Michael Bilow
@mikebilow.bsky.social
News Editor covering news, politics, law, theater, film, and weather for Motif Magazine — Rhode Island's leading arts, entertainment, music, and culture magazine.
PVD: Tue 6pm–Wed 2am, 1 in snow. Possible freezing rain Tue 11pm–Wed 1am.
Probability at least 0.1in 97%, 1in 43%, 2in 21%, 4in 3%, 6in near 0%.
Return to slightly above seasonal normal temps, afternoon highs 35°F and overnight lows 20°F.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-1...
Probability at least 0.1in 97%, 1in 43%, 2in 21%, 4in 3%, 6in near 0%.
Return to slightly above seasonal normal temps, afternoon highs 35°F and overnight lows 20°F.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-1...
February 10, 2026 at 9:55 AM
PVD: Tue 6pm–Wed 2am, 1 in snow. Possible freezing rain Tue 11pm–Wed 1am.
Probability at least 0.1in 97%, 1in 43%, 2in 21%, 4in 3%, 6in near 0%.
Return to slightly above seasonal normal temps, afternoon highs 35°F and overnight lows 20°F.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-1...
Probability at least 0.1in 97%, 1in 43%, 2in 21%, 4in 3%, 6in near 0%.
Return to slightly above seasonal normal temps, afternoon highs 35°F and overnight lows 20°F.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-1...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
@jbf1755.bsky.social Your comments with @hcrichardson.bsky.social about Twitter make me think you will like my article from a few years ago.
motifri.com/destroying-t...
motifri.com/destroying-t...
Destroying Twitter in Order to Save It: Elon Musk Throws Around Billions – Motif
motifri.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:34 AM
@jbf1755.bsky.social Your comments with @hcrichardson.bsky.social about Twitter make me think you will like my article from a few years ago.
motifri.com/destroying-t...
motifri.com/destroying-t...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
This regime's cruelty knows no bounds.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/05/liam-conejo-ramos-dhs-requests-expedited-deportation-proceedings-for-family
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/05/liam-conejo-ramos-dhs-requests-expedited-deportation-proceedings-for-family
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
This regime's cruelty knows no bounds.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/05/liam-conejo-ramos-dhs-requests-expedited-deportation-proceedings-for-family
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/05/liam-conejo-ramos-dhs-requests-expedited-deportation-proceedings-for-family
PVD: Sat 1am–6pm, 3–5 in snow. Winter Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 4am–7pm.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 99%, 2in 91%, 4in 39%, 6in 12%, 8in 2%, 12in near 0%.
Dangerous cold: ambient temp 0°F, wind chill -16°F. Cold Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 6pm–Sun Feb 8.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-0...
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 99%, 2in 91%, 4in 39%, 6in 12%, 8in 2%, 12in near 0%.
Dangerous cold: ambient temp 0°F, wind chill -16°F. Cold Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 6pm–Sun Feb 8.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-0...
February 7, 2026 at 3:55 AM
PVD: Sat 1am–6pm, 3–5 in snow. Winter Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 4am–7pm.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 99%, 2in 91%, 4in 39%, 6in 12%, 8in 2%, 12in near 0%.
Dangerous cold: ambient temp 0°F, wind chill -16°F. Cold Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 6pm–Sun Feb 8.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-0...
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 99%, 2in 91%, 4in 39%, 6in 12%, 8in 2%, 12in near 0%.
Dangerous cold: ambient temp 0°F, wind chill -16°F. Cold Weather Adv Sat Feb 7 6pm–Sun Feb 8.
motifri.com/wx-2026-02-0...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
I usually hesitate to post obituaries but this one, of my literary agent, Georges Borchardt, born in 1928, is so unusual that it deserves to be widely shared.
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Georges Borchardt, 97, Dies; Literary Agent Championed Wiesel’s ‘Night’
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:05 AM
I usually hesitate to post obituaries but this one, of my literary agent, Georges Borchardt, born in 1928, is so unusual that it deserves to be widely shared.
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
An incredible 20th century life
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/o...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
I won’t stop reporting the truth. The First Amendment is the bedrock of our democracy, and I’ll continue to fight to protect it 🤝🏾🇺🇸
January 31, 2026 at 4:40 AM
I won’t stop reporting the truth. The First Amendment is the bedrock of our democracy, and I’ll continue to fight to protect it 🤝🏾🇺🇸
Reposted by Michael Bilow
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I get tired of saying it, but I’ll say it again: the nature of oppression in America is that they workshop it first on Black, Latino, Asian & Native people.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
But it is always, in the end, coming for everyone.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
The college at which I'm employed, which has signed a contract with the AI firm that stole books from 131 colleagues & me, paid a student to write an op-ed for the student paper promoting AI, guided the writing of it, and did not disclose this to the paper. www.thedartmouth.com/article/2026...
