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Chris Kromm

@chriskromm.bsky.social
432 followers 225 following 41 posts

Director, Institute for Southern Studies | Publisher, Facing South

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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Check out our Executive Director's, @chriskromm.bsky.social recent appearance on Headlights: Voices from the Progressive South!
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
The Progressive South @progsouth.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This week: How FEMA has failed North Carolina. We talk to @chriskromm.bsky.social of @southernstudies.bsky.social about his article for Facing South and The Nation that exposes Trump's broken promises — and serves as a warning to the rest of the country.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Read my full investigation published by @thenation.com and @southernstudies.bsky.social here: www.facingsouth.org/2026/09/two-...
facingsouth.org
Two years after Helene: Western NC struggles to rebuild amid FEMA turmoil and the missing "recovery czar"
North Carolina has become a testing ground for an eviscerated FEMA under Trump. It could also be a political liability for missing-in-action “recovery czar” and GOP U.S. Senate hopeful and Michael Wha...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Whatley's lack of leadership is part of a bigger story. As of July, NC had been allocated about $9.3B in federal Helene aid against $60B in estimated damage. FEMA lost 4,300+ personnel since Jan. 2025. Tens of thousands of homes still need repair. #Helene #TwoYears #NCPOL
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I asked three other mayors: Boone, Asheville and Canton. None said Whatley had reached out. We also sought records from 17 counties. Of the 14 that replied, 11 had no record of Whatley reaching out about Helene from Jan. 2025 to June 2026. #Helene #TwoYears #ncpol
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
In Marshall, NC, Hurricane Helene's floodwaters swept away 10 downtown buildings in 2024. This summer, I asked the mayor if Michael Whatley — whom Trump said would be "very much in charge" of recovery — had reached out or played a role in rebuilding. He said no. #ncpol
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Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“Durham is this growing, prosperous place and really what our data was showing is that there’s so many people that are falling behind amid this growing wealth,” @chriskromm.bsky.social said.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Durham Dreams brought together 150+ people this weekend to envision a safer and more just future for the city. This story also highlights @southernstudies.bsky.social research on how Durham's wealthy institutions can ensure better jobs, schools and housing. dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
dukechronicle.com
At Durham community gathering, residents demand Duke contribute more to city
Over 150 people gathered at a rally hosted by Durham workers, unions and community groups Saturday to urge Duke to increase its financial contributions to Durham. Specific demands included raising the...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
@chrislhayes.bsky.social @wunc.org @ncnewsline.com @blueridgepublic.bsky.social @democracynow.org @carolinaforward.bsky.social
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Read our full investigation at @thenation.com and Facing South:
facingsouth.org
Two years after Helene: Western NC struggles to rebuild amid FEMA turmoil and the missing "recovery czar"
North Carolina has become a testing ground for an eviscerated FEMA under Trump. It could also be a political liability for missing-in-action “recovery czar” and GOP U.S. Senate hopeful and Michael Wha...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Western North Carolina’s experience is a warning for communities nationwide. As Jon Council of @downhomenc.bsky.social told me: “Folks need to pay attention to how [the Helene] recovery has gone, because this may be the playbook that we’re looking at for a lot of future disasters.”
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Then there’s Michael Whatley, whom Trump said would be “very much in charge” of Helene recovery. We interviewed four western NC mayors; all said Whatley had not reached out to them about recovery. Of 14 counties responding to our public records requests, 11 found no record of outreach from him.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
As western NC struggles to rebuild, FEMA has been severely weakened. Since Trump returned to office, the agency has lost 4,300+ personnel, including more than half its senior executives; cycled through five administrators; and faced major delays in disaster grants and declarations. #helene
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The scale of the federal shortfall is striking. As of July, NC had received about $9.3 billion in federal funding for Helene recovery, covering less than 16% of the storm’s estimated $60 billion in damages. After Sandy, federal aid covered 78% of estimated damages; after Katrina, 73%. #ncpol #fema
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Last week, Facing South and @thenation.com published my six-month investigation into Hurricane Helene recovery in WNC, two years after the storm. We found billions in unmet recovery needs, deep turmoil at FEMA, and new questions about “recovery czar” Michael Whatley. @southernstudies.bsky.social
facingsouth.org
Two years after Helene: Western NC struggles to rebuild amid FEMA turmoil and the missing "recovery czar"
North Carolina has become a testing ground for an eviscerated FEMA under Trump. It could also be a political liability for missing-in-action “recovery czar” and GOP U.S. Senate hopeful and Michael Wha...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Unions made slight gains in the South last year, mirroring national trends. But the share of Southern workers in unions is still less than half of the union density found in the rest of the country. My new analysis at southernstudies.bksy.social: www.facingsouth.org/2026/04/unio...
