Michael Hawthorne
@scribeguy.bsky.social
Midwesterner. Pulitzer finalist. Dig into environment/public health for the Chicago Tribune. Confidential tips welcome via SIGNAL: scribeguy.35
EPL/NBA/MLB obsessive. Victoria Concordia Crescit. https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/michael-hawthorne
EPL/NBA/MLB obsessive. Victoria Concordia Crescit. https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/michael-hawthorne
Pinned
Michael Hawthorne
@scribeguy.bsky.social
· Jan 15
EPA warns of toxic forever chemicals in sewage sludge used on farmland, including thousands of acres near the Chicago area
In northeast Illinois, more than 777,000 tons of sludge from Chicago and Cook County have been spread on farmland — in many cases near residential areas.
www.chicagotribune.com
Update from me: More than 777K tons of PFAS-contaminated sludge from Chicago and Cook Co. have been spread on farmland during the past 8 years — in many cases near residential areas.
Only LA gave more sludge to farmers.
EPA confirms cancer risks for farmers and neighbors. Unclear about gen pop.
Only LA gave more sludge to farmers.
EPA confirms cancer risks for farmers and neighbors. Unclear about gen pop.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
The Champions League final in Germany last year opened with Linkin Park
February 9, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The Champions League final in Germany last year opened with Linkin Park
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
The Sermon on the Mount, by Beryl Lewis, before 1965, 📸 by @ScottStrazzante
February 9, 2026 at 2:16 AM
The Sermon on the Mount, by Beryl Lewis, before 1965, 📸 by @ScottStrazzante
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
People cheer while watching Bad Bunny perform during Super Bowl 60 at a Benito bowl watch party at La Bruquena in the Humboldt Park neighborhood Sunday evening in Chicago.
February 9, 2026 at 2:46 AM
People cheer while watching Bad Bunny perform during Super Bowl 60 at a Benito bowl watch party at La Bruquena in the Humboldt Park neighborhood Sunday evening in Chicago.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
The ending to Bad Bunny's halftime show:
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
February 9, 2026 at 1:58 AM
The ending to Bad Bunny's halftime show:
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
"The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
"Together, we are America"
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
If you didn’t catch the significance of the exploding transformers in Bad Bunny’s halftime show, I gotcha. Here’s one of a bunch of pieces I wrote from/on Puerto Rico about the crisis—and Trump’s role in it. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Washington’s Corruption Has Created Another Humanitarian Crisis in Puerto Rico
The island’s earthquakes are its latest man-made disaster.
slate.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 AM
If you didn’t catch the significance of the exploding transformers in Bad Bunny’s halftime show, I gotcha. Here’s one of a bunch of pieces I wrote from/on Puerto Rico about the crisis—and Trump’s role in it. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Just a few weeks ago, the administration cancelled all remaining department of energy grid resilience projects in Puerto Rico. All of them. www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-end...
The end of DOE’s grid work in Puerto Rico
The Trump administration has canceled all eight of the remaining awards devoted to distributed energy on the island.
www.latitudemedia.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Just a few weeks ago, the administration cancelled all remaining department of energy grid resilience projects in Puerto Rico. All of them. www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-end...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
R.E.M. Live at Circle Pavilion - University of Illinois at Chicago 1987-11-04 https://archive.org/details/ajc02667_rem1987-11-04.aud
R.E.M. Live at Circle Pavilion - University of Illinois at Chicago 1987-11-04 : R.E.M. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
R.E.M.November 4, 1987Circle PavilionUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL, USARecording generously loaned from the Aadam Jacobs Audio Archive.Taper:...
archive.org
February 8, 2026 at 10:37 PM
R.E.M. Live at Circle Pavilion - University of Illinois at Chicago 1987-11-04 https://archive.org/details/ajc02667_rem1987-11-04.aud
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Trump/MAGA have long regarded pro football as "their" part of the culture. They used to post video of stadium crowds cheering Trump. He tried to shame black players kneeling for BLM out of the sport.
