thodson
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thodson.bsky.social
thodson
@thodson.bsky.social
480 followers 550 following 650 posts
Podcast producer and host, journalist, attorney, former trial judge and higher education administrator. Director Emeritus of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and WOUB Public Media. I'm interested in law, politics & journalism.
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thodson.bsky.social
Trump says the economy is glowing...but not so fast says the Guardian US. In fact, inflation is rising.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
US prices continued to rise despite Trump claims they are ‘rapidly’ falling
Longest federal government shutdown meant data was only collected for second half of November
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Here is my column for the @athensindy.bsky.social Athens County Independent. Part of it talks about the sealing of former Ohio University football coach Brian Smith's divorce papers in the Athens Common Pleas Court...Please read...
athensindependent.com/inside-court...
Inside Courts: Nelsonville update and OU football coach case – Athens County Independent
Judge Patrick Lang has few precedents to draw on as he decides several unique cases. This week: the Laverde Laguna brothers.
athensindependent.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
thodson.bsky.social
@thepost-nz.bsky.social on this story. Post alumni like me and others should be proud of The Post's tenacious and responsible reporting of this explosive issue. Of course, Ohio University could have been transparent about all of this but wasn't.
www.thepostathens.com/article/2025...
OU fires head football coach Brian Smith after review cites relationship with student, alcohol misconduct
An administrative review found Smith violated the terms of his contract through serious professional misconduct, including engaging in a relationship with an undergraduate student and participating in...
www.thepostathens.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Here we go...
Ohio University Head Football Coach Brian Smith Relieved of His Duties ohiobobcats.com/news/2025/12...
Ohio University Head Football Coach Brian Smith Relieved of His Duties - Ohio University
Today, Ohio University terminated the contract of Head Football Coach Brian Smith for cause.
ohiobobcats.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
thodson.bsky.social
This is what President Donald Trump said about the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele allegedly by their son Nick, who has struggle with past drug addiction. This response is despicable on so many levels.
December 15, 2025 at 4:47 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Remember...Trump says any problem with the economy is a Democratic hoax.
Merry Christmas, you're fired! The holiday layoff comeback www.axios.com/2025/12/14/h...
The taboo against holiday layoffs is fading.
The stigma of layoffs during the holiday season has faded.
www.axios.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Trump attacks spur violent responses from his followers. This is a well done review of the FACTS from NBC News.
Trump attacks on political opponents spur a surge of threats, NBC News review finds www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump attacks on political opponents spur a surge of threats, NBC News review finds
In recent weeks, nearly two dozen elected officials on both sides of the aisle said they were targeted after getting caught in the president's crosshairs.
www.nbcnews.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:48 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from RFK Jr. and his Neanderthal minions.
wapo.st/4aIfp2Q
Hundreds quarantined as South Carolina measles outbreak accelerates
A state epidemiologist said the spike in cases came in the wake of Thanksgiving travel and a lack of vaccinations. At least 16 cases were traced to a church.
wapo.st
December 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Reporting truth to power...about the economy.
www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
Trump calls affordability crisis a 'hoax.' The data tells a different story
As Democrats campaigning on affordability pick up wins, Trump's messaging about a strong economy is at odds with widespread voter sentiment that he's not doing enough to tackle rising costs.
www.npr.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Delusional Trump tells people affordability is not an issue because he has lowered prices...Really?????
www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-a...
Trump says he's "crushing" inflation in speech to Pennsylvania voters as GOP faces affordability concerns
President Trump spoke about affordability and his economic agenda in the Poconos, in northeastern Pennsylvania, Tuesday night.
www.cbsnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Well written and I agree...alumni must step forward to save state colleges and universities from MAGA mandates. Stand up for academic freedom.
It’s past time for alumni to step up in the fight to defend academic freedom ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/09/i...
It’s past time for alumni to step up in the fight to defend academic freedom • Ohio Capital Journal
Because the assaults on academic freedom are well underway within state capitals and inside university administrations — in Ohio and across the nation — few institutions will be spared. But alumni hav...
ohiocapitaljournal.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Columbus has the second largest Somali population in the U.S. It feels it may be the next ICE target.
Why Trump's Somali vitriol hit home in Columbus www.axios.com/local/columb... #axioscolumbus
Why Trump's Somali vitriol hit home in Columbus
Ohio is home to at least 26,000 Somalis — and most are U.S. citizens.
www.axios.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
thodson.bsky.social
It is interesting to see that all of this mess cost Ohio University almost a half million dollars between Kalyango and alleged victims. Great reporting David Forster at WOUB News & Culture.
woub.org/2025/12/08/o...
