Long Lead
@longlead.com
A story studio publishing in-depth journalism without compromise. Latest feature: DOUBLE MEANING https://twins.longlead.com/
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Long Lead
@longlead.com
· Nov 25
Long Lead
An award-winning story studio focused on finding, financing, producing, and publishing original, in-depth journalism.
longlead.com
Hi there! We'd like to introduce @longlead.bsky.social for all of our new followers here. 👋
We're an award-winning journalism studio focused on producing and publishing original, in-depth reporting.
Find all of our ground-breaking features here: longlead.com
We're an award-winning journalism studio focused on producing and publishing original, in-depth reporting.
Find all of our ground-breaking features here: longlead.com
"Who brings guns to a protest?!"
It's a question that was asked when Trump supporters brought guns to anti-lockdown protests in 2020 and is now being asked again in reference to protesters bringing guns to anti ICE protests.
It's a question that was asked when Trump supporters brought guns to anti-lockdown protests in 2020 and is now being asked again in reference to protesters bringing guns to anti ICE protests.
![Screenshot from LONG SHADOW: RISE OF THE AMERICAN FAR RIGHT season finale "January 6: Day of the Rope" transcript:
Just four weeks after he’d recommended social distancing, Trump sent out a series of tweets. “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” said one. “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” said the second. “LIBERATE VIRGINIA, AND SAVE YOUR GREAT 2ND AMENDMENT. IT IS UNDER SIEGE!” said the third.
[protest audio]
Over the next couple of weeks, anti-lockdown protests quickly spread to 30 states, and heavily armed far-right militias showed up to a lot of them.
[Protester: Who brings guns to a protest?!]
Graff: And so did a group called the Proud Boys…
[Proud Boys: USA USA.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vuaryrq6kxestqlaedvqtog/bafkreifrbc7rji47blr353ixjamcvz72fq6gbikuknwzoi73gbfbxxgo2y@jpeg)
January 26, 2026 at 9:49 PM
"Who brings guns to a protest?!"
It's a question that was asked when Trump supporters brought guns to anti-lockdown protests in 2020 and is now being asked again in reference to protesters bringing guns to anti ICE protests.
It's a question that was asked when Trump supporters brought guns to anti-lockdown protests in 2020 and is now being asked again in reference to protesters bringing guns to anti ICE protests.
Reposted by Long Lead
During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and forced to live in incarceration camps with only what they could carry from home. Most of them were American citizens.
If ICE’s expansion plans are realized, the immigration detention system will triple in size — detaining 120,000-150,000 people at any given time, mirroring the scale of Japanese American internment during WWII.
January 23, 2026 at 7:22 PM
During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and forced to live in incarceration camps with only what they could carry from home. Most of them were American citizens.
War reporter Ben Anderson has risked his life toggling between print and film in his pursuit of truth in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.
He weighs the pros and cons of writing books vs. creating documentaries, sharing that he thinks books are far more impactful, but docs open doors.
He weighs the pros and cons of writing books vs. creating documentaries, sharing that he thinks books are far more impactful, but docs open doors.
January 25, 2026 at 10:01 PM
War reporter Ben Anderson has risked his life toggling between print and film in his pursuit of truth in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.
He weighs the pros and cons of writing books vs. creating documentaries, sharing that he thinks books are far more impactful, but docs open doors.
He weighs the pros and cons of writing books vs. creating documentaries, sharing that he thinks books are far more impactful, but docs open doors.
Sometimes as a twin, constant comparisons are made to differentiate between the two.
For identical sisters Carmelle and Cathy, being labeled as the "pretty" twin and the "fat" twin affected their self esteem and how they saw themselves growing up.
For identical sisters Carmelle and Cathy, being labeled as the "pretty" twin and the "fat" twin affected their self esteem and how they saw themselves growing up.
January 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Sometimes as a twin, constant comparisons are made to differentiate between the two.
