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@propublica.org

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Investigative journalism in the public interest. Headlines and (sometimes literal) receipts. Send us tips: propublica.org/tips

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 4h

The Education Department has hired at least 9 people from the America First Policy Institute, co-founded by Secretary Linda McMahon.

The think tank’s listed goals include ending the separation of church and state and “plant[ing] Jesus in every space.”

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 6h

Kristi Noem, while governor of South Dakota, supplemented her roughly $130,000 salary by secretly accepting $80,000 donated to a political nonprofit she was affiliated with, records show.

She never disclosed this income on federal ethics forms.

(Published June)

Kristi Noem Secretly Took a Cut of Political Donations

A dark money group paid $80,000 to Noem’s personal company when she was governor of South Dakota. She did not include this income on her federal disclosure forms, a likely violation of ethics requirem...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 7h

“We’re physically seeing the impacts of a changing climate on these communities. … And the fact that we don’t have a government framework for dealing with these issues is not just an Alaska problem, it’s a national problem.”

(Published May with KYUK)

Newtok, Alaska, Was Supposed to Be a Model for Climate Relocation. Here’s How It Went Wrong.

The project’s challenges highlight how ill-prepared the U.S. is to respond to the way climate change is making some places uninhabitable.

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 8h

Insurance companies can often be aggressive with their denials because “they don’t expect people to come back,” one health care advocate said.

The lesson is simple, another expert told us: “Appeal, appeal, appeal, appeal. That’s all you have.”

By @deldeib.bsky.social

This Little-Known Appeal Could Force Your Insurer to Pay for Lifesaving Care. Here’s How to File It.

When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 8h

Thank you for the clarifying point! We've removed the post.

Reposted by ProPublica

Megan O'Matz @megomatz.bsky.social · 1d

The Trump administration is working to dramatically expand school choice, moving kids to a range of private & religious schools or homeschooling. Ultimately, what percentage of children would remain in public schools? A Moms for Liberty co-founder told me: “I hope zero. I hope to get to zero.”

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Jeremy Kohler @jeremykohler.bsky.social · 19h

This story by @amyyurkanin.bsky.social of @propublica.org is so beautifully written. A true masterclass in weaving details and emotion into a powerful narrative. www.propublica.org/article/jorg...

How a Fatal Car Crash Tested Alabama’s Justice System

A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with murder after a fatal car accident in Alabama. His lawyers have come to believe that one factor changed the course of the case, starting in the first moments...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Lisa Song @lisalsong.bsky.social · 17h

"PFNA is so hazardous that the EPA struck an agreement with eight companies to phase it out nearly two decades ago."

And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.

Sharon Lerner @fastlerner.bsky.social · 18h

NEW An EPA report found that PFNA, a chemical in the drinking water of some 26M people, interferes with development and likely causes liver problems & male reproductive harms. The report was done in April, scientists told me. But the agency hasn't released it

www.propublica.org/article/epa-...

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 15h

A fatal car crash. A 99-year prison sentence. And one fact that made this case different. Fascinating tale by @amyyurkanin.bsky.social

How a Fatal Car Crash Tested Alabama’s Justice System

A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with murder after a fatal car accident in Alabama. His lawyers have come to believe that one factor changed the course of the case, starting in the first moments...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 15h

Three charter school districts’ superintendents are among the highest paid in Texas.

The same three districts have also had failing or near-failing performance ratings in recent years.

With @texastribune.org

These Charter Superintendents Are Some of the Highest Paid in Texas. Their Districts Are Among the Lowest Performing.

Three charter school districts in Texas underreported the compensation paid to their top leaders. The same three districts have also had failing or near-failing performance ratings in recent years.

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Sharon Lerner @fastlerner.bsky.social · 18h

NEW An EPA report found that PFNA, a chemical in the drinking water of some 26M people, interferes with development and likely causes liver problems & male reproductive harms. The report was done in April, scientists told me. But the agency hasn't released it

www.propublica.org/article/epa-...

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 18h

NEW: PFNA can be found in drinking water systems that serve about 26 million people.

The EPA’s toxicity report on the forever chemical has sat in limbo for months, raising concerns that the Trump administration might change it or not release it at all.

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

The report was completed in mid-April, scientists familiar with the document told ProPublica, but the Trump administration has yet to release it.

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Kristine Malicse @kristinemalicse.bsky.social · 1d

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has ordered state agencies to take “any and all steps necessary” to fast-track solar and wind permits that must break ground by 2026 or likely miss out on a federal tax credit Congress is ending.

