Rachel Levy
@rachellevy.bsky.social
Teacher, parent, writer, ed ldshp & policy PhD, former candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, local Dem chair, staffer to everyone's favorite Virginia state senator, jigsaw puzzler. I ask a lot of questions. Sometimes I make people angry. (she/her)
Reposted by Rachel Levy
This is lunacy. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is, at best, an environmental lawyer. He has no experience or degree in medicine or science.
This is tantamount to me, an English major, giving NASA a Post-It outlining how they should revise their entire approach to the astrophysics of dark energy.
This is tantamount to me, an English major, giving NASA a Post-It outlining how they should revise their entire approach to the astrophysics of dark energy.
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 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This is lunacy. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is, at best, an environmental lawyer. He has no experience or degree in medicine or science.
This is tantamount to me, an English major, giving NASA a Post-It outlining how they should revise their entire approach to the astrophysics of dark energy.
This is tantamount to me, an English major, giving NASA a Post-It outlining how they should revise their entire approach to the astrophysics of dark energy.
Reposted by Rachel Levy
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
Wow. I did not see this coming but am happily surprised.
Governor Hochul on Elise Stefanik doubling down on her claims that Mamdani is a “jihadist.”
Video: Kathy Hochul via X (@KathyHochul)
Video: Kathy Hochul via X (@KathyHochul)
November 23, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Wow. I did not see this coming but am happily surprised.
Reposted by Rachel Levy
Stunning development: Senators now confirm the Trump admin’s 28-point “peace plan” for Ukraine wasn’t a U.S. plan at all. It was a Russian wish list. Follow along. This is crazy. 1/
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Stunning development: Senators now confirm the Trump admin’s 28-point “peace plan” for Ukraine wasn’t a U.S. plan at all. It was a Russian wish list. Follow along. This is crazy. 1/
Reposted by Rachel Levy
This Texas woman developed preeclampsia, leading to still-birth. She DIED, leaving her young son behind.
This happens while an all-male panel in South Carolina is deciding whether women should be charged w/ murder for their pregnancies.
Abortion is healthcare.
How many more women have to die?
🧪
This happens while an all-male panel in South Carolina is deciding whether women should be charged w/ murder for their pregnancies.
Abortion is healthcare.
How many more women have to die?
🧪
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
This Texas woman developed preeclampsia, leading to still-birth. She DIED, leaving her young son behind.
This happens while an all-male panel in South Carolina is deciding whether women should be charged w/ murder for their pregnancies.
Abortion is healthcare.
How many more women have to die?
🧪
This happens while an all-male panel in South Carolina is deciding whether women should be charged w/ murder for their pregnancies.
Abortion is healthcare.
How many more women have to die?
🧪
Reposted by Rachel Levy
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 3:18 AM
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
There goes the Department of Education.
"The Dept of Education announced 6 interagency agreements that would transfer some of its offices to other government agencies. The moves mark a "major step forward" in downsizing the dept and returning education to the states, a senior dept official said."
"The Dept of Education announced 6 interagency agreements that would transfer some of its offices to other government agencies. The moves mark a "major step forward" in downsizing the dept and returning education to the states, a senior dept official said."
Education Department to begin transferring offices to other agencies in move toward dismantling it
Department of Education to announce agreement to transfer multiple offices to other agencies, marking a major step towards dismantling the nearly 50-year-old agency.
abcnews.go.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:05 AM
There goes the Department of Education.
"The Dept of Education announced 6 interagency agreements that would transfer some of its offices to other government agencies. The moves mark a "major step forward" in downsizing the dept and returning education to the states, a senior dept official said."
"The Dept of Education announced 6 interagency agreements that would transfer some of its offices to other government agencies. The moves mark a "major step forward" in downsizing the dept and returning education to the states, a senior dept official said."
At the community meeting regarding the massive data center installation proposal for the South Anna District which will have a huge impact on both Hanover and Henrico Counties.
