Max Blau
@maxblau.bsky.social
Atlanta-based investigative reporter with ProPublica's South team, covering health care, public health, and the environment. Get in touch at [email protected].
Pinned
Max Blau
@maxblau.bsky.social
· Sep 13
Over the past few years, I’ve been fascinated with one of the largest federal investigations happening in Georgia, known as Operation Blooming Onion. So I partnered with Zaydee Sanchez to uncover the untold story of an unnamed victim at the heart of the case. 🧵
I spoke with @thesundaylongread.bsky.social for their podcast, which was recorded live in front of the MFA students of @ugagrady.bsky.social. We chatted about how I reported on ghost networks for @propublica.org's "America's Mental Barrier" series.
Listen here: sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
Listen here: sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
Q&A: ProPublica’s Max Blau on bridging investigation and narrative, live at University of Georgia - The Sunday Long Read
The SLR Podcast hit the road (somewhat virtually) for the first time this summer. SLR co-founder Jacob Feldman spoke to ProPublica’s Max Blau at the University of Georgia in partnership with the schoo...
sundaylongread.com
September 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I spoke with @thesundaylongread.bsky.social for their podcast, which was recorded live in front of the MFA students of @ugagrady.bsky.social. We chatted about how I reported on ghost networks for @propublica.org's "America's Mental Barrier" series.
Listen here: sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
Listen here: sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
Reposted by Max Blau
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life by coming to the U.S. on a farmworker visa. She ended up in a trap.
“Not all of us get to be smiled upon by the United States,” she said.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
“Not all of us get to be smiled upon by the United States,” she said.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap.
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life. She ended up a victim of an operation that is alleged to have exploited the H-2A visa program — and the workers it ...
projects.propublica.org
September 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life by coming to the U.S. on a farmworker visa. She ended up in a trap.
“Not all of us get to be smiled upon by the United States,” she said.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
“Not all of us get to be smiled upon by the United States,” she said.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Blau
Kudos to UGA MFA alum @maxblau.bsky.social for reporting a terrific story and thanks to @thesundaylongread.bsky.social for featuring him and our program on its podcast. Take a listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
“Proximity is power” : Max Blau on mixing investigative and feature writing (Live at UGA)
Podcast Episode · The Sunday Long Read Podcast · 09/26/2025 · 1h 11m
podcasts.apple.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Kudos to UGA MFA alum @maxblau.bsky.social for reporting a terrific story and thanks to @thesundaylongread.bsky.social for featuring him and our program on its podcast. Take a listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Reposted by Max Blau
Don't miss our Q&A with @propublica.org's @maxblau.bsky.social on bridging investigation and narrative, live at the University of Georgia. sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
Q&A: ProPublica’s Max Blau on bridging investigation and narrative, live at University of Georgia - The Sunday Long Read
The SLR Podcast hit the road (somewhat virtually) for the first time this summer. SLR co-founder Jacob Feldman spoke to ProPublica’s Max Blau at the University of Georgia in partnership with the schoo...
sundaylongread.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Don't miss our Q&A with @propublica.org's @maxblau.bsky.social on bridging investigation and narrative, live at the University of Georgia. sundaylongread.com/2025/09/26/p...
I went on @slate.com's What Next podcast to discuss my ongoing H-2A visa series for @propublica.org. Listen to our convo about the perils of the program, tough choices facing foreign farmworkers, and the difficulties of clamping down on abuse and exploitation.
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
Trump’s Attack on Visas
Working illegally is riskier, but working legally is becoming impossible.
slate.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I went on @slate.com's What Next podcast to discuss my ongoing H-2A visa series for @propublica.org. Listen to our convo about the perils of the program, tough choices facing foreign farmworkers, and the difficulties of clamping down on abuse and exploitation.
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
Reposted by Max Blau
Does your food come from a system of modern day slavery here in the US? I'm guest-hosting for Mary Harris today on What Next, @slate.com's daily news pod. ProPublica's @maxblau.bsky.social joined to share his reporting on H-2A visas for seasonal farmworkers, who will be more vulnerable under Trump.
Trump’s Attack on Visas
Working illegally is riskier, but working legally is becoming impossible.
slate.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Does your food come from a system of modern day slavery here in the US? I'm guest-hosting for Mary Harris today on What Next, @slate.com's daily news pod. ProPublica's @maxblau.bsky.social joined to share his reporting on H-2A visas for seasonal farmworkers, who will be more vulnerable under Trump.
