Samantha Smylie

Taken at the Chihuly Garden and Glass at night. A mix of yellow, orange, and red glass fixtures hang from the ceiling all tied together in an intricate shape, almost like an S shape.

Taken at the Seattle Aquarium. Photo has a water tank with small, brightly colored fishes swimming around.

A photo of Seattle's Space Needle in the afternoon.

Photo taken on the harbor looking out on the water. You can see clouds and a bit of the mountain range

I'm in Seattle, WA for vacation this week! I really like it tbh!

Our New York members took their lunch outside today to demand that @propublica.org management agree to a fair discipline and performance evaluation system ✊

‘Talking points and unrealistic demands’: State lawmakers listen to Chicago school leaders discuss district’s finances Illinois lawmakers want to figure out how to close Chicago’s budget gap. However, they did not make any commitments on what aid they would provide to the district and when.

With @sammiesmylie.bsky.social: Illinois lawmakers offer no quick solutions for CPS during district finances hearing

www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...

Head Start will no longer enroll undocumented children, Trump administration says A rule change treats the federally funded preschool program like a welfare program and bars the children of undocumented immigrants. It’s a dramatic change from longstanding practice.

A rule change treats the federally funded preschool program like a welfare program and bars undocumented children from enrolling. Head Start providers condemned the departure from longstanding practice.

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media June 6, 2025: How did education policy fare in the 2025 Illinois General Assembly session?

In this week's politics roundtable, that feud between President Trump and Elon Musk, as told by Washington Correspondent Linda Kenyon. Also, @sammiesmylie.bsky.social talks us through what came out of the spring's Illinois legislative session in education.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCzc...

As of today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Vox Media only has 30 days to negotiate a new contract with the Vox Media Union before our current one expires.

Donate to Support Polygon Workers and the Vox Media Union, organized by Ashok Selvam On Thursday, May 1, Vox Media announced the sale of beloved video game s… Ashok Selvam needs your support for Support Polygon Workers and the Vox Media Union

Our GoFundMe to assist our former colleagues at @polygon.com is now live! Please support them if you can, and share widely even if you can't!

Thank you all for the kindness and care you've shared with Polygon and the union over the last 2 days — it means the world to us all. gofund.me/a21cbbdc

Before the day ends, I have to say Happy May Day!!

S/o to my union for helping our so many people in our workplace to get better pay, parental leave, and other workplace protections.

New story: Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a new committee to come up with guidelines for using AI in the classroom.

Also! Teachers let us know how AI is being used in your classroom in the survey at the end of the article!

Pritzker’s timed attack on tariffs

— @GovPritzker wages a timed attack on Trump's tariffs.
— @RahmEmanuel teases a political future and has some advice for Dems.
— A guilty verdict closes chapter on the 2022 Highland Park mass shooting. politi.co/3F32TgN via @politico

March 3, 2020 is when I started at Chalkbeat Chi. It's been a wild ride over the past 5 years covering the state ed beat, but pretty fun.

I covered some cool stories and met some dope people.

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media Illinois tells schools to continue Asian, Black and LGBT history while Trump takes national aim a...

In our Friday Politics Roundup, we talk with @sammiesmylie.bsky.social about what the proposed state budget means for education. Plus, Linda Kenyon takes us through the news out of Washington this week.

Condé Nast management will start requiring employees to be in the office 4 days a week on 3/3, allegedly to make us more productive. Yet for months, many of us have gone without desks, often being forced to work from the cafeteria, HR floor or hallways.

That's for the recs. I didn't say that there wasn't ANY yarn shops in Chicago, but some places are very expensive for me or far away. I don't have a car, I use the bus and train.

So true. Joann's made crocheting really accessible to me.

I didn't know that!

I like Michael's for decorations... not so much yarn. Also, Michael's is like an hour drive for me.

I will shop online too! Joann's was pretty accessible for me, but Chicago is a major city so I'll have to figure out how to make it to indie yarn stores.

I believe both of the Joann's stores in Chicago are closing and I'm just sad. As a beginner crochet/fiber artist, it was the only way for me to experiment with different yarns for a decent price :/. 🧶

I'll be in Springfield tomorrow to report on the Gov. JB Pritzker's budget and State of the State! It'll stream at noon!

I can't wait to run into all the amazing reporters at the Capitol. They do amazing work throughout the year! #twill

Donate to Stand with HuffPost Workers Impacted by Job Cuts, organized by HuffPost Union This week, HuffPost was hit by devastating job cuts which saw over 20%… HuffPost Union needs your support for Stand with HuffPost Workers Impacted by Job Cuts

If possible, please consider donating to the talented reporters, editors and designers impacted by this decision ✊#SolidarityForever www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...

There are literally not enough journalists employed in the US to cover the bad shit that is happening right now. We are now going to experience the social consequences of a weakened news industry--which are the same as the benefits of a weakened news industry, to those who weakened it.

Much love to Black folks across the African diaspora. Social media can be an issue but it has given me a chance to see Black folks around the globe and learn a little bit from them. ❤️

Happy first day of Black History Month!

I am a descendant of those who were enslaved in this country and grandchild of elders who endured Jim Crow.

I am thankful for their resistance, their creativity, their ability to find happiness in the darkest of times. I have hope bc of them. ❤️

Reema and I are looking into how Trump's EOs on immigration is impacting school communities. Here is just a first of many stories to come from us this year

Also, feel free to send us tips!

Finally!! Lol

Thank you!!

I'm a terrible terrible public speaker. So maybe ignore it lol.

Thank you for sharing.

Five things to know about immigration and schools in Illinois and Chicago President Donald Trump is using executive orders to roll back rights for immigrants. Here is what to know about Illinois’ and Chicago’s immigration policies and how they relate to schools.

Do I have to share my child's immigration status with the school? No.

Can ICE enter the school?
Yes, but the bar to entry is high.

Useful info from @reemadamin.bsky.social & @sammiesmylie.bsky.social
www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2025...