Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com
Investigative journalist, NOTUS contributing editor, fake arctic explorer, free agent placekicker, #BillsMafia. DaveLevinthal.com
ICYMI: A tale about Ambassador Mike Huckabee, sleeping pills and a grumpy FDA. www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
Mike Huckabee Is Peddling Sleep Supplements While Serving as Ambassador to Israel
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem said in a statement.
www.notus.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
ICYMI: A tale about Ambassador Mike Huckabee, sleeping pills and a grumpy FDA. www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
Vaccines.gov, the CDC's vaccination site search engine, got a MAHA makeover in June. Then it stopped working altogether.
New from me:
www.notus.org/health-scien...
New from me:
www.notus.org/health-scien...
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back.
“I have heard that they are planning to ‘update it’ and shudder to think what that will mean,” Demetre Daskalakis, a former member of CDC leadership, told NOTUS.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Vaccines.gov, the CDC's vaccination site search engine, got a MAHA makeover in June. Then it stopped working altogether.
New from me:
www.notus.org/health-scien...
New from me:
www.notus.org/health-scien...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
SCOOP: Ahead of Trump’s second term, the Business Roundtable helped fund organizations that are skeptical of Trump policies, including those on immigration, trade, tariffs and energy, according to a NOTUS analysis.
www.notus.org/economy/busi...
www.notus.org/economy/busi...
Top CEOs Supported Groups Skeptical of Trump’s 2024 Election Agenda: Documents
The Business Roundtable helped fund pro-immigration, anti-tariff organizations ahead of Trump’s second term.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
SCOOP: Ahead of Trump’s second term, the Business Roundtable helped fund organizations that are skeptical of Trump policies, including those on immigration, trade, tariffs and energy, according to a NOTUS analysis.
www.notus.org/economy/busi...
www.notus.org/economy/busi...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
In a new digital ad campaign reviewed by NOTUS, former Sen. Sherrod Brown attacks his Republican opponent over affordability, accusing Sen. Jon Husted of not doing enough to lower prices for Ohio families ahead of Thanksgiving.
www.notus.org/ohio/afforda...
www.notus.org/ohio/afforda...
Affordability Wars: Democrat Sherrod Brown Launches Early Attack in Ohio’s Pivotal Senate Race
“Jon Husted is not doing his job, and Ohioans are paying the price,” Brown says in new ad blitz
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
In a new digital ad campaign reviewed by NOTUS, former Sen. Sherrod Brown attacks his Republican opponent over affordability, accusing Sen. Jon Husted of not doing enough to lower prices for Ohio families ahead of Thanksgiving.
www.notus.org/ohio/afforda...
www.notus.org/ohio/afforda...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
Here's my reporting partner, @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social in a terrific video on the impacts of lead poisoning in the communities in Nigeria that we focused on in our investigation of lead recycling. www.nytimes.com/video/world/...
Video: Recycling Lead for U.S. Car Batteries Is Poisoning People
Recycling lead for U.S. car batteries is poisoning children — and we know because we tested them. Will Fitzgibbon, a reporter at The Examination, describes how children in Nigeria developed lead level...
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Here's my reporting partner, @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social in a terrific video on the impacts of lead poisoning in the communities in Nigeria that we focused on in our investigation of lead recycling. www.nytimes.com/video/world/...
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the Business Roundtable, the nation’s preeminent organization for corporate CEOs, helped fund organizations that are skeptical of Trump policies, reports @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com www.notus.org/economy/busi...
Top CEOs Supported Groups Skeptical of Trump’s 2024 Election Agenda: Documents
The Business Roundtable helped fund pro-immigration, anti-tariff organizations ahead of Trump’s second term.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Ahead of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the Business Roundtable, the nation’s preeminent organization for corporate CEOs, helped fund organizations that are skeptical of Trump policies, reports @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com www.notus.org/economy/busi...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
Elisabeth Yoder’s 15-month-old son had a serious bacterial infection, and doctors urged his mother to take an ambulance to treat him 40 minutes away.
