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markwpowers.bsky.social

@markwpowers.bsky.social
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August J. Pollak @augustjpollak.bsky.social · 10h
HE DID SOME OTHER STUFF TOO, BARI.
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who represented Illinois for two decades in Congress and was later jailed for violating banking laws, has died.
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Mr. Dan Zak @mrdanzak.com · 04/10/2026
A Haitian man legally immigrated to Ohio, then was given an ankle monitor bc Trump withdrew his status. He threw himself in front of truck. The trucker, who voted for Trump, is haunted. “Pierre was doing what he was supposed to do. We did not do right by him.” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
theatlantic.com
A Reckoning in Springfield
A truck driver out on his route confronts what the country has become.
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Mike Levin @mikelevin.org · 03/10/2026
Mark Zuckerberg tells investors that his AI push is a huge success. But when it files its taxes, Meta tells the IRS its giant data centers are an experiment that might fail. Why? Because calling them an experiment lets Meta claim a tax credit meant for real research.
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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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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Today, 8 years ago, my friend, Saudi Journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.
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The Editorial Board @editorialboard.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
1. Let's not say goodbye to Eric Schmitt just yet. His story is about more than a power-mad senator falling on his face. It's part of a larger story about the Republicans defending the leader of an insurrection against the United States.
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
WaPo reports that Trump is stealing money again, this time money appropriated for (among others) Eastern Europe and sending it to Latin America. But I think stealing $$ from Iraq is just as important. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Late Wednesday, the administration quietly notified Congress it was defying the hold and moving ahead, diverting to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia $52 million that had been approved for Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq, the officials said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 02/10/2026
Weeks after Russell Vought told Congress that Bilt had fixed its problems without the need of CFPB enforcement, nearly 1,900 Bilt customers received mistaken debt collection notices saying they owed hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their cards.
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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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 30/09/2026
The government shouldn’t be able to secretly obtain journalists’ phone records without court approval. But DHS is abusing its authority to do just that. Read more about what Congress, journalists, and tech companies can do about it:
freedom.press
These secret subpoenas are targeting journalists
Don Lemon and Georgia Fort aren’t the first journalists to be targeted with administrative subpoenas. Unless Congress acts, they won’t be the last
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 28/09/2026
Requirements for becoming a private school teacher vary by state. We recently reported on a woman who pled no contest to felony child abuse charges in Florida, but was still able to open a school. Here's how you can research private schools like an investigative reporter:
propublica.org
How to Research Private Schools Like an Investigative Reporter
It can be really hard to get transparent, comprehensive information about private schools. Our investigative reporters share some suggestions for parents and guardians who want to collect it themselve...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026
Hey, ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson here. I’m taking over the account to tell you about my new story. For months, I posed as a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company's "responsible gaming" safeguards. Spoiler alert: They made me a VIP — and I lost $10K. Here's how it all went down. 🧵
Selfie taken by ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson, a man wearing a backwards baseball cap and an orange T-shirt.
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Senator Andy Kim @kim.senate.gov · 26/09/2026
Trump’s summit with Xi left too many questions unanswered. This is one of them.
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Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sheriffs & DAs have huge powers over criminal justice, e.g.: often deciding how much local assistance ICE gets. So I worked all year on whittling down the thousands (!) of these races happening in 2026 to find the ones that matter most. NEW TODAY: Learn about the 25 most pivotal November races.
boltsmag.org
The 25 Sheriff and Prosecutor Races Set to Shape Criminal Justice and ICE Collaboration - Bolts
Voters face stark choices for offices with vast powers on policing and punishment. Bolts walks you through key contests to watch across a dozen states.
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Scott MacFarlane @macfarlanenews.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The Arizona 1st Congressional district GOP nominee Jay Feely no longer has a photo of Trump on the homepage of his campaign site Before ... and after
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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Prosecutor who was the sacrificial lamb in the Broadview Six Case files motion with the court in which she claims US Attorney Boutros knew everything, approved everything, demanded felony charges over her objections. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com
'Broadview Six' prosecutor breaks silence, says she 'owns' mistakes but there's 'no basis' for smears
Lawyers for former federal prosecutor Sheri Mecklenburg say she retired Thursday from the Justice Department — a week before a federal judge is expected to hold a crucial hearing over the mishandling ...
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24/09/2026
Murphy: "On April 30 -- a Thursday -- Reynolds makes an $8m donation. On Saturday, they have lunch w/POTUS & tell him they want a change in rules for flavored vapes. The president calls FDA commissioner & HHS sec, & on Tuesday new guidance is issued paving way to the sale of flavored vapes ... "
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Aidan O’Brien @aidanobrien.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This week we learned that the Irish government has proposed weakening Europeans citizens' fundamental right to privacy to favour AI companies. We also learned this week that 83% of Irish people under 25 want stronger government regulation of AI. Who *exactly* does our government work for?
