Heather Ellsworth
@hellsworth406.bsky.social
Liberal Montanan for 25 years, now in Boise. Yeah the one in Idaho 🤪🥴
Healthcare worker, she/her
Healthcare worker, she/her
Pinned
Woo its time to get the camper packed for our first camping trip of the year & first since moving to Boise. Really looking forward to unplugging from this news apocalypse, seems hard to look away from this shit show for 1 minute. This is our 1963 shasta in MT, come by if you see us out in the wild.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
😳 The “SAVE” system at the heart of the GOP’s Save America Act was “expanded” by DOGE & the DHS to “check the citizenship status of all U.S. citizens w/o providing info on how this was accomplished or the accuracy of the resulting tools. Early reports suggest an error rate as high as 17%” 8/2025 1/
February 14, 2026 at 4:32 AM
😳 The “SAVE” system at the heart of the GOP’s Save America Act was “expanded” by DOGE & the DHS to “check the citizenship status of all U.S. citizens w/o providing info on how this was accomplished or the accuracy of the resulting tools. Early reports suggest an error rate as high as 17%” 8/2025 1/
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
"Audits in Utah, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, and Georgia found a few dozen possible noncitizen registrants out of millions—and virtually no voting. Trump’s claim that noncitizens are swinging elections is false, says Cato’s Stephen Richer."
see ow.ly/rKFZ50YewC5
see ow.ly/rKFZ50YewC5
Trump’s Claims About Noncitizens Voting Are False. We Can Prove It.
A number of states have undertaken investigations into noncitizen voting, cross-checking voter rolls with citizenship status, and found it virtually nonexistent.
ow.ly
February 14, 2026 at 2:23 AM
"Audits in Utah, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, and Georgia found a few dozen possible noncitizen registrants out of millions—and virtually no voting. Trump’s claim that noncitizens are swinging elections is false, says Cato’s Stephen Richer."
see ow.ly/rKFZ50YewC5
see ow.ly/rKFZ50YewC5
Wow sad :( hope it doesnt fall into disrepair just after being restored.
flatheadbeacon.com/2026/02/13/l...
flatheadbeacon.com/2026/02/13/l...
LOGE to Shutter Historic Izaak Walton Inn, Other Properties Amid Bankruptcy - Flathead Beacon
Three years after a Washington-based hospitality company purchased the historic Izaak Walton Inn at Essex and invested heavily in renovating the three-story hotel, bar and restaurant, its board of dir...
flatheadbeacon.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Wow sad :( hope it doesnt fall into disrepair just after being restored.
flatheadbeacon.com/2026/02/13/l...
flatheadbeacon.com/2026/02/13/l...
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
SCOOP: ICE is asking Social Security for peoples' in-person appointment dates and times, and SSA staff are being told to give it to them. From me + @leahfeiger.bsky.social + @zoeschiffer.bsky.social @wired.com
wired.com/story/social...
wired.com/story/social...
Social Security Workers Are Being Told to Hand Over Appointment Details to ICE
The recent request goes against decades of precedent, and puts noncitizens at further risk of immigration enforcement actions.
wired.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:19 PM
SCOOP: ICE is asking Social Security for peoples' in-person appointment dates and times, and SSA staff are being told to give it to them. From me + @leahfeiger.bsky.social + @zoeschiffer.bsky.social @wired.com
wired.com/story/social...
wired.com/story/social...
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Visitors to our country should not face a digital shakedown. @wyden.senate.gov and I are calling on CBP to reverse its invasive proposal to collect five years of social media history from travelers from trusted partner nations.
February 13, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Visitors to our country should not face a digital shakedown. @wyden.senate.gov and I are calling on CBP to reverse its invasive proposal to collect five years of social media history from travelers from trusted partner nations.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Utah Sen. John Curtis shot down Trump nominee Jeremy Carl, who has repeatedly expressed a belief in the white nationalist “great replacement theory,” to serve as assistant secretary of state for international organizations.
Breaking with his party, Utah’s Sen. John Curtis is sinking a Trump State Department pick
Citing “insensitive remarks about the Jewish people,” Utah’s Sen. John Curtis announced Thursday he will oppose a high-level State Department nomination from President Donald Trump, likely crushing it.
www.sltrib.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Utah Sen. John Curtis shot down Trump nominee Jeremy Carl, who has repeatedly expressed a belief in the white nationalist “great replacement theory,” to serve as assistant secretary of state for international organizations.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Hundreds of thousands of audit logs spanning a month show police are searching a national database of automated license plate reader data, including from school cameras, for immigration-related investigations.
Read the full story ⬇️
Read the full story ⬇️
Local police aid ICE by tapping school cameras amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
Local police assisted federal immigration agents by repeatedly searching school cameras that record license plate numbers, data show
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Hundreds of thousands of audit logs spanning a month show police are searching a national database of automated license plate reader data, including from school cameras, for immigration-related investigations.
