Melissa Gira Grant
@melissagiragrant.com
// staff writer, @newrepublic.com
// A WOMAN IS AGAINST THE LAW
(Little, Brown) forthcoming
// PLAYING THE WHORE (Verso)
// member, NewsGuild of New York
melissagiragrant.com
» [email protected]
» tips (encrypted): melissagira.01 on Signal
// A WOMAN IS AGAINST THE LAW
(Little, Brown) forthcoming
// PLAYING THE WHORE (Verso)
// member, NewsGuild of New York
melissagiragrant.com
» [email protected]
» tips (encrypted): melissagira.01 on Signal
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Increasingly convinced the only solution is not making data.
In October, statewide news reported that a sheriff's deputy in Texas searched thousands of Flock cameras in Washington for 'Had an abortion, search for female.’ New documents obtained by RANGE show Spokane County Sheriff's Office cameras were accessed in that search:
Texas deputy searched Spokane County Flock cameras for a woman who had an abortion– RANGE Media
Amidst nationwide and state scrutiny of the cameras, Spokane County’s Flock network was used by an out-of-state cop looking for a woman who had an abortion.
rangemedia.co
November 26, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Increasingly convinced the only solution is not making data.
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
I think it shocks some of my students but I emphasize that having a job outside journalism is fine and common. I also toss in practical industry talk that’s not strictly in the curriculum. On Monday we discussed contracts: “for-hire,” indemnity, kill fees, scope of work. Freelancers need to know!
If you have ever thought that my journalism or my first book were net positives for the world, understand that they probably would not exist if I did not have a spouse who paid the mortgage. If I'd been a solo earner/parent, I likely would have left criticism, journalism or book writing long ago.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
November 26, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I think it shocks some of my students but I emphasize that having a job outside journalism is fine and common. I also toss in practical industry talk that’s not strictly in the curriculum. On Monday we discussed contracts: “for-hire,” indemnity, kill fees, scope of work. Freelancers need to know!
today is the second day in a row that I have been trying to correctly cook a new (to me) kind of bean, this is not a metaphor, just a ridiculous problem
November 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
today is the second day in a row that I have been trying to correctly cook a new (to me) kind of bean, this is not a metaphor, just a ridiculous problem
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Literally zooming into a dark age somehow hastened by technology and innovation is weird to think about
November 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Literally zooming into a dark age somehow hastened by technology and innovation is weird to think about
no knock on Alex, but are they super mad because it's a white guy and so according to themselves they have to pay attention to him (unlike, the majority of abolitionists...)
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
no knock on Alex, but are they super mad because it's a white guy and so according to themselves they have to pay attention to him (unlike, the majority of abolitionists...)
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
November 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs don’t bark at parked cars." They’re coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
what do you mean I won't get the opportunity to get my passport ready and leave my life behind before I get Chotted
November 25, 2025 at 12:38 AM
what do you mean I won't get the opportunity to get my passport ready and leave my life behind before I get Chotted
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
"Sarita Hernandez and Selva Zafiro, co-founders of Marimacha Monarca Press in McKinley Park, were working at a community art event when members of the Southwest Rapid Response team—part of the immigrant coalition—approached them with an idea."
Signs across Chicago mark locations of ICE arrests
Signs resembling temporary no parking notices serve as reminders for the thousands of people arrested by federal immigration authorities under "Operation Midway Blitz" and the pain left behind for lov...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Sarita Hernandez and Selva Zafiro, co-founders of Marimacha Monarca Press in McKinley Park, were working at a community art event when members of the Southwest Rapid Response team—part of the immigrant coalition—approached them with an idea."
Scarleteen is one of the absolute best things that still remains of the internet I grew up on
A reminder that I'm raising $4k to support @scarleteen.com's staff and volunteer health fund to ensure that sex educators doing some of the BEST sex ed around are able to access health care. In an era of misinfo where most kids don't even get the most basic in school, Scarleteen is critical.
Scarleteen Staff and Volunteer Healthcare Fund
{{MetaTags.description}}
www.classy.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Scarleteen is one of the absolute best things that still remains of the internet I grew up on
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
🎶 Jesus died for somebody's sins but not miiiiiiiiine 🎶
November 23, 2025 at 2:18 PM
🎶 Jesus died for somebody's sins but not miiiiiiiiine 🎶
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
ICE started holding people at the Fort Bliss, El Paso location in late July/early August. It is now the largest detention center in the country.
detentionreports.com/facility/ERO...
detentionreports.com/facility/ERO...
November 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
ICE started holding people at the Fort Bliss, El Paso location in late July/early August. It is now the largest detention center in the country.
detentionreports.com/facility/ERO...
detentionreports.com/facility/ERO...
what’s funny (it’s not funny) is how many indie journalists, who—with next to none of the infrastructure propping up the zz’s of the business—not only report incisively on political power but do so without leaving years of embarrassing receipts about their relationships with subjects and sources
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
what’s funny (it’s not funny) is how many indie journalists, who—with next to none of the infrastructure propping up the zz’s of the business—not only report incisively on political power but do so without leaving years of embarrassing receipts about their relationships with subjects and sources
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
This is very cool. Often food pantries need to spend their money making sure everyone has the basics to keep them fed and healthy, but not on the spices and flavors that make an enjoyable meal. www.burlapandbarrel.com/products/don...
