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Jennifer Berry Hawes

@jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
14K followers 424 following 182 posts

South reporter at ProPublica based in Charleston, SC. News tips welcome.

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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 22h
Meet the megadonors pouring more than $1.7 billion into the 2026 elections www.washingtonpost.com/elections/in...
washingtonpost.com
Meet the megadonors pouring more than $1.7 billion into the 2026 elections
Billionaires and Elon Musk, who recently temporarily achieved trillionaire status, make up the top individual donors.
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
@nytimes.com reviewed time-stamped images from a security camera at Talarico’s home that showed him at the home between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/12/u...
nytimes.com
Republicans Promoted a False Rumor That James Talarico Was in Ohio
The Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas spent nine days off the trail with what he and his campaign said was a bad case of the flu. His opponents fueled rumors, including one that spread widely bef...
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Elon Musk oversees a vast business empire that has benefited from enormous federal contracts. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/12/u...
nytimes.com
Inside Elon Musk’s $276 Million Midterm Rescue Mission for Republicans
The world’s richest person has quietly become by far the biggest known midterm donor, trying to save Republicans’ Senate majority with some of the largest donations in American political history.
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Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Watch an ICE agent run down and then run over a man. The man was was then writhing on the ground, saying "You broke my leg! You broke my leg!" Agents didn't help him. And btw, the man wasn't the target of their operation.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 12/10/2026
ProPublica designed a reporting experiment to demonstrate how easy it can be to open private schools that might then access public money. We succeeded in opening two schools. No credentials or background checks required.
propublica.org
How ProPublica Reporters Became Private School Owners in 24 Hours
The reporting experiment demonstrates how easy it can be to open private schools that might then access public money. No credentials or background checks required.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 12/10/2026
After Jan. 6, 2021, many Trump loyalists headed for the exits. But not Russell Vought. He told the president, I’m going to work night and day to get you back in the White House in four years. Then he and others began working on a plan: Project 2025. Listen to our latest "Paper Trail" episode 👇
podcasts.apple.com
Who’s the Shadow President?
Podcast Episode · Paper Trail · October 1 · 36m
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Pentagon Again Increases Number of U.S. Casualties in Iran War www.nytimes.com/2026/10/10/u...
nytimes.com
Pentagon Again Increases Number of U.S. Casualties in Iran War
In an unannounced change, the Defense Department is now acknowledging troops who died or were wounded in support roles.
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Barry Yeoman @barryyeoman.com · 06/10/2026
As part of a three-state experiment, journalists at @theassemblync.bsky.social and @propublica.org tested whether they could get a North Carolina state license to open a private school inside Ponysaurus Brewing. #ncpol @carlibrosseau.bsky.social @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
theassemblync.com
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Reporting has shown how easy it can be to found a private schools. That led us to an experiment: Could we do it?
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Megan O'Matz @megomatz.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
How @propublica.org Reporters Became Private School Owners in 24 Hours The reporting experiment demonstrates how easy it can be to open private schools that might then access public money. No credentials or background checks required. / by @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
propublica.org
How ProPublica Reporters Became Private School Owners in 24 Hours
The reporting experiment demonstrates how easy it can be to open private schools that might then access public money. No credentials or background checks required.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 05/10/2026
NEW: Remember when John Oliver opened a church to expose how easy it was to get tax exemptions? This year, ProPublica reporters set out to establish private schools to test if, truly, anyone could open one. We founded two. Here’s how.
propublica.org
How ProPublica Reporters Became Private School Owners in 24 Hours
The reporting experiment demonstrates how easy it can be to open private schools that might then access public money. No credentials or background checks required.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 03/10/2026
UPDATED: The Trump administration’s push for mass deportations has now resulted in more than 83,000 challenges in federal court from immigrants claiming their detention is illegal. We are continuing to track the increase in these cases:
projects.propublica.org
Tracking the Historic Rise of Habeas Cases Filed by Detained Immigrants
ProPublica is tracking the historic rise in challenges filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal.
