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Scott Morris

@scottmorris.bsky.social
299 followers 109 following 141 posts

Investigative journalist. Public records nerd. Co-founder, @vallejosun.bsky.social

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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Honestly too busy with projects to make much of a fuss but @vallejosun.bsky.social is FIVE YEARS OLD today. We launched with almost nothing in 2021 and just had a goal of providing in-depth, consistent local news. We're still here and still growing!
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Excellent new reporting from the Vallejo Sun about the effects VA mental health cuts are having on local veterans. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
The Vallejo Sun took a deep dive into Vallejo police pursuits, examining years of data. Pursuits have skyrocketed since 2020, killing 5 people in less than four years, and frequently start over nonviolent crimes and infractions. By @zackhaber.bsky.social www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo police promised fewer pursuits, but dangers of car chases remain
Three years of data show Vallejo police regularly chased people for nonviolent crimes. The pursuits regularly ended in injuries, and occasionally deaths to bystanders and suspects.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
The Vallejo Sun and the @facoalition.bsky.social scored a victory for transparency last week when a Solano County judge ruled that the city must release video of a police shooting last year, and can't redact the faces of officers. www.vallejosun.com/judge-orders...
vallejosun.com
Judge orders city of Vallejo to release police shooting video after Vallejo Sun lawsuit
The footage concerns the 2025 shooting of Alexander Schumann, who was experiencing a mental health crisis when officers arrived.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
What discipline did officers actually face for the Vallejo police badge bending scandal? One officer with three sustained violations was with the force for four years after the investigation's conclusion and was named "supervisor of the year" in 2023. www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-rele...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo releases investigation into police badge bending five years after its completion
Six officers were found to have violated department policy, but it is unclear if they faced any consequences.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
I've seen a shocking amount of racism directed toward the students in these videos since they were published Thursday. It's not just people defending the officer, there are aggressive, repeated efforts to dehumanize all the kids at this school. www.vallejosun.com/video-shows-...
vallejosun.com
Video shows Fairfield officer punching high school student in the face
Fairfield police confirmed the arrest of two Fairfield high school students Wednesday.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
After @vallejosun.bsky.social discovered an apparent Brown Act violation by the Vallejo school board in December, they allegedly did it again. An employee union says the board rejected an MOU during an unagendized closed session in March. @zackhaber.bsky.social: www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo school board finalizes layoffs as union accuses district of continued legal violations
VCUSD’s biggest employee union has accused the district of violating state open meeting law twice in recent months.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Mare Island Brewing Co. on Saturday! It was great to meet our readers, see some familiar faces and connect with the Vallejo community.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
A victory for transparency: the Vallejo school board is going to re-vote on its decision to close three schools after reporting by @zackhaber.bsky.social that its initial vote appeared to violate the Brown Act. CC: @facoalition.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
A couple months ago the Chronicle published a story lauding how Vallejo has managed to close schools without as much pushback as bigger cities. It helps to make your decisions in secret. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
This is a big regional housing story in addition to another hit to Solano County employment. Factory_OS has been a fixture of affordable housing projects in the Bay Area for years. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Important follow up story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
@stevierea.bsky.social my book club pick this month
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
This is a fascinating in depth account of what’s been happening with Vallejo’s largest homeless encampment, which has been owned by one of the residents for the last two years bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
There was so much carbon monoxide present in this store that a Vallejo police officer who responded to one of the worker deaths passed out while waiting for the coroner to arrive, according to county and state investigators. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
We're a small, scrappy team that's bringing important news to you on a shoestring. Right now we're only 5% toward our $15,000 goal for our year-end campaign. Can you chip in today and help us get a little further? fundrazr.com/vallejo-sun-...
fundrazr.com
Help the Vallejo Sun reach our year-end goal in 2025!
