Sign in

Russ Walker

@russwalker.bsky.social
1.2K followers 2.7K following 1.7K posts

Cooley 2028 LancasterOnline journalist | Husband to Kim | Backstory: KY->TN->DC->VA->WA->PA Robber baron ghettoes before us now / Everybody needs a hunting down.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Russ Walker
Semafor @semafor.com · 30/09/2026
Visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year. “We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.” www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
61530391075
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A measles-related death in Lancaster County, Pa.
pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Fifth Measles-Associated Death, Provides Statewide Update on Outbreak as Cases Reach 943 in 39 Counties
Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Fifth Measles-Associated Death, Provides Statewide Update on Outbreak as Cases Reach 943 in 39 Counties
001
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
www.propublica.org/article/cali...
propublica.org
A Girl Nearly Died After Drinking Raw Milk. The State Did Little to Punish the Unlicensed Farmer Who Sold It.
California is teeming with black-market dairies, propped up by consumer demand fueled by misinformation. With evidence against one raw goat milk farm, regulators could have sought punitive action. But...
011
Reposted by Russ Walker
Carter Walker @bycarterwalker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Story: Bill to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in Pennsylvania primaries passes state House www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania...
votebeat.org
Bill to boost participation in Pennsylvania primaries passes key milestone
The proposal would allow unaffiliated voters to vote in Pennsylvania primary elections, but it’s unlikely to become law.
0116
Reposted by Russ Walker
Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
MacFarlane: The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio has got the same issue. Last year, they paid $50,000 for diesel to transport their food. Now, they’re paying $150,000 for the diesel to transport their food.
25390563970
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jaxon White @jaxonwhite.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Asking lawmakers today, doesn't seem like there has been much movement on skill games since @stephenjcaruso.bsky.social and I wrote this a few weeks ago. In fact, House Approps Chair Jordan Harris told reporters today he hasn't "read or seen anything." www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...
spotlightpa.org
PA skill games face seizure as deadline looms
Top PA lawmakers say they want to find a consensus to legalize and regulate skill games before the Oct. 13 deadline. It’s unclear if they will.
001
Reposted by Russ Walker
🏈Optimus FF News @news.optimusfantasy.com · 29/09/2026
✅ UPDATE: Jalen Hurts has been cleared to return Per Adam Schefter.
0111
Reposted by Russ Walker
Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Lots of talk about defending "Western civilization" these days, so here's Richard Wright on what it means to be Western:
14580130
Reposted by Russ Walker
Ken Schwencke @schwanksta.com · 28/09/2026
ICYMI: @propublica.org has a Chrome and Firefox plugin that allows you to grab your data from FanDuel and DraftKings. If you use it, you can upload your data to us to help us to continue investigating how these sites induce people to keep betting. projects.propublica.org/sports-betti...
projects.propublica.org
Help ProPublica Report on Sports Betting by Sending Us Your App Data
If you’ve bet on sports with FanDuel or DraftKings, you can help ProPublica understand how these apps respond to their users’ betting behavior. Use our browser extension to download your betting histo...
010558
Reposted by Russ Walker
Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
John was a legend of Pennsylvania journalism and a great guy I was blessed to know. He is already missed www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
pennlive.com
John Baer, chronicler of Capitol politics for a half-century, dies at 79
Baer, a celebrated Pennsylvania political journalist known for his sharp wit and accountability reporting, died after a battle with cancer.
2615
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I hope the Morning Call's website can handle the traffic surge they're about to get:
Email alert from the Morning Call. Text reads: Fire at Poconos nudist resort under investigation
Carbon County officials said a fire at the Sunny Rest Resort in Palmerton late Thursday night affected several camping vehicles.
010
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Had fun putting this together:
030
Reposted by Russ Walker
LNP | LancasterOnline @lancasteronline.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Manheim Central School District will recommend internal charges against gym teacher and longtime head football coach Dave Hahn at its Monday board meeting, and social studies teacher and former assistant coach Jared Shearer is resigning his position effective Nov. 12. lanc.news/4yi0F3U
lanc.news
Manheim Central to charge former football coach with ‘failure to protect students’
Manheim Central School District will recommend internal charges against gym teacher and longtime head football coach Dave Hahn at its Monday board meeting, and social studies teacher and former assistant
012
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
lancasteronline.com/news/local/i...
lancasteronline.com
ICE targets poultry workers at Melhorn in Mount Joy, arrests 17 since August
Federal immigration authorities have arrested 17 employees of Melhorn Sales Service and Trucking in and around Mount Joy Borough since Aug. 21, the borough’s police chief confirmed Thursday.