Read the full story ⬇️
Read the full story ⬇️
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
"'She is dead,'" Officer Auderer told Officer Solan, before bursting out laughing.
"'No, it’s a regular person,' Officer Auderer said, adding: 'Yeah, just write a check — $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.'"
"'No, it’s a regular person,' Officer Auderer said, adding: 'Yeah, just write a check — $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.'"
Seattle to Pay $29 Million to Family of Woman Fatally Struck by Police S.U.V.
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 AM
"'She is dead,'" Officer Auderer told Officer Solan, before bursting out laughing.
"'No, it’s a regular person,' Officer Auderer said, adding: 'Yeah, just write a check — $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.'"
"'No, it’s a regular person,' Officer Auderer said, adding: 'Yeah, just write a check — $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.'"
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Zuck, Meta, and all the tech bros love fascist governments b/c they let them do whatever the fuck they want. Ethics, regulation, and the common good be damned.
This is why billionaires must be taxed out of existence and companies must be broken up.
Otherwise this shit will continue!
This is why billionaires must be taxed out of existence and companies must be broken up.
Otherwise this shit will continue!
February 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Zuck, Meta, and all the tech bros love fascist governments b/c they let them do whatever the fuck they want. Ethics, regulation, and the common good be damned.
This is why billionaires must be taxed out of existence and companies must be broken up.
Otherwise this shit will continue!
This is why billionaires must be taxed out of existence and companies must be broken up.
Otherwise this shit will continue!
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Just an astoundingly bad AP poll for Trump
• 36% overall job approval
• 72% disapprove of Greenland threats
• 66% describe economy as doing poorly
• 60% unfavorable view of ICE
Cannot stress enough: the vast majority of Americans think this presidency is a failure.
• 36% overall job approval
• 72% disapprove of Greenland threats
• 66% describe economy as doing poorly
• 60% unfavorable view of ICE
Cannot stress enough: the vast majority of Americans think this presidency is a failure.
February 13, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Just an astoundingly bad AP poll for Trump
• 36% overall job approval
• 72% disapprove of Greenland threats
• 66% describe economy as doing poorly
• 60% unfavorable view of ICE
Cannot stress enough: the vast majority of Americans think this presidency is a failure.
• 36% overall job approval
• 72% disapprove of Greenland threats
• 66% describe economy as doing poorly
• 60% unfavorable view of ICE
Cannot stress enough: the vast majority of Americans think this presidency is a failure.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
CBO significantly raised its projections of the interest rate the government pays on its debt. This is a key driver of debt/gdp sustainability.
It also means higher interest rates on credit card debt, auto loans, mortgages, etc. And it means higher prices, since business investments cost more.
It also means higher interest rates on credit card debt, auto loans, mortgages, etc. And it means higher prices, since business investments cost more.
February 13, 2026 at 3:51 PM
CBO significantly raised its projections of the interest rate the government pays on its debt. This is a key driver of debt/gdp sustainability.
It also means higher interest rates on credit card debt, auto loans, mortgages, etc. And it means higher prices, since business investments cost more.
It also means higher interest rates on credit card debt, auto loans, mortgages, etc. And it means higher prices, since business investments cost more.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
One example of a clear path forward: the Montana Plan is "an oddly simple yet startlingly robust legal mechanism for undoing Citizens United."
Transparent Election Initiative
A bipartisan team of former Montana officials have unveiled an oddly simple yet startlingly robust legal mechanism for undoing Citizens United that ...
corpgov.law.harvard.edu
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 AM
One example of a clear path forward: the Montana Plan is "an oddly simple yet startlingly robust legal mechanism for undoing Citizens United."
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
This is a huge victory. DHS must allow detainees a call to either family or a lawyer within one hour of arriving at Whipple, and then may not transfer them out of Minnesota for 72 hours.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
February 13, 2026 at 3:12 AM
This is a huge victory. DHS must allow detainees a call to either family or a lawyer within one hour of arriving at Whipple, and then may not transfer them out of Minnesota for 72 hours.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
I’m crying. So happy and relieved. We can help our clients before it’s too late. More people can be helped.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Control of this senior center is the most Idaho story ever. There's a Coen Brothers movie here. #idaho #idpol
www.ktvb.com/article/news...
www.ktvb.com/article/news...
Homedale Senior Center holds open house, legal battle continues to linger
Homedale Senior Center leaders held an open house to show renovation progress, but most seniors refused to attend amid a dispute over who's in charge.
www.ktvb.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Control of this senior center is the most Idaho story ever. There's a Coen Brothers movie here. #idaho #idpol
www.ktvb.com/article/news...
www.ktvb.com/article/news...