Chip in to keep independent local journalism alive and thriving in Solano County.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
We also took third place in the criminal justice category for @scottmorris.bsky.social's story, "Testimony describes systematic coverup of Vallejo police misconduct and culture of retaliation." www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
vallejosun.com
Testimony describes systematic coverup of Vallejo police misconduct and culture of retaliation
Deposition testimony from former Vallejo Police Department leadership describes a broken, toxic culture.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
We took third place in the politics/government category for @zackhaber.bsky.social's story, "Vallejo school board elections increasingly uncompetitive since adopting districts." www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo school board elections increasingly uncompetitive since adopting districts
The school board has found few candidates to run after reforms prompted by a Malibu based attorney.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
🏆 The Vallejo Sun won two San Francisco Press Club awards at their annual gala on Tuesday! 🏆 sfpressclub.org/2025/12/09/2...
sfpressclub.org
2025 Journalism Awards Winners - San Francisco Press Club
Announcing the winners of the 2025 Journalism Awards! This year’s entries showcased outstanding storytelling, meticulous reporting, and deep commitment to […]
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
The city of Vallejo confirmed in court that police had been withholding officer misconduct complaints from criminal defendants and civil litigants. The city says the practice has ended, but it could jeopardize past prosecutions and lawsuit resolutions. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Dark and disturbing story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social The deputy accused of rape had shot and killed a man in Vallejo two months before the violent rapes allegedly began. His father is the former sheriff of Napa County. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
If you're on a Kaiser plan through Covered California, read your renewal carefully. Kaiser sent me a letter saying I'd be renewed for a plan that is "the same or similar" and my premiums would go up 11%. Apparently "similar" to Kaiser means my deductible going from 0 to $5,200.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
It's Giving Tuesday, and we're launching our year-end campaign. At the Vallejo Sun, we're striving to bring Vallejo and Solano County the fair, accurate and complete news product it deserves. Can you chip in to keep local news alive and thriving? fundrazr.com/vallejo-sun-...
fundrazr.com
Help the Vallejo Sun reach our year-end goal in 2025!
Chip in to keep independent local journalism alive and thriving in Solano County.
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Reposted by Scott Morris
The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
A Vallejo police lieutenant’s efforts to recover her golden handcuffs could lead to revelations about years of misconduct. It all started when then-Sgt. Jodi Brown tried to detain a man using gold-plated handcuffs inscribed with her name and badge number. www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo police search for golden handcuffs could expose years of due process violations
A Solano County Superior Court judge ordered the city to explain whether complaints against police officers were improperly withheld from criminal defendants.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
There's been some information flying around since Vallejo police Chief Shawny Williams resigned from the department under pressure from the police union that he was threatened and harassed until he left. This is the first time he's told the story himself. www.vallejosun.com/former-valle...
vallejosun.com
Former Vallejo police chief describes threats that led to his resignation
Williams described receiving a threatening greeting card, letters and emails.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
For years, the city of Vallejo has been flagrantly violating transparency law. It obscures the identities of police officers who are at shooting scenes and releases incomplete video records. With the help of the @facoalition.bsky.social, we're fighting back. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Major new allegations about the Vallejo Police Department here. Three plaintiffs who previously sued and settled with the city now say they were defrauded in their lawsuit and the city withheld important evidence. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
I’ve become aware that Steve Bearman, the subject of this 2017 article, is again offering counseling services and claims this article is full of lies. I interviewed these women personally and corroborated details of their stories. I stand by the article. eastbayexpress.com/oakland-coun...
eastbayexpress.com
Oakland Counseling Guru Accused of Sexual Assault | East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda
By all accounts, Steve Bearman was a charming and charismatic leader who had built an influential counseling school. With its promises of “healing, growth, and liberation,” Bearman’s Interchange Couns...
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Zack Haber @zackhaber.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
"Vallejo police have a pattern of giving...awards to officers who have used force or been involved in allegations of civil rights violations. A 2021 analysis showed that two-thirds of officers who were involved in incidents that led to settlements and payouts received a promotion or award after."
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
It's been quite a ride for Jarrett Tonn. He killed Sean Monterrosa in 2020, Vallejo police tried to fire him in 2021, but he won his job back in 2023. Now he's been promoted. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Google got off easy bsky.app/profile/carl...
