Lorna Collier
@lornacollier.bsky.social
Journalist and author: health, education, government and good stories. Recent work: Congressional Quarterly Researcher, WebMD, NCTE Chronicle. Author: www.mythoughtsarefree.com. Member AHCJ, ASJA. www.lornacollier.com Chicago area
Reposted by Lorna Collier
NEW: A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
Amid Confusing CDC Guidance About Vaccines, Study Highlights New Risk of COVID-19 During Pregnancy
A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
www.propublica.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
NEW: A Harvard study found that the children of women who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant may be at an increased risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses, raising new concerns about the CDC’s decision to stop recommending the vaccine to pregnant women.
“How big a threat is AI to quality children’s publishing, and does it also threaten children’s learning?”
AI is coming for your toddler's bedtime story
AI is coming for your toddler's bedtime story
Artificial intelligence poses an increasingly real threat to children’s literature—and children’s learning.
www.motherjones.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
“How big a threat is AI to quality children’s publishing, and does it also threaten children’s learning?”
Reposted by Lorna Collier
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
Reposted by Lorna Collier
The EPA will approve two new pesticides containing “forever chemicals” and relax a reporting rule for companies who make products with forever chemicals.
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The EPA will approve two new pesticides containing “forever chemicals” and relax a reporting rule for companies who make products with forever chemicals.
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
The moves come after a $60 million lobbying blitz from the forever chemical industry.
Where is the MAHA outcry?
Reposted by Lorna Collier
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Salient info to share from Moody's: Every dollar spent on #SNAP food stamps generates $1.74 in economic growth.
But every Federal dollar lost on rolling tax rates back to Bush-era levels only creates 0.32 in economic growth -- that's a 68-cent loss on investment govtbenefits.org/why-do-food-...
But every Federal dollar lost on rolling tax rates back to Bush-era levels only creates 0.32 in economic growth -- that's a 68-cent loss on investment govtbenefits.org/why-do-food-...
Why Do Food Stamps Boost Economic Growth? - Govt Benefits
Discover how food stamps can have a surprising impact on economic growth. Uncover the hidden benefits and explore the potential.
govtbenefits.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Salient info to share from Moody's: Every dollar spent on #SNAP food stamps generates $1.74 in economic growth.
But every Federal dollar lost on rolling tax rates back to Bush-era levels only creates 0.32 in economic growth -- that's a 68-cent loss on investment govtbenefits.org/why-do-food-...
But every Federal dollar lost on rolling tax rates back to Bush-era levels only creates 0.32 in economic growth -- that's a 68-cent loss on investment govtbenefits.org/why-do-food-...
Reposted by Lorna Collier
A Tennessee man spent five weeks in jail for posting a meme quoting Donald Trump. Not threatening violence. Not spreading lies. Just using the former president’s own words.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Man jailed for quoting Trump is free after 5 weeks behind bars
As it turns out, you can’t toss a man in jail for posting a meme.� Felony charges were dropped Wednesday against Larry Bushart,�a Tennessee man who spent the past five weeks behind bars after ...
www.dailykos.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A Tennessee man spent five weeks in jail for posting a meme quoting Donald Trump. Not threatening violence. Not spreading lies. Just using the former president’s own words.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Lorna Collier
#Medsky🧪 Be wary of what you read. A 🇰🇷 study did not claim that #COVID19 💉 causes cancer. However, SoMe ‘influencers’ misused its results to spread misinformation widely.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202....
science.feedback.org/review/south....
biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
www.aljazeera.com/features/202....
science.feedback.org/review/south....
biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Did a South Korean study really claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer?
No it did not, but social media ‘influencers’ misused its results to spread misinformation far and wide.
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/10/11/did-a-south-korean-study-really-claim-that-covid-19-vaccines-cause-cancer#:~:text=Who%20claimed%20the%20study%20showed,proof”%20of%20a%20direct%20risk
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
#Medsky🧪 Be wary of what you read. A 🇰🇷 study did not claim that #COVID19 💉 causes cancer. However, SoMe ‘influencers’ misused its results to spread misinformation widely.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202....
science.feedback.org/review/south....
biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
www.aljazeera.com/features/202....
science.feedback.org/review/south....
biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Lorna Collier
hi portland oregon here. my property taxes are more than my mortgage. i don't mind that except that we can't pay that tax and also pay for medical insurance.
how does this make sense?
how does this make sense?
Retired couple (teacher & union carpenter) on ACA premiums skyrocketing — from $443/month to $2,224/month: “It's like buying another house and trying to pay for two houses at the same time… without the subsidy we honestly don’t know what we’re gonna do.” #TrumpShutdown
October 30, 2025 at 5:55 AM
hi portland oregon here. my property taxes are more than my mortgage. i don't mind that except that we can't pay that tax and also pay for medical insurance.
how does this make sense?
how does this make sense?
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Fact Check: Truth Of JB Pritzker Dispute Over Fox Saying Chicago Has Worst 'Big City' Murder Rate Depends On How Big 'Big' Is
Fact Check: Truth Of JB Pritzker Dispute Over Fox Saying Chicago Has Worst 'Big City' Murder Rate Depends On How Big 'Big' Is
Was Fox News host Brett Baier correct when he declared Chicago has "the highest murder rate of all the big cities" during an interview with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker? Yes, if you compare US cities with official populations over 1...
leadstories.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Fact Check: Truth Of JB Pritzker Dispute Over Fox Saying Chicago Has Worst 'Big City' Murder Rate Depends On How Big 'Big' Is
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Lynda Barry on How the Smartphone Is Endangering Three Ingredients of Creativity: Loneliness, Uncertainty & Boredom
Lynda Barry on How the Smartphone Is Endangering Three Ingredients of Creativity: Loneliness, Uncertainty & Boredom
The phone gives us a lot but it takes away three key elements of discovery: loneliness, uncertainty and boredom.
www.openculture.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Lynda Barry on How the Smartphone Is Endangering Three Ingredients of Creativity: Loneliness, Uncertainty & Boredom
Reposted by Lorna Collier
A ProPublica investigation found that for more than a decade, the FDA gave substandard factories banned from the United States a special pass to keep sending drugs to an unsuspecting public.
