Mark

MAP 1| States with the most Catholic hospital beds Percentage of staffed acute care hospital beds that are in Catholic facilities ranging from 20-46%

Many people dismissed the announcement Catholic hospitals will ban gender-affirming care nationwide under the assumption that there will be other options. In reality, Catholic hospitals make up as much 46% of options in some states. This map is 2020, prior to Trump’s assault on safety net hospitals.

SNAP benefits: Trump admin seeks emergency block on order to pay food stamps in full The Trump administration tried not to pay for any food stamps in November because of the government shutdown. It now proposes partial SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration is seeking an emergency stay so that they can starve 40 million people. Just think about that.

www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/s...

Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.

Joint Congressional Investigation Launched in Response to ProPublica’s Revelations on Detained Americans Senators, House members and even a mayor expressed outrage and demanded accountability after our investigation detailed how at least 170 citizens have been held by immigration agents this year.

“Over 170 U.S. Citizens are being arrested. Why? Because they look like me,” Rep. Robert Garcia of California said, referencing our reporting. “Or because they are suspected to not be a U.S. citizen, or because they are suspected of crimes they have not committed.”

The U.S. has conducted 10 strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats, killing 43 people.

Remember: no judge or jury has found these boats were trafficking drugs. We're simply taking Trump's word for it.

He’s unilaterally acting as judge, jury, and executioner.

This is a danger to us all.

SNAP benefits expire in one week.

The only way a man can ever find the truth is by having the courage to ask the question. And today, I am asking you respectfully, earnestly, and directly for your understanding and compassion. Not long ago, you sat down with Rob Finnerty on Newsmax. During that interview, you were asked about me — about whether you might ever consider granting clemency in my case. You responded with the honesty and candor that have always defined you, Sir. As I listened, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey we’ve shared in this great movement you began the day you came down that golden escalator in Trump Tower. From that very moment, I was all in. A lifelong Republican and a proud believer in your America First vision, I never wavered. Supporting you wasn’t just a political decision — it was personal. It was rooted in my conviction that you were the only leader who truly put this nation, and her people, first. During my short tenure in Congress, I stood firmly behind your agenda — 100% of the time. I championed policies that strengthened our economy, defended our borders, and restored America’s standing on the world stage. I did it proudly, Sir, because I believed — and still believe — in the mission you set out to accomplish for the American people. Today, I find myself in a place I never imagined I would be. Since August 28, 2025, I have been held in complete isolation inside the Special Housing Unit — what most know as “the SHU.” I was placed here, I’m told, due to an alleged death threat brought to light by investigative reporters from Project Veritas. Life in SHU is unlike anything most Americans could ever comprehend. I am locked inside a small steel cage twenty-four hours a day. My only contact with the outside world is a brief phone call to my family — once every thirty days. While they are unaware of the full reality of my situation, what weighs most heavily on my heart is my inability to protect them, to comfort them, or even to assure them that I am safe.

The facility has informed me that I will remain in this state of solitary confinement until the FBI’s investigation concludes — whenever that may be. Until then, I exist in limbo, caught between uncertainty and silence. Mr. President, I am not asking for sympathy. I am asking for fairness — for the chance to rebuild. I know I have made mistakes in my past. I have faced my share of consequences, and I take full responsibility for my actions. But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires. Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity — the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you. I humbly ask that you consider the unusual pain and hardship of this environment and allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community. I want nothing more than to begin again — to contribute, to serve, and to rebuild my life from the ashes of my past. Mr. President, I have nowhere else to turn. You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal. I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me. With the deepest respect and gratitude,I thank you for taking the time to hear my plea. Truly yours,George Santos Former Congressman, New York’s 3rd District

Wow I didn’t realize Santos published an open letter to Trump in some long island right wing rag just this past Monday.

“Supporting you wasn’t just a political decision—it was personal. It was rooted in my conviction that you were the only leader who truly put this nation, and her people, first.”

Some weirdo on Twitter has been absolutely melting down for like 36 straight hours because I posted:

When this is over, do not forget what ICE did, and what ICE is. And do not make room for them in society. Make sure they know that they are, and will continue to be, reviled and beneath contempt.

"we are going to murder americans without due process"
~pam bondi, US attorney general

Thinking of yall this morning and hoping all goes well!

A terrorist targeted federal workers last week. There wasn’t much reporting on it. But I’m not finished thinking about it! 🧵

An anti-vaxxer fired more than 500 gunshots into CDC Atlanta, shattering 150 “blast-proof” windows on 6 buildings. Employees were pinned down in terror.

I really don’t have words to describe how incandescently angry I am at Trump’s hosting of Putin. It spits in the face of every American who ever fought against tyranny, it’s an obscene affront to our allies, and the only reason it’s not treason is that we’re not actively at war with Russia.

