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Talia Sprague

@taliaspraguephotography.com
2.2K followers 237 following 167 posts

Crazy person masquerading as a photojournalist. | she/they | Chicago, Ill photojournalist | Past: @chicagotribune, @montanastandard, @virginianpilot | 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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Reposted by Talia Sprague
Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Here’s what @blockclubchi.bsky.social reporters and photographers captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods this week: This Week In Photos: Johnson Joins Mayoral Race, Mexican Independence Day Celebrated blockclubchicago.org/2026/09/18/t...
Dancers in traditional costumes march in the street during the annual 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Credit: Jim Vondruska for Block Club Chicago
Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a press conference after he announced he would run for re-election at the DuSable Museum on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Credit: Giacomo Cain/Block Club Chicago
Rate Field is seen in Bridgeport on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Credit: Talia Sprague for Block Club Chicago
The Morales family tries on a quinceañera dress at Alborada Quince, 3434 W. 26th St., in Little Village on Aug. 13, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
"Members of the group Patriot Front ride the metro as a commuter looks on, during the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr"
"Members of the group Patriot Front ride the metro as a commuter looks on, during the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr"
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gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Unfortunately my phone died so I didn't get as much video as I had hoped but here is Michelle, Persia's mother, speaking:
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 15/04/2026
The only thing that @ellery.bsky.social and @vimiller.bsky.social have in common is being iconic baddies who I happen to be friends with fwiw lmao. So don't go on confusing the two of them lol.
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ellery @ellery.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
A very important personal message for you all today: No, @vimiller.bsky.social and I are NOT the same person. And the fact that y'all keep confusing us says something about Society™️ in case you need more clarification: chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/2026...
COMMENTARY
OTHER VIEWS
LGBTQ+
No, my Sun-Times colleague, Violet Miller, and lare not the same person
Many people can't tell us apart because they don't know or understand trans women, a deficit that fuels policies and rhetoric that harm us all.
By Ellery Jones | Apr 15, 2026, 6:00am CDT
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller (left) and Sun-Times and
WBEZ Innovation Editor Ellery Jones | Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
“We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our identity to be included,” said organizer Keinan Carpenter, 25. “If I can’t play professionally, how can I make a space that’s professional athletics for queer and trans people? That’s the goal. There’s no limit, there’s no ‘I can’t’ — let me just make the space.”
chicago.suntimes.com
Trans Day of Visibility basketball tournament creates space for trans athletes amid international sports bans
The court, split into competitive and recreational sides, pitted players of all genders against each other for 15-minute matchups less than a week after transgender female athletes were banned from wo...
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
See what @blockclubchi.bsky.social reporters have captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods lately. This Week In Photos: Jesse Jackson Laid To Rest, Hundreds March For Women’s Day And More blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/13/t...
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shawn @mulchy.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
very disappointed to see @thetriibe.com fired one of its staffers after they went public with their union campaign and has still not voluntarily recognized the union. solidarity with @onetriibeunited.bsky.social ✊
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onetriibeunited.bsky.social @onetriibeunited.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Corli Jay, The TRiiBE’s community investment reporter was terminated by TRiiBE leadership on March 9 alleging that she had broken nonexistent company ethics rules.
Corli Jay, The TRiiBE’s community investment reporter was terminated by TRiiBE leadership on March 9 alleging that she had broken nonexistent company ethics rules. We believe this is retaliation for organizing a union. One Triibe United demands the immediate reinstatement of our member and voluntary recognition of our union. 
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gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
it's baseball season baby
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Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
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amanda moore 🐢 @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Washington Post laid off many of their staff photographers, too. Which seems missing from a lot of coverage I’ve read.
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Kim Kelly @kimkelly.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
journalists are workers who deserve to be paid fairly for our labor and I think that far too few consumers of media recognize or even care about this fact
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Hundreds protested in the Loop tonight in the snow and frigid cold as part of a nationwide shutdown in response to federal immigration raids, and fatal shootings by federal agents, in Minneapolis. Read the full story soon @ blockclubchicago.org 📍 Chicago #OnAssignment for @blockclubchi.bsky.social
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J. Emory Parker 🏳️‍🌈 @jaspar.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The reason journalists are so particular about what’s off the record and about granting anonymity is that many of us take that very seriously. If I promise to protect your identity, I’m not just saying I won’t print your name. I’m saying I will go to jail for refusing a court order to name you.
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Dan Hinkel @danhinkel.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Worth noting that one reason you’re benefitting so fully from the Star-Tribune’s timely, extensive coverage of unfolding events is that it’s a metro newspaper that hasn’t been systematically starved to further enrich shareholders and executives.
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Steve Held @peoplesfabric.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Reminder: DHS has lied after every single shooting, in big and obvious ways. After Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Marimar Martinez five times they claimed she was "armed with a semi-automatic weapon." In reality, they later found a handgun in her purse.
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gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
When people believed that Jade Helm was going to send surges of masked troops into American cities, we were told American patriots would arm themselves in defense. Today, ICE killed a man and used his concealed carry as justification.
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
The frigid temperatures aren’t chilling the news here in Chicago. See what @blockclubchi.bsky.social reporters captured while covering the city’s neighborhoods this week. This Week In Photos: Chicagoans Brace For Dangerous Cold, Bears Season Ends And Much More blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/23/t...
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
take a wild guess as to who not only passed and supported, but helped introduce the most recent trans bathroom bill in chicago…. if you guessed Rahm Emanuel, you were right! he did in 2016. focus on the classroom is *quite* the statement coming from the guy who closed 50 schools though.
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
bringing this one back because Rahm Emanuel is being loudly transphobic again
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
The energy in the city was unparalleled Saturday night when the Bears came from behind and beat their rivals in the fourth quarter. And from there, it was a chilly and wintery week with plenty of news. See photos by @blockclubchi.bsky.social 's team this week! blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/16/t...
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Broadview is restricting the items people will be allowed to bring inside it’s designated protest area near the ICE facility — under threat of removal or arrest — ahead of a protest tomorrow, which the village said it expects to bring 2-5k people to Lexington and Beach Street.
The following items will not be permitted inside the protest area:

