Mick
@mickhard.bsky.social
Books, Movies, & Music Nerd | Public & Mental Health Advocate | Podcast Host 🐋🪴
Reposted by Mick
The "lung float" test is being used to charge women with murder. Many experts say it's unreliable.
“There’s no way you can determine live birth versus stillbirth with this test," said one doctor, who called the test “an outrageous breach of science.”
(Pub. Oct. 2023)
“There’s no way you can determine live birth versus stillbirth with this test," said one doctor, who called the test “an outrageous breach of science.”
(Pub. Oct. 2023)
A Lab Test That Experts Liken to a Witch Trial Is Helping Send Women to Prison for Murder
The “lung float” test claims to help determine if a baby was born alive or dead, but many medical examiners say it’s too unreliable. Yet the test is still being used to bring murder charges — and get ...
www.propublica.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:01 AM
The "lung float" test is being used to charge women with murder. Many experts say it's unreliable.
“There’s no way you can determine live birth versus stillbirth with this test," said one doctor, who called the test “an outrageous breach of science.”
(Pub. Oct. 2023)
“There’s no way you can determine live birth versus stillbirth with this test," said one doctor, who called the test “an outrageous breach of science.”
(Pub. Oct. 2023)
Reposted by Mick
Data from the Texas Ethics Commission shows Musk’s lobbyists spent tens of thousands of dollars on gifts, meals, entertainment and other freebies for state elected officials and their staff, family members and guests from January to May this year.
With @kutnews.bsky.social & @texastribune.org
With @kutnews.bsky.social & @texastribune.org
Elon Musk Hired a Dozen Texas Lobbyists This Year. State Law Keeps the Extent of Their Influence Under Wraps.
Musk, the billionaire businessman behind Tesla and SpaceX, influenced several new Texas laws this year. How his lobbyists came about these wins, however, is more of a mystery.
www.propublica.org
July 8, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Data from the Texas Ethics Commission shows Musk’s lobbyists spent tens of thousands of dollars on gifts, meals, entertainment and other freebies for state elected officials and their staff, family members and guests from January to May this year.
With @kutnews.bsky.social & @texastribune.org
With @kutnews.bsky.social & @texastribune.org
Reposted by Mick
In a court filing today, the IRS upended a decades-old ban on churches endorsing political candidates.
At the same time, it's a rule that the IRS has almost never enforced.
In 2022, we spotlighted 20 churches who appeared to violate this rule for local, state and federal elections:
At the same time, it's a rule that the IRS has almost never enforced.
In 2022, we spotlighted 20 churches who appeared to violate this rule for local, state and federal elections:
These 20 Churches Supported Political Candidates. Experts Say They Violated Federal Law.
Churches aren’t supposed to endorse political candidates, according to IRS rules. Across the country, churches appear to be doing so anyway.
www.propublica.org
July 8, 2025 at 1:31 AM
In a court filing today, the IRS upended a decades-old ban on churches endorsing political candidates.
At the same time, it's a rule that the IRS has almost never enforced.
In 2022, we spotlighted 20 churches who appeared to violate this rule for local, state and federal elections:
At the same time, it's a rule that the IRS has almost never enforced.
In 2022, we spotlighted 20 churches who appeared to violate this rule for local, state and federal elections:
Reposted by Mick
RFK jr. is too good of a brand. From now on he is simply “Robert.”
June 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
RFK jr. is too good of a brand. From now on he is simply “Robert.”
Reposted by Mick
NEW: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
A @propublica.org analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
A @propublica.org analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
A “Striking” Trend: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
A new ProPublica data analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
www.propublica.org
July 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
NEW: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
A @propublica.org analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
A @propublica.org analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
Reposted by Mick
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas’ still-growing measles outbreak on Sunday, the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who was not vaccinated and died from a measles-related illness.
RFK Jr. visits epicenter of Texas measles outbreak after second child who was infected dies
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas' still-growing measles outbreak on Sunday, the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who…
buff.ly
April 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas’ still-growing measles outbreak on Sunday, the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who was not vaccinated and died from a measles-related illness.
Reposted by Mick
Social Security is not paying large sums of money to people who are over 150 years old.
That finding, trumpeted by Elon Musk, turned out to be a glitch in the recordkeeping, not evidence of massive fraud.
By @sengelberg.bsky.social
That finding, trumpeted by Elon Musk, turned out to be a glitch in the recordkeeping, not evidence of massive fraud.
