Michelle R. Smith
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bymichellersmith.com
Michelle R. Smith
@bymichellersmith.com
Reporter at Guardian US. Ex-@APNews
Investigating the forces behind attacks on science and public health
Reach me on Signal: mrsmith.123
[email protected]
Based in Providence, Rhode Island
Pinned
NEW: AP investigation finds over 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections have been introduced in statehouses across the US this year, part of an organized, politically savvy campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. w/ @lauraungar.bsky.social
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
apnews.com
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Fox News ran video that it said were shot in Portland, Oregon, in September to gin up support for deploying the National Guard there. In truth the images were shot 5 years ago. @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/port...
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
More examples from this week! You are getting a lot of "free check might be on the way" stories on local news and the free check is not on the way.
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew about his crimes, newly released emails reveal – live updates
Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew about his crimes, newly released emails reveal – live updates
In new batch of emails released by House Democrats, Jeffrey Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump ‘spent hours’ at his house with one of his victims In a new batch of emails released by Democrats on the House oversight committee, Jeffrey Epstein wrote that Donald Trump knew about the late financier and sex-offender’s crimes. In the three emails released, Epstein apparently told his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims. In two other emails to author Michael Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls”, referring to the now-president. According to the exchanges, Epstein also solicited Wolff’s advice about how he should handle Trump discussing their friendship in an interview with CNN. “I think you should let him hang himself,” Wolff writes. “If he says he hasn’t been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
The spyware that is now in ICE's hands has been (by another government) against journalists and activists in Italy, as well as a top CEO, and a political consultant. Matteo Renzi, Italy's former prime minister, calls it the Italian Watergate. Now it's landed here: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Tech giants vow to defend users in US as spyware companies make inroads with Trump administration
Apple and WhatsApp say they will keep warning users if their phones are targeted by governments using hacking software against them
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women

🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Nancy Pelosi’s trades over the years have been so good that a startup was created to allow investors to directly mirror her portfolio.
One of the Greatest Wall Street Investors of All Time Announces Retirement
Nancy Pelosi’s trades over the years have been so good that a startup was created to allow investors to directly mirror her portfolio.
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where air traffic will be reduced on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a cascade of scheduling issues and delays.

Here are the airports affected ⬇️
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
New York, Los Angeles and Chicago airports are among 40 that will see reductions in flights from Friday as a result of the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines.
New York, LA and Chicago airports among 40 facing air traffic reductions
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
The FBI has subpoenaed the domain registrar of archive.today, demanding information about the owner.
FBI Tries to Unmask Owner of Infamous Archive.is Site
The FBI has subpoenaed the domain registrar of archive.today, demanding information about the owner.
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
The Trump administration has decided not to offer the IRS' electronic tax filing system for free next year, and its future is unclear.
IRS Direct File won't be available next year. Here's what that means for taxpayers
The Trump administration has decided not to offer the IRS' electronic tax filing system for free next year, and its future is unclear.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
🚨 WaPo SCOOP: Inside the crisis at the Heritage Foundation

The group behind Project 2025 is facing a rebellion — and has been for months.

The Tucker Carlson/Nick Fuentes/antisemitism saga is just what caused it to break into the open.

🎁 Gift link:
Heritage staff in open revolt over leader’s defense of Tucker Carlson
At least five members of Heritage’s antisemitism task force resigned after Roberts defended Carlson’s interview with antisemitic white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
wapo.st
November 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Leisure time. Photo from my collection, ca. 1950s.
November 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
How NDAs keep AI data center details hidden from Americans:

Big Tech companies use secrecy agreements with local governments to keep communities from knowing who is building in their backyards.

www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
How Big Tech uses NDAs to hide AI data center details from Americans
Big Tech companies use secrecy agreements with local governments to keep communities from knowing who is building in their backyards.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Maine voters passed a “red flag” law that empowers families to request that a judge temporarily restrict a potentially dangerous relative’s access to guns, two years after an Army reservist opened fire in Lewiston, killing 18.
Maine voters approve ‘red flag law’ two years after Lewiston shooting - The Boston Globe
The new law empowers families to ask a judge to temporarily restrict a potentially dangerous relative’s access to guns.
trib.al
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
WASHINGTON (AP) — FAA announces 10% reduction in airline traffic in 40 markets to maintain safety during ongoing government shutdown.
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
A UPS cargo plane's left wing caught fire and engine fell off just before the fiery crash on takeoff in Kentucky on Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
UPS plane crashes and explodes at a Kentucky airport, leaving at least 9 dead and others missing
Federal investigators say a UPS cargo plane’s left wing caught fire and its engine fell off just before a fireball crash after takeoff in Kentucky.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Thanks to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the shout-out about reporting by me and @lauraungar.bsky.social about anti-science bills in US statehouses, as well as our story on who benefits from MAHA
Trump Celebrates Treason with Return of Statues & Over 420 Anti-Science Bills Being Considered in States
November 4, 2025
kareem.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I have a new job – senior science investigative reporter at The Guardian US – and my tipline is open! 🚨🚨🚨
Are you a federal worker, a scientist, a parent targeted by anti-science social media ads, or anyone else with information to share?
I'm on Signal: mrsmith.123 or [email protected]
November 5, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Several teachers fled with a student and hid in the back of a pick-up.

They were 'terrified of being found. They weren’t sure what was going on. ICE, an attack on the school, they didn’t know.'”

-- Nathaniel Meadow, parent at the Rayito de Sol daycare center

blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
Daycare Teacher Pulled Out Of Preschool By Armed Federal Agents, 'Traumatizing' Families
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee, who cares for infants, is legally allowed to work in the United State...
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
“This case, ladies and gentleman of the jury, is about a sandwich.”

Closing arguments from the defense in the DC sandwich guy case are now underway.
November 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
What shocked me most about the death threats sent to teachers in Arizona in recent days was that they didn't come from extremists on fringe platforms, these were sent from seemingly regular people on Facebook.

Here's a sample of what they sent:

www.wired.com/story/arizon...
November 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
President Trump and his administration say National Guard troops are needed in “War ravaged” Portland to protect a local ICE office that he described as being under siege. Our review found no evidence of what could be termed a coordinated assault.
What Really Happened in Portland Before Trump Deployed the National Guard
In the two months before Trump’s decision, criminal charges were announced against only three people. On nights when physical conflict did erupt, it often came from police firing on, shoving, pepper-s...
www.propublica.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM