Helen Li

What are you seeing? What questions are you hearing?

The goal is a more solutions-journalism approach based upon voices from the frontlines, developing a resource for teachers and school staff who are asking what they can do right now.

Deadline: tomorrow if possible. Looking to file Thursday 6/12

10.06.2025 17:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

#Sourcecall for @lapublicpress.bsky.social I’m looking to speak with educators (teachers, social workers, counselors, etc.) about their experiences navigating the #ICE raids, supporting students/families amid graduation, summer school. Reachable here/via 213-866-2939 or helenliwrites@protonmail.com

10.06.2025 17:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

This was truly one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever written. I tried to do my best to reflect the essence of who Alysa is and gather perspectives from those around her.

Thank you to @rockerskating.com for your analysis, @bryanagraham.bsky.social for the edits! And Tom Lutz for commissioning.

30.03.2025 14:53 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

‘If there was no one on Earth, I would still skate’: Alysa Liu on her remarkable figure skating comeback She was the youngest ever US figure skating champion at 13 before leaving it all behind. Now Alysa Liu is back at this week’s world championships with a renewed purpose

I had the opportunity to profile Alysa Liu (now World Champion!) for The Guardian ahead of #WorldFigure in Boston.

The 19-year old figure skater spoke to me about why she left the ice in 2022, why she returned, and what her come back journey means to her.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/m...

30.03.2025 14:53 — 👍 25    🔁 10    💬 4    📌 0

2/3 of the workers funded by the National Endowment for Democracy were furloughed.

“We thought that a lot of it would fall in line with the administration’s posturing, especially around China,” said one person, who worked with Hong Kong nonprofits. “They wanted to dismantle it regardless.”

27.02.2025 22:02 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

In Lesotho, ~20% of the population is affected by HIV. Peace Corps Volunteers were told to halt all HIV-prevention related programming.

“That kind of outreach is probably no longer happening, and that is going to cause issues with medication adherence and with more people contracting HIV.”

27.02.2025 22:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

To get your foot in the door for international development, you have to plan meticulously. The recent Trump executive orders and USAID stoppage left thousands of unfulfilled contracts. For some young workers with big dreams, they were left with $170,000 in student loan debt.

27.02.2025 22:02 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

‘Like being on the Titanic’: US aid workers fear there is no future in helping others Trump’s order to stop work on aid projects around the globe has left dedicated staff shocked and demoralised

For @theguardian.com , I spoke with young professionals who were laid off during the federal cuts. Many expressed dismay and confusion about how to reconcile the American ideals they had been taught about soft diplomacy and democracy with this new reality.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

27.02.2025 22:02 — 👍 9    🔁 4    💬 1    📌 0

Meet 21 DC power players who shape federal policy for chip companies like Intel, Nvidia, and TSMC Business Insider analyzed public lobby disclosures, mapping out the top lobbyists and policy issues for chipmakers.

I reviewed lobbying public disclosure reports and analyzed who were the top lobbyists and go-to firms for chips companies.

The revolving door nature of it all isn’t surprising—but the nuance of people’s backgrounds and connections is fascinating!

www.businessinsider.com/chips-act-to...

04.12.2024 17:16 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

In 2022, Nvidia spent $90,000 on lobbying in Washington. In 2023, that number quintupled to more than $500,000.

Why the jump? AI and the #CHIPSAct.

They’re not the only one to boost lobbying funds: AMD, Micron, TSMC all boosted their DC-based government relations teams.

04.12.2024 17:16 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Setting up outside with a book this Thanksgiving☀️

(I’ve been finding it incredibly hard to sit down and read lately, thanks to a shorter attention span via TikTok)

California Against the Sea by @rosannaxia.bsky.social is perfect so far! Curious and simple prose, full of imagery.

28.11.2024 22:29 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

SoCal hotel workers prepare to march in Downtown Los Angeles.

Brent Anderson, an anime lover and striking Biltmore worker, takes off his Pikachu head.

This is what happens when Anime Expo and a Hotel worker’s strike coincide on July 4th

06.07.2023 01:22 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

As a Southern California hotel workers' strike looms, Anime Expo attendees sound off Anime Expo is one of the events likely to be disrupted if thousands of hotel workers strike as early as Saturday in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

What happens when #AnimeExpo2023 fans meet a potential hotel workers strike?

My latest for the Los Angeles Times looks at one of these encounters on a Reddit AMA.

SoCal hotel workers may strike as early as this upcoming July 4th weekend.

https://t.co/tx9VIrQ1lc

29.06.2023 20:09 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Oh hi! It’s me on BlueSky!

*super shy bc I now gotta know who I am on another new social media platform*

29.06.2023 20:06 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0