Standing room only. Lots of pissed off people from Hanover who don't want these data centers.
1/
Standing room only. Lots of pissed off people from Hanover who don't want these data centers.
1/
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 AM
At the community meeting regarding the massive data center installation proposal for the South Anna District which will have a huge impact on both Hanover and Henrico Counties.
Standing room only. Lots of pissed off people from Hanover who don't want these data centers.
1/
Standing room only. Lots of pissed off people from Hanover who don't want these data centers.
1/
Reposted by Rachel Levy
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
November 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
No more pennies will be minted.
End of an era.
End of an era.
The Penny Dies at 232
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
No more pennies will be minted.
End of an era.
End of an era.
Such a cringe-worthy and embarrassing display.
Yikes. Glenn Youngkin is scolding and patronizing Abigail Spanberger like she's a child.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
Youngkin sends a long letter to Spanberger
The governor is not happy with the governor-elect.
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Such a cringe-worthy and embarrassing display.
Reposted by Rachel Levy
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Reposted by Rachel Levy
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
November 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Lots of folks captioning aurora photos like "for a few minutes we didn't think about politics"
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
guess I'm built different, every time I'm out trying to see night sky stuff I frequently think about how much light pollution is entirely preventable with just a tiny bit of regulation
You love to see it!
"Ohio’s public schools have been victimized...Last week public school voters said enough. At the national level the 31 candidates fielded by the rightwing MomsforLiberty were defeated. Every one of them. In OH voters ousted rightwing culture warriors in most school board races."
"Ohio’s public schools have been victimized...Last week public school voters said enough. At the national level the 31 candidates fielded by the rightwing MomsforLiberty were defeated. Every one of them. In OH voters ousted rightwing culture warriors in most school board races."
Ohio: Voters Oust Culture Warriors in Many School Board Elections
Ohio’s public schools have been victimized repeatedly by its Republican legislatures and governors. Charter schools, online schools, and vouchers have ripped off taxpayers and siphoned funds …
dianeravitch.net
November 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
You love to see it!
"Ohio’s public schools have been victimized...Last week public school voters said enough. At the national level the 31 candidates fielded by the rightwing MomsforLiberty were defeated. Every one of them. In OH voters ousted rightwing culture warriors in most school board races."
"Ohio’s public schools have been victimized...Last week public school voters said enough. At the national level the 31 candidates fielded by the rightwing MomsforLiberty were defeated. Every one of them. In OH voters ousted rightwing culture warriors in most school board races."
Reposted by Rachel Levy
He says this the same week in which we learned the median home buyer is now 59 years old. Average age of first time buyers is 40.
Immigrants built your house, dipshit. Assholes like your boss don’t pay them enough to own one.
Immigrants built your house, dipshit. Assholes like your boss don’t pay them enough to own one.
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
He says this the same week in which we learned the median home buyer is now 59 years old. Average age of first time buyers is 40.
Immigrants built your house, dipshit. Assholes like your boss don’t pay them enough to own one.
Immigrants built your house, dipshit. Assholes like your boss don’t pay them enough to own one.
Yikes. Glenn Youngkin is scolding and patronizing Abigail Spanberger like she's a child.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
Youngkin sends a long letter to Spanberger
The governor is not happy with the governor-elect.
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Yikes. Glenn Youngkin is scolding and patronizing Abigail Spanberger like she's a child.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
If you can't take the heat, Glenn. . .
Good riddance.
Reposted by Rachel Levy
Of course Trump, Wittman, McGuire, and the Republicans are taking away our healthcare, our food assistance, and our services and funding for schools and giving it to their rich buddies and corporations.
Vote. Them. Out.
Vote. Them. Out.
How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Of course Trump, Wittman, McGuire, and the Republicans are taking away our healthcare, our food assistance, and our services and funding for schools and giving it to their rich buddies and corporations.
Vote. Them. Out.
Vote. Them. Out.
Yes! This is what I've been saying for quite a long time.