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Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · 03/10/2026
JUST POSTED: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have pushed a multibillion oil deal with Russia as part of peace talks that will bring profits to their family business partners. A new front for Trump-era conflicts of interest. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/u...
nytimes.com
U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies (Gift Article)
President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of inter...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 04/10/2026
We started our very own private school with @arktimes.bsky.social. All it took was $45, a few clicks on a state website and an American flag.
propublica.org
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hur...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 03/10/2026
Our reporting found that in Arkansas, one private school continued to operate even though the founder served jail time for permitting child abuse. Join us Oct. 6 at 4 pm ET for a discussion about the changing private school landscape: events.propublica.org/wild-west-sch…
Virtual Event: The Wild West of School Vouchers. Join us to discuss how a surge in public funding is changing the private school landscape and what it means for families. Tuesday, Oct. 6. 4 p.m. EST. Illustration: A giant orange pencil points up and to the right. In the background is a pattern made up of gray school chairs.
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Kara Yorio @karayorio.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"State law in Arkansas doesn’t require much to open a private school, nothing about teacher skills or what kids learn. But it does require that all schools display an American flag, and we wanted to follow the rules." Unbelievable story. Also, immediately ordering the ProPublica Academy pencils.
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Audrey Dutton @audreydutton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Quiz: Where Could You Open a Private School? - ProPublica Based on my answers, I could open Ye Olde Minimum Academy in Idaho and eight other states. projects.propublica.org/private-scho...
projects.propublica.org
Quiz: Where Could You Open a Private School? — ProPublica
Private school requirements vary wildly across states. Take our quiz to find out just how easy starting one can be.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 02/10/2026
President Trump directed staff to use taxpayer money for TV ads praising him and his presidency, setting in motion a $20 million contract that used funds from the Department of Homeland Security, according to people familiar with the matter. nyti.ms/4jBqx63
President Trump stands in a dark suit and red tie. A crowd of people and a large American flag are in the background. A headline reads: "Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency." Photo by Doug Mills for The New York Times.
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Jared Rutecki @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Amazing work by @propublica.org and partners illustrating the lack of regulations around microschools in some states. www.propublica.org/article/prop...
In Arkansas, all it took was a few clicks on the Arkansas secretary of state website, $45 and an American flag to form a bona fide private school with the Arkansas Times.
We established a school with Mountain State Spotlight in West Virginia after filing our new school's name and location with authorities on a piece of notebook paper, then exchanging a few emails.
And with The Assembly in North Carolina, we filed an online notice of intent to open a private school at Ponysaurus Brewing Co. in Durham, while perched on its metal bar stools, eyeing glasses of a crisp kolsch.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/10/2026
NEW: We’re reporters, not teachers. We have no business running a private school. But to show you just how easy it is to start one, we decided to test the process ourselves.
propublica.org
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hur...
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Excited to moderate this event with my amazing colleagues. Come join us!
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Jodi Cohen @jodiscohen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It started with a question: If it was so easy to start a private school in some states — and even access public money — could we as @propublica reporters do it? Find out what @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social, @jsmithrichards.bsky.social and I learned: www.propublica.org/article/prop...
propublica.org
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hur...
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Jennifer Smith Richards @jsmithrichards.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
With @jodiscohen.bsky.social and @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social and a team of local reporters across three states, we conducted an experiment in establishing private and microschools. And you can see for yourself what it takes -- just take this quiz by @zisiga.bsky.social.
projects.propublica.org
It’s Easy to Start a Private School. Take Our Quiz to Find Out Where You Can Open Yours. — ProPublica
Private school requirements vary wildly across states. Take our quiz to find out just how easy starting one can be.
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Such a fun quiz. It’s Easy to Start a Private School. Take Our Quiz to Find Out Where You Can Open Yours. @zisiga.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
projects.propublica.org
It’s Easy to Start a Private School. Take Our Quiz to Find Out Where You Can Open Yours. — ProPublica
Private school requirements vary wildly across states. Take our quiz to find out just how easy starting one can be.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/10/2026
When an insurance company is deciding whether to pay for your medical treatment, it generates a file, which should contain all records associated with your case, including documents explaining why the claim was denied. You have a right to see this file. (Published May 2023)
propublica.org
Health Insurance Claim Denied? See What Insurers Said Behind the Scenes
Learn how to request your health insurance claim file, which can include details about what your insurer is saying about you and your case.
