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Helen Ubiñas

@notesfromhel.bsky.social
1.5K followers 251 following 95 posts

Journalist. Writer. Content creator – or whatever the hip term is now. Founder, Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism.

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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
There are truly no words of thanks adequate enough for the kind notes many of you have taken the time to send about my departure from the Philadelphia Inquirer. I was (barely) holding it together — and then one of you wrote me a letter. 🥹❤️🥹 caterinaroman.substack.com/p/an-ode-to-...
caterinaroman.substack.com
An Ode to Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Helen Ubiñas: A Voice Philadelphia (Government) Couldn’t Ignore
Shaping the conversation on gun violence and public accountability in Philadelphia.
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Ben Turk Tolub @bstt.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Congratulations to @helenubinas.bsky.social on a great run @inquirer.com and the Philly Daily News, and moving on to a building a great, important foundation! www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
inquirer.com
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Gutted and heartbroken that @helenubinas.bsky.social is leaving the @inquirer.com . But I will find her writing to read in whatever form or on whatever platform she does it. No exaggeration, she is one of the very best. www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
inquirer.com
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
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Matthew Stiegler @matthewstiegler.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
A newspaper columnist who cared about our city enough to keep battling to make it better. Thanks for speaking up when others wouldn’t, @helenubinas.bsky.social.
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Michael D. Dwyer @michaelddwyer.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
I've been really proud to subscribe to my local paper since I moved to Philadelphia 15 years ago, and @helenubinas.bsky.social's work has been a big reason why.
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David Gambacorta @dgambacorta.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
This is a enormous loss for the Inquirer and Philadelphia. @helenubinas.bsky.social pushed the city — its elected leaders, its community groups, its journalists — to better serve residents who needed the most and asked for the least: gun violence survivors and homicide victims’ relatives.
inquirer.com
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
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Tom Durso @tomdurso.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Thank YOU, @helenubinas.bsky.social, for comforting Philly's afflicted, afflicting Philly's comfortable, and, always, speaking truth to power. This city we love is better for your writing about it.
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David Gambacorta @dgambacorta.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
“We lost him,” he told me. “We lost our light.” Heartbreaking column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social, who has written for years about Azir Harris, his family, and the long, endless toll of gun violence in Philadelphia:
inquirer.com
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
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Zoe Greenberg @zoegberg.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
A devastating account: "A young father who was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018, and who had become an advocate for survivors of gun violence, was among those killed early Monday after gunfire erupted," by @ellierushing.bsky.social and @notesfromhel.bsky.social : www.inquirer.com/crime/azir-h...
inquirer.com
Young father and paralyzed gun violence survivor among those killed in Grays Ferry shooting, family says
Azir Harris was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018 and had spent years sharing his recovery journey with Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas. He was killed in South Philadelphia Monday morning.
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Valerie Russ @vruss.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
A really tragic column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social on the gun violence that took the life of a young man who she had written about years earlier when he was paralyzed in another shooting . share.inquirer.com/ltWR0B
share.inquirer.com
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
You really MUST read this new @notesfromhel.bsky.social column! (Bonus: other #superman references) www.inquirer.com/opinion/mayo...
inquirer.com
The trash strike threatened to turn into Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s kryptonite | Helen Ubiñas
The mayor is unstoppable on the mic, unflappable in a debate, and almost always armed with a snappy slogan, but the 8-day strike proved to be her biggest adversary yet.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
A really affecting column by @notesfromhel.bsky.social: "To learn [Azir Harris] was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write." www.inquirer.com/opinion/azir...
inquirer.com
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
She showed up to her lifeguard job prepared & excited. Then she was told not to wear the swim cover-up in keeping with her Muslim faith. "The 16-year-old didn’t expect to be thrust into the role of accidental activist," columnist @notesfromhel.bsky.social writes. www.inquirer.com/opinion/musl...
