Kelly Smith
@kellylsmith.bsky.social
Librarian at UC San Diego. Government Information/Urban Studies/Environmental Studies. 🏳️🌈 (she/her)
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Adding a citizenship question serves no purpose except to discourage census participation.
The 14th Amendment says to count everyone. Allowing the ruling party in a census year to change who gets counted would be yet another assault on democracy.
www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
The 14th Amendment says to count everyone. Allowing the ruling party in a census year to change who gets counted would be yet another assault on democracy.
www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
Trump officials propose testing a citizenship question amid a push to alter the census
The Trump administration proposes to include a question about U.S. citizenship status in this year's field test of the 2030 census, as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps.
www.npr.org
February 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Adding a citizenship question serves no purpose except to discourage census participation.
The 14th Amendment says to count everyone. Allowing the ruling party in a census year to change who gets counted would be yet another assault on democracy.
www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
The 14th Amendment says to count everyone. Allowing the ruling party in a census year to change who gets counted would be yet another assault on democracy.
www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
I *love* that this is back!
“Dial-a-Poem is at (718) 957-2379.”
“Dial-a-Poem is at (718) 957-2379.”
Ancient 'Dial-a-Poem' Service Rises From the Grave, Lets You Use Your Phone as a Phone
Ancient 'Dial-a-Poem' Service Rises From the Grave, Lets You Use Your Phone as a Phone
There's something rather poetic about a service designed to breathe life back into poetry getting resurrected after all these years.
gizmodo.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:42 PM
I *love* that this is back!
“Dial-a-Poem is at (718) 957-2379.”
“Dial-a-Poem is at (718) 957-2379.”
The announcement that the CIA has killed its long running World Factbook rightfully glows about its usefulness. So why kill it?
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell - CIA
www.cia.gov
February 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
The announcement that the CIA has killed its long running World Factbook rightfully glows about its usefulness. So why kill it?
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Unrelated to everything — but relevant to everything — this map is worth spending some time examining and thinking about. We know so little of our own history — and this wasn't that long ago.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
The Utah Historical Society just produced a new, excellent map of "The Peoples of North America in 1776." Great resource for anyone teaching, writing, presenting about Native peoples as part of their 250th work. america250.utah.gov/power-of-pla...
February 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Unrelated to everything — but relevant to everything — this map is worth spending some time examining and thinking about. We know so little of our own history — and this wasn't that long ago.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Reposted by Kelly Smith
"Eliminating Unnecessary and Overly-Restrictive Regulations Related to... Decennial Census."
Hmm.
The premise is that these rules of sunlight and decision steps AREN'T NEEDED, bc the Commerce Secretary is a goodfaith public servant, committed to law and dept mission and good govt statistics. (2/3)
Hmm.
The premise is that these rules of sunlight and decision steps AREN'T NEEDED, bc the Commerce Secretary is a goodfaith public servant, committed to law and dept mission and good govt statistics. (2/3)
Eliminating Unnecessary and Overly-Restrictive Regulations Related to the Release of Decennial Census Population Information
The Census Bureau (Bureau) is removing its regulations related to the release of decennial census population information. Such regulations are obsolete and have not applied to the determination of met...
www.federalregister.gov
January 23, 2026 at 6:50 PM
"Eliminating Unnecessary and Overly-Restrictive Regulations Related to... Decennial Census."
Hmm.
The premise is that these rules of sunlight and decision steps AREN'T NEEDED, bc the Commerce Secretary is a goodfaith public servant, committed to law and dept mission and good govt statistics. (2/3)
Hmm.
The premise is that these rules of sunlight and decision steps AREN'T NEEDED, bc the Commerce Secretary is a goodfaith public servant, committed to law and dept mission and good govt statistics. (2/3)
Reposted by Kelly Smith
We found so many examples of missing federal government data that we couldn’t put them all in this story.
“The status quo was, the federal government is going to collect and disseminate data. That is no longer a reasonable assumption.”
“The status quo was, the federal government is going to collect and disseminate data. That is no longer a reasonable assumption.”
Federal Data Is Disappearing
The Trump administration has disrupted data collection on everything from homeland security, maternal mortality, hunger, drug use, education, disaster preparation and the economy.
www.notus.org
February 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM
We found so many examples of missing federal government data that we couldn’t put them all in this story.
“The status quo was, the federal government is going to collect and disseminate data. That is no longer a reasonable assumption.”
“The status quo was, the federal government is going to collect and disseminate data. That is no longer a reasonable assumption.”
