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Ben Hulac

@bhulac.bsky.social

210 followers 99 following 150 posts

roaming the halls of Congress for NJ Spotlight News email: hulacb(at)njspotlightnews(dot)org Signal: @bhulac.17

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Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 1d

Trump administration banning drone photography in Chicago airspace.

Photographers = not happy.

“When the government imposes such a broad and prolonged ban on newsgathering, it risks turning ‘security’ into a pretext for suppressing press freedom.”

www.nppa.org/news/814

NPPA Raises First Amendment Concerns Over Largest Drone Flight Ban Ever Issued in U.S.*

The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) today raised serious First Amendment concerns over the Department of Homeland Security’s request and the Federal Aviation Administration’s issuance ...

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks, Bobby.

The shutdown is about how much the government spends.

But is also part of a broader fight about health policy.

@njspotlightnews.org

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 2d

Important reporting here from @bhulac.bsky.social on why the federal gov't is shutdown, the fight over healthcare in D.C. and its impact on NJ residents like Theresa Luoni.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/why-...

Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News

Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 5d

Every federal shutdown is a bit different.

Here are five things to know about this one...

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/gove...
@njspotlightnews.org

Government shutdown: Who gets paid, what gets cut | NJ Spotlight News

Key ways the federal shutdown impacts people in NJ

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 6d

NEW: It's day two of the federal shutdown.

The shutdown is expected to cost an estimated $400 million every day.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/fede...
@njspotlightnews.org

Federal government shuts down again under Trump | NJ Spotlight News

Social programs to stop, workers to be sent home

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Hannah Gross @hannah-gross.bsky.social · 7d

After lawmakers were unable to reach agreement, the U.S. government lurched into a shutdown early Wednesday, a threshold that triggers federal agencies and departments to send staff home and forces employees considered “essential” to work without pay. @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

Federal government shuts down again under Trump | NJ Spotlight News

Social programs to stop, workers to be sent home

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Jennifer Shutt @jennifershutt.bsky.social · 8d

CBO releases analysis on the impacts of a government shutdown on the federal workforce, economy and business activity

www.cbo.gov/system/files...

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: A shutdown is imminent.

There is a “strong likelihood,” said one government expert, “that we’ll end up with a government shutdown like no other.”

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/with...

@njspotlightnews.org

With no updates and no deal, government shutdown gets closer | NJ Spotlight News

Advocates warn shutdown will mean harm for many

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 9d

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Dar Global, a real estate developer, is to launch a $1 billion project in Saudi Arabia in a deal with Trump Organization.

@apnews.com

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 28d

everyone's talking about the lethal shooting of Charlie Kirk

there was a shooting at a Colorado high school THIS afternoon

kdvr.com/news/local/a...

3 injured in Evergreen High School shooting, including suspected shooter

Three people are in critical condition after a shooting at Evergreen High School on Wednesday afternoon, including the alleged shooter.

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · Sep 2

Students at one of the largest high school districts in New Jersey are beginning the school year without long-standing mental health services amid deep concern and outrage from school staff, parents and former students.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-h...

School board drops student mental health service | NJ Spotlight News

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, one of the largest high school districts in NJ, begins new school year without long-standing mental health services.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Aug 21

DC: If you see anything related to Trump’s ride along this evening, send to marisakabas.04 on Signal.

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Aug 15

WOW.

Russia's dictator gets the red-carpet treatment today in Alaska, per White House pool reporter.

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Aug 13

Asked today if he was going with Trump to Alaska, Sen. Lindsey Graham said:

“No," adding: “I’d be afraid Putin would take me back to Russia.”

per @bennettjohnt.bsky.social

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Aug 12

In New Jersey and beyond, business is looking great for the private prison industry.