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Support fearless reporting and a powerful voice for change in the South — donate to our spring fundraiser today! www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
It's been 18 months since Hurricane Helene stormed through the South. Western North Carolina is still rebuilding, and meager federal funding and FEMA chaos has slowed the recovery. A by-the-numbers look by @chriskromm.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2026/03/inst...
facingsouth.org
INSTITUTE INDEX: FEMA chaos and North Carolina's Helene recovery
18 months after Hurricane Helene stormed through the South, the recovery in western North Carolina is seeing progress. But federal support has been small compared to other disasters, and chaos at…
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The South's political clout is growing: @chriskromm.bsky.social looks at new data showing Southern states could gain up to 9 Congressional seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count:
facingsouth.org
South’s national political clout projected to grow after 2030 census
New Census Bureau data suggests that population growth in Southern states will lead to significant gains in U.S. House seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count. But the Trump…
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Radley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
ICE has arrested and detained a Nashville journalist who reported stories critical of ICE. She’s married to a U.S. citizen and has been seeking asylum here after fleeing death threats in Colombia because of her journalism there. They’ve already sent her to Louisiana.
nashvillebanner.com
ICE detains reporter Estefany Rodríguez in Nashville - Nashville Banner
Reporter Estefany Rodríguez, detained by ICE with no arrest warrant, may face deportation. Her attorneys seek immediate review of the legality of her case.
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Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
This week's primaries made clear: Texas is a key battleground. The national importance of Texas and other Southern states is already growing. @chriskromm.bsky.social looks at new projections into the South's growing clout as we head towards the 2030 census: www.facingsouth.org/2026/03/sout...
facingsouth.org
South’s national political clout projected to grow after 2030 census
New Census Bureau data suggests that population growth in Southern states will lead to significant gains in U.S. House seats and Electoral College votes after the 2030 census count. But the Trump admi...
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Remember when Trump yanked funds from Mississippi after learning that the state's welfare chief had directed millions in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to sports celebrities, including not only Brett Favre, but the Million Dollar man and his two pro-wrestler sons? Wait. He didn't.
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Institute for Southern Studies @southernstudies.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Who is making big money on ICE and Border Patrol contracts? In the 2nd installment in our series at Facing South, @chriskromm.bsky.social details 58 companies in Georgia that stand to receive $10 billion from 2025-2026 fiscal year contracts alone. www.facingsouth.org/2026/01/geor...
facingsouth.org
Georgia companies poised to bring in $10 billion from ICE and Border Patrol contracts
As public outrage mounts over federal immigration operations, new analysis shows a key Southern state is home to companies that could bring in more than $10 billion to assist Border Patrol and ICE.
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Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Imagine how much they’d be lying about what happened without all the videos showing it from multiple angles.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Can’t wait to see how many right-wingers get fired for making hideous comments about the people killed in Minneapolis.
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 24/01/2026
NEW VIDEO: this appears to be the footage from the woman in the pink coat.