I've rounded up the latest agency shutdown contingency plans (several agencies released new ones this month) and updated my library guide.
LibGuides: U.S. Government Information: Shutdown
Guide to information resources by and about the federal government.
ucsd.libguides.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:06 PM
I've rounded up the latest agency shutdown contingency plans (several agencies released new ones this month) and updated my library guide.
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Reposted by Kelly Smith
San Diego installed bike lanes on a busy commercial street in North Park in 2021. Ridership jumped 67% the next year.
Now, 4 years later, bike and scooter trips on 30th Street have hit another record high. Foot traffic and business activity is also booming. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Now, 4 years later, bike and scooter trips on 30th Street have hit another record high. Foot traffic and business activity is also booming. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
30th Street bike lanes in North Park saw record ridership in 2025
Bike and scooter trips on 30th Street have jumped 15% since the installation of protected bike lanes in 2021. Foot traffic and business activity also appear to be thriving.
www.kpbs.org
January 31, 2026 at 12:48 AM
San Diego installed bike lanes on a busy commercial street in North Park in 2021. Ridership jumped 67% the next year.
Now, 4 years later, bike and scooter trips on 30th Street have hit another record high. Foot traffic and business activity is also booming. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Now, 4 years later, bike and scooter trips on 30th Street have hit another record high. Foot traffic and business activity is also booming. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Women in politics
Feminist theory
Sociology of deviance
World literature
Philosophy of religion
Feminist theory
Sociology of deviance
World literature
Philosophy of religion
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college.
Geography of the developing world
Latin American politics
History of the Mexican Revolution
Urban politics
Various political theory and econ classes
Geography of the developing world
Latin American politics
History of the Mexican Revolution
Urban politics
Various political theory and econ classes
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Social movements
Real analysis
The financial crisis (during the crisis)
Groups and sects in Islam
International finance (I fell asleep a lot in this one because it was at like 2 pm on the day I had a 2-5 am radio show)
Social movements
Real analysis
The financial crisis (during the crisis)
Groups and sects in Islam
International finance (I fell asleep a lot in this one because it was at like 2 pm on the day I had a 2-5 am radio show)
January 31, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Women in politics
Feminist theory
Sociology of deviance
World literature
Philosophy of religion
Feminist theory
Sociology of deviance
World literature
Philosophy of religion
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Amid big crackdowns in other blue cities, DHS has quietly arrested record numbers of immigrants in San Diego, CalMatters' @WendyFry_ reports: calmatters.org/justice/2026...
Immigration arrests quietly surge by 1,500% in San Diego: 'I feel the temperature rising'
Immigration agents escalated their presence in San Diego in the second half of 2025, where they made hundreds of arrests as part of President Trump's crackdown.
calmatters.org
January 29, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Amid big crackdowns in other blue cities, DHS has quietly arrested record numbers of immigrants in San Diego, CalMatters' @WendyFry_ reports: calmatters.org/justice/2026...
This was such an excellent webinar! Thanks to @dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social for hosting the event and to the presenters & their colleagues for their efforts in preserving & providing access to federal data in a challenging time. You can find links to these & other orgs on my library guide.
January 29, 2026 at 8:54 PM
This was such an excellent webinar! Thanks to @dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social for hosting the event and to the presenters & their colleagues for their efforts in preserving & providing access to federal data in a challenging time. You can find links to these & other orgs on my library guide.
USCP has a new press release out today, showing an increase in investigations of threats against members of congress from 9,474 in 2024 to 14,938 in 2025. www.uscp.gov/media-center...
USCP Threat Assessment Cases for 2025
The number of United States Capitol Police (USCP) threat assessment cases has climbed for the third year in a row. In 2025, the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section (TAS) investigated 14,938 concerning st...
www.uscp.gov
January 28, 2026 at 6:06 PM
USCP has a new press release out today, showing an increase in investigations of threats against members of congress from 9,474 in 2024 to 14,938 in 2025. www.uscp.gov/media-center...
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Nearly half of the databases that the CDC used to update regularly — surveillance systems that tracked public health information like Covid vaccination rates and hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus — have been paused without explanation, according to new research.
Dozens of CDC databases are not being updated — most related to vaccines, study finds
The agency plays a key role in tracking the disease spread and vaccination rates. Last year, it seemed to back away from some of that work, according to new research.
nbcnews.to
January 27, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Nearly half of the databases that the CDC used to update regularly — surveillance systems that tracked public health information like Covid vaccination rates and hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus — have been paused without explanation, according to new research.
