Philip Eil
@phileil.bsky.social
Journalist.
Cat dad.
Rhode Islander.
Author of "Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the 'Pill Mill Killer.'"
https://philipeil.com/
Cat dad.
Rhode Islander.
Author of "Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the 'Pill Mill Killer.'"
https://philipeil.com/
I started in journalism in 2008, with an internship at an alt-weekly paper that doesn't exist anymore.
My whole career since (to the extent that it can be called a "career") has been watching publications close or contract, and watching scores of talented people lose their jobs.
My whole career since (to the extent that it can be called a "career") has been watching publications close or contract, and watching scores of talented people lose their jobs.
February 4, 2026 at 7:06 PM
I started in journalism in 2008, with an internship at an alt-weekly paper that doesn't exist anymore.
My whole career since (to the extent that it can be called a "career") has been watching publications close or contract, and watching scores of talented people lose their jobs.
My whole career since (to the extent that it can be called a "career") has been watching publications close or contract, and watching scores of talented people lose their jobs.
Reposted by Philip Eil
So subtle.
"Those who were laid off include Caroline O’Donovan, the Post’s beat reporter covering Amazon"
Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post Cuts 30% of Staff, Laying Off More Than 300 Employees Including Amazon Beat Reporter
The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is enacting layoffs that will eliminate "hundreds" of jobs.
variety.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:55 PM
So subtle.
My latest.
IDEAS | @phileil.bsky.social: Elected officials should not be lending legitimacy to Elon Musk’s toxic social media site.
Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and other New England politicians need to quit X - The Boston Globe
Elected officials should not be lending legitimacy to Elon Musk’s toxic social media site.
trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM
My latest.
Reposted by Philip Eil
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off.
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off.
Live look at WaPo management describing the paper's "strategic reset" to staff:
February 4, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Live look at WaPo management describing the paper's "strategic reset" to staff:
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
Tired: "rapid unscheduled disassembly"
Wired: "strategic reset"
Wired: "strategic reset"
WaPo also closing Books section and downsizing International and Metro sections
February 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Tired: "rapid unscheduled disassembly"
Wired: "strategic reset"
Wired: "strategic reset"
You see a lot of people talk disparagingly about Bluesky as a left-wing echo chamber.
What you see far less often, if ever, is people defending, say, Grok's Holocaust denial, or Elon's unabashedly white supremacist tweets, or Grok's widespread generation of nonconsensual sexual images.
What you see far less often, if ever, is people defending, say, Grok's Holocaust denial, or Elon's unabashedly white supremacist tweets, or Grok's widespread generation of nonconsensual sexual images.
February 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
You see a lot of people talk disparagingly about Bluesky as a left-wing echo chamber.
What you see far less often, if ever, is people defending, say, Grok's Holocaust denial, or Elon's unabashedly white supremacist tweets, or Grok's widespread generation of nonconsensual sexual images.
What you see far less often, if ever, is people defending, say, Grok's Holocaust denial, or Elon's unabashedly white supremacist tweets, or Grok's widespread generation of nonconsensual sexual images.
Bluesky: The Fart-Smelling App™.
February 4, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Bluesky: The Fart-Smelling App™.
Reposted by Philip Eil
My kick ass plan: transfer ICE's funding to public libraries around the country. THAT would make America awesome
The library? Yes, the library is hosting a series for Chicagoans to learn about Puerto Rican history ahead of Bad Bunny’s historical Super Bowl halftime show performance this weekend.
Bad Bunny's hottest local Super Bowl pregame is at the Chicago Public Library
www.wbez.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:54 PM
My kick ass plan: transfer ICE's funding to public libraries around the country. THAT would make America awesome
I, for one, am not surprised that RI House Speaker Joe Shekarchi is not running for governor -- a less powerful position than the one he has, that he likely wouldn't win.
February 4, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I, for one, am not surprised that RI House Speaker Joe Shekarchi is not running for governor -- a less powerful position than the one he has, that he likely wouldn't win.
Reposted by Philip Eil
I ‘quit’ X for all intents and purposes 3+ years ago, with the exception of the occasional press-related post. It shocks me that pols continue to associate with what is, essentially, a cesspool.
"Sen. @edmarkey.bsky.social coauthored a letter to the CEOs of Apple & Google asking the companies to pull X from its app stores due to Grok’s repeated generation of nonconsensual sexual imagery ... On the same day that he sent the letter, Markey made 5 posts on X."
@phileil.bsky.social
@phileil.bsky.social
Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and other New England politicians need to quit X - The Boston Globe
Elected officials should not be lending legitimacy to Elon Musk’s toxic social media site.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I ‘quit’ X for all intents and purposes 3+ years ago, with the exception of the occasional press-related post. It shocks me that pols continue to associate with what is, essentially, a cesspool.
Reposted by Philip Eil
"Sen. @edmarkey.bsky.social coauthored a letter to the CEOs of Apple & Google asking the companies to pull X from its app stores due to Grok’s repeated generation of nonconsensual sexual imagery ... On the same day that he sent the letter, Markey made 5 posts on X."
@phileil.bsky.social
@phileil.bsky.social
Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and other New England politicians need to quit X - The Boston Globe
Elected officials should not be lending legitimacy to Elon Musk’s toxic social media site.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:26 PM
"Sen. @edmarkey.bsky.social coauthored a letter to the CEOs of Apple & Google asking the companies to pull X from its app stores due to Grok’s repeated generation of nonconsensual sexual imagery ... On the same day that he sent the letter, Markey made 5 posts on X."