003
Reposted by Russ Walker
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Incredible. First Secretary Mullin claimed that DHS had identified 15,903 noncitizens on Nevada’s voter roll. Then DHS officials told a skeptical Nevada, no no no, that’s just people we flagged. Here are the names of 185 people we KNOW aren’t citizens. All 185 were citizens. DHS got 100% wrong.
When the Department of Homeland Security sent Nevada a list of 185 names last month that it claimed identified noncitizens who had been improperly allowed to register to vote, state election officials got to work.
On Tuesday, the state sent a strongly worded rebuke to the federal government: Every single person on the list was a lawful citizen.
"As for the 185 individuals, our records indicate that they were citizens," Greg D. Ott, a deputy attorney general in Nevada, wrote, according to a copy of a letter sent to Department of Homeland Security officials obtained through open records requests.
"You have provided nothing of substance to suggest otherwise."Following the meeting, Ms. Vogt sent a clarifying email to Nevada officials. "I also wanted to be sure I clarified that we did not reduce the 15,903 to 185," she wrote. "We've manually reviewed some of the 15,903 and confirmed 185 are not U.S. Citizens."
Now, Nevada officials are saying even that 185 number is wrong. They also took issue with a letter D.H.S. sent them in early September, in which the agency reiterated its initial claims about nearly 16,000 noncitizens on the rolls and pressured state officials to review each case in a letter to Nevada officials in early September.
21188103855
Reposted by Russ Walker
Greg Greene (he/him/his) @greene.haus · 24/09/2026
The product liability suits this company deserves should suffice to wipe it from corporate existence.
33410
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Plenty of handwringing among PA Dems about Fetterman, but a GOP senator would not be cosponsoring most or all of these bills.
Email from congress.gov:
New activity by Senator John Fetterman.
Legislation cosponsored:

S. 3990 - PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
S. 4814 - A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
S. 5460 - A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase reimbursement rates of school meals, and for other purposes.
S. 5482 - A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish an Office of Prison Education, and for other purposes.
000
Reposted by Russ Walker
PoliticsPA @politicspa.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“One in four likely Pennsylvania GOP voters have not heard of the state’s Republican candidate for governor, as Gov. Josh Shapiro continues to pull ahead with less than six weeks remaining until Election Day, according to a new poll.
162
Reposted by Russ Walker
Charlie Wolfson @chwolfson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
State of the race for PA governor: For every dollar Stacy Garrity spent on TV ads since June 9, Josh Shapiro spent $35. Josh Shapiro donated more money to downballot candidates ($5.6M) than Garrity has raised since launching her campaign.
153
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
lancasteronline.com/news/politic...
lancasteronline.com
Attack ads in key Pa. Senate race draw on Malone’s old blog posts, D&D fan fiction
Control of the state Senate hangs in the balance of the November general election, and in Lancaster County's 36th District, Republicans are on the attack in television ads and political
001
Reposted by Russ Walker
Spotlight PA @spotlightpa.org · 23/09/2026
NEW: Weaknesses with Pa. aging department’s oversight could leave older adults at risk, audit finds www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09/pe…
023
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"We saw multiple vans & buggies bringing people of all ages to the site. Some attendees...said they came to get vaccinated because they were scared of getting sick. They explained that many people in the Plain community have contracted measles, & they wanted to protect themselves and their children"
wgal.com
Peach Bottom clinic draws families seeking protection from measles
A pop-up vaccination clinic in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, hosted by the state health department, provided measles vaccines to members of the Plain community and other people in the area amid rising c...
520165
Reposted by Russ Walker
PoliticsPA @politicspa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Cha-ching. Another strong reporting period for the Shapiro For PA team. The governor's reelection campaign brought in $13.3 million from June 9-Sept. 14, bringing the total for the 2026 cycle to more than $31.7M. The campaign also has $19.86M remaining for the final six weeks until Election Day.
102
Reposted by Russ Walker
LNP | LancasterOnline @lancasteronline.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Lancaster was this nation's capital for a single day. This singular history is worth celebrating. [editorial] lanc.news/4hrpfbr
lanc.news
Lancaster was this nation's capital for a single day. This singular history is worth celebrating. [editorial]
THE ISSUE
013
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
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...
