Sign in

Lois Norder

@gainvestigate.bsky.social
835 followers 509 following 5.3K posts

Investigations editor in Atlanta. The devil's in the details.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Lois Norder
Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 10h
WaPo - More than a year after the Trump administration attempted to dismantle Voice of America, it is paying an estimated $1.6 million a week to keep 420 of its staffers on administrative leave. wapo.st/4j1UpbF
wapo.st
Trump administration is paying $1.6 million a week to keep Voice of America staff on leave
Hundreds of VOA staffers have been on paid leave since the agency sidelined them in March 2025.
36642
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 5h
Musing. Since the courts have “personhood” to corporations, will they grant it to AI? What rights will AI have? Inquiring minds want to know.
000
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 12h
In early 2025, 11 of the 13 staff members at the agency that coordinates federal homelessness efforts were laid off. Early this year, staff returned after a federal court found the layoff unlawful. But they've received no direction on what they are supposed to do. www.gao.gov/products/gao...
gao.gov
U.S. GAO - U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness: Staff Placed on Administrative Leave Have Returned and Await Direction
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness—which coordinates federal efforts to address homelessness—consists of federal agency representatives (the...
022
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 14h
ICYMI: Proposal takes aim at insurance-owned and private equity-owned physician practices. While 30 states have laws restricting the corporate practice of medicine, corporations have found a way to circumvent the restrictions. www.forbes.com/sites/mayrar...
forbes.com
Banning Corporate Medicine: Stopping Private Equity's Debt Trap
The "Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act," has been introduced by Senators Warren, Merkley, Wyden, and Representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Hoyle, and Subramanyam.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 15h
The Georgia election board, controlled by election deniers, in its latest move to change the rules. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Georgia board asks Trump administration to investigate voting machines
The State Election Board's executive director, in a letter, asked the Trump administration to examine Georgia's voting machines and prohibit QR-code vote counting.
122
Reposted by Lois Norder
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 16h
Latvian officials claim Russia and Belarus are facilitating an elaborate scheme to illegally funnel migrants from the Middle East and Africa across the border into Latvia and other NATO and EU countries. They say Russia’s goal in Latvia is to stir up tensions ahead of parliamentary elections.
nyti.ms
A Front Line at the Border: How Russia Uses Migrants as Weapons Against Europe
The scheme is part of Russia’s larger strategy for sowing discord in the West, if more subtle than other recent operations blamed on the Kremlin.
1416268
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
apple.news/AVzYmvKjkT5S...
apple.news
Billionaire George Soros has donated $102 million ahead of the midterms—and now the Democrats are coming out ahead — FORTUNE
October 2, 2026, 3:05 AM ET The man who broke the Bank of England has a history of backing Democrats, to the point where right-wingers cast George Soros in conspiracy theories as a puppet mastermind c...
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
The mystery donor also has contributed to the Georgia Republican Party under a false name. apple.news/AFSSzNXXRTk6...
apple.news
Who was behind a $250K mystery donation to super PAC backing Ken Paxton? — POLITICO
The Texas Senate hopeful has ties to the donor’s family going back decades.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
The top investors in his meme coin are invited—Trump’s third major event for his crypto buyers. apple.news/AGaxZwqpyQm-...
apple.news
Trump’s “Most EXCLUSIVE DINNER IN THE WORLD” — Vox
This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
The DOJ’s move comes as states are under immense federal pressure to cut spending on Medicaid, which pays for disabled people to get many of the services they need. apple.news/AOlPmCtY2RR2...
apple.news
Trump administration reverses stance on integration of people with disabilities — NPR
Disability rights advocates are angered by the latest reversal but are rallying behind proposed legislation and working with states to strengthen protections for community integration.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
apnews.com/photo-galler...
apnews.com
Photos show Israeli settlers celebrating settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank
NOA, West Bank (AP) — Israeli settlers celebrating the holiday of Sukkot gathered this week in Noa, a newly established settlement in the occupied West Bank.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 16h
He raised more than $26 million in two months— thanks to three billionaires who gave $24 million. apnews.com/article/crow...
apnews.com
3 billionaires give Republican Tom Tiffany a big cash boost in the Wisconsin governor's race
The Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor has raised more than $26 million during the past two months, with $24 million-plus coming from just three people.