• Firearms or other weapons prohibited under Illinois law including knives, clubs, metal pipes, or similar objects primarily designed or used as weapons.

• Wooden or metal poles, boards, or sticks thicker than ¾ inch in diameter or with sharp ends; sign supports must be hollow cardboard or similarly flexible material.

• Shields, body armor, helmets (other than required motorcycle/bicycle helmets while riding), or gas masks.

• Glass bottles, rocks, bricks, fireworks, or other hard objects that can be thrown.

•Large hard-sided coolers, backpacks, or bags larger than 4×4, except as medically necessary.

"Individuals who bring prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicles or dispose of them before entering the protest area," said Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills. "Failure to comply with these restrictions or other lawful orders may result in removal from the area and possible arrest under applicable state or local laws."

The restrictions are intended solely to protect the safety of protesters, residents, businesses, and first responders.
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Jesus. www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 15, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reid Forgrave
ICE agents eat at small-town Mexican restaurant — then arrest workers
Federal agents detained three workers from a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Willmar yesterday, hours after four agents ate lunch there.

It was not immediately clear what the immigration status of those detained was, or whether the people detained included the restaurant’s owners or only workers.

An eyewitness who declined to give a name for fear of retribution, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that four ICE agents sat in a booth for a meal at El Tapatio a little before 3 p.m. Staff at the restaurant were frightened, said the eyewitness, who shared pictures from the restaurant as well as video of the arrest.