Ohio University paid $400,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a professor fired for sexual harassment
Ohio University paid $400,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former journalism professor fired over claims he sexually harassed two female students.
woub.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Student journalists reporting on the impacts from the Trump administration's focus on higher ed.
Extra Credit
open.substack.com/pub/collegew...
Extra Credit
Student journalists are reporting stories that might otherwise never be told about the Trump administration’s impact on their campuses.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
thodson.bsky.social
GREAT letter from the editor of The Post about Ohio University's terrible handling of the Coach Brian Smith situation. She is spot on with her analysis, & speaking truth to power but the university administration is so arrogant that it will not listen.
www.thepostathens.com/article/2025...
Letter from the Editor: OU must explain Brian Smith’s leave
OU’s response to Brian Smith’s sudden leave is a textbook example of what not to do in a public relations crisis. Instead of containing damage, the university’s silence has fueled rumors and pulled pr...
www.thepostathens.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM
thodson.bsky.social
In my opinion...
substack.com/@lavrietakwi...
Lavrieta Kwiatek (@lavrietakwiatek)
substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
thodson.bsky.social
We should not forget our history.
apnews.com/article/pear... 
Soon no Pearl Harbor survivors will be alive. People turn to other ways to learn about the bombing
Soon no Pearl Harbor survivors will be alive. People turn to other ways to learn about the bombing
Survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor have long been the center of a remembrance ceremony held each year on the military base’s waterfront.
apnews.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
thodson.bsky.social
SCOTUS has agreed to hear the birthright citizenship case. Lower courts have blocked Trump's interpretation that being born in this country automatically does not mean citizenship. The court will hear the case this term and will render a decision by early July.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US supreme court to decide on legality of Trump birthright citizenship order
Justices to take up case amid legal fight over order to heavily restrict right to birthright citizenship in US
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
thodson.bsky.social
This has been posted on the White House website. It must be designed to protect both Trump and Hegseth. The old playbook of killing the messenger.

www.whitehouse.gov/mediabias/
Media Offenders
Explore the Media Bias Tracker that fact checks and holds Fake News accountable. False claims debunked, Hall of Shame for serial offenders, Leaderboard of networks ranked by Repeated Lies. Stay inform...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
thodson.bsky.social
My column today in @athensindy.bsky.social brings you up-to-date on some important cases concerning the Athens cyber-heist, the flooding of the Quidel facility by fire training session and what's up with Nelsonville's form of government. Please read.
athensindependent.com/courts-12052...
Inside Courts: Cyber heist, Nelsonville and QuidelOrtho cases advance – Athens County Independent
Judge Patrick Lang has few precedents to draw on as he decides several unique cases. This week: the Laverde Laguna brothers.
athensindependent.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
thodson.bsky.social
What an interesting concept...actually engaging the university community in some decision making. Well done UVa. Ohio University should consider this approach...But, no, it wouldn't fit with Ohio University's model of appeasement, compliance, and silence.
www.chronicle.com/article/uva-...
UVa Asked Its Community to Weigh in on Trump’s Compact. Here’s What They Said.
A survey seeking opinions on the controversial document elicited more than 2,000 responses — overwhelmingly in opposition.
www.chronicle.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
thodson.bsky.social
The latest on Bobcats football coach as the university remains silent. This report indicates that Coach Smith was removed by the Athletic Director.
brobible.com/sports/artic...
Ohio Football Won't Address Coach's Mysterious Absence After Attorney Denial Of Unexplained Crimes
The Ohio football program has temporarily removed head coach Brian Smith from his post ahead of the Bobcats' upcoming bowl game. No explanation has been
brobible.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Another must read newsletter from @sykescharlie.bsky.social . He also highlights a great column by George Will.
"A sickening moral slum of an administration"
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
"A sickening moral slum of an administration"
George Will's verdict.
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
thodson.bsky.social
Young adults follow news less than ever before and the new they do follow is through social media, according to the latest Pew Research finding.
www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2...
Young Adults and the Future of News
U.S. adults under 30 follow news less closely than any other age group. And they’re more likely to get (and trust) news from social media.
www.pewresearch.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
thodson.bsky.social
But "affordability" is a con job according to Trump -- a hoax.
Time running out for Trump, lawmakers to fix soaring health care costs www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday
Time running out for Trump, lawmakers to fix soaring health care costs
Millions of Americans will see a big jump in prices after year's end - if a bipartisan agreement remains elusive to keep costs down
www.usatoday.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM