Sarah Cassi
@sarahcassi.bsky.social
What’s next? Not sure yet.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Defense attorneys today challenging attempts by the feds to link their client to the Latin Kings through his "affinity" for the gang:
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
![First, an “affinity” for gang members is completely different from “gang membership.” An affinity for gang members can stem anywhere, including family relationships, professional experiences, community involvement, or even media exposure. See Fonoifua v. Robertson, No. 222CV4280PAKES, 2023 WL 4423603, at *28 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 25, 2023) (“Prospective Juror No. 2947 showed an affinity and sympathy to gang members based on the juror’s statements that gang members attending her school had acted as her ‘protectors’ and that she had taught famous gang members.”). Anyone can have an affinity for anything, including gang members or sports teams.2
The Seventh Circuit in Irvin explained “that common membership in any group, whether it be a gang or a church group, makes it more likely that two people are involved in a given activity together.” 87 F.3d at 864. However, it cannot be fairly said that Mr. Espinoza Martinez’s “affinity” alone makes it more likely that he was involved in any given activity with the Latin Kings. As the Eighth Circuit recognized in Street, the government can only introduce evidence of the defendant’s own gang membership. In this case [Mr. Espinoza Martinez] was not nor ever had been a gang member.” See Street, 548 F.3d at 632 (emphasis in original).
Footnote:
2 For example, the undersigned counsel has an “affinity” for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bear’s colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:elipdmmf5istuvtyituspske/bafkreigp57ksr27tlpptcgxuekzdhk2ug2szpwv4thh2mlg7xbmmavqqay@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Defense attorneys today challenging attempts by the feds to link their client to the Latin Kings through his "affinity" for the gang:
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
"Counsel has an 'affinity' for the Chicago Bears, lives in Chicago, and even wears Bears' colors, but alas, is not a member of the Chicago Bears."
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
New: CBS News seems to be preparing a new segment called "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil," per sources.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
January 13, 2026 at 9:20 PM
New: CBS News seems to be preparing a new segment called "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil," per sources.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Breaking News from @theathletic.com: Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Indiana player to win college football’s most prestigious award.
Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy, the first in Indiana program history
The nerdy and unflappable quarterback won a close vote in what's been a dream season for Indiana.
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Breaking News from @theathletic.com: Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Indiana player to win college football’s most prestigious award.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
A gunman shot 10 people, killing two of them, at Brown University on Saturday afternoon, local officials said. Follow live updates. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
December 14, 2025 at 1:20 AM
A gunman shot 10 people, killing two of them, at Brown University on Saturday afternoon, local officials said. Follow live updates. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
The New York Times sued the Defense Department over its press policy prohibiting journalists from soliciting any information not explicitly authorized for release by the government.
The New York Times sues the Pentagon over press restrictions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s requirement that journalists pledge not to solicit any unauthorized information violates the First and Fifth amendments, the newspaper alleges, calling it “an attempt ...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The New York Times sued the Defense Department over its press policy prohibiting journalists from soliciting any information not explicitly authorized for release by the government.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
BREAKING: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's resigning from Congress — effective January 5, 2026.
November 22, 2025 at 1:11 AM
BREAKING: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's resigning from Congress — effective January 5, 2026.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Except when it come to female reporters, Trump often defaults to gracious host mode…for a time
Q: Stefanik has called Mamdani a 'jihadist.' Do you think you're standing next to a jihadist right now?
TRUMP: No, I don't. I met with a man who's a very rational person
TRUMP: No, I don't. I met with a man who's a very rational person
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Except when it come to female reporters, Trump often defaults to gracious host mode…for a time
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
SNAP food benefits are flowing again after a pause during the federal government shutdown. But the clock is about to start on a policy that imposes work requirements on more beneficiaries.
What to know about expanded work requirements about to kick in for SNAP
SNAP food benefits are flowing again after a pause during the federal government shutdown. But the clock is about to start on a policy that imposes work requirements on more beneficiaries.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
SNAP food benefits are flowing again after a pause during the federal government shutdown. But the clock is about to start on a policy that imposes work requirements on more beneficiaries.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
November 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
ICE came knocking on the wrong door.
“You don’t have no warrant…I’m a US citizen, born and raised in New Jersey.”
PERIOD.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UNrvxj/
“You don’t have no warrant…I’m a US citizen, born and raised in New Jersey.”
PERIOD.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UNrvxj/
This is why knowing our rights matters — for all of us.
TikTok video by NowThis Impact
www.tiktok.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
ICE came knocking on the wrong door.
