Rachel Barnhart
@rachbarnhart.com
Former journalist. Current Monroe County Legislator. Posts are personal views unless noted as official. Not allowed: threats, defamation, obscenity, harassment or spam. Rochester, N.Y.
The whole idea that her campaign is dependent upon a villain - the mayor of NYC - to win is a little bonkers, to the extent she even has a chance.
Trump’s Mamdani embrace complicates Elise Stefanik’s path to governor
The president fawned over the mayor-elect, parting with the New York Republican who has claimed he’s a jihadist.
www.politico.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The whole idea that her campaign is dependent upon a villain - the mayor of NYC - to win is a little bonkers, to the extent she even has a chance.
HUD is prepared to make massive cuts to permanent supportive housing. There are about 1300 such beds in Rochester. I spoke at a rally today against this devastating change. Background: www.urban.org/urban-wire/e...
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
HUD is prepared to make massive cuts to permanent supportive housing. There are about 1300 such beds in Rochester. I spoke at a rally today against this devastating change. Background: www.urban.org/urban-wire/e...
Mission accomplished. Carrot cake from Cheesy Eddie’s and pumpkin pie from Baker Street.
Thank you for all of the suggestions!
Thank you for all of the suggestions!
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Mission accomplished. Carrot cake from Cheesy Eddie’s and pumpkin pie from Baker Street.
Thank you for all of the suggestions!
Thank you for all of the suggestions!
Now they're going after... Boy Scouts?
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
www.npr.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Now they're going after... Boy Scouts?
"Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who is retiring in 2027, told Axios he was "so angry" at the Trump administration's proposed 28-point Russia-Ukraine peace plan last week that he "thought about" resigning early."
Republicans consider quitting Congress early over death threats and infighting
41 members have already announced they plan to call it quits at the end of their term.
www.axios.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who is retiring in 2027, told Axios he was "so angry" at the Trump administration's proposed 28-point Russia-Ukraine peace plan last week that he "thought about" resigning early."
Democratic challenger to the NYS comptroller has housing proposals - really interesting
The NYS comptroller can aid affordable housing
New Yorkers can’t afford to live where they work. Public school teachers in Brooklyn, autoworkers in Buffalo, mechanics in Mount Vernon, nurses in Syracuse, laborers in Hempstead: They can’t afford…
www.nydailynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Democratic challenger to the NYS comptroller has housing proposals - really interesting
No question, the undocumented worker did bad things. But case is complicated by years out of trouble & family ties.
Both men failed by a system that did not take identity theft seriously (horrible stuff!) or have any path for legal immigration.
Both men failed by a system that did not take identity theft seriously (horrible stuff!) or have any path for legal immigration.
Two Men. One Identity. They Both Paid the Price.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
No question, the undocumented worker did bad things. But case is complicated by years out of trouble & family ties.
Both men failed by a system that did not take identity theft seriously (horrible stuff!) or have any path for legal immigration.
Both men failed by a system that did not take identity theft seriously (horrible stuff!) or have any path for legal immigration.
Mom springs on me today I need to bring pies to Thanksgiving.
Grocery store pies are good, but I would prefer a bakery. Preorders all closed. I think I'll stop by Savoia tomorrow and pray something is left. Other ideas?
I don't think making pies on my own is...a good idea.
Grocery store pies are good, but I would prefer a bakery. Preorders all closed. I think I'll stop by Savoia tomorrow and pray something is left. Other ideas?
I don't think making pies on my own is...a good idea.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Mom springs on me today I need to bring pies to Thanksgiving.
Grocery store pies are good, but I would prefer a bakery. Preorders all closed. I think I'll stop by Savoia tomorrow and pray something is left. Other ideas?
I don't think making pies on my own is...a good idea.
Grocery store pies are good, but I would prefer a bakery. Preorders all closed. I think I'll stop by Savoia tomorrow and pray something is left. Other ideas?
I don't think making pies on my own is...a good idea.
"Immigrants make up about a quarter of all the country's doctors, and the U.S. health care system depends heavily on them."
'Nobody wants to come': What if the U.S. can no longer attract immigrant physicians?
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S.
www.npr.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"Immigrants make up about a quarter of all the country's doctors, and the U.S. health care system depends heavily on them."
These cases were never going anywhere, but incredible damage was done.
They were smeared, racked up legal bills, had to go through incredible stress of facing bogus criminal charges. (I realize some will argue this was a "technicality," but few legal experts thought these cases had merit.)
They were smeared, racked up legal bills, had to go through incredible stress of facing bogus criminal charges. (I realize some will argue this was a "technicality," but few legal experts thought these cases had merit.)
James Comey, Letitia James prosecutions dismissed
The decision is a major rebuke of retribution campaign against Trump's longtime enemies.
www.axios.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
These cases were never going anywhere, but incredible damage was done.
They were smeared, racked up legal bills, had to go through incredible stress of facing bogus criminal charges. (I realize some will argue this was a "technicality," but few legal experts thought these cases had merit.)
They were smeared, racked up legal bills, had to go through incredible stress of facing bogus criminal charges. (I realize some will argue this was a "technicality," but few legal experts thought these cases had merit.)
If you're going after someone for saying the military should not do things that are illegal, it seems the real goal here is to get rid of people in order to do things that are ilegal.
