Alex Baumhardt
@alexbaumhardt.bsky.social
Journalist covering environment and education @oregoncapitalchronicle.com, part of @statesnewsroom.com
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Two powerful Oregon Democrats are cautioning against lawsuits the state could run into as lawmakers attempt to regulate the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, pitting them against activists eager to fight in court to prevent federal agents from covering their faces. buff.ly/7ILZ7vV
Should Oregon water down a bill to ban officers from wearing masks? Democrats are divided • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Even a floated approach allowing agents to wear their masks with identification on top could face challenges, some legal experts say.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Two powerful Oregon Democrats are cautioning against lawsuits the state could run into as lawmakers attempt to regulate the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, pitting them against activists eager to fight in court to prevent federal agents from covering their faces. buff.ly/7ILZ7vV
About 50 lawmakers — from states including Utah, Georgia, Oregon and North Carolina — stood beside about a dozen Minnesota lawmakers in St. Paul. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/29/l...
Lawmakers visit Minnesota for inspiration — and to warn the nation • Minnesota Reformer
Democratic lawmakers from 13 states visited Minnesota Thursday to show solidarity for the Midwestern state that has seen 3,000 federal agents flood its city streets and the deaths of two U.S. citizens...
minnesotareformer.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
About 50 lawmakers — from states including Utah, Georgia, Oregon and North Carolina — stood beside about a dozen Minnesota lawmakers in St. Paul. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/29/l...
Imagine how powerful it would be if the Capitol Press Corps in D.C. came together to do anything like this for their colleagues….
The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Imagine how powerful it would be if the Capitol Press Corps in D.C. came together to do anything like this for their colleagues….
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation after federal agents fatally shot Minneapolis man Alex Pretti. The Trump administration briefly said the DHS would an investigation.
Live: U.S. opens civil rights investigation in Alex Pretti’s death
President Trump labeled Pretti an “agitator” after new video showed the Minneapolis man clashing with federal agents.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation after federal agents fatally shot Minneapolis man Alex Pretti. The Trump administration briefly said the DHS would an investigation.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
The two children taken to the detention center go to the same school as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained with his father earlier this month.
Detained asylum-seeking mother asks principal to bring her two young children to Whipple
The children go to the same school as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained with his father earlier this month.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 5:34 PM
The two children taken to the detention center go to the same school as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained with his father earlier this month.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Wow. The county is charging the Ilhan Omar attacker even though the feds are also doing that, because they don't trust Trump to not pardon the guy.
This was a disturbing assault on @repilhan.bsky.social, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected officials and members of the public.
Mr. Kazmierczak has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault.
Mr. Kazmierczak has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault.
January 29, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Wow. The county is charging the Ilhan Omar attacker even though the feds are also doing that, because they don't trust Trump to not pardon the guy.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
meanwhile, ICE is still out in force terrorizing the children of Minnesota - just got this from my kid's school
January 29, 2026 at 10:46 PM
meanwhile, ICE is still out in force terrorizing the children of Minnesota - just got this from my kid's school
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
NEW: ICE has spent at least $172 million this month on warehouses that it plans to convert into immigration jails
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
W/ @sooophie.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
W/ @sooophie.bsky.social
US Spends Millions on Warehouses in Historic Expansion of ICE Detention
Plans for ‘mega centers’ and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:03 PM
NEW: ICE has spent at least $172 million this month on warehouses that it plans to convert into immigration jails
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
W/ @sooophie.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
W/ @sooophie.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
"A Minnesota State Patrol trooper found Alfredo Mancillas Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, slumped over in a car at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood."
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
Border Patrol employee found ‘covered in vomit’ in St. Paul, charged with drunk driving
Border Patrol employee Alfredo Mancillas Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, was charged with drunk driving in St. Paul.
sahanjournal.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:24 AM
"A Minnesota State Patrol trooper found Alfredo Mancillas Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas, slumped over in a car at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood."
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
sahanjournal.com/public-safet...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
A federal appeals court in California has ruled that Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, exceeded her authority when she sought to end TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians, saying people have lost jobs, homes, and their ability to provide for their families. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/u...
