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
Sportswriters at WaPo say they spent the last two years seeking guidance for reinvention from top editors, but never saw leaders support visionary ideas (Bryan Curtis/The Ringer)
Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink
Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink
February 4, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Sportswriters at WaPo say they spent the last two years seeking guidance for reinvention from top editors, but never saw leaders support visionary ideas (Bryan Curtis/The Ringer)
Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink
Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"The news media doesn’t seem to know how to bring anything other than wide-eyed credulity to Trump's utterances, even after all the lies and deceit of the past decade."
Great @sulliview.bsky.social takedown of coverage of "pivot" on ICE and Greenland:
margaretsullivan.substack.com/p/dear-media...
Great @sulliview.bsky.social takedown of coverage of "pivot" on ICE and Greenland:
margaretsullivan.substack.com/p/dear-media...
Dear media, stop acting like Trump means what he says
Whether over "a deal" on Greenland or a "pivot" on ICE, we need far more skepticism
margaretsullivan.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:54 PM
"The news media doesn’t seem to know how to bring anything other than wide-eyed credulity to Trump's utterances, even after all the lies and deceit of the past decade."
Great @sulliview.bsky.social takedown of coverage of "pivot" on ICE and Greenland:
margaretsullivan.substack.com/p/dear-media...
Great @sulliview.bsky.social takedown of coverage of "pivot" on ICE and Greenland:
margaretsullivan.substack.com/p/dear-media...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"Those who were laid off include Caroline O’Donovan, the Post’s beat reporter covering Amazon"
Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post Cuts 30% of Staff, Laying Off More Than 300 Employees Including Amazon Beat Reporter
The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is enacting layoffs that will eliminate "hundreds" of jobs.
variety.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
"Those who were laid off include Caroline O’Donovan, the Post’s beat reporter covering Amazon"
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
They weren't rookies
The two federal agents who murdered Alex Pretti had a combined 20 years of experience with BP or CBP, and simmered in a toxic culture with an absurd crime rate that must be erased, not "reformed"
My new column on what really killed Alex www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The two federal agents who murdered Alex Pretti had a combined 20 years of experience with BP or CBP, and simmered in a toxic culture with an absurd crime rate that must be erased, not "reformed"
My new column on what really killed Alex www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The toxic culture that killed Alex Pretti | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, who is Tulsi Gabbard really working for?
www.inquirer.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:33 PM
They weren't rookies
The two federal agents who murdered Alex Pretti had a combined 20 years of experience with BP or CBP, and simmered in a toxic culture with an absurd crime rate that must be erased, not "reformed"
My new column on what really killed Alex www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The two federal agents who murdered Alex Pretti had a combined 20 years of experience with BP or CBP, and simmered in a toxic culture with an absurd crime rate that must be erased, not "reformed"
My new column on what really killed Alex www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
What a strange coincidence that Harlan Crow, the billionaire with the collection of Nazi memorabilia, is also the patron of Charles Murray, the guy who thinks Black people are not a part of "western civilization."
February 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
What a strange coincidence that Harlan Crow, the billionaire with the collection of Nazi memorabilia, is also the patron of Charles Murray, the guy who thinks Black people are not a part of "western civilization."
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
February 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
For @cnn.com, a story about gambling addiction, gambling sobriety and how that changes many young men’s relationships to friends, family, and sports fandom. www.cnn.com/2026/02/01/s...
February 1, 2026 at 1:37 PM
For @cnn.com, a story about gambling addiction, gambling sobriety and how that changes many young men’s relationships to friends, family, and sports fandom. www.cnn.com/2026/02/01/s...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
The Post describes how DHS is now using 'administrative subpoenas' as a form of domestic surveillance, apparently to intimidate those engaged in lawful activity & speech. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The Post describes how DHS is now using 'administrative subpoenas' as a form of domestic surveillance, apparently to intimidate those engaged in lawful activity & speech. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
![Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
_________________________________________________
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
[photo of Liam]
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:73t3muu2pudsajp7a2fj3aly/bafkreigfz6fzbu65haq7nfqgaoe7m42gsaonpinpmaaptuzd5atkqvya4i@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
This was four years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to (and sentenced to incarceration for) solicitation of prostitution with a minor.
NEW: Howard Lutnick, the billionaire who serves as President Trump’s commerce secretary, planned a visit to Epstein’s island in 2012.
Lutnick previously claimed that he was so revolted by Epstein that he had cut ties with him years earlier.
1/6
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Lutnick previously claimed that he was so revolted by Epstein that he had cut ties with him years earlier.
1/6
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Planned Trip to Epstein’s Island
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:17 PM
This was four years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to (and sentenced to incarceration for) solicitation of prostitution with a minor.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Oh, this Wormtongue thing is catching on!