031
Reposted by Russ Walker
The Intercept @theintercept.com · 22/09/2026
The hardline pro-Israel senator has been flirting with the idea of switching parties. Now he’s using Republican campaign infrastructure.
theintercept.com
John Fetterman Is Fundraising on GOP Donor Email Lists
The hardline pro-Israel senator has been flirting with switching parties. Now he’s using Republican campaign infrastructure.
54283144
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jonathan W. Gray @elmcitytree.blacksky.app · 21/09/2026
Required reading on the NHJ NYTimes piece by @dumilm.bsky.social
wordsbydumi.substack.com
Five Thoughts on NHJ’s “...Did I betray my own?”
Nikole Hannah Jones has written an insightful and vulnerable reflection, but what are we to take from it?
2237
Reposted by Russ Walker
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NEW: @apnews.com confirms that ICE has begun electronically "disappearing" people in the agency's custody who have final orders of removal. As of last week, anyone jailed by ICE with a final order of removal will NOT appear in the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, making them effectively vanish.
apnews.com
AP Exclusive: ICE hides locations of thousands of detainees with final removal orders
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has stopped publicly revealing where it is holding most detainees who are subject to final deportation orders, in a move that has made it harder for lawyers an...
18945992953
Reposted by Russ Walker
LNP | LancasterOnline @lancasteronline.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Music from a military brass band carried through Lancaster Cemetery on Saturday morning as historians, Civil War reenactors and elected officials gathered to rededicate a memorial to John F. Reynolds, a Lancaster native and Civil War general. lanc.news/4AH7RIz
lanc.news
John F. Reynolds gravesite rededicated in Lancaster Cemetery following restoration
Music from a military brass band carried through Lancaster Cemetery on Saturday morning as historians, Civil War reenactors and elected officials gathered to rededicate a memorial to John F. Reynolds,
012
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hershey said Trump’s push to import more beef could be an opportunity for his business, Hershey’s Lancaster Beef, that sells directly to customers. He hopes to work directly with local food retailers to serve customers who are starting to become more mindful of where their food is coming from.
lancasteronline.com
'Know your farmer:' Lancaster County beef farms see opportunity in Trump's push for beef imports
Hundreds of steers peered up at Seth Hershey while he considered his options for the future. He said 2026 was proving to be one of the most difficult years he’d
011
Reposted by Russ Walker
Spotlight PA @spotlightpa.org · 21/09/2026
In Pennsylvania, residential customers shoulder the cost of utility assistance programs. Businesses and factories don’t have to contribute, unlike in other states. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09/pe…
131
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jaxon White @jaxonwhite.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
James Malone won a Trump-friendly Pa. state senate district by 526 votes in a special election last year. Can this Democratic incumbent hold on this November? www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...
spotlightpa.org
Tough odds for Democratic incumbent in key 36th PA Senate District
Trump won the 36th PA Senate District by 15 points in 2024. Democrat James Malone took it in a special election by about 500 votes.
042
Reposted by Russ Walker
Steve Hudson @dustcircle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
#RFKJr.’ s Faulty Claim that #US. #Measles Response Is ‘Better’ Than ‘Any Other Country’ www.factcheck.org/2026/09/rfk-...
factcheck.org
RFK Jr.'s Faulty Claim that U.S. Measles Response Is 'Better' Than 'Any Other Country' - FactCheck.org
When asked about the largest surge in measles in over 30 years, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. is doing or has done “better … than any c...
001
Reposted by Russ Walker
Alan @fairhopeman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Criticism has intensified since trump returned to the White House,with 𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀.“𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭. 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐝𝐮𝐝𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨."
theguardian.com
‘I don’t trust him any more’: Pennsylvanians come to grips with John Fetterman’s rightwing turn
The maverick senator has isolated himself from supporters as he has become a strident supporter of Israel
001
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
nytimes.com
Pennsylvania Measles Outbreak Leads to an Increase in Vaccinations (Gift Article)
As the outbreak grows to more than 700 confirmed cases, the largest in the country, some people remain opposed to vaccines and others are rushing to get the shots.