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
On this 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Helene, I'm thinking about the amazing people I met in western NC reporting this story for @propublica.org I hope it offers lessons learned that help avoid another such tragic loss of life. www.propublica.org/article/hurr...
propublica.org
Helene’s Unheard Warnings
As Hurricane Helene barreled toward Yancey County in North Carolina, communities along the Cane River in the Black Mountains were particularly vulnerable. But there were no evacuation orders, and few ...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 17/09/2026
This week, ProPublica revealed that a Russian oligarch close to President Vladimir Putin bankrolled Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas wedding festivities. Join our reporters on Sept. 23 for a behind-the-scenes conversation. 🗓️ RSVP: events.propublica.org/don-jr-weddi...
Graphic titled "Bankrolled: How a Russian Oligarch Funded Donald Trump Jr.'s Wedding Weekend." Text below reads: The inside story of how ProPublica traced the lavish three-day party back to a secret benefactor. Wednesday, Sept. 23. 4 p.m. EST. An image shows dozens of people in a group wedding photo on a beach, including Donald Trump Jr.; his wife, Bettina; and Tiffany Trump. An arrow points to Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, labeled as "Don Jr.'s secret benefactor," in the back row.
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Therein lies the catch in “school choice” for disabled children. Unlike public schools, private ones generally aren’t required to educate students with disabilities. And they often don’t. The choice wasn’t hers, one mom realized. It was the schools’. @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 18/09/2026
Exclusive: More American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has disclosed publicly, according to six U.S. officials familiar with the data.
washingtonpost.com
More U.S. troops have died amid Iran war than Pentagon has disclosed publicly
Officials who spoke with The Post expressed frustration that the additional loss of life in the Middle East is not reflected in the Defense Department’s casualty database.
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Gold Statues and Staff Cuts: How Trump Has Disrupted America’s Parks www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/c...
nytimes.com
How Trump Has Disrupted National Parks
Maintenance projects have been put off around the country and resources diverted to the president’s favored projects in Washington.
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
“School choice” means few, if any, choices for parents of disabled students. In Florida, home to the nation’s largest voucher programs, we found that more than half of private schools say they do not serve students with any type of disabilities.
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 11/09/2026
NEW: To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest time finding schools that will accept them.
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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Megan O'Matz @megomatz.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Private schools that take public voucher money often reject children with disabilities — the very kids who were used to help sell early voucher programs to lawmakers and the public — for having needs that are too costly, complex or disruptive. / Reporting by @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Unlike public schools, private ones generally aren’t required to educate students with disabilities. They often don’t. So families sometimes end up returning their vouchers/money to the state. @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Today’s must read: Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality. @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
propublica.org
Vouchers Promise Students With Disabilities a Path to Private School. Parents Say That’s Not the Reality.
To give voucher programs a toehold in state legislatures, politicians touted how students with disabilities would gain access to private education. But those students’ families often have the hardest ...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 08/09/2026
NEW: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia has made payments of more than $1.1 million for at least one contractor to work with the Corrections Department on its lethal injection process. The state performed just one execution in that period.
propublica.org
This State Is Spending More on Lethal Injections. A Law Tries to Keep the Details Secret.
As Georgia plans for its first execution in two years, a trove of records provides us with new information — and raises new questions — about the state’s lethal injection process.
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Reuters @reuters.com · 08/09/2026
🔊 Lonnie Bunch, the first Black leader of the Smithsonian, is stepping down following  pressure from the White House, accusing the museum of 'anti-white activism.' Hear more on the Reuters World News afternoon update reut.rs/4gYQmdC
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Ken Schwencke @schwanksta.com · 09/09/2026
A new analysis by @propublica.org’s @andreasuozzo.com & Angel Philip shows that deaths from ectopic pregnancy are on the rise — and it’s worse in states with abortion bans. www.propublica.org/article/ecto...
propublica.org
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.
With prompt and appropriate medical care, experts say, people shouldn’t die from an ectopic pregnancy. Women in Texas and Oklahoma have sued over delays in care, which, coupled with our new analysis, ...
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
NEW: The Trump Administration’s Plan for Protecting Consumers? Politely Ask Companies to Behave. You’ll never believe what happened next. @andykroll.bsky.social
propublica.org
The Trump Administration’s Plan for Protecting Consumers? Politely Ask Companies to Behave.