AI: EU Member States plan "digital expropriation" of Europeans in the interest of Al companies
Artificial Intelligence / 21 September 2026
In a leaked document, the Irish Presidency proposes to EU Member States that the interest of OpenAl, Anthropic, Google, Meta and SpaceX to make profits should take precedence over the fundamental right to data protection. Use of personal data "in the context of Al" should automatically be lawful.
There seems to be wide informal agreement by many Member States. In particular, Big Tech would be able to use all personal data collected over the past decades with virtually no restrictions, as long as this happens "in the context" of Al. Schrems: "Under these proposals, the profits of Al companies would trump European's fundamental right to privacy. This is nothing but a digital expropriation of Europeans." All this is happening despite the key figures of Al corporations actively warn about the enormous risks associated with their own products.Transport costs and mental health also remain prominent concerns.
More than seven in ten adults believe Al will make it harder for young people to find secure employment over the next five years, while 83% support stronger government regulation of Al.
Just 17% of young adults said they believe the Government is doing enough to support them through the cost-of-living crisis.
"These findings should serve as a wake-up call," said Grace McManus, Policy and Campaigns Manager at NYCI.
"Too many young people feel that the chance to build a secure and independent life is slipping out of reach," Ms McManus said.
The polling was conducted by RED C, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,010 adults, including a cohort aged 18-24.
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Molly Redden @mtredden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Exclusive: In late 2024, FBI agents were looking at Sen. Susan Collins’ role in a massive illegal bribery scheme alleged by a former federal contractor. Then Trump gutted the FBI and DOJ, leaving no one to carry on the investigation – it’s dead. 🧵
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William Turton @williamturton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In 2024 the former CEO of a defense contractor made a stunning confession to two FBI agents. He alleged that was the ringleader of a massive pay-to-play operation, bribing senators with campaign contributions in exchange for govt contracts. www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
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Nate Bowling @natebowling.com · 20/09/2026
This should be the biggest political scandal of our times. It's literally Robinhood in reverse, robbing working people and lining the pockets of the rich.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Gas prices hit $4.46 a gallon today — a gain of 17 cents over the previous week and $1.26 higher than the same point last year. Diesel prices are up more than $2.74 from a year ago. Families, farmers, and truckers are all getting squeezed. Meanwhile...
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Layla A. Jones @laylaayanna.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Census Bureau wants to use your tax data to identify where you live even though officials from Treasury (IRS) told them not to. Census moved forward anyway. Why? To exclude most immigrants from being counted and shift political power to Republican states talkingpointsmemo.com/news/exclusi...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Exclusive: Commerce Overruled Treasury Concerns in Push to Narrow Census Count
Before the Trump administration issued its rule aiming to reshape the Census...
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Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Important: the USPS rule that SCOTUS blocked tonight was Trump’s big plan to control and restrict mail voting. But a separate policy remains in place: USPS is no longer postmarking mail as soon it gets it, which is hugely important for deadlines. So people must mail back with plenty of time.
boltsmag.org
In an Intense Election Year, New Post Office Rules Could Trip Up Voter Registration - Bolts
A change in how mail is postmarked could lead some voters to miss key deadlines, including voter registration. Advocates worry the people most affected will be those already facing voting barriers.
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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 15/09/2026
There’s obviously a lot going on right now, but a Russian oligarch bankrolling the wedding of the president’s son is the kind of story that should dominate headlines in any functioning political culture.
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Jesse Eisinger @jeisinger.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“This should be unthinkable for the son of the president. End of story.” A Russian oligarch close to Putin bankrolled Don Jr.’s wedding. www.propublica.org/article/dona...
propublica.org
Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding Bankrolled by Putin-Linked Russian Oligarch
The oligarch, Umar Kremlev, spent hundreds of thousands on expenses like renting out a private island. He appears to have met Trump Jr. only recently, but he attended the intimate wedding with a large...
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Only thing he’s ever set fire to is his soul
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Michigan Democrats @michigandems.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🚨 BREAKING: Epstein-associated donors gave nearly $4.7 million to Mike Rogers' campaign and political committees while he opposed releasing the Epstein files, arguing for more redactions to "protect somebody who got an airplane and rode with him." www.metrotimes.com/news/donors-...
metrotimes.com
Donors named in Epstein files gave nearly $4.7 million to Mike Rogers and groups backing him - Detroit Metro Times
A Metro Times review found that donors named in the Epstein files have given nearly $4.7 million to Mike Rogers’ campaigns and groups supporting him.
