Josiah Bates
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josiahbates.bsky.social
Josiah Bates
@josiahbates.bsky.social
Reporter at @thetrace.org
New book in the works on the rise of elite police units
Thinking about crime, policing, journalism, and the NBA
NEWSLETTER: https://tinyurl.com/yh6ssud5

🇯🇲🇹🇹

https://www.josiahbates.com
Reposted by Josiah Bates
Super Bowl viewers Sunday speculated that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos appeared in the halftime show. In fact, he has been in hiding with his family.

“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
‘He’s not the same’: Father of Liam Conejo Ramos says 5-year-old continues to suffer
Some people thought they say the 5-year-old during the Super Bowl halftime show. But Liam is still in hiding with his family, after he and his father were detained and then released from a Texas deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Why everybody got smoke tonight?
Status alert: Naz Reid, Mo Gueye have been ejected for fighting Monday.
February 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM
He saw the Celtics get dog walked by the Knicks and said “it’s time”
From the Boston Celtics on Jayson Tatum:
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 PM
A QB mid-off in the Super Bowl is not ideal
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Darnold determined to throw a pick
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:
February 8, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Pitino had a better run as the Celtics coach
After a disastrous run two years, Will Lewis is OUT as CEO and publisher of The Washington Post. Jeff D'Onofrio steps in as interim boss.
February 7, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates

🧵 1/ We’re devastated about the layoffs at The Washington Post, which are gutting D.C. reporting. These journalists are an incalculable loss for our city. The 51st’s mission has always felt urgent, but now we know it needs to kick into high gear.
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This episode of Martin is second to none
February 5, 2026 at 3:34 AM
What a disgrace
WaPo's Matt Murray told staff the paper is shuttering sports, moving remaining staff to features, shrinking foreign coverage, restructuring metro, closing books coverage, suspending Post Reports podcast

“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email” one staffer said

More in tonight’s Status
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I'm lukewarm on this. He's on an expiring so they're not taking on some crazy contract. Simmons was always trade bait. I wish they coulda kept him though cause he can hoop and he was much better defensively than I thought he'd be.
Shams Charania: "BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN."
February 3, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Danny Ainge has lost the plot
Shams Charania: "BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN."
February 3, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I’m torn. One day I want Tatum to come back, the next day I want him to wait till next season. Let’s talk it out #NBASky #SkyHoops #Celtics
February 3, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Look what happens when you have some resolve and stand on business
Harvard University refused to cave to President Trump's extortion demands, even as other universities and leading law firms kowtowed. And now, Trump has dropped his demands for a $200 million payout to the US government. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Trump Drops Demand for Cash From Harvard After Stiff Resistance
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM
More than four years after the Oxford school shooting, families are still waiting for a promised state investigation.

For @thetrace.org I reported on what officials said would happen, what didn't happen, and why families say the delay matters
The Oxford High Shooter Is Behind Bars. Families Still Want to Know How He Went Undetected
Hana St. Juliana was one of four students killed by a classmate. Four years later, her father — and other victims’ families — are waiting for a state review.
www.thetrace.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
I think a $46 million opening for a $90 million movie is better than an $8 million opening for a $40 million movie, and yet
February 1, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
BREAKING: Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents Thursday night while he was covering the Grammy Awards. He called the arrest an "attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration."
Former CNN journalist Don Lemon arrested in connection with Minnesota protest: Sources
Journalist Don Lemon has been arrested in connection with an incident several weeks ago in which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.
abcnews.go.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Sorry this completely discredits the HOF
Bill Belichick not elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame on first ballot, per Seth Wickersham.
January 27, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Fam…
Weiss' full remarks to CBS News staff (1/4)
January 27, 2026 at 6:43 PM
It's not just Minneapolis.

In Philly, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal is openly warning that ICE is creating fear, confusion, and distrust in communities.

She's also not backing down from her criticism despite the backlash.

Great piece by Mensah Dean for @thetrace.org
ICE Is Shattering Trust in Law Enforcement, Says Philly Sheriff
Rochelle Bilal's warnings to federal agents drew headlines and controversy on social media. In an interview with The Trace, she doubles down.
www.thetrace.org
January 27, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
New from me and @ariberman.bsky.social: The DOJ’s “Ransom” Letter to Minnesota Reveals How Trump Plans to Rig the Midterms

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The DOJ’s “ransom” letter to Minnesota reveals how Trump plans to rig the midterms
After ICE killed Alex Pretti, US Attorney Pam Bondi tells Minnesota to hand over its voter roll to "bring an end to the chaos."
www.motherjones.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
Law-enforcement agencies that are legitimately interested in public safety do not issue statements like this immediately after a fatal shooting.

Even police departments in podunk towns will usually issue a pro forma “under investigation until further notice” press release.
DHS (once again) announces conclusion (within 3 hours) without any investigation.

- Conclusion about federal agent's intent
- Conclusion about individual's intent
- Implicit conclusion about timing of disarming the individual and shooting him
January 24, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
The NBA has postponed today’s Warriors-Wolves game in Minneapolis.
January 24, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Josiah Bates
Federal agents have been involved in another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.

Follow @cnn.com for updates:
cnn.com CNN @cnn.com · 17d
A man has been fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, police chief tells CNN. DHS says he was armed. Follow live updates.
https://cnn.it/4jVbNgy
January 24, 2026 at 5:31 PM