Reposted by Max Blau
In 2021, Javier Sanchez Mendoza Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in forced labor as part of a federal investigation that exposed widespread abuses of H-2A workers across Georgia.
This is the story of what one of those workers endured.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
This is the story of what one of those workers endured.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap.
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life. She ended up a victim of an operation that is alleged to have exploited the H-2A visa program — and the workers it…
projects.propublica.org
September 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In 2021, Javier Sanchez Mendoza Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in forced labor as part of a federal investigation that exposed widespread abuses of H-2A workers across Georgia.
This is the story of what one of those workers endured.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
This is the story of what one of those workers endured.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Blau
"She was sold the American dream with a farmworker visa. She ended up in a nightmare." — @maxblau.bsky.social & Zaydee Sanchez @propublica.org
A Farmworkers Visa Promised Her a Better Life. It Was a Trap.
Sofi left behind her child in Mexico for the promise of providing him a better life. She ended up a victim of an operation that is alleged to have exploited the H-2A visa program — and the workers it…
projects.propublica.org
September 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"She was sold the American dream with a farmworker visa. She ended up in a nightmare." — @maxblau.bsky.social & Zaydee Sanchez @propublica.org
A big thanks to @wbur.org for chatting with me about @propublica.org's investigative series into harms happening within America's H-2A program. You can listen here: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Migrant workers ensnared in 'slavery' scheme on American farms
A federal investigation known as Operation Blooming Onion exposed widespread abuses of H-2A workers across Georgia, ranging from wage theft to sexual abuse.
www.wbur.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
A big thanks to @wbur.org for chatting with me about @propublica.org's investigative series into harms happening within America's H-2A program. You can listen here: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Reposted by Max Blau
NEW: The H-2A visa program has failed to protect migrant farmworkers from wage theft, forced labor, violence and death.
Here’s what experts, lawyers and advocates think would make the program safer.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Here’s what experts, lawyers and advocates think would make the program safer.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Employers Have Exploited and Abused H-2A Farmworkers for Years. It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way.
The seasonal visa program has failed to protect migrant farmworkers from wage theft, forced labor, violence and death. Experts, lawyers and advocates say there are ways to reduce and even stop the har...
www.propublica.org
September 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
NEW: The H-2A visa program has failed to protect migrant farmworkers from wage theft, forced labor, violence and death.
Here’s what experts, lawyers and advocates think would make the program safer.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Here’s what experts, lawyers and advocates think would make the program safer.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Over the past few years, I’ve been fascinated with one of the largest federal investigations happening in Georgia, known as Operation Blooming Onion. So I partnered with Zaydee Sanchez to uncover the untold story of an unnamed victim at the heart of the case. 🧵
September 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Over the past few years, I’ve been fascinated with one of the largest federal investigations happening in Georgia, known as Operation Blooming Onion. So I partnered with Zaydee Sanchez to uncover the untold story of an unnamed victim at the heart of the case. 🧵
Reposted by Max Blau
The mother of Ravi Coutinho, the subject of a recent ProPublica investigation, is suing Centene for publishing “misleading” information that gave her son a false impression about the kinds of mental health care that were actually available.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
By @maxblau.bsky.social
He Died Without Getting Mental Health Care He Sought. A New Lawsuit Says His Insurer’s Ghost Network Is to Blame.
The mother of Ravi Coutinho, the subject of a recent ProPublica investigation, is suing Centene for publishing “misleading” information that gave her son a false impression about the kinds of mental…
www.propublica.org
June 8, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The mother of Ravi Coutinho, the subject of a recent ProPublica investigation, is suing Centene for publishing “misleading” information that gave her son a false impression about the kinds of mental health care that were actually available.
By @maxblau.bsky.social
By @maxblau.bsky.social
Ravi Coutinho died after being unable to find mental health treatment. Following @propublica.org's investigation, his mother is now suing his health insurer, saying it broke the law by publishing false information that misled its customers. My latest story: www.propublica.org/article/cent...
He Died Without Getting Mental Health Care He Sought. A New Lawsuit Says His Insurer’s Ghost Network Is to Blame.
The mother of Ravi Coutinho, the subject of a recent ProPublica investigation, is suing Centene for publishing “misleading” information that gave her son a false impression about the kinds of mental h...
www.propublica.org
June 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Ravi Coutinho died after being unable to find mental health treatment. Following @propublica.org's investigation, his mother is now suing his health insurer, saying it broke the law by publishing false information that misled its customers. My latest story: www.propublica.org/article/cent...
Reposted by Max Blau
NEW: Of the 238 men deported to the prison in El Salvador, DHS data shows:
• 130 had no U.S. criminal histories aside from immigration violations;
• 32 had been convicted of crimes in the U.S.;
• 6 of those were violent crimes.
• 130 had no U.S. criminal histories aside from immigration violations;
• 32 had been convicted of crimes in the U.S.;
• 6 of those were violent crimes.
Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimes
Homeland Security records reveal that officials knew that more than half of the 238 deportees were labeled as having no criminal record in the U.S. and had only violated immigration laws.
www.propublica.org
May 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
NEW: Of the 238 men deported to the prison in El Salvador, DHS data shows:
• 130 had no U.S. criminal histories aside from immigration violations;
• 32 had been convicted of crimes in the U.S.;
• 6 of those were violent crimes.
• 130 had no U.S. criminal histories aside from immigration violations;
• 32 had been convicted of crimes in the U.S.;
• 6 of those were violent crimes.
Reposted by Max Blau
1/ The day after the Antioch High shooting, Nashville police arrested a 12-year-old for posting a concerning screenshot on Instagram.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
May 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
1/ The day after the Antioch High shooting, Nashville police arrested a 12-year-old for posting a concerning screenshot on Instagram.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
Reposted by Max Blau
Standing in awe of the @propublica.org team helmed by @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social that pulled off this journalistic feat: a stunning narrative that painstakingly captures Helene’s tragedies and NC’s missed opportunities. www.propublica.org/article/hurr.... www.propublica.org/article/hurr...
Helene’s Unheard Warnings
As Hurricane Helene barreled toward Yancey County in North Carolina, communities along the Cane River in the Black Mountains were particularly vulnerable. But there were no evacuation orders, and few ...
www.propublica.org
May 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Standing in awe of the @propublica.org team helmed by @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social that pulled off this journalistic feat: a stunning narrative that painstakingly captures Helene’s tragedies and NC’s missed opportunities. www.propublica.org/article/hurr.... www.propublica.org/article/hurr...
Reposted by Max Blau
Our “America’s Mental Barrier” series, which examines how insurance companies interfere with access to necessary mental health care across the United States, was also named a finalist in the explanatory reporting category: www.propublica.org/series/ameri...
Via @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
Via @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
May 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Our “America’s Mental Barrier” series, which examines how insurance companies interfere with access to necessary mental health care across the United States, was also named a finalist in the explanatory reporting category: www.propublica.org/series/ameri...
Via @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
Via @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Blau
📌 Free online event: On Wednesday, April 9 at 7 pm ET, watch acclaimed actors Oscar Isaac, Kathryn Erbe and Bill Camp perform this story by @maxblau.bsky.social.
RSVP: towpropublica.eventbrite.com
RSVP: towpropublica.eventbrite.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
📌 Free online event: On Wednesday, April 9 at 7 pm ET, watch acclaimed actors Oscar Isaac, Kathryn Erbe and Bill Camp perform this story by @maxblau.bsky.social.
RSVP: towpropublica.eventbrite.com
RSVP: towpropublica.eventbrite.com
Reposted by Max Blau
Watch actors Oscar Isaac, Kathryn Erbe and Bill Camp perform ProPublica article “I Don’t Want to Die: Needing Mental Health Care, He Got Trapped in His Insurer’s Ghost Network" by reporter @maxblau.bsky.social.
RSVP to attend this FREE event by Theater of War & WNYC on Zoom:
RSVP to attend this FREE event by Theater of War & WNYC on Zoom:
"I Don't Want to Die." Theater of War Productions, Presented by WNYC
A powerful conversation about health insurance, ghost networks, and the challenges many American face accessing mental health care.
www.eventbrite.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Watch actors Oscar Isaac, Kathryn Erbe and Bill Camp perform ProPublica article “I Don’t Want to Die: Needing Mental Health Care, He Got Trapped in His Insurer’s Ghost Network" by reporter @maxblau.bsky.social.
RSVP to attend this FREE event by Theater of War & WNYC on Zoom:
RSVP to attend this FREE event by Theater of War & WNYC on Zoom:
Reposted by Max Blau
ProPublica and @texastribune.org took a snapshot of the blitz of executive orders President Donald Trump has signed since taking office, by tallying nearly three dozen from his first day.
