J. David McSwane

CNNU Logo: Caucus of Nonprofit Newsroom Unions

Today, unionized nonprofit newsrooms across the country are standing shoulder-to-shoulder to demand that news industry leaders agree to common-sense guardrails around the implementation of artificial intelligence to protect the integrity, quality and accuracy of our journalism.

What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vacci...

Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air.

After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed.

Vaccines could help, but the USDA hasn’t approved them.

A Death Row Inmate Was Released on Bail After His Conviction Was Overturned. Louisiana Still Wants to Execute Him. Months after a judge tossed out his 1998 murder conviction, Jimmie Duncan is free on bail. But prosecutors have asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty for Duncan, even as the...

Months after a judge tossed out his 1998 murder conviction, Jimmie Duncan is free on bail. But prosecutors have asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty for Duncan, even as the victim’s mother has come to support his release. @richardawebster.bsky.social @veritenews.org

It's simple — @propublica.org workers should not be replaced by artificial intelligence. Our contract proposal specifically says that generative artificial intelligence ("GAI") should not be used to replace employees. Management struck out this entire section in their response to our proposal.

Does this guy know how to party or what?

In Congress, He Said Tariffs Were Bad for Business. As Trump’s Ambassador to Canada, He’s Reversed Course. Pete Hoekstra once testified that “the market should dictate the price of steel, not the government.” But he now champions the Trump trade policies that are being linked to job losses in his former Mi...

U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is supporting Trump trade policies linked to job losses in his former congressional district.

@annaleighclark.bsky.social reports from Zeeland, Michigan, with photography by @jamiekelterdavis.bsky.social for @propublica.org

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I kinda miss Cris Collinsworth. Jason Garrett is not it.

Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...

ICYMI, from yesterday: Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters www.propublica.org/article/ice-...

Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...

NEW: Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters, w/
@frontlinepbs.bsky.social

Email says We are prepared to receive boxes tomorrow, as NY agents are travelling to WFO in the morning, and vill arrive to Winchester where they will start photographing and we will start scanning and processing the physical files. Once I see the volume, I'|l have a better estimate of processing times, although 1 suggest we do a rolling delivery to further demonstrate the FBIls commitment to delivery and transparency.

🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Been saying this for literally my entire life.

“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas. Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.

NEW: ProPublica has found multiple cases of women with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.

Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old mother, was told by doctors there was no emergency before preeclampsia killed her.

I have been thinking about this line today, on the value of editors, from the late great John Bennet, for no reason in particular.

What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vacci...

After a bird flu outbreak tore through Midwestern barns, killing millions of chickens and spiking egg prices, the federal government didn’t investigate if the virus was airborne.

So ProPublica did.

Absolutely terrifying reporting from @natlash.bsky.social:

www.propublica.org/article/bird...

The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.

NEW: The White House intervened on behalf of accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate during a federal investigation.

“It was so offensive to what we’re all here to do, to uphold the law and protect the American people,” one official involved said.

www.propublica.org/article/andr...

Epstein’s Emails Reveal Book Purchases About Trump, Sex, Money and Power The disgraced financier purchased books about making money, treating narcissism, negotiating with anyone, achieving ecstasy and understanding life

As all investigative reporters know, build the timeline. This is a truly brilliant exercise in that, which delivers far more than chronology. While claiming nothing, it tells you everything. Bravo. www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

Two glowing jack-o-lanterns set against a window at sunset. One is carved with the words "Signal Tips" and the ProPublica logo, while the other is carved with ProPublica's Signal tipline: 917-512-0201.

Like ghosts, we’re all about transparency. 👻

Got a tip for us? Contact our team safely on Signal at 917-512-0201.

**We always show our work. Use our stencils to make your own pumpkin: propub.li/43AXneD

Border Patrol chief Gregg Bovino is testifying in federal court today. I hope the judge asks Bovino about his agents ignoring her orders to use body cams.

I've found case after case.

I know b/c i long reported on body-cams. No flashing light = not on.

Here's another.

And more below.

NEW: On the eve of Greg Bovino's court-ordered appearance before Judge Sara Ellis, lawyers in the case ask her to fully bar the feds from using tear gas until she rules on a preliminary injunction.

"Something must be done. Defendants are plainly in contempt, and sanctions are warranted."

True Story Award The Global Reporter Prize in Bern, Switzerland

Fellow journalists: Please spread the word about the True Story Award, which is so much more than a journalism contest.

It honors journalism’s indispensable role in the world and works to strengthen reporters everywhere.
1/3

Weird to see Russell Wilson having success at Mile High.

More like Orange Slush amirite? @denver-broncos.bsky.social

Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million Public documents show the Department of Homeland Security has contracted to purchase a pair of top-of-the-line Gulfstream jets for the secretary and other top officials.

The Department of Homeland Security has purchased two Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem, the secretary, and other top department officials at a cost of $172 million, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.

More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...

Justice Brett Kavanaugh: “If the officers learn that the individual they stopped is a U.S. citizen...they promptly let the individual go."

The reality: Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.

A must read from the very talented @nicolefoy.bsky.social:

‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.

“They referred to Black people as monkeys and “the watermelon people” and mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers. They talked about raping their enemies and driving them to suicide and lauded Republicans who they believed support slavery.”

Feds march into downtown Chicago; top border agent says people are arrested based on ‘how they look’ Immigration agents wearing tactical gear and carrying long guns made arrests in downtown Chicago and the River North neighborhood Sunday. “This is not making anybody safer — it’s a show of intimidatio...

Today I spoke with Greg Bovino, a top U.S. Border Patrol chief, as he led dozens of feds in military gear through downtown Chicago.

He said they were arresting folks based on “how they look.”

“How do they look compared to, say, you?” he said, referring to me.

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Photo of DOGE staffer Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old white man in a blue pullover, carrying a black backpack.

Photo of 53-year-old Afghan scholar Mohammad Halimi. He is sitting, wearing white pants and shirt with a brown vest.

On the left: Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old DOGE staffer and college dropout.

On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.

This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.

Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵

#Texas is spending at least $1B over the next 2 years on private ed. @propublica.org & @texastribune.org found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools, likely an undercount.

📰: @emsimani.bsky.social and Lexi Churchill

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

It's been 737 days of negotiating and anti-labor shenanigans. Please support our fight for equitable practices by following our Guild on bluesky and instagram.