The arrest happened around 8:30 p.m. near a Lutheran church and Willmar Middle School as agents followed the workers after they closed up for the night. A handful of bystanders blew whistles and shouted at agents as they detained the people. “Would your mama be proud of you right now?” one of the bystanders asked.
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 28/12/2025
My 2025 Photos of the year. - My full thoughts on this year are over on my instagram (@taliaspraguephoto), but TLDR: Working in media this year has been so weird, especially as a trans woman who's been impacted by some of the very policies that we're trying to do stories on.
Talia Sprague's 2025 Photos of the year! Individual Pictures and their captions follow in the thread.
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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
News Team,
Thank you for the notes and texts. I apologize for not reaching out earlier.
I learned on Saturday that Bari Weiss spiked our story, INSIDE CECOT, which was supposed to air tonight. We (Ori and I) asked for a call to discuss her decision. She did not afford us that courtesy/opportunity.
Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now-after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.
We requested responses to questions and/or interviews with DHS, the White House, and the State Department. Government silence is a statement, not a VETO. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed
to kill the story.
If the administration's refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, wehave effectively handed them a "kill switch" for any reporting they find inconvenient.
If the standard for airing a story becomes
"the government must agree to be
interviewed," then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast.
We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state.
These men risked their lives to speak with us.
We have a moral and professional obligation to the sources who entrusted us with their
stories. Abandoning them now is a betrayal of the most basic tenet of journalism: giving voice to the voiceless.
CBS spiked the Jeffrey Wigand interview due to legal concerns, nearly destroying the credibility of this broadcast. It took years to recover from that "low point." By pulling this story to shield an administration, we are repeating that history, but for political optics rather than legal ones.We have been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it.
When it fails to air without a credible
explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship. We are trading 50 years of "Gold Standard" reputation for a single week of political quiet.
I care too much about this broadcast to watch
it be dismantled without a fight.
Sharyn
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Julia Poe @juliapoe.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
"Before I was a creator, I was a Bulls fan." Kenny Beecham is staying true to his roots as his career soars with a new NBC partnership. Really enjoyed chatting with Kenny about his Chicago roots, his outlook on the NBA and the future of sports content.
chicagotribune.com
Kenny Beecham stays true to his roots in new NBC partnership: ‘Before I was a creator, I was a Bulls fan’
NBA content creator Kenny Beecham found a new platform with an NBC partnership. But at his heart, he’s still the same kid from Chicago who fell in love with the Bulls two decades ago.
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Chicago Tribune Sports @chicagosports.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
NBA content creator Kenny Beecham found a new platform with an NBC partnership. But at his heart, he's still the same kid from Chicago who fell in love with the Bulls two decades ago. 📝 @juliapoe.bsky.social
trib.al
Kenny Beecham stays true to his roots in new NBC partnership: ‘Before I was a creator, I was a Bulls fan’
NBA content creator Kenny Beecham found a new platform with an NBC partnership. But at his heart, he’s still the same kid from Chicago who fell in love with the Bulls two decades ago.
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Sorry guys universe is splitting open starting today
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shawn @mulchy.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
the cook county public defender's office not mincing words in its response to a plan to allow all chicago cops to directly file felony weapons possession charges. "This policy abandons prosectors’ duty to review felony charges and simply hands that responsibilities over to police."
The Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender has opposed the State’s Attorney’s felony bypass policy since its inception, and we oppose any expansion.

This policy abandons prosectors’ duty to review felony charges and simply hands that responsibilities over to police, who have an obvious incentive to bring charges in cases whether there is evidence to support them or not.

While the State’s Attorney’s Office claims this policy will free prosecutors to focus on more serious cases, the more likely outcome will be thousands of nonviolent gun possession cases that shouldn’t be filed clogging up the courts, 30% of which end up getting thrown out.
Chicago police have a long history of misconduct connected with the types of traffic stops that usually initiate these nonviolent possession charges, including racial profiling and conducting unconstitutional searches.

A CBS news report last month highlighted the Chicago Police Department charging Black gun owners with unlawfully possessing a firearm even when they were legally allowed to. We would think this would necessitate reexamination of the felony review bypass policy—not expansion. Coupled with the State’s Attorney’s Office’s other harmful policies, including seeking detention in almost all gun cases without considering the facts unique to each person, bypassing felony review runs a significant risk of unnecessarily involving people in the criminal legal system.

Even someone who is later proven innocent or whose case is dismissed is harmed by the arrest and filing of felony charges without proper prosecutorial oversight. Arrests, possible pretrial detention, and the burden of having to appear in court all lead to a higher likelihood of rearrest in the future and jeopardize the real building blocks of safe communities: stable employment and housing, continuous access to mental and physical healthcare, and strong family relationships.