For identical sisters Carmelle and Cathy, being labeled as the "pretty" twin and the "fat" twin affected their self esteem and how they saw themselves growing up.
For identical sisters Carmelle and Cathy, being labeled as the "pretty" twin and the "fat" twin affected their self esteem and how they saw themselves growing up.
During World War II, over 125,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated by the U.S. government. They brought with them the belongings they could carry and were taken in dark trains to new towns across the United States to start lives of incarceration.
January 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM
During World War II, over 125,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated by the U.S. government. They brought with them the belongings they could carry and were taken in dark trains to new towns across the United States to start lives of incarceration.
Reposted by Long Lead
“How did we get here?” is something @vermontgmg.bsky.social frequently asks on LONG SHADOW. Well, here’s how we got to today’s horrors:
January 24, 2026 at 7:32 PM
“How did we get here?” is something @vermontgmg.bsky.social frequently asks on LONG SHADOW. Well, here’s how we got to today’s horrors:
Anti-ICE protesters are gathering in Minneapolis on Friday, protesting the presence of federal immigration agents.
If you're protesting, here's how to tell if law enforcement is armed with less-lethal munitions. Remember: "Less lethal" means "still deadly."
If you're protesting, here's how to tell if law enforcement is armed with less-lethal munitions. Remember: "Less lethal" means "still deadly."
January 23, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Anti-ICE protesters are gathering in Minneapolis on Friday, protesting the presence of federal immigration agents.
If you're protesting, here's how to tell if law enforcement is armed with less-lethal munitions. Remember: "Less lethal" means "still deadly."
If you're protesting, here's how to tell if law enforcement is armed with less-lethal munitions. Remember: "Less lethal" means "still deadly."
During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and forced to live in incarceration camps with only what they could carry from home. Most of them were American citizens.
If ICE’s expansion plans are realized, the immigration detention system will triple in size — detaining 120,000-150,000 people at any given time, mirroring the scale of Japanese American internment during WWII.
January 23, 2026 at 7:22 PM
During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were taken from their homes and forced to live in incarceration camps with only what they could carry from home. Most of them were American citizens.
Identical twins Carmelle and Cathy sometimes speak in unison and they often finish each other’s sentences, but they insist they’re very different.
Carmelle shares, “She drives me crazy sometimes, and I drive her crazy. But we still cannot be apart.”
Carmelle shares, “She drives me crazy sometimes, and I drive her crazy. But we still cannot be apart.”
January 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Identical twins Carmelle and Cathy sometimes speak in unison and they often finish each other’s sentences, but they insist they’re very different.
Carmelle shares, “She drives me crazy sometimes, and I drive her crazy. But we still cannot be apart.”
Carmelle shares, “She drives me crazy sometimes, and I drive her crazy. But we still cannot be apart.”
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified on Thursday about Trump criminal investigations.
Across two seasons of Long Lead's Edward R. Murrow-winning podcast LONG SHADOW, host Garrett Graff has tracked how Trump came into power and how social media algorithms helped spread political conspiracies
Across two seasons of Long Lead's Edward R. Murrow-winning podcast LONG SHADOW, host Garrett Graff has tracked how Trump came into power and how social media algorithms helped spread political conspiracies
Long Shadow Podcast
Long Shadow is a limited-series history podcast produced by Long Lead and hosted by Garrett Graff.
longshadowpodcast.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified on Thursday about Trump criminal investigations.
Across two seasons of Long Lead's Edward R. Murrow-winning podcast LONG SHADOW, host Garrett Graff has tracked how Trump came into power and how social media algorithms helped spread political conspiracies
Across two seasons of Long Lead's Edward R. Murrow-winning podcast LONG SHADOW, host Garrett Graff has tracked how Trump came into power and how social media algorithms helped spread political conspiracies
War reporter Ben Anderson has risked his life toggling between print and film in his pursuit of truth in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones. With the baffling geopolitical events over the last few months, Anderson seems uniquely qualified to assess the advantages and dangers of the events.
