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Anna Maria Barry-Jester

@annamaria.bsky.social

Public health journalist with ProPublica

12,858 Followers  |  137 Following  |  32 Posts  |  Joined: 03.05.2023
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Posts by Anna Maria Barry-Jester (@annamaria.bsky.social)

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El Paso ICE Camp East Montana under quarantine after measles outbreak Camp East Montana, the ICE immigration detention center in El Paso, is under quarantine following a measles outbreak.

Camp East Montana in El Paso is currently under quarantine following a measles outbreak and cases of tuberculosis.

My breaking story:

03.03.2026 17:44 β€” πŸ‘ 249    πŸ” 200    πŸ’¬ 13    πŸ“Œ 40
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ProPublica Sues Education Department for Withholding Records About Discrimination in Schools Under Secretary Linda McMahon, the work of the Office for Civil Rights, which aims to protect students from discrimination, is cloaked in secrecy.

ProPublica has sued the U.S. Department of Education
W/ @jsmithrichards.bsky.social

www.propublica.org/article/educ...

02.03.2026 16:55 β€” πŸ‘ 445    πŸ” 102    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 4
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Seized Art, Eavesdropping Guards: Parents Describe a Clampdown at Dilley Detention Center as Kids Shared Their Stories Detainees told ProPublica that art supplies have been removed in room searches, immigrants have lost access to Gmail and staff hover within earshot during video calls.

Guards at children's Dilley detention center are confiscating kids' drawings, art supplies: www.propublica.org/article/dill...

26.02.2026 18:37 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and β€˜biodefense’ from the agency’s website.

Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub β€œpandemic preparedness” and β€œbiodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.

The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.

13.02.2026 18:56 β€” πŸ‘ 607    πŸ” 358    πŸ’¬ 52    πŸ“Œ 98
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Trump Deletes Racist Video of Obamas After Outcry

Across Trump’s administration, racist images and slogans have become common on official sites. The White House, Labor Department and Homeland Security Department have all promoted social media posts that echo white supremacist messaging.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/u...

06.02.2026 18:12 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 2
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The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about β€œille...

our government used a Blackhawk helicopter in a major American city, detained children and zip-tied U.S. citizens all to target... squatters

and the alleged Tren de Aragua presence? "It was a brutal lie against the American public."
www.propublica.org/article/chic...

04.02.2026 23:46 β€” πŸ‘ 2948    πŸ” 1236    πŸ’¬ 32    πŸ“Œ 28
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The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about β€œille...

The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over a building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about β€œillegal aliens unlawfully occupying apartments.” by @melissa-sanchez.bsky.social @jodiscohen.bsky.social

04.02.2026 19:19 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

The Minnesota Star Tribune is hiring an investigative reporter β€” it's an incredibly important time for this kind of journalism (like, no doy). Apply here: recruiting2.ultipro.com/STA1013/JobB...

03.02.2026 20:52 β€” πŸ‘ 54    πŸ” 31    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 3
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One year after US aid freeze, HIV care in Africa is in retreat One year after President Donald Trump froze U.S. foreign aid, HIV treatment still exists across much of Africa β€” but the outreach, prevention, and monitoring systems that sustained it are fraying. The...

One year after President Donald Trump froze U.S. foreign aid, HIV treatment still exists across much of Africa β€” but the outreach, prevention, and monitoring systems that sustained it are fraying. I trace how those losses are reshaping access to care for @devex.com: www.devex.com/news/one-yea...

26.01.2026 19:39 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Federal agent secured gun from Minn. man before fatal shooting, videos show A Washington Post analysis of videos sheds light on the encounter that left 37-year-old Alex Pretti dead.

My @washingtonpost.com colleagues worked round the clock this weekend to expose the truth of what's happening in Minneapolis and bring urgent weather news to millions facing dangerous cold and snow.

If you value this work, tell Jeff Bezos to #SaveThePost
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

26.01.2026 16:15 β€” πŸ‘ 417    πŸ” 117    πŸ’¬ 22    πŸ“Œ 12
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Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. β€œWe don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....

NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.

β€œWe don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. β€œWe want good enough.”

By @jessecoburn.bsky.social

26.01.2026 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 957    πŸ” 538    πŸ’¬ 193    πŸ“Œ 425
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TincherSealedWitnessDec012426.PDF

This witness to Alex Pretti's murder not only refutes the governmen't story, but says she is afraid to go home because federal agents might arrest her. This is what it feels like to live under state terror.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

25.01.2026 14:43 β€” πŸ‘ 7525    πŸ” 3189    πŸ’¬ 204    πŸ“Œ 195
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I’ve been in Minneapolis the last few days reporting on the ICE raids happening across the city. This morning federal agents shot and killed a man, identified by the AP as Alex Pretti. This marks the third shooting by federal agents since Operation Metro Surge started in Minnesota last month.

24.01.2026 22:37 β€” πŸ‘ 644    πŸ” 185    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 16
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Complaint Accuses Trump’s Criminal Attorney of β€œBlatant” Crypto Conflict in His Role at DOJ A watchdog group is seeking an inspector general investigation into Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche after ProPublica reported that he had ordered changes to crypto prosecutions while owning more ...

Following I and @shaw.al's investigation, an ethics watchdog group is seeking an investigation into whether Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche broke federal conflict-of-interest law. www.propublica.org/article/todd...

23.01.2026 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 333    πŸ” 103    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 5
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Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of β€œsubversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...