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Cuts to suicide prevention, foster care, and children’s and family mental health services were approved by JFAC. Health and Welfare director Charron said she’s sure that cutting these programs too deeply will lead to higher costs down the line, as well as worse outcomes for Idahoans. #idleg #idpol
'We are to bone’; Idaho Health and Welfare budget cuts may endanger state's crisis system • Idaho Capital Sun
Cuts to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare budget has a high likelihood of disrupting the state’s crisis response system.
idahocapitalsun.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
BOISE, IDAHO: “Boise parks, fire to tackle wildfire fuels, restore habitat in foothills in 2026” idahonews.com/news/local/b... - CBS 2 Idaho News
#Boise #IDFire #Wildfires
#Boise #IDFire #Wildfires
Boise parks, fire to tackle wildfire fuels, restore habitat in foothills in 2026
Boise Parks and Recreation and the Boise Fire Department have planed a series of wildfire mitigation and habitat restoration projects in the Boise Foothills in
idahonews.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:58 AM
BOISE, IDAHO: “Boise parks, fire to tackle wildfire fuels, restore habitat in foothills in 2026” idahonews.com/news/local/b... - CBS 2 Idaho News
#Boise #IDFire #Wildfires
#Boise #IDFire #Wildfires
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
The blanket thing from the headline. They are simultaneously extraordinarily petty, mean, and deeply stupid.
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 AM
The blanket thing from the headline. They are simultaneously extraordinarily petty, mean, and deeply stupid.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
The parent agency of ICE is leasing new space in Meridian. What we know
www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...
www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...
The parent agency of ICE is leasing new space in Meridian. What we know
The office space is near the St. Luke’s campus.
www.idahostatesman.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:24 AM
The parent agency of ICE is leasing new space in Meridian. What we know
www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...
www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
CBP officer faces federal charges over allegations he harbored an unauthorized immigrant who was also his girlfriend and niece.
CBP officer faces federal charges over allegations he harbored an unauthorized immigrant who was also his girlfriend and niece
The Justice Department alleges that CBP officer and supervisor Andres Wilkinson had been living in Laredo, Texas, with a woman who had overstayed her visa and is now in the U.S. illegally.
cbsn.ws
February 13, 2026 at 2:45 AM
CBP officer faces federal charges over allegations he harbored an unauthorized immigrant who was also his girlfriend and niece.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Also... EBV is so much more than multiple sclerosis. It seems to have major roles in a bunch of autoimmune diseases (including lupus and primary biliary cholangitis), and it also causes a bunch of different kinds of cancer. Forfeiting an attempt to enhance control of it is actually psychotic.
February 13, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Also... EBV is so much more than multiple sclerosis. It seems to have major roles in a bunch of autoimmune diseases (including lupus and primary biliary cholangitis), and it also causes a bunch of different kinds of cancer. Forfeiting an attempt to enhance control of it is actually psychotic.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
It's so wild to me that I am mad about a literal pharmaceutical company not being treated justly by regulators.
We live in the craziest timeline.
We live in the craziest timeline.
February 13, 2026 at 2:06 AM
It's so wild to me that I am mad about a literal pharmaceutical company not being treated justly by regulators.
We live in the craziest timeline.
We live in the craziest timeline.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
Meanwhile, the fire suppression fund IDL relies on to fight fires is nearly empty. The IDL director said there's about $1.2 million in the wildfire suppression fund. That isn't enough to even pay for the state’s up-front contracted aircraft costs, let alone pay the bills for an entire fire season.
Starting with the '26 #idahofire season, Idaho Department of Lands will be forced to hire fewer seasonal firefighters in the Eastern Idaho Fire Protection District.
The irony: Because #idleg is cutting funding available to IDL, the state will likely have to pay someone else to fight those fires.
The irony: Because #idleg is cutting funding available to IDL, the state will likely have to pay someone else to fight those fires.
New state budget cuts could hinder Idaho’s ability to fight wildfires, increase safety risk • Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho Department of Lands director Dustin Miller said the state should be investing in and modernizing its wildfire program, not cutting.
idahocapitalsun.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Meanwhile, the fire suppression fund IDL relies on to fight fires is nearly empty. The IDL director said there's about $1.2 million in the wildfire suppression fund. That isn't enough to even pay for the state’s up-front contracted aircraft costs, let alone pay the bills for an entire fire season.
Reposted by Heather Ellsworth
"Idahoans could wait months for their refunds, while the state would be on the hook for millions in interest payments due to the delays, according to a memo to lawmakers from the Idaho State Tax Commission."
Idaho Tax Commission anticipates long delays in issuing tax refunds if budget cuts go into effect • Idaho Capital Sun
Amid proposed budget cuts, Idahoans could wait months for tax refunds, while the state might incur large interest payments due to the delays.
idahocapitalsun.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 PM
"Idahoans could wait months for their refunds, while the state would be on the hook for millions in interest payments due to the delays, according to a memo to lawmakers from the Idaho State Tax Commission."