College approached and paid student to write op-ed in The Dartmouth
The Dartmouth ran the article on Nov. 17 without knowledge that the College had been involved.
www.thedartmouth.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The college at which I'm employed, which has signed a contract with the AI firm that stole books from 131 colleagues & me, paid a student to write an op-ed for the student paper promoting AI, guided the writing of it, and did not disclose this to the paper. www.thedartmouth.com/article/2026...
If you had any doubts that we are all living through a decisive historical moment, @brucespringsteen.net will convince you otherwise. If you do not personally remember the 1960s, this is that.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 AM
If you had any doubts that we are all living through a decisive historical moment, @brucespringsteen.net will convince you otherwise. If you do not personally remember the 1960s, this is that.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...
@jenpsaki.bsky.social explains that @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social had staff recreate videos playing cats like bongos "for copyright reasons" to give viewers a sense of the content on a usually non-political subreddit.
www.reddit.com/r/catbongos/...
www.reddit.com/r/catbongos/...
January 29, 2026 at 2:13 AM
@jenpsaki.bsky.social explains that @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social had staff recreate videos playing cats like bongos "for copyright reasons" to give viewers a sense of the content on a usually non-political subreddit.
www.reddit.com/r/catbongos/...
www.reddit.com/r/catbongos/...
As a strong gun-rights supporter, I am horrified that our federal government has effectively declared open season on law-abiding gun owers. If you protested when jack-booted thugs killed Randy Weaver, how can you defend them killing Alex Pretti?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Timeline: How the Shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti Unfolded
A moment-by-moment analysis of video from the scene shows that Mr. Pretti was already restrained when fatal shots were fired, which appears to contradict the federal government’s account of the event.
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:25 PM
As a strong gun-rights supporter, I am horrified that our federal government has effectively declared open season on law-abiding gun owers. If you protested when jack-booted thugs killed Randy Weaver, how can you defend them killing Alex Pretti?
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
Despite community support and legal efforts, the detained immigrant father of a 5-year-old son with brain cancer has decided to drop efforts to stay in the United States and accept deportation to Bolivia.
‘He reached his limit.’ Immigrant father of 5-year-old with brain cancer accepts deportation to Bolivia after months in ICE detention.
www.inquirer.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Despite community support and legal efforts, the detained immigrant father of a 5-year-old son with brain cancer has decided to drop efforts to stay in the United States and accept deportation to Bolivia.
PVD: Snow Sun 7am–Mon 11pm, 12–18 inches possible, but too early for reliable accumulation forecast. Could mix with freezing rain.
Extreme cold, sub-zero wind chill Fri night thru at least Tue.
Winter Storm Watch, Cold Weather Advisory posted.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-2...
Extreme cold, sub-zero wind chill Fri night thru at least Tue.
Winter Storm Watch, Cold Weather Advisory posted.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-2...
January 23, 2026 at 11:27 AM
PVD: Snow Sun 7am–Mon 11pm, 12–18 inches possible, but too early for reliable accumulation forecast. Could mix with freezing rain.
Extreme cold, sub-zero wind chill Fri night thru at least Tue.
Winter Storm Watch, Cold Weather Advisory posted.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-2...
Extreme cold, sub-zero wind chill Fri night thru at least Tue.
Winter Storm Watch, Cold Weather Advisory posted.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-2...
@raskin.house.gov on @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social said he worried testimony of Jack Smith would turn into "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," implying responses would be interrupted and cut off. This is the second time I recall him mentioning the film. Did he ever attend live shows?
January 22, 2026 at 9:53 AM
@raskin.house.gov on @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social said he worried testimony of Jack Smith would turn into "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," implying responses would be interrupted and cut off. This is the second time I recall him mentioning the film. Did he ever attend live shows?
If Trump is not following in the path of dictators such as Hitler and Napoleon, why is he invading Minnesota in the winter?
January 22, 2026 at 8:51 AM
If Trump is not following in the path of dictators such as Hitler and Napoleon, why is he invading Minnesota in the winter?
I just saw @iandonnis.bsky.social on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social with a promo piece filmed on the river called "The Bubblah." I'll be so disappointed if they don't use the slogan "Flood the Zone."
January 22, 2026 at 6:00 AM
I just saw @iandonnis.bsky.social on @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social with a promo piece filmed on the river called "The Bubblah." I'll be so disappointed if they don't use the slogan "Flood the Zone."
PVD: Snow 3–6in, Sun 7am–Mon 7am; peak Sun 5pm–Mon 1am possibly 1in/hr.
Winter Weather Advisory Sun 10am–Mon 4am.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 98%, 2in 89%, 4in 45%, 6in 22%, 8in 11%, 12in 3%, 18in near 0%.
Arctic cold overnights Mon–Wed.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-1...
