Sophia Kalakailo (she/they)

When public media disappears, so do the stories that bring us together.

With federal funding eliminated, millions may lose their last trusted source of news and connection.

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🎉It’s official: We’ve been recognized!

On July 10, City Bureau’s leadership formally, voluntarily recognized our union.

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The Men Trump Deported to a Salvadoran Prison On March 15, President Donald Trump’s administration sent more than 230 Venezuelan immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Last week, the men were released as suddenly as they’d been…

On March 15, President Donald Trump’s administration sent more than 230 Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. Last week, the men were released as suddenly as they’d been taken away.

Now, their stories will begin to be told.

Starting here 👇

On Feb. 15, José Manuel Ramos Bastidas called his wife from inside a Texas immigration detention facility.

He asked her to record a message, “just in case something happens to me.”

Thread 👇

In the last 20 or so minutes I’ve seen LAPD officers shove women to the ground without provocation, rip a sign out of a man’s hand and then swing a baton into his leg and raise a less-lethal launcher to aim
directly at a protester (which I’m 99% is a major policy violation.)

Condemned Ypsilanti apartments must stop demanding rent, judge orders Arbor One Apartments must stop demanding rent, provide relocation assistance and stop leasing to prospective tenants among other orders in a recent court order.

One of my last stories from @mlive.com this week: A condemned Ypsilanti apartment complex must stop demanding rent, provide relocation assistance & stop leasing to prospective tenants under a recent preliminary injunction. The latest on Arbor One: www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

🎉 We're excited Sophia Kalakailo will join us as a Report for America corps member! As our Community Accountability Reporter, Sophia will focus on community engagement journalism on the South and West Sides, & explore solutions to neighbors' most pressing issues. #RFADay

I’ll be at @mlive.com thru the end of the month. ty to everyone in the ypsilanti area who trusted me with their stories!!

Report for America responds to challenges facing local news by placing 107 journalists in newsrooms across the country - Report for America Report for America responds to challenges facing local news by placing 107 journalists in newsrooms across the country The corps members, including 14 CatchLight photojournalist Fellows, begin their s...

I’m super excited to share that I’ll be joining @citybureau.bsky.social as a Report for America corps member!! I’ll be doing accountability journalism on the south and west sides of Chicago. stay tunes for stories to come :) www.reportforamerica.org/2025/05/21/r...

they’re transvestigating the new pope

umich students, faculty etc: looking for reactions to Santa Ono stepping down for a story. Pls reach out if interested! (see contact info in my bio)

snacks: i didnt know i was allowed to bring any. all the other reporters had snacks. my coworker gave me goldfish concessions: roped off beyond my reach restrooms: all porta-potties (indoors) wifi: nearly nonexistent music: Come on eileen, 9 to 5, Africa, Pompeii, Mr blue sky Dont bring me down, I got a feeling, November Rain, YMCA (twice), Physical (twice) takeaways: a credential that says “white house press pool” (kinda swag)

notes from my first time covering a presidential visit:

A hand holds a white card that says “thanks!” in rainbow letters

The card is flipped open. It reads “For nothing. Heart. Sophie.”

a card i apparently wrote to my friend when we were younger:

Something people might be missing if they’re not reading past the headlines: These raids were ordered by the Democratic Michigan AG, Dana Nessel. The FBI still assisted but this originated from the state, not the federal government.
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

3 detained, released in FBI raid on Ypsilanti home The raid happened around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 23. A pro-Palestinian protest group is on scene alleging the raid was against some of its members.

Woke up to my neighbors’ house getting raided by the FBI — The TAHRIR Coalition asked members to go to the Ypsilanti home in a statement this morning, saying the raid is targeting protesters who support Palestine. There were other raids in nearby towns too.
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Proposed rental inspection policy will hold landowners accountable, township leaders say An ordinance bolstering requirements for rental inspections in Superior Township passed on its first reading Monday night.

Superior Twp. is moving towards beefing up its rental inspection policy. The proposed ordinance passed on 1st reading tonight (It comes as tenants have raised concerns over living conditions in two apartment complexes)
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

im sorry what

Ypsilanti’s downtown library will open next week after lengthy delays The Michigan Avenue branch has been closed for repairs and renovations since flooding dealt significant damage to the building in 2023.

Ypsi’s downtown library reopened on Monday ! (See pics of the renovations below)
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Federal cuts threaten free meal delivery program for older Washtenaw County adults Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels provides daily meals, wellness checks and social connection for homebound older adults.

www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Ypsilanti’s ‘rainy day fund’ seeks 3 months of money to weather any market storms The city currently has $3.2 million in its budget stabilization fund, enough to keep the city operating for 51 days in the event of sudden large drops in revenue.

www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Ypsilanti hopes to put cash in the pockets of pregnant, new parents Pregnant moms would receive a $1500 check during the pregnancy and then $500 a month for the six to 12 months after the baby is born under the RxKids program first established in Flint.

Recent Ypsi news you might’ve missed 🧵

www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Eastern Michigan confirms committee advising search for next president Officials confirmed the members of an advisory committee that will aid the national search for the university's next president.

The committee that will advise EMU Regents on selecting the next university president has been confirmed:
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Visas revoked for 2 Eastern Michigan international students Of the two students the university is aware of, one is from India and the other is from China, an EMU spokesperson said.

News out of Eastern Michigan University this week:

Two international student visas were revoked. One student is from China, another from India, university officials said.
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Embattled Ypsilanti apartments condemned, more residents told to vacate Many more Arbor One Apartments tenants arrived to find their buildings were red-tagged with notices reading “CONDEMNED. MUST BE VACATED," last week.

in case you missed the latest at Arbor One: more tenants were surprised with red tags this month. Some are moving out. Some have nowhere else to go and are sitting tight in apartments that have been deemed uninhabitable for months now.
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

MSU, UM faculty take up the idea of “mutual defense” against the Trump administration MSU's Faculty Senate is urging the university to enter into a “mutual defense compact” with other Big Ten universities to protect the institution from the Trump administration.

u know its bad when michigan state university is resembling a voice of reason in the big ten www.mlive.com/public-inter...

DONT LET SPACE SCIENCE DIE !! CONTACT UR REPS !!

As Trump targets DEI, Eastern Michigan University plans no significant changes An EMU official said the university continues to review its policies and programs in response to recent federal guidance but doesn’t anticipate significant changes.

ICYMI: Eastern Michigan University isn’t planning any "significant changes" in response to Trump's executive orders targeting DEI initiatives. No specific plans about the future of its Office of DEI.

side note: I cover EMU now, too. tips via email or Signal (see bio)
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

A historic Black cemetery was abandoned 60 years ago. Now, it could be restored. The abandoned, overgrown lot near Ypsilanti doesn't look like a cemetery.

when I went out this this abandoned cemetery, I thought I had the wrong address. It was founded in 1946, when other cemeteries didn't accept Black people. Records burned in a fire decades ago for the 150+ people buried here. A new plan could restore the cemetery:
www.mlive.com/news/ann-arb...

Trump shares message to millions struggling to buy groceries ‘Shut up about egg prices’ Trump campaigned on a promise of lowering the cost of groceries, but so far, has been unable to lower prices.

late to the game but this is up there with "let them eat cake" www.mlive.com/news/2025/03...

i know democracy is crumbling but do u guys think mgmt could have ever predicted that time to pretend would be used in the minecraft movie promos starring jack black