Heather Tirado Gilligan
heathergilligan.bsky.social
Heather Tirado Gilligan
@heathergilligan.bsky.social
Journalist, genre fiction fanatic, baker, cheese plate maker.
Amazing!! And so well deserved @cgaribay.bsky.social!!!!
So amazing to see our work recognized for the @journalists.org Knight Award for Public Service! Feeling really grateful to have worked with @jas-aguilera.bsky.social @hiramaduran.bsky.social and @heathergilligan.bsky.social to make it happen!!🎉 #OJA25
WINNER! Knight Award for Public Service: El Timpano for their coverage of Oakland’s pervasive lead problem awards.journalists.org/entries/pois... #OJA25
September 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
So amazing to see our work recognized for the @journalists.org Knight Award for Public Service! Feeling really grateful to have worked with @jas-aguilera.bsky.social @hiramaduran.bsky.social and @heathergilligan.bsky.social to make it happen!!🎉 #OJA25
September 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Thrilled for you @jas-aguilera.bsky.social!!! Congratulations!
The competition was tough! But this would not have been possible without the wonderful @cgaribay.bsky.social @heathergilligan.bsky.social and @hiramaduran.bsky.social, plus @pulitzercenter.org . Thanks so much to @journalists.org 🎉
WINNER! Knight Award for Public Service: El Timpano for their coverage of Oakland’s pervasive lead problem awards.journalists.org/entries/pois... #OJA25
September 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Congratulations @jas-aguilera.bsky.social! So happy to see your hard work win such an amazing recognition!!
August 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Such a pleasure to work with you on this @cgaribay.bsky.social and thrilled for the well-deserved recognition of all your work!
August 25, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
In our latest Weekly Dispatch by @heathergilligan.bsky.social, we share the work of organizations across the Bay Area trying to tamp down fear and panic with information, including Know Your Rights training and hotlines that investigate reported sightings of ICE.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
Amid worry and concern from immigrant communities, agencies and organizations double down on knowledge as power
Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area.
www.eltimpano.org
June 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Since January 20, the Trump administration has issued numerous policies aimed at migrant youth. @ehellerstein.bsky.social explores how soccer has become a refuge for newcomers in an increasingly hostile political climate. www.eltimpano.org/reporting/as...
As safe spaces shrink, immigrant youth find solace in “the beautiful game”
Amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, soccer provides a refuge for young newcomers.
www.eltimpano.org
May 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
📢 Just a few days left to apply to our Senior Health Reporter/Editor role! This person will produce original in-depth coverage of inequities, systems, and solutions of health issues that impact Bay Area’s Latino and Mayan immigrants.

📆 Deadline: May 12th

www.eltimpano.org/inside-el-ti...
Apply to be El Tímpano’s Sr. Health Reporter/Editor
Report and edit in-depth coverage of inequities, systems, and solutions of issues facing the Bay Area’s Latino & Mayan immigrants.
www.eltimpano.org
May 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Join us on Feb 20th at Oakstop in downtown Oakland to learn about the extent and impact of Oakland's ongoing lead crisis and how to fix it. Tickets are free.
On Feb. 20, join us for a convo about Oakland's ongoing lead contamination crisis. Experts, community members, and city officials will explore the urgent issues raised in El Tímpano's investigative report, "Toxic Inaction” and discuss possible solutions. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/toxic-inac...
February 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Check out the Bay Area's @eltimpano.bsky.social talking about new protocols to protect immigrant sources

"We don’t want to terrify people, or make them more afraid than they necessarily are,” she said. “But we more want to convey, what are best practices for you to keep yourself safe?”
"That’s our greatest fear...that in trying to help someone, we would inadvertently harm them.”

El Tímpano's new reporting policies aim to protect immigrant sources.
How El Tímpano is changing its reporting practices to protect immigrant sources
“We were trying to think, how do we balance these two things? How do we keep these people safe and tell their stories at the same time?”
buff.ly
February 4, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
after months of reporting, new story is out!! bilingual educators are on a downturn and Spanish speaking families are being affected.
In East Contra Costa County schools, many Spanish-speaking families are struggling to find the bilingual support they need. @ximenaspeaks.bsky.social reported on the reasons for the shortage of bilingual educators and what some parents are trying to do about it. www.eltimpano.org/education/a-...
A shortage of bilingual educators leaves English learners with too few qualified teachers
Misassigned teachers and courses surge in Contra Costa County districts.
www.eltimpano.org
February 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Next Tuesday, @ehellerstein.bsky.social will be moderating a live @kalwradio.bsky.social panel convo on how Bay Area orgs are adapting and organizing in response to rapidly changing immigration policies. Bring your questions, concerns, and hopes!

