Michael Bilow
@mikebilow.bsky.social
News Editor covering news, politics, law, theater, film, and weather for Motif Magazine — Rhode Island's leading arts, entertainment, music, and culture magazine.
Her: How do you milk almonds?
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Her: How do you milk almonds?
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
At 6:08pm today, the First Circuit per curiam — storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... — denied the government motion for an administrative stay, allowing the lower court order to go into effect to fully fund SNAP benefits immediately.
#00108364203 in Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins (1st Cir., 25-2089) – CourtListener.com
ORDER entered by David J. Barron, Chief Appellate Judge; Gustavo A. Gelpí, Jr., Appellate Judge and Julie Rikelman, Appellate Judge: This case was brought by cities, unions, nonprofits, and a retailer...
storage.courtlistener.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:27 PM
At 6:08pm today, the First Circuit per curiam — storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... — denied the government motion for an administrative stay, allowing the lower court order to go into effect to fully fund SNAP benefits immediately.
Mother: We donated $100 to the food bank. It's not much, but it helps.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
November 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Mother: We donated $100 to the food bank. It's not much, but it helps.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
US District Court in Providence orders SNAP payments to be made tomorrow as originally scheduled, drawn from emergency funds.
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
October 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM
US District Court in Providence orders SNAP payments to be made tomorrow as originally scheduled, drawn from emergency funds.
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Federal District Court to broadcast emergency 1:00pm TRO hearing www.youtube.com/@USCourtsRID in the SNAP case, RI State Council of Churches et al. v. Rollins et al. (1:25-cv-00569).
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located in Providence and serves the region, hearing criminal and civil cases involving federal law.
This channel features videos for the p...
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Federal District Court to broadcast emergency 1:00pm TRO hearing www.youtube.com/@USCourtsRID in the SNAP case, RI State Council of Churches et al. v. Rollins et al. (1:25-cv-00569).
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social Closest parallel to "House of Dynamite" is less "The Day After" than "Fail Safe."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
Fail Safe (1964 film) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:32 PM
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social Closest parallel to "House of Dynamite" is less "The Day After" than "Fail Safe."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
PVD: Remnants of H. Melissa bring heavy rain Thu 4pm – Fri 5am, as much as 2 inches.
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
PVD: Remnants of H. Melissa bring heavy rain Thu 4pm – Fri 5am, as much as 2 inches.
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
SNAP (food stamps) interruption:
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
SNAP (Food Stamps) Emergency: RI announces support during federal shutdown – Motif
motifri.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
SNAP (food stamps) interruption:
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
This made my day after watching the 18-inning slog that ended around 2:50am ET.
it's cool to see that this game's starting pitcher is still hanging in there
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This made my day after watching the 18-inning slog that ended around 2:50am ET.
Just picked up, released today:
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Just picked up, released today:
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
I can't quite believe I'm awake at 2am watching World Series game 3 tied in the 16th inning. At least they're in Los Angeles where sunrise is three hours later.
October 28, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I can't quite believe I'm awake at 2am watching World Series game 3 tied in the 16th inning. At least they're in Los Angeles where sunrise is three hours later.
I'm spending Sunday morning as I usually do, reading @nytimes.com on the web and waiting for sunrise.
October 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I'm spending Sunday morning as I usually do, reading @nytimes.com on the web and waiting for sunrise.
I have rarely enjoyed a television program as much as "Breaking the Deadlock" — www.pbs.org/video/breaki... — with an extraordinary panel of experts from different perspectives discussing a hypothetical political controversy going viral on social media.
DEADLOCK | BREAKING the DEADLOCK: Truth Under Fire | Season 2025
Facing a gripping hypothetical dilemma, a panel of experts reckons with social media and truth.
www.pbs.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I have rarely enjoyed a television program as much as "Breaking the Deadlock" — www.pbs.org/video/breaki... — with an extraordinary panel of experts from different perspectives discussing a hypothetical political controversy going viral on social media.