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Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
"Just stay cool and don't make trouble until the midterms" is not going to cut it as an opposition response to a murderous regime whose masked thugs are killing people in the streets and then attempting to round up witnesses and destroy evidence.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Who's making big money off ICE and Border Patrol contracts? After recent operations in Charlotte and New Orleans, I looked at the top contractors in Louisiana and North Carolina for @southernstudies.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
facingsouth.org
Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I recently talked to Tram Nguyen of @newvamajority.bsky.social about lessons from last November's elections in Virginia and what progressives are planning for 2026. See my interview for @southernstudies.bsky.social here: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
facingsouth.org
Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
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Reposted by Chris Kromm
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 22/12/2025
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
muellershewrote.com
WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
facingsouth.org
Montgomery Bus Boycott
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
What's next for progressives in Virginia after their big wins in the 2025 elections? I talked with Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority for @southernstudies.bsky.social about key lessons from 2025, and their plans for moving a bold agenda in 2026: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
facingsouth.org
Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
New at @southernstudies.bsky.social: Who's making money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts in Louisiana and North Carolina? A look at $340 million worth of contracts in the wake of Border Patrol's immigration actions in LA and NC: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
facingsouth.org
Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
facingsouth.org
Montgomery Bus Boycott
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
From Georgia to Virginia, the 2025 elections revealed a data center backlash. 40% of centers are in the South, with many more on the way, straining land, water & energy resources. My by-the-numbers look for @southernstudies.bsky.social at the growing opposition: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
facingsouth.org
Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
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The Downballot @the-downballot.com · 10/12/2025
BREAKING: Democrats have flipped a conservative state House seat in Georgia in yet another upset. It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero. Read our complete writeup here -->
the-downballot.com
Breaking: Georgia Democrats flip conservative seat in yet another upset
That's 25 pickups for Democrats nationwide this year—and zero for Republicans
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
SCOOP — Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary ‘2000 Mules’ with Dinesh D’Souza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery. My story:
thehandbasket.co
Conspiracy theorist election denier given FEMA’s second-most important role
Gregg Phillips will lead the Office of Response and Recovery, “the heart of what FEMA does.”
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Democrats flip Miami mayor’s office, winning control for first time in nearly 30 years
thehill.com
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Best self-editing advice I ever received (from my mom). Read it out loud!
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Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
#BREAKING: Over dissents from the three democratic appointees, #SCOTUS puts Texas's new House maps back into effect for (and, presumably, through) the 2026 midterms. The three Democratic appointees, in an opinion by Justice Kagan, dissent. I'll post the ruling shortly.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
It's that time of year: Support an independent voice for change in the South! #GivingTuesday2025 www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
The data center backlash, by the numbers. The 2025 elections in Georgia and Virginia revealed growing push-back to data centers, especially due to rising energy demands. Via @southernstudies.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
facingsouth.org
Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
My latest, about @siembranc.bsky.social and how they organized in North Carolina to counter Operation Charlotte's Web and Border Patrol's latest anti-immigrant crackdown, co-published in @thenation.com and @southernstudies.bsky.social www.thenation.com/article/poli...
thenation.com
How North Carolina Rose Up Against Trump’s Latest Anti-Immigrant Crackdown
“Operation Charlotte’s Web” may mobilize North Carolina’s working-class Latino members and allies to shift the political balance of power at the local, state, and national levels.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security's "Charlotte's Web" operation in North Carolina, a look at the top contracts being carried out in the state for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) @southernstudies.bsky.social
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Press conference this evening in Durham, NC led by @siembranc.bsky.social in response to arrival of ICE in the city. Strong showing of elected officials and faith leaders condemning ICE’s secretive attacks on schools and businesses in the area.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
A key issue animating the 2025 elections in the South: data centers, and their growing pressures on land, water, and especially energy. Virginia has the most centers in the country, and Georgia ranks 7th.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Key elections in the South, via @southernstudies.bsky.social here: www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
facingsouth.org
Key Southern elections to watch in 2025
This election season, voters will decide the political direction of Virginia, elect key members of a Georgia commission shaping energy policy, and elect mayors in many of the South's biggest cities.
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
North Carolina has been pulled into the national redistricting wars. Watch/read our @southernstudies.bsky.social interview with Tyler Daye at @commoncausenc.bsky.social breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here #ncpol #ncga www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
facingsouth.org
NC and the redistricting wars: An interview with Tyler Daye
As North Carolina gets dragged into the national congressional redistricting wars, Facing South talked with democracy advocate Tyler Daye about how we got here, and the road ahead for redistricting re...
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Chris Kromm @chriskromm.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Key elections to watch in the South this week - my latest at facingsouth.bsky.social www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
facingsouth.org
Key Southern elections to watch in 2025
This election season, voters will decide the political direction of Virginia, elect key members of a Georgia commission shaping energy policy, and elect mayors in many of the South's biggest cities.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 31/10/2025
one of the things i think is that policies answer the question of “what will you do” but they don’t answer the question of “why should i vote for you” and i think there is a tendency in this broad conversation to equate the two
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