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Protections for Venezuelans
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:46 PM
A federal appeals court in California has ruled that Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, exceeded her authority when she sought to end TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians, saying people have lost jobs, homes, and their ability to provide for their families. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/u...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
was that not already banned
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:17 AM
was that not already banned
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
I was talking to some other locals today about this disconnect between what we see on the ground and national politics. What’s clear here is that ICE is acting lawlessly. So it’s unclear why laws reminding them to follow the laws they’re breaking would work.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party agreed on three main goals:
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
Democrats demand new ICE restrictions as government shutdown looms
After federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they’ll block a massive government funding package without policy changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:05 AM
I was talking to some other locals today about this disconnect between what we see on the ground and national politics. What’s clear here is that ICE is acting lawlessly. So it’s unclear why laws reminding them to follow the laws they’re breaking would work.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
"Shirley and his ilk are not just content creators with a right-wing twist — they’re algo hounds. And he was not just making plain old propaganda; he was making internet slop." @miasato.bsky.social @theverge.com
When “independent journalists” aren’t really journalists
The rise of slop producers like Nick Shirley
www.theverge.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 PM
"Shirley and his ilk are not just content creators with a right-wing twist — they’re algo hounds. And he was not just making plain old propaganda; he was making internet slop." @miasato.bsky.social @theverge.com
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
It appears several clergy were just arrested as they staged an anti-ICE protest in the Russell Rotunda in the U.S. Senate office building.
A number of faith leaders, who were in town urging Senators to vote against additional ICE funding, were led away by police: www.facebook.com/FIAnational/...
A number of faith leaders, who were in town urging Senators to vote against additional ICE funding, were led away by police: www.facebook.com/FIAnational/...
January 29, 2026 at 8:31 PM
It appears several clergy were just arrested as they staged an anti-ICE protest in the Russell Rotunda in the U.S. Senate office building.
A number of faith leaders, who were in town urging Senators to vote against additional ICE funding, were led away by police: www.facebook.com/FIAnational/...
A number of faith leaders, who were in town urging Senators to vote against additional ICE funding, were led away by police: www.facebook.com/FIAnational/...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
“Given that training for ICE officers has dropped down to about 6.5 weeks, TV/movies might be their biggest source of knowledge. It demonstrates that agents aren’t moving with tactical focus; they’re doing what they think will look cool and intimidating in photos.”
www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:56 PM
“Given that training for ICE officers has dropped down to about 6.5 weeks, TV/movies might be their biggest source of knowledge. It demonstrates that agents aren’t moving with tactical focus; they’re doing what they think will look cool and intimidating in photos.”
www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
Washington is the only solidly Democratic state with no income tax, and despite the efforts of both Democrats and Republicans, Washingtonians have rejected income taxes 10 times in the last 90 years.
Washington state voters have rejected income taxes 10 times. Is this year different?
Washingtonians have rejected income taxes 10 times in the last 90 years. Democrats and even Republicans have tried and failed. So why is the vibe among tax reform advocates so optimistic in 2026?
n.pr
January 29, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Washington is the only solidly Democratic state with no income tax, and despite the efforts of both Democrats and Republicans, Washingtonians have rejected income taxes 10 times in the last 90 years.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
"This is the worst fucking time. But watching people's response to ICE has just been the most affirming thing in the world.” We interviewed our friends over at @racketmn.com about what it’s like to cover the crisis in Minneapolis as community-centered journalists
How Racket, Minneapolis’s Worker-Owned Newsroom, Is Covering Its Hometown Fascist Invasion
“This is the worst fucking time. But watching people’s response to ICE has been the most affirming thing in the world.”
www.coyotemedia.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:08 PM
"This is the worst fucking time. But watching people's response to ICE has just been the most affirming thing in the world.” We interviewed our friends over at @racketmn.com about what it’s like to cover the crisis in Minneapolis as community-centered journalists
U.S. electric and gas utilities requested nearly $31 billion in rate increases last year, more than double what they asked for the year before:
heatmap.news/sparks/power...
heatmap.news/sparks/power...