This is why Bad Bunny doing Super Bowl cuts so deep for Trump. 3/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
This is why Bad Bunny doing Super Bowl cuts so deep for Trump. 3/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 8, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Trump/MAGA have long regarded pro football as "their" part of the culture. They used to post video of stadium crowds cheering Trump. He tried to shame black players kneeling for BLM out of the sport.
This is why Bad Bunny doing Super Bowl cuts so deep for Trump. 3/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
This is why Bad Bunny doing Super Bowl cuts so deep for Trump. 3/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Edu Gaspar has done it again.
It's the summer of 2020 and Arsenal are looking to sign an attacking midfielder. Edu's proposal? Willian.
The recruitment department's? Dominik Szoboszlai.
One of the many qualities they highlighted? His ability from set pieces.
The recruitment department's? Dominik Szoboszlai.
One of the many qualities they highlighted? His ability from set pieces.
How Arsenal could have signed 19-year-old Szoboszlai
As Arsenal host Liverpool, the role of the Hungarian midfielder keeps growing for the visitors
www.cbssports.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Edu Gaspar has done it again.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Headlines like this make me proud as hell to be New Mexican. The Epstein 'truth commission' would investigate crimes committed on Epstein’s NM ranch, exposing perpetrators and accomplices whose names have been redacted.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legisla...
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legisla...
'This state ... is not playing': Epstein 'truth commission' heads to House floor
Lawmakers advanced a resolution for a truth commission into Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes in New Mexico to the House floor.
www.santafenewmexican.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Headlines like this make me proud as hell to be New Mexican. The Epstein 'truth commission' would investigate crimes committed on Epstein’s NM ranch, exposing perpetrators and accomplices whose names have been redacted.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legisla...
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legisla...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
🚨 Epstein survivors release this powerful PSA in advance of the Super Bowl demanding answers from the Justice Department. This is the Super Bowl ad every American should see. Spread it everywhere.
February 8, 2026 at 5:32 PM
🚨 Epstein survivors release this powerful PSA in advance of the Super Bowl demanding answers from the Justice Department. This is the Super Bowl ad every American should see. Spread it everywhere.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
I've written about the overarching post story, causes, underlying pattern. But the failure of Lewis or Bezos to even show up, literally or figuratively, on a day of devastating cuts epitomizes the profound lack of character and accountability that is so common place today within the American elite.
February 8, 2026 at 6:15 AM
I've written about the overarching post story, causes, underlying pattern. But the failure of Lewis or Bezos to even show up, literally or figuratively, on a day of devastating cuts epitomizes the profound lack of character and accountability that is so common place today within the American elite.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
If the White House's official explanation is that a staffer was responsible for that racist Obama post, then that staffer should be identified and fired. I won't forget the people whose careers were ruined and lives threatened bc of Charlie Kirk posts. www.foxcarolina.com/2025/09/11/u...
Upstate teacher no longer employed after lawmakers demand answers about Charlie Kirk post
Multiple lawmakers reposted images on X of a Facebook post attributed to Wynne Boliek, which appears to reference the death of Charlie Kirk.
www.foxcarolina.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:24 PM
If the White House's official explanation is that a staffer was responsible for that racist Obama post, then that staffer should be identified and fired. I won't forget the people whose careers were ruined and lives threatened bc of Charlie Kirk posts. www.foxcarolina.com/2025/09/11/u...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
crickets from the free speech crowd, of course
FAMU can't use the word Black on anything posted around campus related to Black History Month, to stay in compliance with Florida state laws against DEI. Black students can't use the word Black at their Historically Black College during Black History Month.
February 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
crickets from the free speech crowd, of course
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Trumpworld assumed MAGA-adjacent parts of the culture would thrill to ICE brutality. ICE recruits among fans of UFC, Nascar, military tactical equipment.