@phileil.bsky.social
@phileil.bsky.social
Reposted by Philip Eil
Well that sounds very bad
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Well that sounds very bad
Reposted by Philip Eil
I personally do not think some rich man should be able to buy an institution like this like a toy and then break it when he doesn’t want to play with it anymore. bsky.app/profile/benm...
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
I personally do not think some rich man should be able to buy an institution like this like a toy and then break it when he doesn’t want to play with it anymore. bsky.app/profile/benm...
"While many Chicagoans are getting ready to watch the halftime show from the bar or at home, the real local pregame is at the Chicago Public Library, which is hosting a cultural program that explores Puerto Rican history through music." 😭😭😭
The library? Yes, the library is hosting a series for Chicagoans to learn about Puerto Rican history ahead of Bad Bunny’s historical Super Bowl halftime show performance this weekend.
Bad Bunny's hottest local Super Bowl pregame is at the Chicago Public Library
www.wbez.org
February 4, 2026 at 12:09 PM
"While many Chicagoans are getting ready to watch the halftime show from the bar or at home, the real local pregame is at the Chicago Public Library, which is hosting a cultural program that explores Puerto Rican history through music." 😭😭😭
New this morning: for @globeopinion.bsky.social, I argue that it's long past time for public officials to leave "X."
The essay will run in print in Sunday's "Ideas" section.
The essay will run in print in Sunday's "Ideas" section.
Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and other New England politicians need to quit X - The Boston Globe
Elected officials should not be lending legitimacy to Elon Musk’s toxic social media site.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:01 PM
New this morning: for @globeopinion.bsky.social, I argue that it's long past time for public officials to leave "X."
The essay will run in print in Sunday's "Ideas" section.
The essay will run in print in Sunday's "Ideas" section.
Reposted by Philip Eil
so crazy to me that a woman asked trump if he has any words for epstein's victims and he said "you as a young woman should smile more." it will go nowhere bc republicans refuse to hold trump accountable, but it's still pretty crazy.
February 4, 2026 at 6:45 AM
so crazy to me that a woman asked trump if he has any words for epstein's victims and he said "you as a young woman should smile more." it will go nowhere bc republicans refuse to hold trump accountable, but it's still pretty crazy.
Reposted by Philip Eil
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
"Rhode Island receives a cut of every sports bet lost at the state’s two casinos and through its Sportsbook RI app.
Legalizing sports betting — once largely controlled by organized crime in Providence — has proven lucrative for the state, generating $37.8 million in revenue in fiscal 2025."
Legalizing sports betting — once largely controlled by organized crime in Providence — has proven lucrative for the state, generating $37.8 million in revenue in fiscal 2025."
NEW: As Patriots fans dream of another Super Bowl title, Rhode Island budget officials are bracing for the financial fallout a win could bring.
The only month the state’s sportsbook has ever reported a loss was February 2019 -- the last time the Pats won www.wpri.com/target-12/go...
The only month the state’s sportsbook has ever reported a loss was February 2019 -- the last time the Pats won www.wpri.com/target-12/go...
‘Good news, bad news’: Patriots win could cost Rhode Island millions
The only time the state’s sportsbook has ever lost monthly revenue was February 2019 — the last time the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.
www.wpri.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:15 PM
"Rhode Island receives a cut of every sports bet lost at the state’s two casinos and through its Sportsbook RI app.
Legalizing sports betting — once largely controlled by organized crime in Providence — has proven lucrative for the state, generating $37.8 million in revenue in fiscal 2025."
Legalizing sports betting — once largely controlled by organized crime in Providence — has proven lucrative for the state, generating $37.8 million in revenue in fiscal 2025."
My book is approaching its two-year birthday in April. And, today, I got a nice note from a reader.
That was nice.
That was nice.
February 3, 2026 at 8:14 PM
My book is approaching its two-year birthday in April. And, today, I got a nice note from a reader.
That was nice.
That was nice.
Reposted by Philip Eil
In an interview with NPR, Melinda French Gates confirmed that she ended her marriage with Bill Gates because of allegations contained in the Epstein files.
February 3, 2026 at 5:38 PM
In an interview with NPR, Melinda French Gates confirmed that she ended her marriage with Bill Gates because of allegations contained in the Epstein files.
Reposted by Philip Eil
of course it is
Sinclair to Air Kid Rock's Halftime Show Against Its Own Affiliates Carrying Super Bowl
During the Super Bowl, Sinclair digital stations will stream Kid Rock's “All American Halftime Show," competing against its own affiliates for viewers.
consequence.net
February 3, 2026 at 7:40 PM
of course it is
"In December, the Lindell campaign bought nearly $190,000 worth of Lindell autobiographies from MyPillow. Lindell’s campaign finance report lists the expense as 'Advertising – general: Mike Lindell Books.'”
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell spent more than half the money he raised in his campaign for Minnesota governor last year buying copies of his autobiography.
Mike Lindell's campaign for governor is buying boatloads of Mike Lindell autobiographies • Minnesota Reformer
Mike Lindell’s memoir, “What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO,” has enjoyed a new surge of sales since he announced a run for governor late last year. Who’s buying the book, which details his ad...
minnesotareformer.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:56 PM
"In December, the Lindell campaign bought nearly $190,000 worth of Lindell autobiographies from MyPillow. Lindell’s campaign finance report lists the expense as 'Advertising – general: Mike Lindell Books.'”
Reposted by Philip Eil
This is very, very bad www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Measles cases identified at ICE’s largest detention facility for children
Two detainees at a family immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas, have contracted measles, prompting concern among health experts that the virus could spread
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
This is very, very bad www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...