The new directive asks USDA workers in the agency’s research arm to use Google to check the backgrounds of all foreign nationals collaborating with its scientists.

The names of flagged scientists are being sent to national security experts at the agency, according to records reviewed by ProPublica.

19.01.2026 00:00 β€” πŸ‘ 346    πŸ” 207    πŸ’¬ 21    πŸ“Œ 17
Post image Post image

Last week I asked BOP officials if they had sent tactical teams to Minneapolis. They denied it (left).

Multiple agency sources told me otherwise, and photos from
reporters on the ground soon confirmed BOP folks were there.

Now BOP is finally admitting it (right):

16.01.2026 21:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1019    πŸ” 330    πŸ’¬ 23    πŸ“Œ 26

I am still tracking the detentions of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents

If you know something or want to share your story, please get in touch

βœ‰οΈnicole.foy@propublica.org
Signal: nicolefoy.27

www.propublica.org/article/immi...

15.01.2026 20:23 β€” πŸ‘ 181    πŸ” 108    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 5
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After Sowing Distrust in Fluoridated Water, Kennedy and Skeptics Turn to Obstructing Other Fluoride Sources Florida and Utah have banned fluoridation, with multiple other states looking to do the same. Critics of fluoride in drinking water point to supplements as an alternative, but many are creating barrie...

Colgate-Palmolive's promotional material for kids' fluoride toothpaste has shown the paste on a brush. Now in response to anti-fluoride efforts in TX, the company will display a pea-sized amount, rather than a swirl. A similar deal was made with Procter & Gamble. / By @annaleighclark.bsky.social

14.01.2026 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it β€” in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.

Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...

14.01.2026 00:47 β€” πŸ‘ 7192    πŸ” 3302    πŸ’¬ 143    πŸ“Œ 229
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We Found More Than 40 Cases of Immigration Agents Using Banned Chokeholds and Other Moves That Can Cut Off Breathing Civilians have had apparent seizures. One had his eyes roll back. Another had ribs broken. β€œI felt like I was going to pass out and die,” said a 16-year-old citizen put in a chokehold. The government ...

Immigration agents are choking people in America's streets & using tactics against their own policy/training. Many LEO agencies have banned their use

A Colombian TikToker. An ICU nurse. A father holding his child.

A 16-year-old citizen

DHS calls this "utmost professionalism"

w/ @mckenziefunk.com

13.01.2026 13:38 β€” πŸ‘ 1256    πŸ” 647    πŸ’¬ 30    πŸ“Œ 30
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Renee Macklin Good’s wife says she nurtured kindness On Wednesday, Renee Macklin Good was fatally shot by a federal ICE agent. Becca Good, her wife, shared the following statement with MPR News.

"I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way." - Becca Good www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

09.01.2026 18:34 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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They Couldn’t Access Mental Health Care When They Needed It. Now They’re Suing Their Insurer. A new lawsuit alleges that an insurer’s ghost network hindered New York City employees from accessing the mental health care they sought β€” and harmed the reputation of psychiatrists wrongly listed as ...

A new lawsuit alleges that an insurer’s ghost network hindered New York City employees from accessing the mental health care they sought β€” and harmed the reputation of psychiatrists wrongly listed as being in-network. My latest for @propublica.org: www.propublica.org/article/embl...

09.01.2026 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 175    πŸ” 65    πŸ’¬ 7    πŸ“Œ 5
Chart that shows total US vaccine recommendations declining from 18 to 11 while most nations in the world range from 13 to 18.

Chart that shows total US vaccine recommendations declining from 18 to 11 while most nations in the world range from 13 to 18.

New from @helenbranswell.bsky.social with a chart by me: the United States is now a global outlier when it comes to vaccines

www.statnews.com/2026/01/09/c...

09.01.2026 14:38 β€” πŸ‘ 83    πŸ” 46    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 4
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After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death β€œBrutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.

β€œThere was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. β€œAnd that is not forgivable.”

04.01.2026 02:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1243    πŸ” 649    πŸ’¬ 38    πŸ“Œ 35
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How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely β€” ProPublica Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.

hey! just putting this out there:

propublica.org/tips

03.01.2026 16:56 β€” πŸ‘ 167    πŸ” 96    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera. Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...

John Gai carried his sick father to a nearby clinic in a wheelbarrow, but he died from cholera on the way.

Gai then pushed the wheelbarrow for hours through the camp to take him to the cemetery: β€œNobody should have to carry a dead body among the living.”

30.12.2025 03:00 β€” πŸ‘ 968    πŸ” 410    πŸ’¬ 21    πŸ“Œ 21
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After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death β€œBrutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.

They also maintained nobody has died because of the USAID cuts. Here’s our reporting from Kenya, where we found that isn’t true, with πŸ“Έ by @storitellah.com www.propublica.org/article/keny...

17.12.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 34    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

We asked State about the monthslong delay and they cited OMB's authority to give out money. They said the U.S. still donates hundreds of millions a year to WFP, and the Trump admin is shifting to investments that will better serve both the U.S. and key allies like Kenya over time.

17.12.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

In late September, the State Department signed an extension to WFP’s Kenya operation. This year, the U.S. gave $66 million, which is 40% less than it received last year and, critically, the funds arrived nine months into the year.

17.12.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

They predicted the cuts could destabilize one of America’s closest allies in Africa, β€œundermining Kenyan willingness to host thousands of refugees, many of whom would likely otherwise join the illegal migration flows bound for Europe and the United States.”

17.12.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0