Rather than investigate a buzzy fintech startup for throwing users’ accounts into chaos, the Russell Vought-led Consumer Financial Protection Bureau trusted that the company was “back on track.” Custo...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/09/2026
NEW: Residents of a riverfront trailer park in the Appalachian Mountains have lost homes and loved ones in multiple storms. A policy gap puts mobile home residents in harm’s way again and again. with @theassemblync.bsky.social
propublica.org
Hurricane Helene Killed His Wife and Destroyed His Mobile Home. New Tenants Are Now Renting the Same Flood-Prone Land.
Residents of a riverfront trailer park in the Appalachian Mountains have lost homes and loved ones in multiple storms. A policy gap puts mobile home residents in harm’s way again and again.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/09/2026
NEW: Top USPS officials expressed concerns that new mail voting rules could delay or block ballots from reaching large swaths of eligible voters for the upcoming midterms, but the rules moved forward anyway, ProPublica has learned.
propublica.org
New Mail Voting Rules Moved Forward Despite USPS Officials’ Concerns About Mass Disenfranchisement
In internal meetings, officials worried the rules they were drafting could delay or block ballots from reaching large swaths of eligible voters for the upcoming midterms.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 01/09/2026
Breaking News: A whistle-blower at the U.S. Postal Service said Trump officials were defying court orders with a “secretive, rushed” effort affecting voting by mail.
nyti.ms
Whistle-Blower Says Trump Officials Are Defying Court Orders on Voting by Mail
A report detailed “grave concerns” that a new system being rushed into use by the U.S. Postal Service could imperil millions of mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The richest man owns X. The second and fourth richest men control Google. The third richest man owns The Washington Post. The sixth richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. And now the seventh richest could soon take over both Paramount and Warner Bros. See the problem here?
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 27/08/2026
Immigration arrests have risen to record highs with 43,000 ICE arrests in June and 49,000 in July. A majority of those arrested in July were people who were accused of violating civil immigration laws but had with no criminal history, an analysis of newly released federal data shows. nyti.ms/3SYB3cL
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Jesse Coburn @jessecoburn.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
You and I — all of us taxpayers — funded this $533 million artillery plant outside of Dallas. It hasn’t produced a single usable shell. Yet the defense contractor, General Dynamics, has never been held publicly accountable. Nor has it had to pay a penny back… 1/
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Jesse Coburn @jessecoburn.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
ProPublica is undertaking a project examining U.S. military spending, budgeting and contracting. Help us report this story: www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...
propublica.org
Do You Know About U.S. Military Spending? Help ProPublica Understand Where the Money Goes.
Many Pentagon projects face delays, budget increases and performance issues. The causes of these problems are often opaque to the taxpayers who foot the bill. Help point us to the most important stori...
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Sailor Says Father Was Arrested by Border Patrol www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
nytimes.com
U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Sailor Says Father Was Arrested by Border Patrol (Gift Article)
The sailor, Joshua Aviles, was on his way home from the Middle East aboard the beleaguered aircraft carrier when he learned his father had been detained.
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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Dr. Craig Towers was hailed as a hero for his research on detoxing pregnant opioid users. After he published a study that found naltrexone could help patients stay off drugs, addiction specialists started asking if his work was too good to be true.
propublica.org
His Research on Pregnant Opioid Users Was Widely Celebrated. Auditors and Experts Found Major Flaws.
Dr. Craig Towers was hailed as a hero for his research on detoxing pregnant opioid users. After he published a study that found naltrexone could help patients stay off drugs, addiction specialists sta...
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Jennifer Berry Hawes @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The terminations came about 10 days after Stars and Stripes journalists reported on hardships that Navy sailors were facing on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln www.nytimes.com/2026/08/21/u...
nytimes.com
Pentagon Fires Editor and Publisher of Independent Military Publication (Gift Article)
The firings at Stars and Stripes also claimed a Middle East correspondent. They are the latest effort by the Pentagon to diminish the news outlet’s editorial independence.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 17/08/2026
NEW: At some private schools across the U.S., every student uses taxpayer money to pay toward tuition, thanks to the growth of school voucher programs. But these "quasi-public" schools face almost none of the scrutiny given to public schools.
propublica.org
At “Quasi-Public” Private Schools, 100% of Students Get Tuition Vouchers. There’s Almost No Accountability.
Private schools — even those that are heavily dependent on taxpayer funding — often operate without the scrutiny public schools are subject to. Following the money at one Milwaukee private school reve...
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