Utilities Asked for a Lot More Money From Ratepayers Last Year
A new PowerLines report puts the total requested increases at $31 billion — more than double the number from 2024.
heatmap.news
January 29, 2026 at 3:26 PM
U.S. electric and gas utilities requested nearly $31 billion in rate increases last year, more than double what they asked for the year before:
heatmap.news/sparks/power...
heatmap.news/sparks/power...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
“I'm here today to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves to be the voice for the people who can't speak for themselves.”
story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social
story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social
Student protesters shut down Arizona Senate with anti-ICE demonstration at Capitol | Arizona Mirror
Phoenix high school students walked out and marched to Arizona Capitol to protest ICE, briefly locking down Senate
azmirror.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:53 AM
“I'm here today to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves to be the voice for the people who can't speak for themselves.”
story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social
story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social
“The court’s patience is at an end… the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” the federal judge wrote in his order. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/27/i...
ICE releases detainee following slapdown from federal judge • Minnesota Reformer
Schiltz said acting ICE director Todd Lyons, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE’s top local official, David Easterwood, had failed to comply with “dozens” of court orders in recent weeks.
minnesotareformer.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:04 PM
“The court’s patience is at an end… the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” the federal judge wrote in his order. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/27/i...
Enrollment in Healthier Oregon — a state-funded health insurance program for income-eligible Oregonians regardless of immigration status — dropped by 10,000 in last 6 months, and many who remain covered aren't seeking care @miamaldonado.bsky.social reports: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/f...
Fewer immigrants are seeking Oregon health care benefits under Trump • Oregon Capital Chronicle
Healthier Oregon enrollment dropped to 97,000 people in January, according to Oregon Health Authority data.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Enrollment in Healthier Oregon — a state-funded health insurance program for income-eligible Oregonians regardless of immigration status — dropped by 10,000 in last 6 months, and many who remain covered aren't seeking care @miamaldonado.bsky.social reports: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/28/f...
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
I'm a reporter and editor with Task & Purpose. I want to talk to VA employees, better yet Minneapolis VA ones. What has the VA said to you after Alex Pretti's death? Has there been any message? Any asks not to discuss? What? Will protect sources, use 1st names only, etc. Signal handle is nslayton.12
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 AM
I'm a reporter and editor with Task & Purpose. I want to talk to VA employees, better yet Minneapolis VA ones. What has the VA said to you after Alex Pretti's death? Has there been any message? Any asks not to discuss? What? Will protect sources, use 1st names only, etc. Signal handle is nslayton.12
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
In response to announcement that he will be a new CBS contributor, Andrew Huberman tweeted “I’ve always gone issue-by-issue on health & science, spoken to experts w/a range of takes & presented where I see the center of (data) mass pointed. I’ll do the same with @CBSNews”. In Sept he posted this:
January 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM
In response to announcement that he will be a new CBS contributor, Andrew Huberman tweeted “I’ve always gone issue-by-issue on health & science, spoken to experts w/a range of takes & presented where I see the center of (data) mass pointed. I’ll do the same with @CBSNews”. In Sept he posted this:
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
ICE agents would be disqualified from working in California law enforcement and inside the public school system under a new bill introduced in the Legislature this week.
California bill would ban ICE agents from jobs in teaching and policing
ICE agents would be disqualified from working in California law enforcement and inside the public school system under a new bill introduced in the Legislature this week.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 12:20 AM
ICE agents would be disqualified from working in California law enforcement and inside the public school system under a new bill introduced in the Legislature this week.
Reposted by Alex Baumhardt
“Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. We can do this the easy way or the hard way." floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/27/r...
Here’s the list of US House Democrats who want to impeach Kristi Noem • Florida Phoenix
WASHINGTON — A growing number of U.S. House Democrats are pushing for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s impeachment after another fatal shooting of an American citizen by federal immigration o...
floridaphoenix.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. We can do this the easy way or the hard way." floridaphoenix.com/2026/01/27/r...