inquirer.com
Faith, fabric, and fairness: From Philly lifeguard to accidental activist | Helen Ubiñas
City policies must be clear, consistently enforced, and fairly applied. Otherwise, they create confusion, resentment, and a sense of exclusion.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
My lawd, the defensiveness emanating from this city press conference on the potential work stoppage.
media.tenor.com
a woman in a green shirt says yikes
ALT: a woman in a green shirt says yikes
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
✊🏼
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Have you heard? Bad Bunny & I are in the same book club😉 www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
inquirer.com
Boricua history with a Bad Bunny twist | Helen Ubiñas
In a crossover between academia and pop culture, the Puerto Rican megastar has blessed the book "Puerto Rico: A National History" by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo — essential reading in Philly and beyond.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
"Citizenship doesn’t guarantee equality,” Meléndez-Badillo told @notesfromhel.bsky.social . “We’re still marginalized in political spaces and circles of power — even though we have the numbers." www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
inquirer.com
Boricua history with a Bad Bunny twist | Helen Ubiñas
In a crossover between academia and pop culture, the Puerto Rican megastar has blessed the book "Puerto Rico: A National History" by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo — essential reading in Philly and beyond.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Oof, when the ghost of administration’s past speaks out more forcefully on pressing immigration issues than the present administration…https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/kenney-philadelphia-sanctuary-cities-trump-20250610.html
inquirer.com
Former Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney: Sanctuary cities are ‘common sense’
Kenney has not commented on Parker’s handling of the situation, but his op-ed compelled Democratic leaders to uphold "welcoming values."
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
It’s a rolling shit storm of awfulness…
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Imagine if all these politicians live tweeting or blueskying their shock, disgust and anger over Felon 47’s fascist power grab actually used their power and DID SOMETHING about it!!??
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
2018: The cruelty is the point. 2025: The hypocrisy is the point.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
On second thought, I think 🤔The Don of Decorum 🤗has a nicer ring to it. As you were…
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This story seriously made me LOL. Reply-all is the devil. Council President Kenyatta Johnson shall henceforth be known as the Director of Decorum. And Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
media.tenor.com
oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
ALT: oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
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Leia🇨🇴🇺🇸 @theswprincess.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
These people were following the law and went to check in with immigration like they are supposed to. This woman's immigration case was dismissed, which made her immediately undocumented. So ICE took her into custody. The air conditioning was off in the back of the truck. "I can't breathe."
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Trump just put Philly on a hit list for supporting and protecing immigrants: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
Philly doesn't have to call itself a sanctuary city to protect immigrants | Helen Ubiñas
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker should meet with immigrant groups — in person — to discuss a concrete plan to protect our friends and neighbors.
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IndivisiblePHL ❌👑 @indivisiblephl.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Our Letters to the Editor program empowers our members to speak out, create awareness, and demand accountability. Check out this latest Letter in today’s @inquirer.com 🧵
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Mi gente, read this column by @notesfromhel.bsky.social right now! www.inquirer.com/opinion/eddi...
inquirer.com
Eddie Irizarry's fatal shooting is a turning point for Puerto Ricans | Helen Ubiñas
This city is full of our Puerto Rican community's labor, our stories and our influence. But where is our recognition, our acknowledgement, and our respect?
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Great Bunch column. But let us never forget, and point out, what utter bullshit many newsroom reckonings *also turned out to be. What went wrong, from colleges to corporations, is that those who co-signed/created environments that needed to be reformed then went on to lead these “reckonings.”
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
👏🏼👏🏼 @wbender99.bsky.social & @ryanbriggs.bsky.social 👏🏼👏🏼 www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
inquirer.com
The story of how a Porsche ended up on a hiking trail in the middle of Wissahickon Valley Park
On Monday morning, a Porsche Panamera was discovered on a narrow hiking trail alongside the Wissahickon Creek in Northwest Philly. Conspiracy theories emerged, online and on the trail.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
For the love of Dated-Slang-Baby-Jesus, can he please stop saying “F around and find out” now? 🙏🏼 www.inquirer.com/politics/lar...
inquirer.com
Philly DA Larry Krasner has all but secured a third term. What will he do with it?
