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Sara DiNatale

@saradinatale.bsky.social
840 followers 64 following 71 posts

Reporter at @sfchronicle.com covering politics in California after a decade reporting across the South. Polk winner. Buffalo native 🦬.

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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Thanks for having me today, @kqedforum.bsky.social.
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Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
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Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Incredible reporting: People are being held at SFO for a week or longer, with no access to attorneys, a bed or medical care. Some were driven in from other airports more than 100 miles away. Many are legal permanent residents. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Under Trump, SFO is now a de facto immigration detention center
More than two dozen immigrants have been held at San Francisco’s airport this year for longer than three days, in violation of Customs and Border Protection’s guidelines.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Customs agents are using airport “lounges” to detain immigrants for up to 8 days. More than 400 people across the country have been detained for 3+ days in holding rooms, which goes against CBP’s own policies. @sfchronicle.com www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art... @sfchronicle.com
sfchronicle.com
Under Trump, SFO is now a de facto immigration detention center
More than two dozen immigrants have been held at San Francisco’s airport this year for longer than three days, in violation of Customs and Border Protection’s guidelines.
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St. John Barned-Smith @stjbs.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
BREAKING: California detention centers weren't prepared for surging detainees, report finds — by @saradinatale.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
California detention centers weren't prepared for surging detainees, report finds
The conditions and limited access to food and healthcare raise serious concerns about the facilities’ abilities to safely detain a growing population, the state Department of Justice found.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Best day; best people.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
My Broadway theater knowledge 🤝 my political knowlege This story for @sfchronicle.com www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Trump and Newsom agree hospice fraud is a problem. They’re feuding over it anyway
Trump and Newsom’s dueling claims have created a bizarre reality in which both sides agree that a problem exists, yet they remain locked in a feud over who’s addressing it better.
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Susie Neilson @susien.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Eric's death is emblematic of larger issues at HomeRise, which has struggled for years to provide the supportive services it promises, an investigation by @mgafni.bsky.social, Matt Mitchell and I found. Notably, since 2022 at least 3 other residents died and weren't checked on for more than 3 days.
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Susie Neilson @susien.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Last fall, Eric McCain died in his room at Jazzie Collins, a supportive housing complex operated by San Francisco nonprofit HomeRise. The org requires "wellness checks" every 72 hours. But by the time Eric's sister Aisha called, nobody had seen him for 12 days. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
sfchronicle.com
At a ‘model’ S.F. complex for the formerly homeless, a man lay dead for days unnoticed
Eric McCain’s death was emblematic of continuing struggles by San Francisco housing provider HomeRise, which Nancy Pelosi has called a “beacon of hope” and “model for the nation.”
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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
San Jose and San Francisco metro areas have the highest concentration of H-1B workers in the country. As registration for the latest lottery ends today, new rules from the Trump administration have scrambled the local job market, @saradinatale.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Trump’s H-1B visa overhaul is upending Bay Area employment and separating families
The Trump administration’s overhaul of the Bay Area tech industry’s H-1B visa program has scrambled the plans of companies and foreign workers and left families separated across continents.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
I did an investigation on the flood of white South Africans on H-2A visas into the Mississippi Delta while at @mississippitoday.org in 2022. First, a link to my investigation: mississippitoday.org/2022/06/29/d...
mississippitoday.org
Delta farm owners underpay, push out Black workers - Mississippi Today
A Mississippi Today investigation found at least five Delta farms paid Black local workers less than white workers from other countries.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A growing number of Northern California Planned Parenthood locations are asking patients a new question: Would you like Botox with your birth control? @sfchronicle.com
sfchronicle.com
‘Not your mom’s Planned Parenthood’: Northern California clinics add Botox, IVs to offerings
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte leaders say the services are an effort to bolster revenue after devastating cuts, but also reflect patient demand.
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Susie Neilson @susien.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Super proud that our investigative series into wildfire insurance was recognized as a semifinalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting! TY @shorensteinctr.bsky.social :) goldsmithawards.org/announcing-t... @meganmunce.bsky.social @saradinatale.bsky.social
goldsmithawards.org
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The California DMV says the Trump admin & its regulators are purposefully keeping it from fixing the commercial driving licenses of ~20,000 immigrant drivers. Time is running out and those drivers could soon be out of trucking forever. @sfchronicle.com www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
California pulled immigrants’ trucking licenses. Now it can’t give them back
California says the Trump administration is intentionally stalling efforts to reissue immigrant truck drivers’ licenses to keep them from ever driving professionally again.
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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Tens of thousands of immigrant truck drivers are on the verge of losing their licenses because of a combination of clerical errors by the California DMV and new restrictions by the Trump administration, @saradinatale.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
California pulled immigrants’ trucking licenses. Now it can’t give them back
California says the Trump administration is intentionally stalling efforts to re-issue immigrant truck drivers’ licenses in order to keep them from ever driving professionally again.
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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
After canceling 17,000 commercial drivers licenses last month under pressure from the Trump admin, California will begin reissuing licenses for immigrants with valid work permits, potentially setting up a clash with the feds, @saradinatale.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Immigrant truck drivers have become collateral damage in the state’s war with Trump
The Department of Motor Vehicles plans to begin issuing the drivers new licenses this week, according to a letter obtained by the Chronicle.