By @sengelberg.bsky.social
How Investigative Journalists Actually Find Fraud, Waste and Abuse
While investigative journalists immerse themselves in minutiae to identify waste and fraud, Elon Musk’s team has taken a chainsaw approach to spending based on cursory examinations. That might help…
propub.li
April 6, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Social Security is not paying large sums of money to people who are over 150 years old.
That finding, trumpeted by Elon Musk, turned out to be a glitch in the recordkeeping, not evidence of massive fraud.
By @sengelberg.bsky.social
That finding, trumpeted by Elon Musk, turned out to be a glitch in the recordkeeping, not evidence of massive fraud.
By @sengelberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Mick
Xiaofeng Wang, a longtime computer science professor at Indiana University, has disappeared along with his wife, and their profiles on the school's website were wiped ahead of recent FBI raids.
Cybersecurity Professor Mysteriously Disappears as FBI Raids His Homes
Xiaofeng Wang, a longtime computer science professor at Indiana University, has disappeared along with his wife, and their profiles on the school's website were wiped ahead of recent FBI raids.
wrd.cm
March 31, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Xiaofeng Wang, a longtime computer science professor at Indiana University, has disappeared along with his wife, and their profiles on the school's website were wiped ahead of recent FBI raids.
Reposted by Mick
UPDATE: The most fatalities were in Missouri. Forecasters warned that tornadoes, hail and violent winds continue to threaten states in the Deep South, from Louisiana to Georgia.
Severe weather sparks tornadoes and wind-fueled fires, with Southern U.S. on alert
The most fatalities were in Missouri. Forecasters warned that tornadoes, hail and violent winds continue to threaten states in the Deep South, from Louisiana to Georgia.
www.npr.org
March 15, 2025 at 10:44 PM
UPDATE: The most fatalities were in Missouri. Forecasters warned that tornadoes, hail and violent winds continue to threaten states in the Deep South, from Louisiana to Georgia.
Reposted by Mick
The Trump administration has for weeks been blocking the US National Institutes of Health process for issuing new research grants for everything from Lyme disease to lung and heart disease, according to researchers, a departing NIH official and documents reut.rs/4hUUwSP
Trump administration loophole snags US research grants from Lyme to lung disease
The Trump administration has for weeks been blocking the U.S. National Institutes of Health process for issuing new research grants for everything from Lyme disease to lung and heart disease, according to researchers, a departing NIH official and documents.
reut.rs
February 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The Trump administration has for weeks been blocking the US National Institutes of Health process for issuing new research grants for everything from Lyme disease to lung and heart disease, according to researchers, a departing NIH official and documents reut.rs/4hUUwSP
Reposted by Mick
The Trump administration may continue — for now — to keep the AP from covering key events. A federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order on Monday.
Court ruling lets White House ban on the Associated Press continue, for now
The Trump administration may continue — for now — to keep the AP from covering key events. A federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order on Monday.
www.npr.org
February 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The Trump administration may continue — for now — to keep the AP from covering key events. A federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order on Monday.
Reposted by Mick
One person did benefit from the biotech company AquaBounty coming to Pioneer, Ohio: the town’s mayor.
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
The One That Got Away: This Small Town Is Left in Limbo After Betting Big on GMO Salmon
AquaBounty GMO salmon was going to be the future of fish — and the future for one Ohio village that offered incentives to make a new facility happen. But years after breaking ground, there are no…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
One person did benefit from the biotech company AquaBounty coming to Pioneer, Ohio: the town’s mayor.
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
Reposted by Mick
An economic slump, an immigration crisis and the lifting of a security blanket provided for decades by the U.S. are issues on the minds of German voters. The far-right AfD is polling in second place.
Here's what to know about Germany's election this Sunday
An economic slump, an immigration crisis and the lifting of a security blanket provided for decades by the U.S. are issues on the minds of German voters. The far-right AfD is polling in second place.
www.npr.org
February 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
An economic slump, an immigration crisis and the lifting of a security blanket provided for decades by the U.S. are issues on the minds of German voters. The far-right AfD is polling in second place.
Reposted by Mick
The National Institutes of Health had to stop considering new grant applications, delaying funding for research into diseases ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer's and allergies.
NIH funding freeze stalls applications on $1.5 billion in medical research funds
The National Institutes of Health had to stop considering new grant applications, delaying funding for research into diseases ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer's and allergies.
www.npr.org
February 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The National Institutes of Health had to stop considering new grant applications, delaying funding for research into diseases ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer's and allergies.