010
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 17h
The government won’t say where they were taken. apnews.com/article/egyp...
apnews.com
Egypt arrests entire editorial team of one of the country's few independent media
Egyptian authorities swept up the entire editorial team of one of the country’s few independent media, accusing them of belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
000
Reposted by Lois Norder
Military Times @militarytimes.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The U.S. is rerouting a team of “specialized” Marines from Europe to the Baltic Sea to bolster NATO-led security efforts. 🔗Link to article in comments ⬇️
Marines head to the Baltic to safeguard undersea infrastructure
394
Reposted by Lois Norder
Adam Kinzinger @adamkinzinger.substack.com · 01/10/2026
As a man of faith, I find Pete Hegseth's twisting of Scripture abhorrent. Hegseth has been citing the Bible to justify Donald Trump's illegal war, but those very same scriptures say something quite different. Let's take a look. (link below)
1461363369
Reposted by Lois Norder
Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 01/10/2026
“Right now, the public backlash is so strong against Flock, and the public is not as well aware of the concerns with Axon and some of the other surveillance companies,” EFF’s Beryl Lipton told @thorbenson.bsky.social for @prospect.org.
prospect.org
License Plate and Switch - The American Prospect
Cities are succumbing to public pressure and removing Flock license plate readers. But they are substituting alternatives with the same capabilities.
313168
Reposted by Lois Norder
Reuters @reuters.com · 01/10/2026
US housing agency internal watchdog warns budget cut will stymie its work reut.rs/4xYn9WF
reut.rs
US housing agency internal watchdog warns budget cut will stymie its work
The US Federal Housing Finance Agency's internal watchdog warned lawmakers that it will have to cut most staff and will ‌not be able to do its job of policing misconduct, after the housing regulator slashed its budget.
3165
Reposted by Lois Norder
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BREAKING WSJ: The Trump Justice Department is reviewing whether the special prosecutor's office that investigated Watergate committed misconduct. A revisionist historian went to DOJ HQ to present his case that Richard Nixon and his associates weren't treated fairly.
wsj.com
Exclusive | Decades After Watergate, Justice Department Reviews Whether Nixon Got a Raw Deal
A revisionist historian went to the DOJ headquarters to present his case that the former president and his associates weren’t treated fairly.
4961466543
Reposted by Lois Norder
Law360 @law360.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
An Eleventh Circuit panel appeared poised to reject an industry challenge to Biden-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules for providers of property-assessed clean-energy loans, repeatedly questioning claims that the agency overstepped its authority. www.law360.com/artic...
001
Reposted by Lois Norder
NBC News @nbcnews.com · 01/10/2026
Senior leaders at Customs and Border Protection were cut out of the decision to use their agency’s funds for a national ad buy featuring President Trump and learned about it from a news report, according to a DHS official.
nbcnews.to
CBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and other leaders at the agency learned from a news report that national ads highlighting Trump were paid for with CBP funds.
42818
Reposted by Lois Norder
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 01/10/2026
MN GOP House candidate William Beck: "I am personally in favor of a poll test. I know they were ruled unconstitutional, but like, everyone voting, if you have no idea what you're voting for, like, why vote? Like, you clearly don't care if you don't understand what's going on, you know what I mean?"
201544132
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A Trump Administration rule change expanded exemptions for reporting ownership information to about 99% of entities previously required to report. www.gao.gov/blog/limited...
gao.gov
Limited Corporate Transparency Opens the Door for Fraud & Other Crimes
Knowing who owns a company provides transparency into where its funds are coming from and where they are going. Sometimes, drug cartels and fraudsters may disguise a company’s ownership to help them l...
000
Reposted by Lois Norder
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 01/10/2026
"In returning to the White House press pool while CNN remains excluded, the press has repeated the cardinal sin of capitulating to a bully."
contrariannews.org
You Can Help Improve Legacy Media
🚨33 Days to the Midterms🚨
815035
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The conservative Christian Liberty University and Hillsdale College are among the 5. The others are in the Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. thehill.com/policy/defen...
thehill.com
Hegseth announces 5 new non-Ivy League partnerships
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced new Pentagon partnerships with five non-Ivy League colleges and universities Wednesday amid his ongoing efforts to distance the military from America’…
000
Reposted by Lois Norder
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“.. Seoul had expressed its regret to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ‘that what was reported today went beyond what had been agreed,’ he said.” @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
1101635572
Reposted by Lois Norder
Ora Tor @splitrailfence.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered 600 rank-and-file troops on Wednesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico to announce ... a religious affairs office that will report directly to the secretary ... Hegseth also highlighted a plan to cut 20% of the nation’s generals and admirals."
stripes.com
Hegseth returns to Quantico to lay out technology and people initiatives
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered 600 rank-and-file troops on Wednesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico to announce six initiatives.