January 31, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Oh, this Wormtongue thing is catching on!
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report:
January 31, 2026 at 8:04 PM
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report:
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Delighted to present this... you watching Tim Cook???
January 31, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Delighted to present this... you watching Tim Cook???
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutor’s Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/u...
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutor’s Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutor’s Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/u...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"This price tag for one single documentary film is pretty extraordinary and I’ve never, never encountered — never heard of something at that level. ... So, it’s pretty blatant." - @richardrushfield.bsky.social talkingpointsmemo.com/news/triumph...
Triumph Of The Bill: Amazon’s $75 Million ‘Melania’ Movie Is A Corrupt, Fascistic Cinema Fest
The latest offering from Trumpworld’s robust propaganda machine
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:22 PM
"This price tag for one single documentary film is pretty extraordinary and I’ve never, never encountered — never heard of something at that level. ... So, it’s pretty blatant." - @richardrushfield.bsky.social talkingpointsmemo.com/news/triumph...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Again, there are technical reforms available here, and they should be included in Dems' funding demands, like:
* limit who can perform warrantless arrests so GS-1801 goons can't do it; and
* limit 8 USC §1357(a)(2) so it's not vague "reason to believe ... likely to escape" language.
* limit who can perform warrantless arrests so GS-1801 goons can't do it; and
* limit 8 USC §1357(a)(2) so it's not vague "reason to believe ... likely to escape" language.
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Again, there are technical reforms available here, and they should be included in Dems' funding demands, like:
* limit who can perform warrantless arrests so GS-1801 goons can't do it; and
* limit 8 USC §1357(a)(2) so it's not vague "reason to believe ... likely to escape" language.
* limit who can perform warrantless arrests so GS-1801 goons can't do it; and
* limit 8 USC §1357(a)(2) so it's not vague "reason to believe ... likely to escape" language.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
January 31, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident
The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...
www.mprnews.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:48 PM
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Things feel better when we win three points in the Premier League. I'd recommend winning 4-0 every week.
January 31, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Things feel better when we win three points in the Premier League. I'd recommend winning 4-0 every week.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
7 points clear on a cold, snowy Saturday morning in Chicago! #Arsenal #COYG #UTA #ChicagoGooners
@arsenalamerica.bsky.social
@arsenalamerica.bsky.social
January 31, 2026 at 5:06 PM
7 points clear on a cold, snowy Saturday morning in Chicago! #Arsenal #COYG #UTA #ChicagoGooners
@arsenalamerica.bsky.social
@arsenalamerica.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
January 30, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
From just north of me:
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
They left a toddler in the car alone for 40 minutes.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
They left a toddler in the car alone for 40 minutes.
Federal agents arrest man in front of 2-year-old son in Shoreline
The two-year-old son sat alone in the back seat for about 40 minutes, eyewitnesses said.
www.seattletimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:25 AM
From just north of me:
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
They left a toddler in the car alone for 40 minutes.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
They left a toddler in the car alone for 40 minutes.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
It's like Epstein attracted every single guy we thought was a shithead in the 90s. Every. Single. One.
Former TNR publisher Marty Peretz writing regretfully to Epstein in 2010 about his "troubles" and saying "i am happy you are back among the 'free'" www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
![To: jeevacation " • gmaitcom]
Cc: Marty Pere
From: MP
Sent Mon 9/13/2010 12:19:34 AM
Subject: stanley fischer
dear jeffrey,
i want to repeat my apologies to you.
we'd met three times, maybe four.
once at the safdie house after the dedication of rosovsky hall.
once in london. and one more time, i don't remember where.
i thought you and your girlfriend genuinely enchanting...but time passed.
and then came your troubles. i felt i should write you, and i didn't.
i am happy you are back among the "free."
YIVO, which is an archive, library, academic center, etc founded in vilna in 1926, moved with its
last hair to new york in 1939. it's an important center of scholarship, and i believe it is worth
much more than the money it raises. the burgeoning of jewish studies in american colleges and
universities would be impossible to imagine without YIVO having been around. it's a constituent
of the center for Jewish studies which is a condominium with five other institution. but YIVO is
the living core and plans much more if it has the money.
we arc asking for as much as people are willing to give...and then a bit more. if $100,000 is too
much how about $25,000 or $50,000. if you don't know how to judge this, i and bill ackman
could come and see you. but i think the thrust of our argument will impel you to give truly a lot.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tnlhrgmbce34nvpyti46miej/bafkreieg7r6ca3c3qjv57odpdp6aowgt2bjhlxr7hixiqdzcg34sgkbz7q@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 2:09 AM
It's like Epstein attracted every single guy we thought was a shithead in the 90s. Every. Single. One.
Reposted by Michael Hawthorne
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."
January 30, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."