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
What the heck are these people talking about? Clearly they’ve never been to a DMV
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
F you, you boot-licking, dilettante nepo-baby
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
WTF. Jesus.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 08/09/2026
just put up a video on this youtu.be/COUIZyAZtkA
youtu.be
The media double-standard that lets the GOP get away with taking millions from a white supremacist
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
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Ron Marz @ronmarz.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period. (Hell, yes!)
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Eric Champnella @echamp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
NEVER FORGET: On 9/11, Donald Trump bragged his building was now the tallest in NYC. Listen for yourself...
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Hagerstown Rapid Response @hagerstownrapidresponse.com · 05/09/2026
Tonight we joined our comrades in nearby Frederick, Maryland where #ICE had been camped out for days, terrorizing a neighborhood. At around 2:17 in the video is when they start beating the shit out of peaceful protestors with batons. How is this allowed to happen? @maddow.bsky.social
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I Scare You Like Sound Dog @chadstanton.blacksky.app · 06/09/2026
We remember Botham Jean. It’s been 6 years to this day when he was killed while sitting on his couch eating ice cream.
A picture of Botham Jean in a suit and tie
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Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) @repstansbury.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Right now @replamonica.bsky.social is facing 17 years in prison for doing her job, because the Trump Admin is going after her after visiting an ICE facility. This is an attack on the Constitution, Congress, & holding this admin accountable. Join us in this fight & help spread the word!
youtu.be
Rep. Stansbury: We must stand with Rep. LaMonica McIver against Trump’s attacks!
YouTube video by Rep. Melanie Stansbury
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
In return for what?
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
These people are paid nearly 200k per year, have incredible benefits and pension, for maybe 3 months of work—99% of which consists of being unbelievably chickenshit and dishonest
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Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The administration has provided zero evidence that these are drug traffickers, and even if they were, there are legal processes for their arrest and trial. What we DO know is that the administration has stopped pursuing actual drug cases to go after immigrants instead.
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Democracy Docket @democracydocket.com · 02/09/2026
🚨NEW: USPS whistleblower warnings are now rippling across lawsuits challenging Trump’s mail voting restrictions. Voting groups say the rushed system risks mass ballot delays, rejections and disenfranchisement.
democracydocket.com
USPS whistleblower report bolsters challenges to Trump’s anti-mail voting order
Voting rights groups are pointing judges to the allegations as fresh support for their warnings that the administration’s rushed new system could disrupt the delivery of thousands of ballots before…
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Allegra Kirkland @allegrak.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
🚨🚨 “If even one bar code on one single ballot in a bulk-mailing of 10,000 ballots fails to properly scan during the verification process, the entire batch is rejected and sent back to the state—effectively stopping the ballots from being mailed to voters.” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/a-shit-...
talkingpointsmemo.com
‘A Shit Show’: Postal Service Whistleblower Warns That New Project Will Sow Chaos in Election
A whistleblower complaint released this morning by the office of Sen. Richard...
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Rachel Rees @rachel-rees.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
As honoured as I am to see that The Times has picked up my Chagos article practically *word for word*, including my hard-gotten quotes, I’d prefer some credit — or for everyone to read my original FT piece! free link to read the evidently enviable article below (cheaper than a Times sub!) 🌴
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 31/08/2026
The Army awarded an artillery shell project to General Dynamics in a rushed process without the typical vetting. The result: a fiasco in a Texas factory with robots in flames and half a billion dollars in taxpayer funds that yielded no usable shells.
propublica.org
The Costly Blunders in the Army’s $533 Million Fiasco
ProPublica revealed how a rushed effort to arm Ukraine with artillery shells wasted half a billion dollars in taxpayer funding. Here are the biggest takeaways from that reporting.
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Tammy Duckworth @duckworth.senate.gov · 28/08/2026
71 years ago, 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched by white supremacists.   His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, held an open-casket wake so the world could see what hatred had done to her son.   We will never let their history be erased or forgotten.
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Hunter Walker @hunterw.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This math works for Mexico too.
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Are the kids weirded out that dad seems an awful lot like Gollum?
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tomwellborn3rd @wellborn.net · 24/08/2026
Congress funded the CDC's Alzheimer's work, the sickle cell and epilepsy data programs and a rape prevention unit, and Vought simply will not release the money. Grassley told him to his face he lacks the authority. The pocket rescission alone took 4.9 billion.
alternet.org
Republicans furious as Trump’s budget director goes 'rogue'
The director of the Office of Management and Budget is infuriating Republican lawmakers by "going rogue" on what appropriations were approved by the House and Senate.
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
He’s double-diapered
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markwpowers.bsky.social @markwpowers.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Guy’s a complete jagoff to put it very mildly
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