The bill came to $9,250.
The bill came to $9,250.
This toddler’s nearly 40-minute ambulance ride cost his family $9,000
The ambulance didn’t use its siren or go particularly fast on the 39-mile ride between hospitals, says an Ohio mom.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Elisabeth Yoder’s 15-month-old son had a serious bacterial infection, and doctors urged his mother to take an ambulance to treat him 40 minutes away.
The bill came to $9,250.
The bill came to $9,250.
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
New: Editor Jim Heaney weighs in on the recent controversies involving Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.
Most recently, Restaino said publicly he was "ignoring" requests for information from the local paper.
www.investigativepost.org/2025/11/25/f...
Most recently, Restaino said publicly he was "ignoring" requests for information from the local paper.
www.investigativepost.org/2025/11/25/f...
November 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM
New: Editor Jim Heaney weighs in on the recent controversies involving Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino.
Most recently, Restaino said publicly he was "ignoring" requests for information from the local paper.
www.investigativepost.org/2025/11/25/f...
Most recently, Restaino said publicly he was "ignoring" requests for information from the local paper.
www.investigativepost.org/2025/11/25/f...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
CNN: "Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk said her organization’s efforts to support a potential JD Vance presidential campaign in 2028 are “in the works.”
www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/p...
Erika Kirk says Turning Point’s efforts to support Vance in 2028 are ‘in the works’ | CNN Politics
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk said her organization’s efforts to support a potential JD Vance presidential campaign in 2028 are “in the works.”
www.cnn.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
CNN: "Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk said her organization’s efforts to support a potential JD Vance presidential campaign in 2028 are “in the works.”
www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/p...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
"Unlike federal campaign donations or lobbying expenditures, which are subject to robust ethics and transparency laws and regulations, few rules govern contributions to congressional portrait funds."
A NOTUS analysis has found that this decade, special interest groups and lobbyists have poured more than $600,000 into portrait funds for several current and former federal lawmakers.
https://www.notus.org/money/congressional-portait-funds
https://www.notus.org/money/congressional-portait-funds
Few Rules Govern Contributions to Congressional Portrait Funds
Congressional committee chair portrait funds are a magnet for lobbyists and special interest money.
www.notus.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"Unlike federal campaign donations or lobbying expenditures, which are subject to robust ethics and transparency laws and regulations, few rules govern contributions to congressional portrait funds."
UPDATE: Following publication of @NOTUSreports' investigation this morning, the makers of the Relaxium sleep supplement appeared to have deleted endorsement videos featuring Amb. Mike Huckabee from its website, Facebook page and Vimeo page. www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
Mike Huckabee Is Peddling Sleep Supplements While Serving as Ambassador to Israel
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem said in a statement.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
UPDATE: Following publication of @NOTUSreports' investigation this morning, the makers of the Relaxium sleep supplement appeared to have deleted endorsement videos featuring Amb. Mike Huckabee from its website, Facebook page and Vimeo page. www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
And the turkeys didn't even need to hire lobbyists!
Unlike these folks, per @taylorgiorno.bsky.social and Jasmine Wright of @notus.com: www.notus.org/money/donald...
Unlike these folks, per @taylorgiorno.bsky.social and Jasmine Wright of @notus.com: www.notus.org/money/donald...
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
And the turkeys didn't even need to hire lobbyists!
Unlike these folks, per @taylorgiorno.bsky.social and Jasmine Wright of @notus.com: www.notus.org/money/donald...
Unlike these folks, per @taylorgiorno.bsky.social and Jasmine Wright of @notus.com: www.notus.org/money/donald...
An “I, Mudd” moment: www.startrek.com/videos/q99bm...