January 22, 2026 at 7:32 PM
War reporter Ben Anderson has risked his life toggling between print and film in his pursuit of truth in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones. With the baffling geopolitical events over the last few months, Anderson seems uniquely qualified to assess the advantages and dangers of the events.
Reposted by Long Lead
Have you listened LONG SHADOW with @vermontgmg.bsky.social? With these Ambie noms, it's now won or been a finalist for:
• A Peabody Award*
• An RFK Human Rights Prize
• An Edward R. Murrow Award
• An International Documentary Association Award*
• 8 Signal Awards
• A Webby Award
• More
*Finalist
• A Peabody Award*
• An RFK Human Rights Prize
• An Edward R. Murrow Award
• An International Documentary Association Award*
• 8 Signal Awards
• A Webby Award
• More
*Finalist
Long Lead is honored to share that LONG SHADOW: BREAKING THE INTERNET is a finalist for the 2026 Ambies Awards in the categories of Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast, Best News & Politics Podcast, and Best Scriptwriting, Non-Fiction.
January 22, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Have you listened LONG SHADOW with @vermontgmg.bsky.social? With these Ambie noms, it's now won or been a finalist for:
• A Peabody Award*
• An RFK Human Rights Prize
• An Edward R. Murrow Award
• An International Documentary Association Award*
• 8 Signal Awards
• A Webby Award
• More
*Finalist
• A Peabody Award*
• An RFK Human Rights Prize
• An Edward R. Murrow Award
• An International Documentary Association Award*
• 8 Signal Awards
• A Webby Award
• More
*Finalist
Long Lead is honored to share that LONG SHADOW: BREAKING THE INTERNET is a finalist for the 2026 Ambies Awards in the categories of Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast, Best News & Politics Podcast, and Best Scriptwriting, Non-Fiction.
January 22, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Long Lead is honored to share that LONG SHADOW: BREAKING THE INTERNET is a finalist for the 2026 Ambies Awards in the categories of Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast, Best News & Politics Podcast, and Best Scriptwriting, Non-Fiction.
From Long Lead's in-depth report on vets fighting the VA for housing to our narrative podcast chronicling how the internet has fractured the world, our reporting has been pivotal in affecting change.
Get updates on our award-winning journalism by subscribing to the LONG LEAD newsletter.
Get updates on our award-winning journalism by subscribing to the LONG LEAD newsletter.
Long Lead | Substack
Updates and behind-the-scenes reporting on Long Lead's award-winning, longform journalism. Click to read Long Lead, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
longlead.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:02 PM
From Long Lead's in-depth report on vets fighting the VA for housing to our narrative podcast chronicling how the internet has fractured the world, our reporting has been pivotal in affecting change.
Get updates on our award-winning journalism by subscribing to the LONG LEAD newsletter.
Get updates on our award-winning journalism by subscribing to the LONG LEAD newsletter.
On Jan. 20, 2020, the U.S. recorded its first case of COVID-19.
LONG SHADOW: RISE OF THE AMERICAN FAR RIGHT recounts how the pandemic would inflame the anti-government sentiment that had been building for 40 years — confirming the fears of many on the far-right that the government was tyrannical
LONG SHADOW: RISE OF THE AMERICAN FAR RIGHT recounts how the pandemic would inflame the anti-government sentiment that had been building for 40 years — confirming the fears of many on the far-right that the government was tyrannical
Long Shadow: Rise of the American Far Right
January 6: Day of the Rope: Far-right extremists and white power groups prepare to overthrow the government by storming the Capitol on January 6.
longshadowpodcast.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
On Jan. 20, 2020, the U.S. recorded its first case of COVID-19.