By Monica Samayoa | @opb.org

Oregon Fast-Tracks Renewable Energy Projects as Trump Bill Ends Tax Incentives

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the move, which follows reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica that highlighted impediments green energy advocates blame for the state’s poor ranking when it co...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 19h

NEW: 19-year-old Jorge Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant in Alabama on an H-2B visa, was convicted of murder after a fatal car crash.

He was initially sentenced to the maximum possible punishment, longer than what prosecutors had requested: 99 years.

How a Fatal Car Crash Tested Alabama’s Justice System

A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with reckless murder after a fatal car crash in Alabama. His lawyers have come to believe that one factor changed the course of the case, starting in the first moments after the crash.

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

A former DOGE staffer developed an AI tool that hallucinated the size of Veterans Affairs contracts.

For example, it concluded that more than a thousand deals were each worth $34 million, when in fact some were for as little as $35,000.

(Published June)

DOGE Developed Error-Prone AI Tool to “Munch” Veterans Affairs Contracts

We obtained records showing how a Department of Government Efficiency staffer with no medical experience used artificial intelligence to identify which VA contracts to kill. “AI is absolutely the wron...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Jennifer Smith Richards @jsmithrichards.bsky.social · 1d

To understand the Trump administration’s vision for American education, @megomatz.bsky.social and I studied dozens of hours of political appointees’ speeches and podcasts and essays. What emerged is a desire to dismantle the nation’s system of public schools.

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

Texas AG Ken Paxton hired a former staffer to work on a recent case. As a state employee, her labor would have cost taxpayers $641.

As a private attorney, Paxton allowed her to bill $3,780 an hour, so that day of work cost taxpayers $24,570.

(Published July with @texastribune.org)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Is Outsourcing More of His Office’s Work to Costly Private Lawyers

Despite having an office of hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton is frequently opting for private lawyers — many to whom he has personal or political ties — to argue on behalf of Texas. One attorney cost...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

📽️ WATCH: In 2016, the Mississippi River broke through a levee and wiped out 1,200 acres of Steve Williams’ farmland.

He signed up for a federal program in 2019 to retire the damaged fields. But instead of help, he and his daughter had to spend years farming the unfarmable: https://propub.li/3KFetS7

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

📢 D.C.: Help us track what’s happening.

Are you or were you a federal worker? Do you know someone who is?

You can reach us at propublica.org/tips or 917-512-0201 on Signal.

Close-up of a D.C. metro ad. Tagline reads: "There are thousands of federal staffers with stories to tell. Share yours. Signal: 917-512-0201. propublica.org/tips." Background illustration shows a man in a dark suit standing on an escalator that's heading out of the metro station, holding his phone out as he looks back.

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

Oh hey, that's us on the DC metro! 👋

"[On transit], you don't know who's sitting next to you; all kinds of folks are coming together in this system," ProPublica reporter @maryamjameel.bsky.social said. "And I hope our journalism can be [that] accessible to folks.”

Via @usa.streetsblog.org ⤵️

This Newsroom Is Looking For Its Next Big Tip on the Train — Streetsblog USA

Investigative journalists at ProPublica are betting that the next big tipster is riding the rails right now — and reaching out to find them.

usa.streetsblog.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Caitlin Kelly @caitlinkelly.bsky.social · 1d

“I'm optimistic that, you know, five years from now a majority of kids are going to be in a private school choice program.” www.propublica.org/article/educ...

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

NEW: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek told state agencies to take “any and all steps necessary” to expedite solar and wind permits before federal green energy tax credits expire next year.

The order prioritizes high-priority projects to begin by July 2026.

With @opb.org

Oregon Fast-Tracks Renewable Energy Projects as Trump Bill Ends Tax Incentives

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the move, which follows reporting by Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica that highlighted impediments green energy advocates blame for the state’s poor ranking when it co...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · 1d

Those influencing Trump education policy aren't shy about wanting to eradicate public schools.

Asked what % of kids she imagines should be in public schools, Tiffany Justice -- Moms for Liberty cofounder, now with Heritage Foundation -- told @propublica.org

“I hope zero. I hope to get to zero.”

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 1d

Hey, that’s @propublica.org! This Newsroom Is Looking For Its Next Big Tip on the Train

This Newsroom Is Looking For Its Next Big Tip on the Train — Streetsblog USA

Investigative journalists at ProPublica are betting that the next big tipster is riding the rails right now — and reaching out to find them.

usa.streetsblog.org

Reposted by ProPublica

Cengiz Yar @cengizyar.com · 1d

yes we are 🫡 usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/08/t...

This Newsroom Is Looking For Its Next Big Tip on the Train — Streetsblog USA

Investigative journalists at ProPublica are betting that the next big tipster is riding the rails right now — and reaching out to find them.

usa.streetsblog.org