Krasner did not spend much time during the campaign saying what he'd do with another four years in office.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
10/10 No notes.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Everything’s great! www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
Philly taxpayers are paying public officials big bucks to brag | Helen Ubiñas
How many communications staffers does it take to not communicate?
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
After years of victims crying out for help and answers, has the Philadelphia Police Department finally answered their call? www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
Philadelphia police finally created a sorely needed office for families of crime victims | Helen Ubiñas
After years of victims crying out for help and answers, the police department answers their calls.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
10/10 trolling right here. I have no clue what sway this sheriff has on all her ride-or-die city official pals— including one running for re-election — but it’s s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g to see them co-sign pure nonsense with taxpayer money. www.inquirer.com/news/sheriff...
inquirer.com
Philly Sheriff seeks new headquarters, academy, and $20 million budget boost
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal pitched City Council on a major increase to her staff and $34 million budget, and sought leases for a new office headquarters and a local academy.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Sanctuary, welcoming — whatever. What we call Philadelphia matters less than what we do to protect immigrants. www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
Philly doesn't have to call itself a sanctuary city to protect immigrants | Helen Ubiñas
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker should meet with immigrant groups — in person — to discuss a concrete plan to protect our friends and neighbors.
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Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Please highlight this story. ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago. kfor.com/news/local/w...
kfor.com
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
I guess “scheduling conflicts” = courage these days and “lol” to hanging with traitorous Nazis because it’s all just a game 🤷🏻‍♀️, amirite…
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dan sinker @dansinker.com · 26/04/2025
To mark Independent Bookstore Day today, I wrote about the bookshop that changed my life and why indies are more important than ever. dansinker.com/posts/202…
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
A new season of the Suave podcast by @mariahinojosa.bsky.social and co. is out. It’s another must-listen for so many reasons. Here’s one of mine 👇🏼 www.inquirer.com/columnists/d...
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Way past time to stop with the “threat of autocracy” narrative. Autocracy in America, right here, right now.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Having one Latina at a newspaper opinion department is rare, having two…and on the cover of the Sunday section, no less – well, it’s the second coming of Jesus de Cristo, y’all. So 🙏🏼❤️🙌!
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
What in the Gilead… www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Aides Solicit Ideas to Raise Birthrate, From Baby Bonuses to Fertility Planning
Baby bonuses and menstrual cycle classes are among the ideas pitched to Trump aides as they consider plans to try boosting the birthrate.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
WAKE TF UP, AMERICA!
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
My blood boils at politicians we elected doing a total of jack shit to stop this insanity - and that includes their “outraged” Tweeting and Threading and BkueSkying and Guinness World Record talkathons. When in the actual f are leaders going to step in and step up — before it’s too late?
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I want them all unmasked. I want Noem, Homan, and Miller to someday be tried for their crimes against humanity. Ditto for the ICE agents and other officers who abuse innocent tourists, college students, and refugees When all this is over, I want justice. My column www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
When this is over, U.S. rights abusers must be tried for crimes against humanity
Escalating reports of human rights crimes from Kristi Noem's propaganda to ICE cruelty must be wiped clean with justice.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
“We’re just a little old city of Philadelphia,” [Mayor Parker] said. www.inquirer.com/politics/tru...
media.tenor.com
a rabbit from the secret life of pets is making a funny face and asking a question .
ALT: a rabbit from the secret life of pets is making a funny face and asking a question .
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
People-watching and eavesdropping at JFK airport and 8/10 convos are about tariffs, stocks, evaporating savings. Female flight attendant to male colleague looking at his phone: Looking at your stocks? Him, seemingly half-joking: I have like $2 left. Her: You shouldn’t have looked.
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Helen Ubiñas @notesfromhel.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Woof! www.inquirer.com/opinion/apri...
media.tenor.com
a group of poodles are dancing together in a gym and the words poodle time are visible .
ALT: a group of poodles are dancing together in a gym and the words poodle time are visible .
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