LONG SHADOW: RISE OF THE AMERICAN FAR RIGHT recounts how the pandemic would inflame the anti-government sentiment that had been building for 40 years — confirming the fears of many on the far-right that the government was tyrannical
LONG SHADOW: RISE OF THE AMERICAN FAR RIGHT recounts how the pandemic would inflame the anti-government sentiment that had been building for 40 years — confirming the fears of many on the far-right that the government was tyrannical
If you talk about Howard Dean's presidential run, you likely won't hear about its inspired use of the internet for grassroots organizing
Heard from the TVs all across America on January 19, 2004, the Dean scream became a meme, long before the word meme even existed.
Heard from the TVs all across America on January 19, 2004, the Dean scream became a meme, long before the word meme even existed.
January 20, 2026 at 1:01 AM
If you talk about Howard Dean's presidential run, you likely won't hear about its inspired use of the internet for grassroots organizing
Heard from the TVs all across America on January 19, 2004, the Dean scream became a meme, long before the word meme even existed.
Heard from the TVs all across America on January 19, 2004, the Dean scream became a meme, long before the word meme even existed.
The day is January 19, 2004. Howard Dean addresses his supporters after losing the Iowa caucus to John Kerry. And in the heat of the moment, he screams a "HYAAA" that's heard around the world.
youtu.be/tOaOu1ShF-I
youtu.be/tOaOu1ShF-I
How the Dean Scream Sealed Howard Dean's 2004 Presidential Fate
#democrats #politicalmemes #internethistory
Things could have looked different in U.S. politics if an unlikely dark horse candidate had managed to win the Democratic nomination over John Kerry and…
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The day is January 19, 2004. Howard Dean addresses his supporters after losing the Iowa caucus to John Kerry. And in the heat of the moment, he screams a "HYAAA" that's heard around the world.
youtu.be/tOaOu1ShF-I
youtu.be/tOaOu1ShF-I
Identical twin brothers Skyler and Spencer Nick have been loyal attendees of the annual Twins Days Festival since they were 2 years old, attending the event for 31 consecutive years.
January 18, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Identical twin brothers Skyler and Spencer Nick have been loyal attendees of the annual Twins Days Festival since they were 2 years old, attending the event for 31 consecutive years.
An anti-ICE protester has been permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
Long Lead's THE PEOPLE VS RUBBER BULLETS tells the full story of kinetic impact projectiles and their use as a method of crowd control, leaving victims injured and even dead
Long Lead's THE PEOPLE VS RUBBER BULLETS tells the full story of kinetic impact projectiles and their use as a method of crowd control, leaving victims injured and even dead
Police Have Fired Less-Lethal Rounds for 50 Years—and Victims Want Justice
Cops call kinetic impact projectiles a life-saving tool, but a recent surge in their use reveals a legacy of traumatic injuries and death.
rubberbullets.longlead.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:15 PM
An anti-ICE protester has been permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
Long Lead's THE PEOPLE VS RUBBER BULLETS tells the full story of kinetic impact projectiles and their use as a method of crowd control, leaving victims injured and even dead
Long Lead's THE PEOPLE VS RUBBER BULLETS tells the full story of kinetic impact projectiles and their use as a method of crowd control, leaving victims injured and even dead
While many moments from the Revolutionary War seem to echo with friction in today’s cultural and political landscape in America, when creating his new series “The American Revolution," filmmaker Ken Burns shares that his team was never explicit in how information is presented.
January 17, 2026 at 4:01 PM
While many moments from the Revolutionary War seem to echo with friction in today’s cultural and political landscape in America, when creating his new series “The American Revolution," filmmaker Ken Burns shares that his team was never explicit in how information is presented.
Megan and Keri have 113 matching tattoos, nearly all of them homages to local bands in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
The identical sisters do almost everything together and their bond shows the importance of companionship.
The identical sisters do almost everything together and their bond shows the importance of companionship.
January 16, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Megan and Keri have 113 matching tattoos, nearly all of them homages to local bands in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
The identical sisters do almost everything together and their bond shows the importance of companionship.
The identical sisters do almost everything together and their bond shows the importance of companionship.