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Susie Neilson @susien.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Scoop by @edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social @saradinatale.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Meteorologists now face a Trump ‘loyalty test’ when applying to National Weather Service jobs
After firing hundreds of meteorologists, the National Weather Service announced it is filling vacant positions. Applicants are being asked to detail their support for Trump’s policies.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
“I won’t let my son fall through the cracks,” Cameron’s mom, Dana, told me. A year ago, Cameron found a doctor at Planned Parenthood that accepted Medicaid. Now, not only is his clinic closed but the remaining PPs in the region are sunsetting primary care altogether because of Medicaid cuts.
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Luis Chabolla @lchabolla.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Our local @pbs.org station KEET-TV might be another victim of #Trump GOP war on public media. #SavePBS #PublicMedia #HumboldtCountyCA Follow @saradinatale.bsky.social
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Breaking news ➡️ Trump cuts to Medicaid have forced a Planned Parenthood affiliate to shutter five Northern California clinics: “It’s just not sustainable.” @sfchronicle.com www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
Planned Parenthood closes 5 Northern California clinics, citing Trump budget bill
Thursday’s announcement drives home the extent of the federal government’s tremendous power to impact abortion access.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
My latest story in my new job covering California politics & Trump at @sfchronicle.com. Meet the Northern California PBS station slated to lose half its budget under the federal funding cuts to public media: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
This Northern California PBS station will lose half its budget to Trump cuts
Stations like KEET-TV in Eureka could become casualties of President Donald Trump’s plan to claw back $9 billion in public broadcasting funds.
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San Antonio Express-News @expressnews.com · 05/07/2025
The devastating floods have claimed 24 lives. More than 20 children are missing, and officials say more deaths are expected.
bit.ly
Camp Mystic deadly flood updates: Death toll rises to 24; 270 rescued
The devastating floods have claimed 13 lives. More than 20 children are missing, and officials say more deaths are expected.
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San Antonio Express-News @expressnews.com · 05/07/2025
The devastating floods have claimed 13 lives. Twenty children are missing, and officials say more deaths are expected.
bit.ly
Kerr County deadly flood updates: Emergency crews search for survivors
The devastating floods have claimed 13 lives. Twenty children are missing, and officials say more deaths are expected.
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San Antonio Express-News @expressnews.com · 05/07/2025
About 23 girls were still missing after major flooding at a private Christian summer camp in Hunt, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said during a news conference.
bit.ly
Who are the Camp Mystic girls still missing after devastating floods in Texas?
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday during a press conference that about 23 girls were still missing after major flooding at a private Christian summer camp in Hunt.
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Marc Duvoisin @marcduvoisin.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a bill requiring the Public Utility Commission to publish a consumer guide to avoiding rip-offs by rooftop solar companies. The law was inspired in part by @saradinatale.bsky.social's four-part series, "In Broad Daylight." capitol.texas.gov/billlookup/A...
capitol.texas.gov
Texas Legislature Online - 89(R) Actions for SB 1697
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
In Broad Daylight update 🧵 ➡️ TX Senate committee discussed solar consumer protections today. The bill is still pending, but industry (from roofing to electricians & solar) testified in support. The bill has been changed to have extra penalties for vics 65+ rather than 55. @expressnews.com
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Advanced Energy United @advancedenergyunited.org · 04/03/2025
"The Texas government has got to come up with a way to incentivize (virtual power plants)," TAEBA's Matt Boms told @saradinatale.bsky.social @expressnews.com. Read more: www.expressnews.com/business/art...
expressnews.com
Backyard backup: Virtual power plants give homeowners — and grid — security
“Virtual power plants” fed by connected pools of residential power could be key in stabilizing the Texas grid. But technology and regulation are challenges.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
If you're interested in hearing more about the four-part series 'In Broad Daylight' I did on the Texas solar industry that just won a George Polk Award, @douglewin.bsky.social posted his latest podcast where we chat the series, the process and the grid. www.douglewin.com/p/know-befor...
douglewin.com
Know Before You Go Solar with Sara DiNatale
Award winning investigative reporter Sara DiNatale exposed how some bad actors in misled Texas homeowners, leaving them with faulty systems, mounting debt, and little recourse
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
You may have seen a dire-sounding ERCOT report last week. My story today has needed nuance about the figures and why standardized load growth reporting criteria could help ERCOT improve the reports & forecasts that keenly influence lawmakers. @expressnews.com www.expressnews.com/business/art...
expressnews.com
ERCOT anticipates 'significant increase' in upcoming demand forecast
ERCOT anticipates 'significant increase' in upcoming Texas power demand forecast
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Marc Duvoisin @marcduvoisin.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Relentless, gutsy reporting by @saradinatale.bsky.social exposed the sleazy underside of Texas' rooftop solar energy boom. Today, her work was honored with a George Polk Award, first ever for San Antonio Express-News. www.expressnews.com/news/article...