012
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I missed this when it came out in August: Effort to flood the internet with pro-Israeli articles in order to prime chatbots to make pro-Israel arguments. responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-influ...
responsiblestatecraft.org
Israel creates fake think tank in likely attempt to dupe AI chatbots
In just over a week, the Hanover Institute has published at least 100 articles that appear tailor-made to influence chatbots
111
Reposted by Lois Norder
maggie-lee.bsky.social @maggie-lee.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
thecurrentga.org/2026/09/30/d... Yes the biggest recipients of Georgia private school voucher money are parochial schools and Amazon, same as last year Most of the parochial schools are Christian affiliated. A handful are Muslim-affiliated which is germane because …
thecurrentga.org
Demand rises in second year of Georgia school voucher program - The Current
Georgia's Promise Scholarship program saw participation increase to approximately 13,500 students for the 2026-2027 school year, following a controversial 2024 legislative expansion that allows public...
286
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Construction cost overruns at the Fed are once again in the news: Trump previously took aim at former Fed Chair Jerome Powell over cost overruns, saying if he couldn't manage the project he shouldn't manage the Fed. Original budget, $1.88 billion: constructionreviewonline.com/reasons-why-...
constructionreviewonline.com
Inside the $2.5 Billion Renovation of the Federal Reserve’s Washington Headquarters
An in-depth look at the $2.5B renovation of the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters, including scope, costs, timeline and modernization plans.
111
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Georgia allows a few selected politicians to raise unlimited campaign funds, a law the 11th Circuit had said is likely unconstitutional. But plaintiffs in previous cases dropped their cases before a final ruling. Now, the 11th Circuit is hearing a new challenge: www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Libertarian, Green parties challenge Georgia campaign law
Multiple judges have ruled leadership committees are likely illegal because they give an unfair advantage to some candidates. But the law is still on the books.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Trump Administration has now lost more than two dozen of the 30 cases it filled to try to obtain sensitive voter data. A question: If GOP candidate Rick Jackson is elected governor, will he turn over the data? Has that question been asked? www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com
Judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit seeking Georgia voter data
A federal judge says that Georgia elections officials are not required to hand over voter information being sought by the U.S. Department of Justice.
011
Reposted by Lois Norder
NPR @npr.org · 01/10/2026
The census is used to determine how much say your state has in Congress and the Electoral College. President Trump failed to alter it during his first term, but he's trying again ahead of 2030. trib.al/m96Iu6U
trib.al
COMIC: How the census gives your state power (and what Trump wants to change)
The census is used to determine how much say your state has in Congress and the Electoral College. President Trump failed to alter it during his first term, but he's trying again ahead of 2030.
813059
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Based on NYT findings. apple.news/AgT0ZVGOVSKW...
apple.news
Taxpayers Have Been Subsidizing Meta's AI Data Centers: Report — Gizmodo
Meta has been controversially taking advantage of a tax credit to build its AI data centers, the New York Times finds.
2178
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Appeals court upholds ruling that Trump colluded with DOJ is trying to get $10 billion in damages from the IRS. apple.news/AIsrGzB9lRF6...
apple.news
Appeals court backs finding Trump colluded with IRS, Treasury — The Hill
An appeals court Tuesday sided with a lower court judge who determined President Trump colluded with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in bringing and later dismissing a case seeking $10 billion in dama...
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Trump’s taxpayer-funded ads are now airing on local TV stations in Georgia. Are they running in every state or just battleground ones?
011
Reposted by Lois Norder
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I’m sorry, what? Fraternity brothers at Cornell have a practice of taking away the phones of drunk women at parties? AYFKM? www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/n...
nytimes.com
Cornell Students Question Greek Life Culture After Sexual Assault Claim
With their university under fire in the wake of a sexual assault lawsuit, students are having difficult conversations about Greek life, campus rituals and the possibility for lasting changes.