Last week, an anti-ICE protester was permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
It’s not the first time someone has been blinded by a less-lethal munition, as seen in Long Lead's feature THE PEOPLE VS. RUBBER BULLETS:
It’s not the first time someone has been blinded by a less-lethal munition, as seen in Long Lead's feature THE PEOPLE VS. RUBBER BULLETS:
January 16, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Last week, an anti-ICE protester was permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
It’s not the first time someone has been blinded by a less-lethal munition, as seen in Long Lead's feature THE PEOPLE VS. RUBBER BULLETS:
It’s not the first time someone has been blinded by a less-lethal munition, as seen in Long Lead's feature THE PEOPLE VS. RUBBER BULLETS:
Will AI-driven "fake news" crush journalism in 2026? It's possible.
But in 2025, three of the industry's sharpest minds — @zachseward.com, @karenhao.bsky.social, and @nxthompson.bsky.social — told Long Lead's DEPTH PERCEPTION newsletter that journalism can benefit from these tools.
But in 2025, three of the industry's sharpest minds — @zachseward.com, @karenhao.bsky.social, and @nxthompson.bsky.social — told Long Lead's DEPTH PERCEPTION newsletter that journalism can benefit from these tools.
![Headshot of journalist Karen Hao “U.S. tech reporting gets caught up in San Francisco, but these are global technologies. The greatest harms [caused by AI] usually fall on communities fundamentally different from Silicon Valley.” — Karen Hao, artificial intelligence reporter](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vuaryrq6kxestqlaedvqtog/bafkreidh5q4bpx6ljfse6sxcudeep5n6g7m4aznebxzzernhj7zjlbz4se@jpeg)
![Headshot of journalist Nicholas Thompson with DEPTH PERCEPTION branding with text "[AI] is a giant magnet for finding needles in haystacks. And then it’s also a force that could completely obliterate us." - Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vuaryrq6kxestqlaedvqtog/bafkreibpl7wond27f65gzub6htlirascec3sokpm2hrohyhuazzwvh7xhq@jpeg)
January 15, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Will AI-driven "fake news" crush journalism in 2026? It's possible.
But in 2025, three of the industry's sharpest minds — @zachseward.com, @karenhao.bsky.social, and @nxthompson.bsky.social — told Long Lead's DEPTH PERCEPTION newsletter that journalism can benefit from these tools.
But in 2025, three of the industry's sharpest minds — @zachseward.com, @karenhao.bsky.social, and @nxthompson.bsky.social — told Long Lead's DEPTH PERCEPTION newsletter that journalism can benefit from these tools.
An anti-ICE protester has been permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
For 50 years, police have called less-lethal munitions a life-saving tool. But they can leave victims with traumatic brain injuries, blindings, PTSD, and can even kill them.
For 50 years, police have called less-lethal munitions a life-saving tool. But they can leave victims with traumatic brain injuries, blindings, PTSD, and can even kill them.
January 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
An anti-ICE protester has been permanently blinded by a less-lethal munition shot by a Department of Homeland Security agent.
For 50 years, police have called less-lethal munitions a life-saving tool. But they can leave victims with traumatic brain injuries, blindings, PTSD, and can even kill them.
For 50 years, police have called less-lethal munitions a life-saving tool. But they can leave victims with traumatic brain injuries, blindings, PTSD, and can even kill them.
The Twins Days Festival is all about celebrating being a twin, but an important part of it is how the community supports “twinless twins,” or multiples who have lost their siblings.
Russell Scott, who used to attend the festival with his late twin, Ralph, keeps coming back for community support
Russell Scott, who used to attend the festival with his late twin, Ralph, keeps coming back for community support
January 15, 2026 at 1:01 AM
The Twins Days Festival is all about celebrating being a twin, but an important part of it is how the community supports “twinless twins,” or multiples who have lost their siblings.
Russell Scott, who used to attend the festival with his late twin, Ralph, keeps coming back for community support
Russell Scott, who used to attend the festival with his late twin, Ralph, keeps coming back for community support