By @micarosenberg.bsky.social and Perla Trevizo, w/ design by @zisiga.bsky.social
By @micarosenberg.bsky.social and Perla Trevizo, w/ design by @zisiga.bsky.social
Trump’s Day One Executive Orders Revived Immigration Policies From His Last Four Years in Office, and Went Beyond
ProPublica and The Texas Tribune took a snapshot of the blitz of executive orders President Donald Trump has signed since taking office, by tallying nearly three dozen from his first day.
propub.li
February 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
ProPublica and @texastribune.org took a snapshot of the blitz of executive orders President Donald Trump has signed since taking office, by tallying nearly three dozen from his first day.
By @micarosenberg.bsky.social and Perla Trevizo, w/ design by @zisiga.bsky.social
By @micarosenberg.bsky.social and Perla Trevizo, w/ design by @zisiga.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Blau
Hot off the presses: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.
projects.propublica.org
February 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Hot off the presses: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...
A new report from @dol.gov has found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how health plans and insurers cover mental health care, echoing the findings of a recent @propublica.org investigation. Here's the details on what DOL found: www.propublica.org/article/depa...
Insurers Failed to Comply With Mental Health Coverage Law, Department of Labor Report Finds
The probe found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how health plans and insurers cover mental health care, echoing the findings of a recent ProPublica investigation.
www.propublica.org
January 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
A new report from @dol.gov has found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how health plans and insurers cover mental health care, echoing the findings of a recent @propublica.org investigation. Here's the details on what DOL found: www.propublica.org/article/depa...
Reposted by Max Blau
New: Labor Dept probe of insurers found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how they cover mental health care -- findings that mirror a recent @propublica.org investigation.
@deldeib.bsky.social @mayatmiller.bsky.social @anniewaldman.bsky.social @maxblau.bsky.social
@deldeib.bsky.social @mayatmiller.bsky.social @anniewaldman.bsky.social @maxblau.bsky.social
Insurers Failed to Comply With Mental Health Coverage Law, Department of Labor Report Finds
The probe found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how health plans and insurers cover mental health care, echoing the findings of a recent ProPublica investigation.
www.propublica.org
January 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
New: Labor Dept probe of insurers found widespread noncompliance and violations of federal law in how they cover mental health care -- findings that mirror a recent @propublica.org investigation.
@deldeib.bsky.social @mayatmiller.bsky.social @anniewaldman.bsky.social @maxblau.bsky.social
@deldeib.bsky.social @mayatmiller.bsky.social @anniewaldman.bsky.social @maxblau.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Blau
Yesteday we brought you the story of how insurers have relied on doctors, some of whom “shut their eyes” to medical opinions that opposed their conclusions.
Today, @mayatmiller.bsky.social and I tell you the story of how insurers cite progress as a reason to deny
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Today, @mayatmiller.bsky.social and I tell you the story of how insurers cite progress as a reason to deny
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Her Mental Health Treatment Was Helping. That’s Why Insurance Cut Off Her Coverage.
Providers, patients and even some federal judges say progress-based insurance denials harm patients at key moments of mental health treatment.
www.propublica.org
December 31, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Yesteday we brought you the story of how insurers have relied on doctors, some of whom “shut their eyes” to medical opinions that opposed their conclusions.
Today, @mayatmiller.bsky.social and I tell you the story of how insurers cite progress as a reason to deny
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Today, @mayatmiller.bsky.social and I tell you the story of how insurers cite progress as a reason to deny
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Reposted by Max Blau
Today we published a story that took months to report & starts with a judge questioning an insurance company lawyer about how he could stand by a defense that “seems to be not true”
Read about how insurers rely on doctors when denying coverage & what judges said
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Read about how insurers rely on doctors when denying coverage & what judges said
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Insurers Continue to Rely on Doctors Whose Judgments Have Been Criticized by Courts
In dozens of cases ProPublica reviewed, judges found that some doctors working for these companies engaged in “selective readings” of medical evidence and “shut their eyes” to medical opinions opposin...
www.propublica.org
December 30, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Today we published a story that took months to report & starts with a judge questioning an insurance company lawyer about how he could stand by a defense that “seems to be not true”
Read about how insurers rely on doctors when denying coverage & what judges said
www.propublica.org/article/ment...
Read about how insurers rely on doctors when denying coverage & what judges said
www.propublica.org/article/ment...