Winter Weather Advisory Sun 10am–Mon 4am.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 98%, 2in 89%, 4in 45%, 6in 22%, 8in 11%, 12in 3%, 18in near 0%.
Arctic cold overnights Mon–Wed.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-1...
January 18, 2026 at 9:35 AM
PVD: Snow 3–6in, Sun 7am–Mon 7am; peak Sun 5pm–Mon 1am possibly 1in/hr.
Winter Weather Advisory Sun 10am–Mon 4am.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 98%, 2in 89%, 4in 45%, 6in 22%, 8in 11%, 12in 3%, 18in near 0%.
Arctic cold overnights Mon–Wed.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-1...
Winter Weather Advisory Sun 10am–Mon 4am.
Probability at least 0.1in near 100%, 1in 98%, 2in 89%, 4in 45%, 6in 22%, 8in 11%, 12in 3%, 18in near 0%.
Arctic cold overnights Mon–Wed.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-1...
On reading @nytopinion.nytimes.com headline "Shoot to Kill: Account of Brutal Crackdown…" it was a relief to see it was about Iran rather than ICE.
January 14, 2026 at 4:27 AM
On reading @nytopinion.nytimes.com headline "Shoot to Kill: Account of Brutal Crackdown…" it was a relief to see it was about Iran rather than ICE.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
Pleased to speak with @theintercept.com and be quoted alongside @hbrandon-smith.bsky.social.
"The U.S. did go to war with Venezuela. Just because you drag along a couple DEA agents doesn’t transform this...into a law enforcement operation.”
theintercept.com/2026/01/05/c...
"The U.S. did go to war with Venezuela. Just because you drag along a couple DEA agents doesn’t transform this...into a law enforcement operation.”
theintercept.com/2026/01/05/c...
How Congress Blew All Their Chances to Stop Trump’s War With Venezuela
Republicans who stood in the way of four chances to pass a War Powers resolution on Venezuela now say Marco Rubio lied to them.
theintercept.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Pleased to speak with @theintercept.com and be quoted alongside @hbrandon-smith.bsky.social.
"The U.S. did go to war with Venezuela. Just because you drag along a couple DEA agents doesn’t transform this...into a law enforcement operation.”
theintercept.com/2026/01/05/c...
"The U.S. did go to war with Venezuela. Just because you drag along a couple DEA agents doesn’t transform this...into a law enforcement operation.”
theintercept.com/2026/01/05/c...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
My analysis in @justsecurity.org on Trump's asserted license to kill. 2/n
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
Asserting a License to Kill: Why the Caribbean Strike is a Dangerous Departure from the “War on Terror”
An absence of credible legal basis for the Caribbean strike suggests the Trump admin is asserting a prerogative to kill outside the law.
www.justsecurity.org
September 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
My analysis in @justsecurity.org on Trump's asserted license to kill. 2/n
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec... —
…president’s lack of interest in boosting Machado… stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize… an “ultimate sin”… “If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today”…
…president’s lack of interest in boosting Machado… stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize… an “ultimate sin”… “If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today”…
U.S. plan to ‘run’ Venezuela clouded in confusion
In Washington and Caracas, the vision for administering Venezuela in the weeks and months ahead appears uncertain and stubbornly complex.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:34 AM
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec... —
…president’s lack of interest in boosting Machado… stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize… an “ultimate sin”… “If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today”…
…president’s lack of interest in boosting Machado… stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize… an “ultimate sin”… “If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today”…
Masterpiece of an article!
Thanks to Bloomberg Law for inviting my thoughts on presidential powers and Venezuela.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Trump’s Venezuela Legal Defense Rests on Youngstown ‘Gloss’ Idea
Opinion: President Donald Trump’s decision to invade Venezuela and oust its president puts a spotlight on a US Supreme Court case that famously blocked President Harry Truman’s seizure of American ste...
news.bloomberglaw.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Masterpiece of an article!
PVD: Mon 7pm–Tue 1am snow, possibly changing to freezing rain. Then Tue 8pm–Wed 7am, rain.
Snow accumulation probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 78%, 1in 6%, 2in near 0%.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-0...
Snow accumulation probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 78%, 1in 6%, 2in near 0%.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-0...
January 5, 2026 at 10:12 AM
PVD: Mon 7pm–Tue 1am snow, possibly changing to freezing rain. Then Tue 8pm–Wed 7am, rain.
Snow accumulation probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 78%, 1in 6%, 2in near 0%.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-0...
Snow accumulation probability in the metropolitan area is of at least 0.1in 78%, 1in 6%, 2in near 0%.
motifri.com/wx-2026-01-0...
@danmaurerlawprof.bsky.social on @msnowreports.bsky.social: "You can't break the law to enforce the law."
January 3, 2026 at 12:49 PM
@danmaurerlawprof.bsky.social on @msnowreports.bsky.social: "You can't break the law to enforce the law."