We urge the State's Attorney’s Office to end this policy and take an active role in reviewing the quality of all gun possession cases before charges are filed.
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CNN @cnn.com · 21/11/2025
A federal judge has blocked the IRS from sharing information to help ICE with deportations. cnn.it/4o6OssL
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 21/11/2025
Being paid enough to support my friends, family and myself is all we ask for y'all.
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
In Illinois, 29 trans teens have died by suicide this year, per Trans Up Front, a trans youth advocacy group. Last year we lost four; six in 2023. “This administration is targeting our children, they’re trying to take the next generation… [But] we’re gonna be here forever. We’ve always been here.”
chicago.suntimes.com
On Trans Day of Remembrance, community reflects on those lost: 'We're gonna be here forever'
But even in Illinois — where many trans people have fled as persecution against them ramps up in other states — 29 trans teens have died by suicide this year, according to a count by Trans Up Front Il...
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 21/11/2025
Just adding on to Gwen's thoughts here asking to give the trans people in your lives some grace, we're having to face our literal existence being slowly eroded away and that is exhausting to constantly hear about so please don't ask for our perspectives, instead ask about our happiness and joy.
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 16/11/2025
Frames from High School Football coverage today.
Fenwick players touch the Heisman Trophy while running out for warmups prior to a Class 6A state quarterfinals game against Central at the George T. Jorndt Athletic Complex in River Grove on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. The Heisman Trophy was won by former Fenwick and Notre Dame running back Johnny Lattner and was donated to Fenwick in 2017 following Lattner’s death. (Talia Sprague / Beacon News)Central wide receiver Samuel Ames (11) attempts to catch a pass under pressure from  Fenwick defensive back Odin Ferjak (11)  during a Class 6A state quarterfinals at the George T. Jorndt Athletic Complex in River Grove on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (Talia Sprague / Beacon News)Central wide receiver Bennek Braden (14) attempts to catch a pass under pressure from Fenwick defensive back Josh Morgan (2) and  defensive back Fran Madden (15) during a Class 6A state quarterfinals at the George T. Jorndt Athletic Complex in River Grove on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (Talia Sprague / Beacon News)Central quarterback Landon Arnold (3) walks to the handshake line in the final seconds of a  Class 6A state quarterfinals game against Fenwick at the George T. Jorndt Athletic Complex in River Grove on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (Talia Sprague / Beacon News)
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chelsea bridge 🩸 @secretaboutbox.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
you should go out of your way to use your trans friends' names when you talk to them they chose their names and they feel it in their chests when they hear or see it we waited our whole lives to hear our real names and it doesn't get old
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 16/11/2025
I've moved to biking for exercise bc after running cross country and track in high school, I've done enough running for several lifetimes.
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tifa 🏳️‍⚧️ @tifacutie.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
I don’t care if this offends you : Transwomen are real women ! 🏳️‍⚧️
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Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 14/11/2025
that the left wing talks "only about identity" (he means trans people) is a right wing propaganda and demonization effort he and Newsom are actively choosing to validate and elevate because a six-figure consultant told them to it would be so easy to instead go on offense and focus on corruption
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🎃🏳️‍🌈Frosty All Along🏳️‍🌈🎃 @frostytearex.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
I hear myself say "ugh, straight people." at least once a day lately.
media.tenor.com
a woman wearing a hat and a poncho is walking down the sidewalk
Alt: Agatha Harkness from Agatha All Along strutting down the street putting her sunglasses on
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Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
After @mandophotos.bsky.social photographed federal agents pointing rifles at 26th/Lawndale yesterday, I inquired with DHS about what threat had prompted them to pull weapons on a busy commercial strip (pictured). This is the response I got from a representative of the United States government.
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Another week of being so grateful for the hard visual work from the @blockclubchi.bsky.social team and freelancers. Check out our photos here: This Week In Photos: 50 Years Of The Rink, A Father Returns From Federal Custody And More blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/t...
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jae holzman @jael.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
being trans in america is dangerous no matter where you go
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jae holzman @jael.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
someone went up to sarah mcbride in front of the u.s. congress, hurled her deadname at her loudly and called her a pedophile repeatedly, posted video of the exchange to x, and it is now going wildly viral i will not share the video but if you’re not speaking up about this, you’re hurting yourself
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john j. kim @jkimpictures.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the first ever to pitch the First and Final inning of an MLB season (I think). ⚾
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws against the Cubs in the first inning at the Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2025, in Tokyo. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
so many runners left in scoring position that i'm shocked the astros aren't involved in this game
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Talia Sprague @taliaspraguephotography.com · 02/11/2025
This game is gonna give me heart palpitations omfg.
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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
The unauthorized use is “particularly egregious” because the “false implication that CSTM gave permission for its intellectual property to be used in connection with [DHS]’s publicity campaign damages CSTM’s credibility and interferes with its ability to report.” DHS has yet to respond.
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago Sun-Times demands DHS remove social posts using its photos without permission
A letter sent to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday says the government used three Sun-Times photos without permission to promote its immigration enforcement campaign. The ...
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Another week of being so proud of the great work by the @blockclubchi.bsky.social team: This Week In Photos: Bovino's Day In Court, Feds Continue To Tear Gas Neighbors blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/31/t...
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