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
An “I, Mudd” moment: www.startrek.com/videos/q99bm...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
“As judges face more threats, only the Supreme Court got new security funds”
Derek Hawkins for Washington Post
Derek Hawkins for Washington Post
As judges face more threats, only the Supreme Court got new security funds
Judiciary officials had asked lawmakers for an additional $142 million for security for lower federal courts, a 19 percent increase.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
“As judges face more threats, only the Supreme Court got new security funds”
Derek Hawkins for Washington Post
Derek Hawkins for Washington Post
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
The Trump administration is trading billions of dollars of taxpayer money for ownership stakes in private companies it deems essential to national security. The unusual practice shows no sign of slowing.
Trump Administration Is Taking Billions in Stakes in Firms Like Intel
The Trump administration is trading billions of dollars of taxpayer money for ownership stakes in companies. The unusual practice shows no sign of slowing.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The Trump administration is trading billions of dollars of taxpayer money for ownership stakes in private companies it deems essential to national security. The unusual practice shows no sign of slowing.
This complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission, which these days, is about as useful as filing it w/ the Auror Office from Harry Potter.
Here’s why that’s the case — and what it’ll take to fix the situation.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com: www.notus.org/2026-electio...
Here’s why that’s the case — and what it’ll take to fix the situation.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com: www.notus.org/2026-electio...
November 25, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission, which these days, is about as useful as filing it w/ the Auror Office from Harry Potter.
Here’s why that’s the case — and what it’ll take to fix the situation.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com: www.notus.org/2026-electio...
Here’s why that’s the case — and what it’ll take to fix the situation.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com: www.notus.org/2026-electio...
Mike Huckabee continues to peddle sleep pills as a paid pitchman while serving as ambassador to Israel.
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem told me when I asked.
But the makers of Relaxium changed their tune when @notus.com came calling.
www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem told me when I asked.
But the makers of Relaxium changed their tune when @notus.com came calling.
www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
Mike Huckabee Is Peddling Sleep Supplements While Serving as Ambassador to Israel
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem said in a statement.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Mike Huckabee continues to peddle sleep pills as a paid pitchman while serving as ambassador to Israel.
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem told me when I asked.
But the makers of Relaxium changed their tune when @notus.com came calling.
www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
“Ambassadors need to sleep, too,” the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem told me when I asked.
But the makers of Relaxium changed their tune when @notus.com came calling.
www.notus.org/money/mike-h...
So excited to soon be working at @notus.com with longtime @npr.org congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, who's coming aboard in January. www.notus.org/about-us/pre...
Deirdre Walsh joins NOTUS to Lead Congressional Coverage
www.notus.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
So excited to soon be working at @notus.com with longtime @npr.org congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, who's coming aboard in January. www.notus.org/about-us/pre...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
“The fact that a governmental body can redact more than 1,000 pages of documents that are directly related to a major business’s activities in Texas is certainly problematic,” an attorney specializing in public records said.
With @kutnews.bsky.social @texastribune.org
With @kutnews.bsky.social @texastribune.org
Gov. Greg Abbott Was Ordered to Release Some of His Emails With Elon Musk. Most Are Blacked Out.
Months after fighting to keep secret emails between Gov. Greg Abbott and Elon Musk, Texas officials released 1,400 pages of records. But they reveal little about the two men’s relationship or Musk’s i...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“The fact that a governmental body can redact more than 1,000 pages of documents that are directly related to a major business’s activities in Texas is certainly problematic,” an attorney specializing in public records said.
With @kutnews.bsky.social @texastribune.org
With @kutnews.bsky.social @texastribune.org
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
FPF sent a FOIA request to the EPA for a copy of exactly one email. EPA just told us our request was too broad.
Yes, we are appealing.
Yes, we are appealing.
I sent the EPA a FOIA request for a single email and I included the date of the email and what it discussed.
It just told me my request was too broad and I needed to clarify for it to be processed.
What a joke.
Always appeal.
It just told me my request was too broad and I needed to clarify for it to be processed.
What a joke.
Always appeal.
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
FPF sent a FOIA request to the EPA for a copy of exactly one email. EPA just told us our request was too broad.
Yes, we are appealing.