“I think it is an unprecedented opportunity for them," one attorney told me.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/priv...
@njspotlightnews.org @aclu-nj.org

Revenue boom for private prisons amid Trump ICE actions | NJ Spotlight News

GEO Group and CoreCivic, both of which operate facilities in New Jersey, saw revenues jump in the latest quarter.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Michael Sol Warren @michaelsolwarren.com · Aug 5

From last night on @njspotlightnews.org — our interview with @dep.nj.gov Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social on this landmark settlement www.njspotlightnews.org/video/nj-rea...

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Maddi Ference @maddiference.bsky.social · Jul 28

ICE is expanding its footprint in NJ. What does that look like and what does it mean for the region?

@bhulac.bsky.social explains on this week's episode of "Hey, NJ."

What's behind Trump's massive ICE expansion in NJ? | Hey, NJ

YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 23

NEWS

two industrial plants in New Jersey that clean medical equipment will have more time to meet a federal rule to limit their use of a known carcinogen.

that's thanks to a new memo from the White House

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/trum...
@njspotlightnews.org

Trump gives two NJ plants more time to meet pollution rules | NJ Spotlight News

Biden-era rules sought protections for workers, residents from cancer-causing chemical

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 18

first in @njspotlightnews.org

the Trump administration has plans to detain immigrants at two military bases

one is in New Jersey, the other in Indiana

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/trum...

NJ military base to be used for immigrant detention | NJ Spotlight News

Defense Secretary Hegseth told lawmakers Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would be used to hold immigrant detainees.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 17

NEWS

The Trump administration plans to use a military base in New Jersey to hold immigrant detainees.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told members of Congress this week.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/trum...
@njspotlightnews.org

NJ military base to be used for immigrant detention | NJ Spotlight News

Defense Secretary Hegseth told lawmakers Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would be used to hold immigrant detainees.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · Jul 17

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and another site, Camp Atterbury in Indiana, would be used to hold immigrant detainees. @bhulac.bsky.social

NJ military base to be used for immigrant detention | NJ Spotlight News

Defense Secretary Hegseth told lawmakers Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would be used to hold immigrant detainees.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 17

a new federal law will cut Medicaid and food aid AFTER the 2026 midterm elections, perhaps shielding Republicans politically.

“They think that they’re going to be able to get away with it,” @repbonnie.bsky.social told me this week.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/repu...
@njspotlightnews.org

Republican megabill delays harshest service cuts | NJ Spotlight News

Republicans in Congress front-loaded tax breaks for people and delayed cuts to health and food programs until after 2026 midterm elections.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by Ben Hulac

Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · Jul 14

Bravo to the @miamiherald.com for publishing this list in full www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

Is your family member or client at Alligator Alcatraz? We obtained a list

The Trump and DeSantis administrations have refused to release a roster of detainees, none of whom seem to appear in ICE’s online database.

www.miamiherald.com

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 11

The man picked to lead America's weather safety agency is okay with looming cuts to its budget, staff.

That could be a big deal for a coastal state like New Jersey.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/trum...
@njspotlightnews.org

Trump’s nominee defends cutting NOAA staff and budget | NJ Spotlight News

The Trump administration seeks to cut staff and budgets at NOAA and other federal science agencies, in its latest budget proposals to Congress.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 10

NEW: Trump's nominee to run America's leading weather agency is all right with budget cuts that would hollow out the department.

Democrats like @bluntrochester.senate.gov? Not so much.

“Gutting NOAA is a costly mistake."

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/trum...
@njspotlightnews.org

Trump’s nominee defends cutting NOAA staff and budget | NJ Spotlight News

The Trump administration seeks to cut staff and budgets at NOAA and other federal science agencies, in its latest budget proposals to Congress.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · Jul 8

NEW: You may have read a lot about Medicaid cuts.

But you may not have read much about how those cuts will affect abortion -- including in states where abortion is legal, like New Jersey.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/plan...
@njspotlightnews.org

Feds set to halt funding for a year to clinics that provide abortions | NJ Spotlight News

Clinics and medical organizations that provide abortion services could lose federal funding for a year under Trump’s megabill.

www.njspotlightnews.org