in the spring and, after months of hard campaigning, is now at 23 per cent.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
👀 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
With time running out, new poll suggests Alberta separatism support is slipping | CBC News
With a little more than three weeks to go until the Oct. 19 referendum, a new poll done for CBC News suggests support for separation has softened since spring.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Tim Querengesser @timquerengesser.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Agree. There's this theory outside Alberta, and even within, that dismissal is all you need and poof, problem solved. And when separatists read this, they double down on wanting to separate. They want to be *recognized* not dismissed. This is Canada's challenge. Dismissal ain't going to work.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
NEW: One UCP riding association wants a leadership review for Danielle Smith. A similar move was the first domino that ultimately cut short Jason Kenney’s leadership in 2022. So watch if this becomes a trend. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
UCP riding group demands leadership review as separatist leader criticizes Danielle Smith's unity stance | CBC News
To force a party vote on the premier's leadership, 22 riding associations would need to make same request.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Excited to be on West of Centre this week which is still a podcast but also now on the radio!! (Topic: what is up with the pro-federalist side on Alberta’s referendum.)
Kathleen petty and Matt Scace sitting in a CBC radio studio.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Booking a campsite in Canada has become a nightmare in the last few years and I inhaled every word of this, oh my god. thewalrus.ca/the-ticketma...
thewalrus.ca
The Ticketmaster of Camping: A US Company Is Raking In Millions in Fees | The Walrus
Long queues. Rising prices. What’s a hike worth in a Canadian park?
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Adam MacVicar @adammacvicar.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Former Alberta premier Kenney links stunning UCP byelection loss to separation vote globalnews.ca/news/1206000...
globalnews.ca
Former Alberta premier Kenney links stunning UCP byelection loss to separation vote | Globalnews.ca
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney is linking the governing United Conservative Party's stunning byelection loss in Calgary to the province's looming vote on separation.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Everyone is (rightfully, probably) focused on Alberta's separation referendum question, but there are nine (!) other questions also being asked. This is an immensely helpful explainer on the first of the immigration questions. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | What you need to know before voting on Alberta’s pitch for more control over immigration | CBC News
Alberta's first of five immigration-related questions in the Oct. 19 referendum pitches more provincial control over immigration.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This by-election in Calgary’s deep suburbs, in a seat UCP won last time by 14%, had potential to become either a clear warning about Danielle Smith and referendum politics in urban Alberta, or about the NDP leadership of Naheed Nenshi. And well whaddya know. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta NDP win in Calgary-Shaw byelection | CBC News
Unofficial results from Elections Alberta show NDP candidate Kyle Campbell has won Calgary-Shaw by a margin of 582 votes over the UCP's Mike Derry.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Now that I'm back in an in-person newsroom I sometimes worry that five years of working from home made me weird but also how long do I have to work here before I can bring my Writing Blanket to work?
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This is SUCH great news for West of Centre, CBC's podcast about all things Alberta/western politics, that is becoming a national radio show starting this Sunday. So excited for @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, Diane Yanko and the rest of the (expanded) team! www.podcastnewsdaily.com/news/cbc-s-f...
podcastnewsdaily.com
CBC’s Fall Schedule Gives Podcasts A New Home On The Radio Dial.
CBC is increasingly treating audio as a two-way street, moving radio programming into podcast feeds while bringing established podcasts onto its national broadcast schedule. This fall, “West of Centre...
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Former Alberta premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney spoke with the TMU Democracy Forum about why they’ve teamed up to oppose the separation referendum in October. cpac.ca/public-recor...
cpac.ca
Alberta’s Political Future: Ex-premiers Notley and Kenney Speak
As part of the TMU Democracy Forum, former Alberta premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney speak about their province’s political future with Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn. (September 10, 20...
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Just voiced my first radio story since approximately journalism school.
A microphone and a computer in a radio booth.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
eric gonzalez juenke @egojunk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I love this so much. People who never read horoscopes do not have a personality aligned with their sign. People who read them every day kind of do.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
David William @nrvscrcts.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
An important read on how social media's domination by separatists may increase their voter turnout for the referendum. #abpoli #cdnpoli
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
First byline for CBC! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Online Alberta referendum conversation driven by separatists: study | CBC News
Debate about Alberta independence is dominated by a loose network of citizens, advocates and anonymous social media accounts. Some of whom are also selling home decor.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Derek Fildebrandt guest-posting on Paul Wells' Substack; Alberta separatism makes for odd bedfellows, episode 934735 paulwells.substack.com/p/derek-fild...
paulwells.substack.com
Derek Fildebrandt: Bertasplaining independence to the Rest of Canada
In a guest column, the Western Standard publisher explains why he’s voting to Leave
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Looking forward to being part of this panel on AI and Misinformation in the Media put on by the Calgary chapter of the Canadian International Council this Thursday. Sign up to join here: thecic.org/event/cic-ca...
thecic.org
CIC Calgary | AI and Misinformation in the Media - Canadian International Council
A panel discussion hosted by Diya Jiang (UofC), with Alex Boyd (Toronto Star), Chris Ross (McGill University, Media Ecosystem Observatory), and Haris Amiri (Content Intelligence at Ground News) Join u...
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I am getting caught back up after five days in the backcountry so am late to this but... interesting update!! pressprogress.ca/exclusive-fo...
pressprogress.ca
Exclusive: Former BC Conservative Staffer Alleges Questionable Conduct, Racial Discrimination From Former Party Chief of Staff
Apollo Chung says he has filed a complaint with BC's Human Rights Tribunal.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Personal update: Friday was my last day at the Toronto Star. Feeling all sorts of feelings about leaving the place where I came of age professionally, and I’m so grateful for all I learned from so many smart, determined colleagues. But change is good and I’m very excited to be back in...
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
An update on this from @alexboyd.bsky.social and me: Further ties have emerged between the separatist Republican Party of Alberta and the top levels of the B.C. Conservative Party, deepening a political relationship that has raised eyebrows in the west. Story: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
thestar.com
This B.C. party’s deepening ties to Alberta’s separatist movement raise eyebrows in the west
Jake Bregolisse is the second B.C. Conservative hire with links to the separatist Republican Party of Alberta, deepening controversial western ties.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Personal update: Friday was my last day at the Toronto Star. Feeling all sorts of feelings about leaving the place where I came of age professionally, and I’m so grateful for all I learned from so many smart, determined colleagues. But change is good and I’m very excited to be back in...
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"Their hydronyms" is a legitimately funny punchline.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Generative AI needs to be *much* more expensive.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
What is happening globalnews.ca/news/1203405...
globalnews.ca
Notley, Kenney join forces to co-chair business campaign against Alberta separation | Globalnews.ca
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says former premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley are co-chairing its campaign to keep the country united.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 24/08/2026
This chart got a lot of response when I posted it a couple of months ago, so I kept digging beyond just Calgary. Turns out the Alberta-wide data tells much the same story, which I think helps explain the province’s recent mood. I fleshed out my thoughts here. Would be interested in yours!
robsonfletcher.com
Why Albertans don't feel as rich as they are · Robson Fletcher
Two decades of astounding growth have been followed by a decade of decline and stagnation. That affects the psyche.
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Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
fantastic timeline we're in
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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Premier Danielle Smith says if Albertans favour separation in the October referendum, consultations with First Nations would take about 2.5 months and a second, **binding** referendum on secession could happen early next year. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
theglobeandmail.com
Smith says Alberta could have a binding referendum on secession in early 2027
If Albertans vote in October to begin the process, Premier estimates she can hold consultations with First Nations in 2.5 months
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Goodport (GP) @goodport.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
#FridayFunDay #fridayfunnies #funnymemes
What is cooler than brains under the influence of books?
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Mattea Roach @mattearoach.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Honestly this rocks lol, who amongst us hasn’t spent some quality time in nature and thought about how maybe we don’t want to return to our jobs after all
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Obsessed with this controversy. Would watch a full documentary on how exactly the course ended up 674.7 metres too long and the conversation behind closed doors when they got busted by everyone's smartwatches. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Edmonton Marathon apologizes, says detour error lengthened 2026 race distances | CBC News
Two days after runners completed the Edmonton Marathon, the race director is apologizing after he says event officials discovered an error in accounting for detours that led to race courses being too ...
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
There's been worry about separatist funding and why there isn't more scrutiny. I get that! It's important! I'd add that media writes what we know, not what we speculate, and this stuff is hard to pin down. Here's a non-comprehensive list of things @emmamci.bsky.social and I did for this story:
thestar.com
A mysterious cash surge for Alberta’s separatist party is tied to out-of-province donors
A Toronto Star investigation reveals some of the biggest donations to the Republican Party of Alberta appear to come from B.C. political insiders.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Perry King @kngprry.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Excellent excellent work by my former colleagues @emmamci.bsky.social and @alexboyd.bsky.social. READ THIS. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
A mysterious cash surge for Alberta’s separatist party is tied to out-of-province donors
A Toronto Star investigation reveals some of the biggest donations to the Republican Party of Alberta appear to come from B.C. political insiders.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
There's been worry about separatist funding and why there isn't more scrutiny. I get that! It's important! I'd add that media writes what we know, not what we speculate, and this stuff is hard to pin down. Here's a non-comprehensive list of things @emmamci.bsky.social and I did for this story:
thestar.com
A mysterious cash surge for Alberta’s separatist party is tied to out-of-province donors
A Toronto Star investigation reveals some of the biggest donations to the Republican Party of Alberta appear to come from B.C. political insiders.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This story from @alexboyd.bsky.social and @emmamci.bsky.social is a weird one. #GiftLink 🎁 #abpoli #ableg #bcpoli #cdnpoli www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...
Former B.C. NDP strategist Bill Tieleman told the Star the apparent crossover between Alberta separatism and British Columbia politics is unexpected given that some of those involved used to work for progressive parties.

“The idea of some connection between that kind of a background and separatism in Alberta strikes me as extremely strange,” Tieleman said, referring to Chung and Zapryanova’s history with the NDP and other progressive organizations in British Columbia. He says he was aware of both during their time with the NDP, though knew neither well.

“You get people who switch parties, as we’ve seen federally recently,” he said. “But separatism is a very big ditch to get through.”
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · 11/08/2026
this is a wild investigation — two Vancity employees (one current, one former) with very progressive resumes donated $5k to the Alberta separatist party & are linked to Apollo Chung, a separatist & ops director for the B.C. Conservative Party
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Elaine Hyshka @ehyshka.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
apple.news/ALCJqlGMNR4-...
apple.news
A mysterious cash surge for Alberta’s separatist party is tied to out-of-province donors — Toronto Star
Party backers are supposed to live in the province when they contribute. Donations in 2025 were apparently made by B.C. residents.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Truly, god bless the comms people who have emailed me twice (two times!) to ask if a paper that was shuttered seven years ago can sponsor their upcoming event.
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Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Latest w/ @alexboyd.bsky.social on the separatist Republican Party of Alberta: A Star analysis shows apparent irregularities in the party's 2025 donations - including four that appear to come from B.C. donors. And then it gets weirder. (gift link in next post) www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
A mysterious cash surge for Alberta’s separatist party is tied to out-of-province donors
A Toronto Star investigation reveals some of the biggest donations to the Republican Party of Alberta appear to come from B.C. political insiders.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Distrust of news media driven by political messaging? Yep.👇 See: www.niemanlab.org/2026/08/is-a... "...the decline in public trust in the media was both preceded by & driven by attacks on the press by political elites..." Criticism of press "has become a decidedly conservative behavior."
niemanlab.org
Is Americans’ declining trust in media driven by political messaging?
A massive analysis of every speech given on the floors of Congress between 1939 and 2023 finds that criticism of the news media is remarkably tied to specific partisan interests and historical moments...
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I was recently out for a walk in my local park, which is always full of birders, and I saw a guy with a giant camera looking enraptured so I asked him what the bird was and he pointed to the RACCOON looking at me from inside a dead tree. Calgary is not prepared. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
The next Toronto? Reports of urban raccoons on the rise in Calgary | CBC News
Raccoons are seldom seen in most of Alberta, where harsh winters and abundant predators are among the challenges they face. But according to pest control professionals and wildlife biologists, sightin...
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Adam R Houston @healthlawadamh.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Health Canada has long had an odd relationship with caffeine in carbonated beverages, it must be said. "Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can lead to ‘wide-awake drunk’ danger. So why did Health Canada drop warning labels?" c/o @alexboyd.bsky.social www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can lead to ‘wide-awake drunk’ danger. So why did Health Canada drop warning labels?
Regulator removed warning labels on mixing energy drinks and alcohol. An investigation reveals Red Bull-funded studies played a role.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can lead to ‘wide-awake drunk’ danger. So why did Health Canada drop warning labels? by @alexboyd.bsky.social www.thestar.com/news/investi... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can lead to ‘wide-awake drunk’ danger. So why did Health Canada drop warning labels?
Regulator removed warning labels on mixing energy drinks and alcohol. An investigation reveals Red Bull-funded studies played a role.
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Sasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
How research funded by Red Bull helped convince Health Canada to remove warning labels against mixing energy drinks with alcohol @alexboyd.bsky.social leads the Sunday front page of @thestar.com, in the latest big story in the #BehindtheBuzz investigation w the @theexamination.org
thestar.com
Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can lead to ‘wide-awake drunk’ danger. So why did Health Canada drop warning labels?
Regulator removed warning labels on mixing energy drinks and alcohol. An investigation reveals Red Bull-funded studies played a role.
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Reposted by Alex Boyd
Jeromy Farkas @jeromyyyc.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
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