"There’s no need for the Democrats to continue shooting at each other and feeding the notion they have an identity crisis. The message is simple for them: We have a large tent and, dear voters, we offer you a buffet."
"There’s no need for the Democrats to continue shooting at each other and feeding the notion they have an identity crisis. The message is simple for them: We have a large tent and, dear voters, we offer you a buffet."
Did the off-year elections settle the Democrats’ big debate?
It'd better have.
www.motherjones.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Yes! This is what I've been saying for quite a long time.
"There’s no need for the Democrats to continue shooting at each other and feeding the notion they have an identity crisis. The message is simple for them: We have a large tent and, dear voters, we offer you a buffet."
"There’s no need for the Democrats to continue shooting at each other and feeding the notion they have an identity crisis. The message is simple for them: We have a large tent and, dear voters, we offer you a buffet."
This Emerge graduate (class of 2020/2021?) and woman in Virginia politics knows that's right!
Also, the majority of local Democratic committee chairs in Virginia are WOMEN--right, @vademocrats.bsky.social?
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Also, the majority of local Democratic committee chairs in Virginia are WOMEN--right, @vademocrats.bsky.social?
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Beyond Spanberger, women fuel a Democratic resurgence in Virginia
In Tuesday’s election, women made history in the executive branch, set records in the House of Delegates — and evoked pride from female leaders of generations past.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
This Emerge graduate (class of 2020/2021?) and woman in Virginia politics knows that's right!
Also, the majority of local Democratic committee chairs in Virginia are WOMEN--right, @vademocrats.bsky.social?
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Also, the majority of local Democratic committee chairs in Virginia are WOMEN--right, @vademocrats.bsky.social?
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Yes! Would be even better to have both of these depicted.
Would like to see a version of that which accounts not only for proportion of partisanship in each county but adjusts the county size based on the population. Would see a whole lot more blue on every map
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Yes! Would be even better to have both of these depicted.
Super important survey for people in Hanover to participate in who live close to Route 1 between Ashland and the Henrico line which is LOTS of us.
Learn more and fill it out here:
engage.hanovercounty.gov/route1plan
Learn more and fill it out here:
engage.hanovercounty.gov/route1plan
Route 1 Gateway Small Area Plan - PublicInput
Hanover County is currently working with residents businesses landowners and other community members to create a long-term vision for the U.S. Route 1 corridor between the Chickahominy River and Town ...
engage.hanovercounty.gov
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Super important survey for people in Hanover to participate in who live close to Route 1 between Ashland and the Henrico line which is LOTS of us.
Learn more and fill it out here:
engage.hanovercounty.gov/route1plan
Learn more and fill it out here:
engage.hanovercounty.gov/route1plan
Small victories. Yes!
November 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Small victories. Yes!
Hey Virginia Democratic folks, candidates and organizations!
Please remember to celebrate those Democrats who also ran hard but lost their races this past cycle. Most of them worked hard and contributed to the statewide wins and did so without as many resources or support from our own party.
1/
Please remember to celebrate those Democrats who also ran hard but lost their races this past cycle. Most of them worked hard and contributed to the statewide wins and did so without as many resources or support from our own party.
1/
November 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Hey Virginia Democratic folks, candidates and organizations!
Please remember to celebrate those Democrats who also ran hard but lost their races this past cycle. Most of them worked hard and contributed to the statewide wins and did so without as many resources or support from our own party.
1/
Please remember to celebrate those Democrats who also ran hard but lost their races this past cycle. Most of them worked hard and contributed to the statewide wins and did so without as many resources or support from our own party.
1/
I much prefer this map to the winner-takes-all one ( I really try my best to avoid describing places as "red" or "blue").
Much more precise and accurate this way.
Much more precise and accurate this way.
November 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I much prefer this map to the winner-takes-all one ( I really try my best to avoid describing places as "red" or "blue").
Much more precise and accurate this way.
Much more precise and accurate this way.