26411160
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
As early voting is starting, the checks start coming. apple.news/AcXQf5veYSJu...
apple.news
Trump administration starts sending $500 Obamacare refund checks — who benefits — CNBC
The refunds come after millions of people lost premium subsidies for their health insurance and right before the midterm elections.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NBC calls this a “feud” between Trump and CNN. Violating the First Amendment is not a feud. apple.news/Awb1Ry9X0TM2...
apple.news
White House removes CNN from press pool for Trump’s upcoming trip — NBC News
CNN was previously scheduled to fly on Air Force One and also provide on-the-ground coverage of Trump’s trip.
022
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Citizens United opened the floodgates. apnews.com/article/sena...
apnews.com
Senate GOP campaign chief says 'cash is king' as Trump team promises millions to keep majority
The Senate Republican campaign chairman said President Donald Trump’s team has assured senators “money will not be our problem” heading into the midterm elections. Sen.
111
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
apnews.com/article/nato...
apnews.com
Russia warns NATO of a possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off
Russia has warned NATO it could use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if allies attempt to cut off the exclave.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Living the high life. His trips cost Texas taxpayers at least $1.5 million, including $25,000 to go to Augusta for the Masters. apnews.com/article/ken-...
apnews.com
Inside Ken Paxton's jet-setting lifestyle: California wineries, European hot spots and ski resorts
When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his campaign for Senate last year, he skipped the local pageantry.
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The taxpayer-paid Trump ads are now airing on local TV stations in the Atlanta area. In Which other states are the commercials running? Battleground states? What’s the total tab?
011
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This fills in some blanks about the Georgia GOP candidate for governor. At age 13 he put himself in foster care. He lucked into a great foster family. He later went back to his mom, before returning to the same foster family. That may help explain how he could attend a private Christian high school.
111
Reposted by Lois Norder
Zack Whittaker @zackwhittaker.com · 30/09/2026
The Pentagon is notifying millions of current and former U.S. military servicemembers and staff that hackers stole their *unencrypted* personal information during a months-long data breach. The agency that had the breach also handles ID and login/credential access to U.S. military systems and bases.
techcrunch.com
Hackers stole millions of US military personnel records during months-long data breach | TechCrunch
The Department of Defense notified millions of current and former U.S. military personnel that their personal information had been stolen in a months-long breach.
30625191390
Reposted by Lois Norder
Roys Report @roysreport.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Russell Tusing, former pastor of Sovereign Grace in LaGrange, Georgia, pleaded guilty to cruelty to children & was sentenced to probation. He was back at the pulpit last week preaching on the importance of childlike faith & telling stories about his kids roysreport.com/georgia-past...
roysreport.com
Georgia pastor who pleaded guilty to cruelty to children returns to the pulpit | The Roys Report
A Georgia pastor who pleaded guilty to cruelty to children was preaching again last week, telling a congregation about the importance of “childlike” faith. Russell Jon Tusing II was accused of domesti...
012
Reposted by Lois Norder
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 30/09/2026
Hegseth: "It's worth saying again so the fake news understands it. We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that -- no fatties no trannies no beardos no weirdos no wimps no radicals. Just warriors."
23762760640
Lois Norder @gainvestigate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Georgia congressman, who won a gerrymandered seat
011
Reposted by Lois Norder
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 30/09/2026
Hundreds of thousands of immigrants with legal status are at risk of losing government health coverage starting Oct. 1, state data shows, signaling that the impact of Medicaid changes in President Trump’s legislation may be greater than expected.
washingtonpost.com
Immigrants with legal status at risk of being dropped from Medicaid
The One Big Beautiful Bill ends eligibility for refugees, asylees, trafficking victims and others, and its impact could be larger than initially predicted.
144336
Reposted by Lois Norder
Euronews @euronews.com · 30/09/2026
Parliament has also set up an independent inquiry tasked with a much broader examination of the case, which is due to submit its final report by 31 January 2028. #EuropeNews
l.euronews.com
Norwegian ministers grilled in parliament over ties to Epstein
Parliament has also set up an independent inquiry tasked with a much broader examination of the case, which is due to submit its final report by 31 January 2028.
1118
Reposted by Lois Norder
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"The transcript, which CBS News New York exclusively obtained from a source, shows the victim told campus police more than three weeks after the alleged assault, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped."" I mean JESUS CHRIST. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
cbsnews.com
DA in Cornell University case says he never saw transcript of campus police interview with alleged rape victim
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten says he never saw a transcript of a conversation between an alleged rape victim and investigators showing what she told Cornell University campus p...
310936