Yes, we are appealing.
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
New: Alt5 Sigma, one of Trump's key business partners, told the SEC that it suspended its CEO in mid-October.
An internal email, though, says he was placed on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
An internal email, though, says he was placed on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
Trump Crypto Partner Alt5 Sigma May Have Violated SEC Rules With Filing On CEO
One of Trump's key business partners told the SEC it suspended its CEO in mid-October. Internal records suggest he was on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
www.forbes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New: Alt5 Sigma, one of Trump's key business partners, told the SEC that it suspended its CEO in mid-October.
An internal email, though, says he was placed on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
An internal email, though, says he was placed on “temporary leave” more than a month earlier.
me, for @forbes.com
1/
ICYMI: Certain high-ranking members of Congress are entitled to painted portraits of themselves.
A @notus.com investigation reveals that many portraits are funded by corporations and trade groups that regularly lobby the lawmakers.
Names named: www.notus.org/money/congre...
A @notus.com investigation reveals that many portraits are funded by corporations and trade groups that regularly lobby the lawmakers.
Names named: www.notus.org/money/congre...
www.notus.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:28 PM
ICYMI: Certain high-ranking members of Congress are entitled to painted portraits of themselves.
A @notus.com investigation reveals that many portraits are funded by corporations and trade groups that regularly lobby the lawmakers.
Names named: www.notus.org/money/congre...
A @notus.com investigation reveals that many portraits are funded by corporations and trade groups that regularly lobby the lawmakers.
Names named: www.notus.org/money/congre...
Reposted by Dave Levinthal
Until recently, the EPA had a pretty legendary group of scientists using cutting-edge computer science to speed up chemical toxicity research.
This team helped with East Palestine, w/ GenX, etc.
I found that at least 16 of them have now left for a single private lab.
This team helped with East Palestine, w/ GenX, etc.
I found that at least 16 of them have now left for a single private lab.
Trump’s Privatization of Science Research Is Underway
The EPA’s scientists that helped in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, disaster, are now in the private sector. What does that mean for future crises?
www.notus.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Until recently, the EPA had a pretty legendary group of scientists using cutting-edge computer science to speed up chemical toxicity research.
This team helped with East Palestine, w/ GenX, etc.
I found that at least 16 of them have now left for a single private lab.
This team helped with East Palestine, w/ GenX, etc.
I found that at least 16 of them have now left for a single private lab.
Two nonprofits closely aligned with President Trump received a multimillion-dollar boost in funding from a secretive “dark money” nonprofit group, according to new tax documents obtained by @taylorgiorno.bsky.social / @notus.com.
Also: hundreds of other orgs got cash. www.notus.org/money/trump-...
Also: hundreds of other orgs got cash. www.notus.org/money/trump-...
Trump-Aligned Groups Get Big Boost From ‘Dark Money’ Behemoth
Conservative nonprofit DonorsTrust gave the America First Legal Foundation and America First Policy Institute millions. Hundreds of other organizations got cash, too.
www.notus.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Two nonprofits closely aligned with President Trump received a multimillion-dollar boost in funding from a secretive “dark money” nonprofit group, according to new tax documents obtained by @taylorgiorno.bsky.social / @notus.com.
Also: hundreds of other orgs got cash. www.notus.org/money/trump-...
Also: hundreds of other orgs got cash. www.notus.org/money/trump-...
Two steps forward, one step back for legislation aiming to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com from Capitol Hill: www.notus.org/money/congre...
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com from Capitol Hill: www.notus.org/money/congre...
‘This Is a Fist Fight’: Lawmakers Pursue Stock-Ban Bill as Pressure on Leadership Grows
A prohibition on federal lawmakers owning individual stocks got a boost Wednesday, but not everyone is on board.
www.notus.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Two steps forward, one step back for legislation aiming to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com from Capitol Hill: www.notus.org/money/congre...
Via @taylorgiorno.bsky.social of @notus.com from Capitol Hill: www.notus.org/money/congre...