Reposted by Mick
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling work to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death.
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
They Worked to Prevent Death. The Trump Administration Fired Them.
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling efforts to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death. Many workers expressed fear at what would happen to the work they left…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling work to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death.
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
Reposted by Mick
“This is someone who made his money by ripping off American taxpayers and who shouldn’t come anywhere near a position of authority over tax dollars,” said Sen. Ron Wyden about Schuler’s appointment. “He’ll fit right in with the Trump administration.”
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
Trump Vowed to Clean Up Washington, Then His Team Hired a Man Who Pushed a Scam the IRS Called the “Worst of the Worst”
Frank Schuler was a leading promoter of a tax deduction derided as a scam by prosecutors, senators and the IRS. Now he’s a senior adviser to the General Services Administration, which manages the…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
“This is someone who made his money by ripping off American taxpayers and who shouldn’t come anywhere near a position of authority over tax dollars,” said Sen. Ron Wyden about Schuler’s appointment. “He’ll fit right in with the Trump administration.”
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
Reposted by Mick
Just a random reminder that trickle-down economics was invented by conservatives in the 1980s to justify massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. It’s been nothing short of a disaster.
February 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Just a random reminder that trickle-down economics was invented by conservatives in the 1980s to justify massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. It’s been nothing short of a disaster.
Reposted by Mick
Musk has threatened to cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals.
February 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Musk has threatened to cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals.
Reposted by Mick
Get. Him. Out. Of. Our. Government.
February 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Get. Him. Out. Of. Our. Government.
Reposted by Mick
President Donald Trump's administration targeted bank regulators, rocket scientists and tax enforcers as it sought to fire thousands more federal employees in an unprecedented assault on the US civil service reut.rs/3EGeIJr
Tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators fired as Trump slashes federal workforce
President Donald Trump's administration targeted bank regulators, rocket scientists and tax enforcers on Tuesday as it sought to fire thousands more federal employees in an unprecedented assault on the U.S. civil service.
reut.rs
February 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
President Donald Trump's administration targeted bank regulators, rocket scientists and tax enforcers as it sought to fire thousands more federal employees in an unprecedented assault on the US civil service reut.rs/3EGeIJr
Reposted by Mick
“Every Black kid” is being induced to violence, RFK Jr. says in 2024. Every Black kid needs “to go somewhere and get re-parented,” he adds. Yes, these are racist ideas.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
February 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“Every Black kid” is being induced to violence, RFK Jr. says in 2024. Every Black kid needs “to go somewhere and get re-parented,” he adds. Yes, these are racist ideas.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Mick
“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.” - Toni Morrison
She was born on this day in 1931 in Lorain, Ohio.
Happy heavenly birthday.
She was born on this day in 1931 in Lorain, Ohio.
Happy heavenly birthday.
February 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.” - Toni Morrison
She was born on this day in 1931 in Lorain, Ohio.
Happy heavenly birthday.
She was born on this day in 1931 in Lorain, Ohio.
Happy heavenly birthday.
Reposted by Mick
If Trump and the GOP extend their 2017 tax cuts, the top 1% will make out like bandits — taking home an extra $165 per day.
But the bottom 60% will get shafted — getting only an extra $1.10 per day in exchange for massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
But the bottom 60% will get shafted — getting only an extra $1.10 per day in exchange for massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
February 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
If Trump and the GOP extend their 2017 tax cuts, the top 1% will make out like bandits — taking home an extra $165 per day.
But the bottom 60% will get shafted — getting only an extra $1.10 per day in exchange for massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
But the bottom 60% will get shafted — getting only an extra $1.10 per day in exchange for massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
Reposted by Mick
Elon's entanglements in the Trump White House are a boon for his businesses. For example, he can now deploy DOGE to target an FAA office that has repeatedly tried to rein in SpaceX following explosions and other incidents.
One Agency Tried to Regulate SpaceX. Now Its Fate Could Be in Elon Musk’s Hands.
The Trump ally and DOGE chief is expected to turn his budget-slashing sights on the FAA’s little-known commercial spaceflight office, which has proposed fines and grounded SpaceX after explosions and ...
www.propublica.org
February 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Elon's entanglements in the Trump White House are a boon for his businesses. For example, he can now deploy DOGE to target an FAA office that has repeatedly tried to rein in SpaceX following explosions and other incidents.