Raw accomplishments?
What the fuck, @axios.com?
Go see the people treated like dogs and beaten by this administration. That raw enough for you?

So.. officially, I'm the last Black staff columnist left in the Washington Post's opinion section.

A review for a Little Caesar’s somewhere by Kevin S: Stopped into this Little Caesars just trying to get a $6 pizza and ended up in a full on action movie. Just as I grabbed my order, this furious dude barges in yelling about how I cut him off in traffic earlier. Before I can even respond, he throws a punch but then out of nowhere the guy behind the counter jumps over it like he's been waiting for this moment his whole life and just beats the living hell out of the guy. The guy ran off and the cashier just dusted himself off. I said "are you ok man" and he looked me dead in the eye and said "B*tch, this is Little Caesars. We always hot and ready." Five stars. Will absolutely return.

I AM SHRIEKING 💀🤣

Forget the statue at City Hall, this guy is the *real* Spirit of Detroit. 🫡

a man sitting in front of a computer with the words " do it lady " written on the bottom Alt: Chit, a character from TikTok created by Jay Renshaw, sitting in front of a computer with the words " do it lady " written on the bottom

Some days volunteer community radio means spending much of the weekend before your birthday trying to sort out budget information while simultaneously promoting WRIR’s Capital
Campaign GoFundMe. Because somebody has to do it. #DoItLady #AllOfIt #AtOnce #Chit @wrir973fm.bsky.social

It should be illegal for law enforcement to wear masks and not show ID.
This makes it too easy to impersonate law enforcement and murder people in their homes.

I love that @wrir973fm.bsky.social is so connected with our local visual arts community. It makes me happy to be able to air WRIR station IDs by talented Richmond artists like @sillygenius.bsky.social and @stachesquatch.bsky.social

#teamwork #communityradio #independentradio

Opinion | Elon Musk’s Legacy Is Disease, Starvation and Death

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...

If there were justice in the world, Musk would never be able to repair his reputation, at least not without devoting the bulk of his fortune to easing the misery he's engendered. Musk's sojourn in government has revealed severe flaws in his character - a blithe, dehumanizing cruelty, and a deadly incuriosity. This should shape how he's seen for the rest of his public life

Phenomenal piece by @michellegoldberg.bsky.social here.

(Gift link)

There is one place, however, where Musk, with the help of his minions, achieved his goals. He did indeed shred U.S.A.I.D. Though a rump operation is now operating inside the State Department, the administration says that it has terminated more than 80 percent of U.S.A.I.D. grants. Brooke Nichols, an associate professor of global health at Boston University, has estimated that these cuts have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year. That is what Musk’s foray into politics accomplished.

Musk should be asked about this in every interview he does now and forever. To ignore it is a dereliction of duty.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...

Since George Floyd’s Murder, Police Killings Keep Rising, Not Falling

George Floyd was murdered on this day five years ago.

Despite massive protests over racial injustice, police killings are sadly on the rise.

Instead of pouring more funds into our brutal system of policing, let's invest in communities. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/u...

Photo of George Floyd’s face projected onto Richmond Confederate statue.

Five years ago today, the world watched in horror as Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck and back for over nine minutes, killing him as he called out for his mother. This forced the nation to reckon with the systemic racism and police brutality that Black Americans have endured for centuries.

Billionaire tax cuts are a policy choice.

Cutting healthcare for millions is a policy choice.

Taking from the poor and giving to the rich is a policy choice.

Make no mistake: Trump and the GOP are choosing to do this.

Donate to Urgent: Help WRIR-LP 97.3FM Richmond Relocate!, organized by Melissa Vaughn We are WRIR-LP 97.3FM, the City of Richmond's one and only community rad… Melissa Vaughn needs your support for Urgent: Help WRIR-LP 97.3FM Richmond Relocate!

If you like nontraditional musical programming that includes stuff like @flaminglips.bsky.social covering Madonna, then please share this and toss a few dollars to help us finish our permanent studio and move so we can stop paying rent AND mortgage all at once.

gofund.me/6f4d2edc

The new version of the House reconciliation bill expands the medicaid and chip ban on coverage for gender affirming care to ALL AGES. This will decimated access to care for tens of thousands of trans people.

amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/R...

A story about why Democrats are losers, in four parts.

📣WRIR 97.3 FM needs to raise $400,000 by July! 📻

Between WRIRCampaign.org & our GFM, we are 14% of the way to our goal, but we urgently need your help!

Please DONATE & SHARE so we get as many eyes & dollars on this as possible! We are your community radio station in RVA since 2005.

It’s never about individual choice. It’s about their control.