But even MAGA-friendly constituencies and parts of the culture are now rejecting ICE and mass deportations. 5/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
But even MAGA-friendly constituencies and parts of the culture are now rejecting ICE and mass deportations. 5/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
February 8, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Trumpworld assumed MAGA-adjacent parts of the culture would thrill to ICE brutality. ICE recruits among fans of UFC, Nascar, military tactical equipment.
But even MAGA-friendly constituencies and parts of the culture are now rejecting ICE and mass deportations. 5/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
But even MAGA-friendly constituencies and parts of the culture are now rejecting ICE and mass deportations. 5/
newrepublic.com/article/2062...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
@veritenews.org published part 1 of an investigative series looking at lead levels in the soil of playgrounds and water of homes in New Orleans. Reporters @tristanbaurick.bsky.social and @halleparker.bsky.social actually ran tests on the soil and water for the series. veritenews.org/2026/02/05/p...
Unsafe lead levels found in half of New Orleans playgrounds
Verite News tested lead levels at more than 80 parks. Even trace amounts of the toxic metal can cause learning problems and behavioral issues in children.
veritenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
@veritenews.org published part 1 of an investigative series looking at lead levels in the soil of playgrounds and water of homes in New Orleans. Reporters @tristanbaurick.bsky.social and @halleparker.bsky.social actually ran tests on the soil and water for the series. veritenews.org/2026/02/05/p...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Becoming more and more convinced that Bezos entered a quid pro quo agreement with Trump, where the quo is “destroy the Washington Post.”
Before The Washington Post layoffs came down, a group of wealthy D.C. locals approached CEO Will Lewis with a proposal.
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
@passantino.bsky.social has the details in his Saturday @status.news column: www.status.news/p/washington...
February 7, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Becoming more and more convinced that Bezos entered a quid pro quo agreement with Trump, where the quo is “destroy the Washington Post.”
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Yup.
He won't sell, because its value to him is (a) to keep anyone else from saving it, (b) to truckle to Trump, so as to (c) keep Amazon / AWS / Blue Origin / etc federal contracts coming.
The ongoing losses, especially after he's gutted it, are trivial "costs of doing business."
He won't sell, because its value to him is (a) to keep anyone else from saving it, (b) to truckle to Trump, so as to (c) keep Amazon / AWS / Blue Origin / etc federal contracts coming.
The ongoing losses, especially after he's gutted it, are trivial "costs of doing business."
February 7, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Yup.
He won't sell, because its value to him is (a) to keep anyone else from saving it, (b) to truckle to Trump, so as to (c) keep Amazon / AWS / Blue Origin / etc federal contracts coming.
The ongoing losses, especially after he's gutted it, are trivial "costs of doing business."
He won't sell, because its value to him is (a) to keep anyone else from saving it, (b) to truckle to Trump, so as to (c) keep Amazon / AWS / Blue Origin / etc federal contracts coming.
The ongoing losses, especially after he's gutted it, are trivial "costs of doing business."
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"We got pepper sprayed in the face, and we're still here," Tayler Mitchell, 31, said. "No matter what happens, we'll be here." bit.ly/4kxyNmb
February 7, 2026 at 7:46 PM
"We got pepper sprayed in the face, and we're still here," Tayler Mitchell, 31, said. "No matter what happens, we'll be here." bit.ly/4kxyNmb
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
February 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Just saw a post with George Clinton citing the Beatles as his favorite band, which reminded me of this quote he once gave me
February 6, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Just saw a post with George Clinton citing the Beatles as his favorite band, which reminded me of this quote he once gave me
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Adam Serwer: “Donald Trump is still psychically wounded by the election of Barack Obama.”
@adamserwer.bsky.social
@adamserwer.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Adam Serwer: “Donald Trump is still psychically wounded by the election of Barack Obama.”
@adamserwer.bsky.social
@adamserwer.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.