Sen. Mark Kelly facing military investigation after clashing with Trump
A statement from the Pentagon said all service members have a "legal obligation" to "obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful."
www.axios.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
If you're going after someone for saying the military should not do things that are illegal, it seems the real goal here is to get rid of people in order to do things that are ilegal.
Love this - Scar is my across-the-street neighbor. Glad to see him getting recognition in this great profile by @willcleveland13.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/clevelan...
open.substack.com/pub/clevelan...
When the beer’s just 'Okay' but the art slaps: Meet Scar Markham
The Rochester artist known as Flour Pail Kids brings his skate-punk whimsy and community-first ethos to Okay Beer Co.’s newest labels.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Love this - Scar is my across-the-street neighbor. Glad to see him getting recognition in this great profile by @willcleveland13.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/clevelan...
open.substack.com/pub/clevelan...
State is negotiating from a weak position, as it is too scared to do anything that could cause Tesla to pull out. So companies will always have the upper hand and be able to violate terms of agreements regarding taxpayer investment.
NY talks over Tesla Buffalo plant sputter in ‘fits and starts’
State officials say Tesla is hard to communicate with.
www.wxxinews.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
State is negotiating from a weak position, as it is too scared to do anything that could cause Tesla to pull out. So companies will always have the upper hand and be able to violate terms of agreements regarding taxpayer investment.
Unlike NY, a state that has a primary before special elections. (Too bad neither has RCV, which means someone could win with 20% of the vote.)
Nearly a dozen Democrats jump into the race for Mikie Sherrill's House seat
Sherrill, the the governor-elect of New Jersey, resigned her House seat last week as she prepares for her next job, leaving a big field battling over the congressional district.
www.nbcnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Unlike NY, a state that has a primary before special elections. (Too bad neither has RCV, which means someone could win with 20% of the vote.)
"You have to use your imagination to consider and plan for the most extreme scenario.”
Less than a year from the midterm elections, state and local voting officials from both major political parties are actively preparing for the possibility of interference by the Trump administration.
How could Trump interfere in the midterms? Here's what voting officials are watching
Less than a year from the midterm elections, state and local voting officials from both major political parties are actively preparing for the possibility of interference by the Trump administration.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
"You have to use your imagination to consider and plan for the most extreme scenario.”
Good afternoon from North Winton Village
November 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Good afternoon from North Winton Village
TopGolf has been sold. Rochester project is stalled at last check, and no incentives have been awarded to date.
Callaway Sells Off Topgolf for a Huge Loss
Callaway acquired the brand in 2020 for roughly double the price.
www.inc.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
TopGolf has been sold. Rochester project is stalled at last check, and no incentives have been awarded to date.
"Two-thirds of the contracts DOGE canceled at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year were with veteran-owned businesses."
DOGE had a cutting spree. 550 vet-owned businesses felt it.
Among the contracts DOGE canceled under the Department of Veterans Affairs alone, two-thirds were with veteran-owned businesses.
www.politico.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"Two-thirds of the contracts DOGE canceled at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year were with veteran-owned businesses."
Monroe County on the list
2 Upstate NY counties among top 20 hottest real estate markets in US
Most of the state's hottest real estate markets were in Upstate New York in September.
www.syracuse.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Monroe County on the list
Heartbreaking. Caroline Kennedy’s daughter has a terminal illness, and writes about whether her children will remember her — and her cousins’s cuts to cancer research that could save her.
A Battle with My Blood
When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.
www.newyorker.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Heartbreaking. Caroline Kennedy’s daughter has a terminal illness, and writes about whether her children will remember her — and her cousins’s cuts to cancer research that could save her.
Totally unacceptable. This is a rogue agency terrorizing law-abiding families.
On Camera, Fed Agents Point Guns at Mother and Four Kids in Queens
The agents came looking for a relative who no longer lived there and didn't show a warrant or identify themselves. Days later, the children are terrified to leave their parents' sides.
www.thecity.nyc
November 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Totally unacceptable. This is a rogue agency terrorizing law-abiding families.
I suspect Trump really "gets" celebrity and is attracted to it.
Trump played Democrats who can't bring themselves to say nice things about Mamdani, and on the day many joined the GOP to condemn socialism.
Trump played Democrats who can't bring themselves to say nice things about Mamdani, and on the day many joined the GOP to condemn socialism.
Inside Trump and Mamdani's surprising bond of convenience
They're both populist outsiders, lovers of the Big Apple, and politicians who each want what the other has.
www.axios.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I suspect Trump really "gets" celebrity and is attracted to it.
Trump played Democrats who can't bring themselves to say nice things about Mamdani, and on the day many joined the GOP to condemn socialism.
Trump played Democrats who can't bring themselves to say nice things about Mamdani, and on the day many joined the GOP to condemn socialism.
Prudy broke a window lunging at a squirrel. Hope my day improves. 🤨
November 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Prudy broke a window lunging at a squirrel. Hope my day improves. 🤨
Reposted by Rachel Barnhart
Morelle voted Yes
The House of Representatives voted 285–98 in favor of a resolution condemning socialism.
86 Dems joined Republicans in supporting the measure, incl. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
86 Dems joined Republicans in supporting the measure, incl. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
November 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Morelle voted Yes