My informative article including alternatives to the defunct ICEBlock app has escaped the editorial queue!
motifri.com/iceblock/
motifri.com/iceblock/
Skating on ICE with Technology: Is Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming for your smartphone? – Motif
motifri.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My informative article including alternatives to the defunct ICEBlock app has escaped the editorial queue!
motifri.com/iceblock/
motifri.com/iceblock/
Reposted by Michael Bilow
When your "law enforcement" plans involve you literally shooting at *multiple* religious leaders, you're on a timer.
Oh wow:
"During the fracas, a federal agent fired a pepper round that struck a (UCC) clergyman, Jorge Bautista, near the chin. The impact caked his face and clothing in orange powder. Bautista said the agent shot him in the face from about 5 feet away."
"'I’m in a lot of pain,'" Bautista texted…"
"During the fracas, a federal agent fired a pepper round that struck a (UCC) clergyman, Jorge Bautista, near the chin. The impact caked his face and clothing in orange powder. Bautista said the agent shot him in the face from about 5 feet away."
"'I’m in a lot of pain,'" Bautista texted…"
October 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
When your "law enforcement" plans involve you literally shooting at *multiple* religious leaders, you're on a timer.
Zohran Mamdani may be a genteel antisemite, but he is nevertheless an antisemite, and the gentility that makes his antisemitism socially acceptable to many voters is the most dangerous aspect of it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
Opinion | Why Mamdani Frightens Jews Like Me
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Zohran Mamdani may be a genteel antisemite, but he is nevertheless an antisemite, and the gentility that makes his antisemitism socially acceptable to many voters is the most dangerous aspect of it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social "Hedda Gabler" — en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedda_G... — is pronounced where the "e" in "Hedda" is a short sound like "set."
Hedda Gabler - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:07 AM
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social "Hedda Gabler" — en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedda_G... — is pronounced where the "e" in "Hedda" is a short sound like "set."
The Trump administration is gleefully yet unwittingly helping No Kings protests with the government shutdown doing precisely the same kind of self-inflicted damage that would otherwise require general strikes: it's like hiring goons to break a strike and instead having them burn down the factory.
October 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The Trump administration is gleefully yet unwittingly helping No Kings protests with the government shutdown doing precisely the same kind of self-inflicted damage that would otherwise require general strikes: it's like hiring goons to break a strike and instead having them burn down the factory.
Interesting MI6 is reinventing open-source SecureDrop, widely used by news organizations — securedrop.org — with their Silent Courier. Should anyone trust the new closed-source tool?
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/n...
New dark web 'dead drop' lets anyone pass secrets to Britain's MI6
Silent Courier, a new dark web platform, allows global users -- including Americans -- to share classified information with Britain's MI6.
www.npr.org
October 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Interesting MI6 is reinventing open-source SecureDrop, widely used by news organizations — securedrop.org — with their Silent Courier. Should anyone trust the new closed-source tool?
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/n...
Among Portland Protests, It’s Frogs and Sharks and Bears, Oh My!
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:26 AM
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social On my reading list today:
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow (Can you say that on the air?
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow (Can you say that on the air?
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin
October 14, 2025 at 6:21 AM
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social On my reading list today:
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow (Can you say that on the air?
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin
Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow (Can you say that on the air?
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin
The release of hostages and end of war in Gaza is excellent news, but do not lose sight of the simple fact Hamas could have ended the "genocide" anytime by surrendering, and their refusal caused the death of 67,000 civilians that Yahya Sinwar called "necessary sacrifices" to destroy Israel.
October 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The release of hostages and end of war in Gaza is excellent news, but do not lose sight of the simple fact Hamas could have ended the "genocide" anytime by surrendering, and their refusal caused the death of 67,000 civilians that Yahya Sinwar called "necessary sacrifices" to destroy Israel.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
Trump administration cuts federal support for disabled Americans facing homelessness www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...
Trump administration ends support for disabled Americans facing homelessness
The cutback is the latest in a series of hits to the poorest Americans from the White House.
www.axios.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Trump administration cuts federal support for disabled Americans facing homelessness www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...