“You don’t have no warrant…I’m a US citizen, born and raised in New Jersey.”
PERIOD.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UNrvxj/
“You don’t have no warrant…I’m a US citizen, born and raised in New Jersey.”
PERIOD.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UNrvxj/
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Meta prevailed in a historic antitrust case after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking
Meta Prevails In Historic FTC Antitrust Case
During his April testimony, Zuckerberg pushed back against the FTC’s contention that Facebook bought Instagram to neutralize a threat.
www.huffpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Meta prevailed in a historic antitrust case after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Andrew Johnson — a Jan. 6 rioter who went by "Am🇺🇸rican T🇺🇸rrorist” on Elon Musk’s platform — has been arrested on child molestation charges, with police saying he used the promise of a taxpayer-funded payout from Trump's DOJ to try and keep one of the victims silent.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/p...
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/p...
Pardoned Capitol Rioter Tried to Hush Child Sex Victim With Promise of Jan. 6 Reparation Money, Police Say
Pardoned Capitol rioter Andrew Johnson tried to keep a child sex abuse victim quiet with claimed $10 million Jan. 6 reparations, police say.
theintercept.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Andrew Johnson — a Jan. 6 rioter who went by "Am🇺🇸rican T🇺🇸rrorist” on Elon Musk’s platform — has been arrested on child molestation charges, with police saying he used the promise of a taxpayer-funded payout from Trump's DOJ to try and keep one of the victims silent.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/p...
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/p...
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Tennessee cop in JD Vance motorcade critically injured in crash with trooper
Tennessee cop in JD Vance motorcade critically injured in crash with trooper
Tennessee cop in JD Vance motorcade critically injured in crash with trooper
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Tennessee cop in JD Vance motorcade critically injured in crash with trooper
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
This isn’t even the stuff they’re trying to actually stop from getting out.
November 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This isn’t even the stuff they’re trying to actually stop from getting out.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Breaking: Mike Johnson just announced that he'll swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva on Wednesday at 4pm ET.
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Breaking: Mike Johnson just announced that he'll swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva on Wednesday at 4pm ET.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting.
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Stand with Condé Nast Union 🚨 We’re calling on you to sign our petition telling management to reinstate the Fired Four, reverse the suspensions, and end the union busting.
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
Snowing in Charlotte, NC!
November 10, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Snowing in Charlotte, NC!
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
This evening's update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center on #Melissa is ominous, and explicitly mentions: "catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding...extensive infrastructural damage...and potentially prolonged isolation of communities" in both Jamaica & Haiti.
October 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
This evening's update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center on #Melissa is ominous, and explicitly mentions: "catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding...extensive infrastructural damage...and potentially prolonged isolation of communities" in both Jamaica & Haiti.
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Per @chicagotribune.com, the pajama-pants-guy is a former county prosecutor.
And he had some things to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/c...
And he had some things to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/c...
October 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Per @chicagotribune.com, the pajama-pants-guy is a former county prosecutor.
And he had some things to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/c...
And he had some things to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/c...
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the UNCF, as the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships to minority students works to raise $1 billion to strengthen all 37 of its historically Black colleges and universities. https://cnn.it/3IzW9Jf
September 23, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the UNCF, as the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships to minority students works to raise $1 billion to strengthen all 37 of its historically Black colleges and universities. https://cnn.it/3IzW9Jf
A good headline that other media outlets should follow on this:
Breaking News: In a rambling news briefing, President Trump promoted unproven ties between vaccines, autism and Tylenol use by pregnant women and babies. nyti.ms/46OqOvD
September 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
A good headline that other media outlets should follow on this:
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
NASA announced 10 new candidates to begin training as astronauts as part of a plan to send more astronauts to new space stations, the moon and maybe Mars. nyti.ms/47S1G8t
September 22, 2025 at 11:20 PM
NASA announced 10 new candidates to begin training as astronauts as part of a plan to send more astronauts to new space stations, the moon and maybe Mars. nyti.ms/47S1G8t
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
Sinclair will not air ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ upon its ABC return Tuesday: "Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
Sinclair Will Not Air 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Upon ABC Return Tuesday
The broadcaster, which has demanded an apology and Turning Point USA donation from the late-night host, will replace the time slot with local news programming
www.thewrap.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Sinclair will not air ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ upon its ABC return Tuesday: "Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
Reposted by Sarah Cassi
This just in from Sinclair: "Beginning Tuesday night Sinclair will be preempting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return."
September 22, 2025 at 11:12 PM
This just in from Sinclair: "Beginning Tuesday night Sinclair will be preempting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return."