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Vallejo police officers shot and wounded a man who allegedly pointed a pellet gun at officers on Friday evening. www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-poli...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo police shoot man allegedly holding pellet gun
Alexander Schumann was wounded in the shooting and expected to survive.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Graffiti of "Trump 2028" and swastikas was spotted today after a recent Vallejo homeless encampment sweep on Valle Vista Avenue. Photos via @vallejojustice.bsky.social
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Been seeing a new "podcast" popping up on Instagram called "Vallejo Spotlight," which is supposedly highlighting small businesses. This is entirely AI generated and in the first few videos couldn't even pronounce Vallejo correctly.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
At one point I used to turn up to 15 stories per day. They were all just 2-3 graf stories about homicides, fires, car accidents and things like that, but it was still crazy.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Vallejo's former police Capt. Jason Potts is being sued at his new role of public safety chief in Las Vegas for "viewpoint discrimination" because he only allows comments on X from people follows. www.ktnv.com/13-investiga...
ktnv.com
Las Vegas public safety chief accused of trying to control social media comments in new lawsuit
13 Investigates is following new court records alleging the head of the city marshals engaged in "viewpoint discrimination"
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Mission Local @missionlocal.org · 18/08/2025
We're very happy to voluntarily recognize the Mission Local Guild! We'll work in good faith with our staff on upcoming negotiations, & look forward to ironing out a contract.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Here's a particularly insidious illustration of this: A longstanding for-profit media company with a unionized staff established a nonprofit arm. All new staff was hired on the nonprofit side, part time, without benefits and no union protection. bsky.app/profile/scot...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
One of the saddest things I've realized over the last few years is how little working conditions seem to matter to the nonprofit journalism world. Publications that struggle to recruit and retain staff are treated as darlings in that world and rewarded with substantial grants and funding.
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Free Law Project ⚖ @free.law · 07/08/2025
Well, PACER was hacked again, probably by a nation state: www.politico.com/news/2025/08... Luckily, our blog post from 2021 still holds up. If only we could have known this might happen. free.law/2021/10/05/p...
free.law
PACER and CM/ECF are a Threat to National Security and Must be Urgently Overhauled
Why Congress must finally act to urgently and properly fix PACER/CM/ECF.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Vallejo passed a police oversight ordinance with a catch -- the police union had to sign off before the commission could do any work. Nearly three years later, it hasn't done anything. One attorney called it a "poison pill." bsky.app/profile/nhan...
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ACLU of Northern California @aclu-norcal.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
We called for an independent investigation of the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office due to serious allegations of misconduct. Instead, the council tasked a law firm with close ties to the city atty's office to investigate whether a "formal" investigation is even warranted. In a word, this is a sham.
vallejosun.com
Vallejo contracts outside law firm for review after ACLU letter
The city will contract with Renne Public Law Group to review what councilmembers called “recent allegations.”
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Avram Frey, deputy director of the criminal law and immigration project at the ACLU, called the City Council's action a "sham" in a statement late Tuesday. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
The Vallejo City Council voted to use an outside law firm to consider whether it must respond to and conduct an investigation into “recent allegations” after the ACLU sent a letter last week accusing the city attorney of misconduct. www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-cont...
vallejosun.com
Vallejo contracts outside law firm for review after ACLU letter
The city will contract with Renne Public Law Group to review what councilmembers called “recent allegations.”
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Asked for concrete data on how gunshot detection tech improves policing, police Capt. Jerome Bautista said, “We just have success stories. We don’t have more concrete data.” Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
After a slew of new revelations about the Vallejo police handling of evidence and complaints (including hiring an ineligible officer) the ACLU has called for an investigation into the conduct of the city attorney's office. Story by @nhansonreports.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/vall...
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
This year the Vallejo Sun has brought on four new contributors. Your support supports them. Every dollar we receive goes to bringing news to Vallejo and Solano County and supporting local journalists doing local work. Can you join us as a member today? www.vallejosun.com/membership/
vallejosun.com
Subscribe
An independent news publication illuminating Solano County, California.
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The Vallejo Sun @vallejosun.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara will retire in September after 13 years as sheriff, Ferrara told the Solano County Board of Supervisors in a letter Thursday. He recommended Undersheriff Brad DeWall replace him for the remainder of his 3 year term. www.vallejosun.com/solano-sheri...
vallejosun.com
Solano Sheriff Tom Ferrara to retire in September
Ferrara recommended that Undersheriff Brad DeWall be appointed sheriff for the reminder of his current term.
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
The same day I reported that a Vallejo police officer was hired after he was disqualified by three other agencies, the city council voted to give them retention bonuses. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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Scott Morris @scottmorris.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
More shocking revelations about Vallejo police, corroborating what two recruiters testified to: that they hired people who couldn't be hired at other departments. bsky.app/profile/vall...
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