Donate a Holiday Spice Set • Give the Gift of Flavor | Burlap & Barrel
Help make someone's holiday meal special. When you purchase a single jar, 3-pack, or 6-pack of our equitably sourced spices, we’ll donate that exact set to a New York food pantry supporting families i...
www.burlapandbarrel.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This is very cool. Often food pantries need to spend their money making sure everyone has the basics to keep them fed and healthy, but not on the spices and flavors that make an enjoyable meal. www.burlapandbarrel.com/products/don...
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
I used to handle interlibrary loans for a public library. ILL is a magnificent expression of the idea that readers deserve books, and books deserve readers. It’s libraries everywhere pooling their resources for the benefit of everyone.
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries IMLS
librarytechnology.org/pr/31973
librarytechnology.org/pr/31973
Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries
Press Release: Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island struck down the Trump Adm...
librarytechnology.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I used to handle interlibrary loans for a public library. ILL is a magnificent expression of the idea that readers deserve books, and books deserve readers. It’s libraries everywhere pooling their resources for the benefit of everyone.
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
“Bob? Bob Kennedy?”
November 22, 2025 at 2:14 PM
“Bob? Bob Kennedy?”
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
A man died today at the Rikers Island jail complex. He was just hours away from an expected release.
This year, 13 people have now died in the NYC jails. That is *nearly triple* the number of people who died in the NYC jails in all of 2024. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/21/r...
This year, 13 people have now died in the NYC jails. That is *nearly triple* the number of people who died in the NYC jails in all of 2024. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/21/r...
Hours Before Expected Release, Rikers Detainee Dies After Apparent Seizure
Edwin Ramos, 38, was slated to plead guilty and walk free Friday morning. Instead, he became the 13th person to die in city custody this year.
www.thecity.nyc
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A man died today at the Rikers Island jail complex. He was just hours away from an expected release.
This year, 13 people have now died in the NYC jails. That is *nearly triple* the number of people who died in the NYC jails in all of 2024. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/21/r...
This year, 13 people have now died in the NYC jails. That is *nearly triple* the number of people who died in the NYC jails in all of 2024. www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/21/r...
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
In a new appearance on a QAnon-affiliated podcast, prominent election denier David Clements invoked Q posts as a possible justification for a 3rd Trump term, along with sovereign citizens claims about "a new republic," which he suggested only the "anon community" has "the capacity to understand."
November 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
In a new appearance on a QAnon-affiliated podcast, prominent election denier David Clements invoked Q posts as a possible justification for a 3rd Trump term, along with sovereign citizens claims about "a new republic," which he suggested only the "anon community" has "the capacity to understand."
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Ta’Kiya’s family calls the verdict heartbreaking — but not the end. Their fight for accountability continues in civil court, as advocates across Ohio warn that too many families never see even this level of action.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/ohio-mom-kil...
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/ohio-mom-kil...
Two Little Ohio Boys Lost Their Mom to Gun Violence. A Grand Jury Indicted the Police Officer Who Shot Her.
An attorney for Young’s family called the outcome “an American tragedy.”
capitalbnews.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Ta’Kiya’s family calls the verdict heartbreaking — but not the end. Their fight for accountability continues in civil court, as advocates across Ohio warn that too many families never see even this level of action.
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/ohio-mom-kil...
Click the link for more: capitalbnews.org/ohio-mom-kil...
“scientific orthodoxy” must be the tortured wildfire metaphor version of “scientific evidence”
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
“scientific orthodoxy” must be the tortured wildfire metaphor version of “scientific evidence”
the state can abide by gutting part of the prison system after all, so long as it helps the state abduct and imprison even more people
NEW: Federal prison workers are jumping ship & heading to ICE for better pay + bonuses. Already BOP lost >1400 people this year, reversing all of 2024’s staffing gains. It’s an unintended consequence of Trump’s push for mass deportations
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
As Federal Prisons Run Low on Food and Toilet Paper, Corrections Officers Leave in Droves for ICE
Many of the problems the agency is facing now are not new, but staff and prisoners fear an exodus of officers could make life behind bars even worse.
www.propublica.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:26 PM
the state can abide by gutting part of the prison system after all, so long as it helps the state abduct and imprison even more people
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Cheers to the person who leaked the initial changes www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
In reversal, Coast Guard again classifies swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The new order came hours after The Post reported the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive” under guidelines set for release next month.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Cheers to the person who leaked the initial changes www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Public records requests by @propertyofthepeople.org reveal FBI had access to at least one immigration court watch Signal group—it’s not clear how. But from what we know about how Signal works, it could be the FBI obtained access to a group member’s phone.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Public records requests by @propertyofthepeople.org reveal FBI had access to at least one immigration court watch Signal group—it’s not clear how. But from what we know about how Signal works, it could be the FBI obtained access to a group member’s phone.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Melissa Gira Grant
Just saw this today. This is a transparent attempt to KILL DUE PROCESS by lying about the job of immigration judge and stacking the deck through hiring only bloodthirsty lawyers who want to deport people.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
DOJ is now recruiting for immigration judges by calling them “deportation judges.”
That’s seems really bad.
That’s seems really bad.
November 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just saw this today. This is a transparent attempt to KILL DUE PROCESS by lying about the job of immigration judge and stacking the deck through hiring only bloodthirsty lawyers who want to deport people.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.