032
Reposted by Russ Walker
Brett Sholtis @brettsholtis.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
To prevent measles exposure, Philly-area moms are vaxxing early, delaying daycare, and avoiding hard-hit regions. “I have a child to protect at all costs. So I’m making sure I’m not in contact with anyone who’s been traveling out to Lancaster.” @inquirer.com www.inquirer.com/health/measl...
inquirer.com
As measles cases grow in Pennsylvania, some parents are speeding up vaccinations and avoiding Lancaster County
The measles outbreak has some Philadelphia-area parents opting to vaccinate their children early and delay daycare while avoiding Lancaster County and those who have traveled there.
095
Reposted by Russ Walker
LNP | LancasterOnline @lancasteronline.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Mock constitutional convention offers hope for our democracy [column] lanc.news/4hzE0Ke
lanc.news
Mock constitutional convention offers hope for our democracy [column]
A progressive, a centrist and a libertarian walk into a bar.
002
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Anyone know what the "OSM" is?
wfmz.com
Racist flyers distributed in Allentown neighborhood
Allentown police are investigating a series of racist flyers distributed near Dieruff High School. The flyer is titled "September 30th: The Day of Reclamation."
211
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Must read from The Inquirer's Gillian McGoldrick share.inquirer.com/K5WGha
share.inquirer.com
‘Babies are dying’: How Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak changed the vaccine mindset of this Amish country midwife
While top officials publicly spar over whether Pennsylvanians are dying of measles, a midwife in Amish country believes the outbreak is so bad she wants to be able to carry the MMR vaccine herself.
002
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Sure, let's open a new front in the culture wars ... www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
congress.gov
000
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
gao.gov
U.S. GAO - U.S. Postal Service: Cost-Cutting Initiatives and Other Factors Have Contributed to Declining Service Performance
Since USPS launched its strategic plan in 2021, it has worked to cut costs and improve service. To align with its cost-cutting initiatives, USPS has...
000
Reposted by Russ Walker
Dan Silverman @dmsilverman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It’s young (white) men. New study in @nature.com by @jatucker.bsky.social et al looks at the predictors of white nationalist attitudes across an array of survey data. 🔑 Findings: —5% of white adults hold such views —13.5% of white men age 18-29 —Political ideology matters but it’s not just that
215465
Reposted by Russ Walker
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz just parroted one of RFK Jr.’s favorite and false talking points: “If someone got hit by a bus, and they happened to have COVID, often that was called a COVID-related death”. She said this right before she spoke with a ballroom full of healthcare executives.
wrdw.com
New CDC chief discusses measles, vaccine trust and staff morale
One month after taking over an embattled CDC, new Director Dr. Erica Schwartz sat down with our Georgia Capitol reporter, Abby Kousouris.
5128589
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jaxon White @jaxonwhite.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Legislative leaders say they want to legalize and regulate skill games before a court-mandated deadline opens the terminals up to seizure by law enforcement. Whether they’ll actually reach a consensus within the next month is much murkier. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...
spotlightpa.org
PA skill games face seizure as deadline looms
Top PA lawmakers say they want to find a consensus to legalize and regulate skill games before the Oct. 13 deadline. It’s unclear if they will.
002
Reposted by Russ Walker
Jaxon White @jaxonwhite.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro will call for the US to pressure China into increased AI regulations when he takes the stage at an industry conference in Pittsburgh today, per @politico.com. Those regs include a 3rd-party oversight and more transparency in development. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
politico.com
Shapiro stakes a ’28 position on AI
003
Reposted by Russ Walker
Lancaster Watchdog @lancasterwatchdog.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
thehill.com/homenews/sta...
thehill.com
House Democrats demand answers from CDC on Pennsylvania measles deaths
House Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee are demanding answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the agency’s refusal to accept Pennsylvania’s reporting of t…
001
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
not party line. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, voted with Democrats for the measure
010
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Among PA's 17 House members, it was straight party-line vote on a resolution to end the Iran war: clerk.house.gov/Votes/202630...
130
Russ Walker @russwalker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Reacher finale is all one could hope for. Endless bad guys being killed in endlessly interesting ways.
010
Reposted by Russ Walker
Betty C. Jung @bettycjung.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NewsGuard Launches Midterm Elections False Claims Tracker NewsGuard has identified 18 false claims about the November 2026 elections, including 11 about supposed voter fraud. www.newsguardrealitycheck.com/p/newsguard-...
newsguardrealitycheck.com
NewsGuard Launches Midterm Elections Misinformation Tracker
NewsGuard has identified 18 false claims about the November 2026 elections, including 11 about supposed voter fraud.
001