expressnews.com
E-N series on dark side of rooftop solar boom wins George Polk Award
The San Antonio Express-News series documented deceptive sales tactics, exorbitant lending fees and shoddy workmanship. Thousands of Texans were victimized.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Will Texas finally crack down on the solar industry's bad actors? Sen. Judith Zaffirini filed a new bill that creates sales registration requirements and penalities up to $100k. It comes on the heels of my 4-part investigation for @expressnews.com www.expressnews.com/business/art...
expressnews.com
Texas bill would put financial hurt on dishonest solar sales reps
The proposed law targets abuses highlighted in a San Antonio Express-News series. Installers and salespeople coul be fined up to $100K for repeat violations.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Could Texas’ laissez-faire approach to the residential solar industry be changing? Industry leaders hope so as they look ahead to the legislative session. An @expressnews.com investigation uncovered heart-wrenching fallout from bad actors across the state. 🧵 www.expressnews.com/business/art...
expressnews.com
Texas residential solar firms look to state to clean up their industry
Unscrupulous operators have put a hurt on the industry's image. Solar companies and trade groups are asking the Legislature to step in and set standards.
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Marc Duvoisin @marcduvoisin.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
If you've stumbled onto any of @saradinatale.bsky.social's hard-hitting takeouts on the residential solar power industry in Texas, we've collected them in one place for your convenience. And there's one more still to come. www.expressnews.com/solar/
expressnews.com
In Broad Daylight | ExpressNews.com
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Part III of my @expressnews.com investigation into Texas’ solar industry uncovers a hidden fee often worth thousands of dollars in fintech loans used across the country. “We fought, and we got nothing except money going out of our pockets,” said one customer. www.expressnews.com/news/article...
expressnews.com
Hidden lending fee inflated the cost of rooftop solar systems across Texas
Companies offering quick-approval online loans for rooftop solar systems didn't disclose a lending fee of 30% or more, an Express-News investigation found.
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Ric Brack @ricbrack.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
As a post-Uri solar boom rolled across Texas, hidden loan fees pushed the cost of residential systems through the roof. Here's the latest ln @saradinatale.bsky.social's series on the impacts of the largely unregulated industry. www.expressnews.com/news/article...
expressnews.com
Hidden lending fee inflated the cost of rooftop solar systems across Texas
Companies offering quick-approval online loans for rooftop solar systems didn't disclose a lending fee of 30% or more, an Express-News investigation found.
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Marc Duvoisin @marcduvoisin.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Absolutely love JessicaPhelps' lead image with @saradinatale.bsky.social's blockbuster on how hidden loan fees drive up the cost of home solar systems across the country. The paperwork, the woman's expression ... a silent scream of aggravation and dismay. www.expressnews.com/news/article...
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San Antonio Express-News @expressnews.com · 04/12/2024
The Texas grid operator’s meteorologist said the state could face a sudden winter freeze this season that would put the electric grid at significant risk of emergency conditions and forced power outages. bit.ly/41jeIIF
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Ron Nirenberg @nirenberg.net · 04/12/2024
Just a reminder that without San Antonio's CPS Energy, Texas can’t keep the lights on, despite the claims that the state fixed the grid."
expressnews.com
ERCOT: CPS Energy's Braunig unit must stay online to keep Texans' lights on
The $34 million project, to be paid for by utility customers across Texas, is necessary to reduce the impact of a glitchy transmission circuit in San Antonio.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
ERCOT's meteorologist Tuesday told the state it should be on an extreme freeze watch in case a storm breaks through what's expected to be a warm winter. The grid operator's analysis shows a 50% chance h-+ of power outages during a deep freeze. @expressnews.com www.expressnews.com/business/art...
expressnews.com
ERCOT says Texas ‘in a pattern’ for deep freeze, boosting possibility of outages
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to have Uri,” the grid operator’s meteorologist says, “but we’re in a pattern that supports something like a Uri.”
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Marc Duvoisin @marcduvoisin.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
"Texas sunshine is a gift from the heavens. Even Texans of modest means should be able to get in on this energy abundance. Just watch out for scoundrels and scalawags." @houstonchronicle.com edit board weighs in on @saradinatale.bsky.social's solar series. www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/edit...
houstonchronicle.com
Don't get scammed on solar panels. Here's how to do it right | Editorial
An investigation by the San Antonio-Express News revealed rampant scams by door-to-door rooftop solar salespeople. Here are five tips to avoid getting cheated.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Part 2 of my series taking a dive into the problems of Texas' residential solar industry for the Express-News. Meet the sales agents targeting the elderly, then taking their earnings to strip clubs. One even called his sales groupchat the "wolves of wall street." www.expressnews.com/news/article...
expressnews.com
Inside the high-pressure sales culture of Texas’ solar energy boom
Door-to-door sales agents targeted the elderly with promises of energy savings, rebates, tax credits that proved illusory, an Express-News investigation found.
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Sara DiNatale @saradinatale.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
I’ve spent the last 10 months investigating Texas’ residential solar industry. With little regulations and a surge of door-to-door sales, thousands faced deceptive sales practices, overblown promises, expensive loans and shoddy workmanship. www.expressnews.com/news/article...
expressnews.com
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