Free RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bay-ag...
February 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Do you have questions about why Oakland's lead contamination crisis has lasted so long and affected so many residents? Come to our panel discussion and ask the experts.
On Feb. 20, join us for a convo about Oakland's ongoing lead contamination crisis. Experts, community members, and city officials will explore the urgent issues raised in El Tímpano's investigative report, "Toxic Inaction” and discuss possible solutions. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/toxic-inac...
February 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Pedro Perez, who is featured in @ehellerstein.bsky.social’s beautiful story about culturally competent mental health care, chose tonight’s song and is front and center performing at tonight’s Half Moon Bay memorial
January 25, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
2 years after a mass shooting of farm workers in Half Moon Bay, CA, community members gather in remembrance. Supervisor Ray Mueller acknowledges that some people may not have come out tonight out of fear, but promises the county will step up to support undocumented farm workers
January 25, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How do we best use the power of journalism in service of our community while protecting our sources from harm? We grappled with that question as a newsroom serving immigrants. Here’s the policy we created as a result.
Trust is the fuel that powers El Tímpano's work—trust with the thousands of immigrants we inform, cover, and serve. As we report on how Trump's policies will impact immigrant communities, these are new newsroom policies we're implementing to protect our community.
www.eltimpano.org/inside-el-ti...
Protecting immigrant sources
How El Tímpano’s newsroom will protect our immigrant sources in 2025.
www.eltimpano.org
January 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Trust is the fuel that powers El Tímpano's work—trust with the thousands of immigrants we inform, cover, and serve. As we report on how Trump's policies will impact immigrant communities, these are new newsroom policies we're implementing to protect our community.
www.eltimpano.org/inside-el-ti...
Protecting immigrant sources
How El Tímpano’s newsroom will protect our immigrant sources in 2025.
www.eltimpano.org
January 24, 2025 at 11:08 PM
@eltimpano.bsky.social newsroom captures a tumult of feelings days after immigration raids in Bakersfield and ahead of Trump’s second term.
“Scared.” “Worried.” “Hopeful.” At an @HijasdelCampo immigration forum in Byron last weekend, El Tímpano asked attendees to write a word capturing their feelings as Trump’s presidency approaches.

Listen to some of their responses in our latest story. www.eltimpano.org/reporting/ph...
"Strength" and "Uncertainty" / "Fortaleza" y "Incertidumbre"
Immigrants confront uncertainty ahead of another Trump administration. / Los inmigrantes enfrentan incertidumbre ante otra administración de Trump.
www.eltimpano.org
January 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Do not underestimate the vital role of immigrant media, as well as the immense challenges we are confronting at this time.
This is how @eltimpano.bsky.social plans to meet this moment.
www.eltimpano.org/inside-el-ti...
How El Tímpano plans to meet this moment
With immigrant communities and the free press under attack, El Tímpano’s work is more important than ever. This is how we plan to meet the moment.
www.eltimpano.org
January 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Amid fear sparked by recent Border Patrol raids in Bakersfield, El Tímpano joined a recent immigration forum in Byron. Attendees shared powerful emotions about how they're feeling right now—scared, uncertain, hopeful. Listen to their testimonies in our latest story.
www.eltimpano.org/reporting/ph...
"Strength" and "Uncertainty" / "Fortaleza" y "Incertidumbre"
Immigrants confront uncertainty ahead of another Trump administration. / Los inmigrantes enfrentan incertidumbre ante otra administración de Trump.
www.eltimpano.org
January 18, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
President-elect Donald Trump will face considerable logistical and financial hurdles if he attempts to sharply increase the number of people arrested, jailed and removed from the country by ICE.

So, what would a mass deportation campaign really look like?
Deportation at ‘light speed’: How Trump’s crackdown could unfold
Trump has said he would like to deport everyone living illegally in the United States, though he has not set a specific numerical target. Who is most at risk?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Oof. Not good.
November 26, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Heather Tirado Gilligan
Despite high rates of dilapidated housing and an ongoing lead crisis in Oakland, a proactive approach to rental inspections still doesn't have a launch date. El Tímpano Senior Housing Reporter @cgaribay.bsky.social looked into why. 👇 www.eltimpano.org/housing/maki...
“Making a complaint can feel dangerous.” Oakland's slow moves on inspections puts the onus on tenants
Despite high rates of dilapidated housing and an ongoing lead crisis, a proactive approach to rental inspections still doesn't have a launch date.
www.eltimpano.org
December 5, 2024 at 12:37 AM
Local journalism matters & so does your support!
El Tímpano amplifies the voices and concerns of the Bay Area's Latino & Mayan immigrants. Donate TODAY and TRIPLE your impact -- it matters now more than ever. givebutter.com/faESEh?mc_ci...
#GivingTuesday #LatinoVoices #BayAreaCommunities
Civic media for powerful communities
By El Tímpano
givebutter.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:53 PM