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Some academic habits are maladaptive in wider society. But “cite your sources every time” — and information literacy habits more generally — deserves to be educational priority number one right now
you should not share a post that's a screenshot without a link to a news item. you should not share a post that's a video or picture without some kind of sourcing. we're in a new bad era and these are now basic practices.
... also photogs and journos gotta eat so share their work.
... also photogs and journos gotta eat so share their work.
January 26, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Some academic habits are maladaptive in wider society. But “cite your sources every time” — and information literacy habits more generally — deserves to be educational priority number one right now
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press
As the legendary legacy publisher transitions into a new life phase, publisher Heather Boyer and senior editor Stacy Eisenstark reflect on the past and the future of creating books for planners.
dlvr.it
January 26, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press
Reposted by Kelly Smith
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Let us all have the courage displayed by the residents of Minneapolis.
January 25, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Reposted by Kelly Smith
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Reposted by Kelly Smith
NEW: DHS appropriations bill funding ICE passes 220-207
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
January 22, 2026 at 9:42 PM
NEW: DHS appropriations bill funding ICE passes 220-207
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
Reposted by Kelly Smith
For some reason, very few people these days will stand up and say it, but: the US federal bureaucracy is one of the great wonders of the world, staffed with incredibly diligent people who do their jobs well and care deeply.
Trump's destruction of the federal apparaus was a historic crime.
Trump's destruction of the federal apparaus was a historic crime.
The Purged
Donald Trump’s destruction of the civil service is a tragedy not just for the roughly 300,000 workers who have been discarded, but for an entire nation.
www.theatlantic.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:17 PM
For some reason, very few people these days will stand up and say it, but: the US federal bureaucracy is one of the great wonders of the world, staffed with incredibly diligent people who do their jobs well and care deeply.
Trump's destruction of the federal apparaus was a historic crime.
Trump's destruction of the federal apparaus was a historic crime.
Reposted by Kelly Smith
How sad is this? The CDC closed its FOIA office, so this story could only be published because a Danish journalist provided Rolling Stone with the documents, after obtaining them through a freedom of information request to the University of Southern Denmark
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened
Two Danish researchers faced accusations of “questionable research practices” as RFK Jr.’s top appointees made their study a “funding priority.”
www.rollingstone.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:11 AM
How sad is this? The CDC closed its FOIA office, so this story could only be published because a Danish journalist provided Rolling Stone with the documents, after obtaining them through a freedom of information request to the University of Southern Denmark
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Kelly Smith
More than 200,000 Danish citizens have signed a petition to buy California as a response to Trump’s attempt to take Greenland.
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
January 17, 2026 at 5:36 PM
More than 200,000 Danish citizens have signed a petition to buy California as a response to Trump’s attempt to take Greenland.
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
Reposted by Kelly Smith
The Day Federal Data Went Dark: A Year of Monitoring and Action
Register here: tinyurl.com/webinar-data...
Co-hosted by dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social
Register here: tinyurl.com/webinar-data...
Co-hosted by dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The Day Federal Data Went Dark: A Year of Monitoring and Action
Register here: tinyurl.com/webinar-data...
Co-hosted by dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social
Register here: tinyurl.com/webinar-data...
Co-hosted by dataindex.us and @apduorg.bsky.social
Reposted by Kelly Smith
🙏We need your help!🙏
Mass grant terminations are back, this time at SAMHSA. We're tracking terminations to support advocacy and possible litigation.
Please report info on specific SAMHSA grant terminations here:
grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
We'll have a tracker online ASAP. Spread the word!
Mass grant terminations are back, this time at SAMHSA. We're tracking terminations to support advocacy and possible litigation.
Please report info on specific SAMHSA grant terminations here:
grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
We'll have a tracker online ASAP. Spread the word!
January 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM
🙏We need your help!🙏
Mass grant terminations are back, this time at SAMHSA. We're tracking terminations to support advocacy and possible litigation.
Please report info on specific SAMHSA grant terminations here:
grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
We'll have a tracker online ASAP. Spread the word!
Mass grant terminations are back, this time at SAMHSA. We're tracking terminations to support advocacy and possible litigation.
Please report info on specific SAMHSA grant terminations here:
grant-witness.us/submit-samhs...
We'll have a tracker online ASAP. Spread the word!
Reposted by Kelly Smith
This YouGov poll on ICE is really eye-opening. Public opinion has really swung against DHS/ICE and their terror regime.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
January 13, 2026 at 12:12 AM
This YouGov poll on ICE is really eye-opening. Public opinion has really swung against DHS/ICE and their terror regime.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...