(Published June)
(Published June)
Threat in Your Medicine Cabinet: The FDA’s Gamble on America’s Drugs
A ProPublica investigation found that for more than a decade, the FDA gave substandard factories banned from the United States a special pass to keep sending drugs to an unsuspecting public.
www.propublica.org
October 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A ProPublica investigation found that for more than a decade, the FDA gave substandard factories banned from the United States a special pass to keep sending drugs to an unsuspecting public.
(Published June)
(Published June)
Reposted by Lorna Collier
They are one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, and only a tiny fraction of those eligible actually use them.
How a little-known appeal could force your insurer to pay for lifesaving care
www.propublica.org/article/heal...
How a little-known appeal could force your insurer to pay for lifesaving care
www.propublica.org/article/heal...
This Little-Known Appeal Could Force Your Insurer to Pay for Lifesaving Care. Here’s How to File It.
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
They are one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, and only a tiny fraction of those eligible actually use them.
How a little-known appeal could force your insurer to pay for lifesaving care
www.propublica.org/article/heal...
How a little-known appeal could force your insurer to pay for lifesaving care
www.propublica.org/article/heal...
Reposted by Lorna Collier
🛟 health policy 😷 science communication science for policy medsky sociology lawsky
I read close to 50 papers in order to give an evidence-based, accurate response to Monday's press conference.
There's a lot to unpack here. I hope you find this informative.
Cc: @mcgilloss.bsky.social
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
There's a lot to unpack here. I hope you find this informative.
Cc: @mcgilloss.bsky.social
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/...
All About the Tylenol-Autism Brouhaha
At an unhinged press conference last Monday, Donald Trump and his medical acolytes revealed an actionable cause of autism at long last: Tylenol. In what felt like a social media post come to life, Tru...
www.mcgill.ca
September 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
🛟 health policy 😷 science communication science for policy medsky sociology lawsky
Reposted by Lorna Collier
R.E.M. “pushed the boundaries” of alternative rock
Herbie Hancock “pushed the boundaries” of jazz
Trump & RFK Jr. are “destroying public health & will be responsible for killing people”
What is journalism, anyway? 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Herbie Hancock “pushed the boundaries” of jazz
Trump & RFK Jr. are “destroying public health & will be responsible for killing people”
What is journalism, anyway? 🤷♂️🤦♂️
You spelled ENDANGERING wrong, @nytimes.com.
“Pushing the boundaries” is a *positive* frame implying unconventional innovations. There are no innovations here. Just medieval anti-science populist attacks on some of best methods of truth seeking we have.
“Pushing the boundaries” is a *positive* frame implying unconventional innovations. There are no innovations here. Just medieval anti-science populist attacks on some of best methods of truth seeking we have.
August 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
R.E.M. “pushed the boundaries” of alternative rock
Herbie Hancock “pushed the boundaries” of jazz
Trump & RFK Jr. are “destroying public health & will be responsible for killing people”
What is journalism, anyway? 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Herbie Hancock “pushed the boundaries” of jazz
Trump & RFK Jr. are “destroying public health & will be responsible for killing people”
What is journalism, anyway? 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Reposted by Lorna Collier
"dumbing down" as i explain it in my book
would also included the tendency away from a liberal arts ( a general ) education
in favor of tech & career "knowledge"
so we got a nation of specialists in trivial knowledge
instead of the well-rounded educated of Boomers
#TruthWarriors
we're aligned
would also included the tendency away from a liberal arts ( a general ) education
in favor of tech & career "knowledge"
so we got a nation of specialists in trivial knowledge
instead of the well-rounded educated of Boomers
#TruthWarriors
we're aligned
August 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"dumbing down" as i explain it in my book
would also included the tendency away from a liberal arts ( a general ) education
in favor of tech & career "knowledge"
so we got a nation of specialists in trivial knowledge
instead of the well-rounded educated of Boomers
#TruthWarriors
we're aligned
would also included the tendency away from a liberal arts ( a general ) education
in favor of tech & career "knowledge"
so we got a nation of specialists in trivial knowledge
instead of the well-rounded educated of Boomers
#TruthWarriors
we're aligned
Wish there was an unlike button
Ashli Babbitt, the Jan. 6 rioter killed while storming the Capitol, will now receive a funeral with military honors
Jan. 6 Rioter Ashli Babbitt Was Killed Storming The Capitol. She Will Now Receive Military Funeral Honors.
The Babbitt family also received a settlement of $5 million earlier this year.
www.huffpost.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Wish there was an unlike button
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Cats get dementia too, and it looks a lot like Alzheimer’s in humans 🧪 🐈
This could offer a naturally occurring model to study the disease, as opposed to artificial models induced in rodents.
www.sciencefocus.com/news/cat-dem...
This could offer a naturally occurring model to study the disease, as opposed to artificial models induced in rodents.
www.sciencefocus.com/news/cat-dem...
Cats get dementia too. And they might be the key to new human treatments | BBC Science Focus Magazine
New research has found that our feline friends develop dementia in a similar way to human Alzheimer’s Disease, opening the door to further research.
www.sciencefocus.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Cats get dementia too, and it looks a lot like Alzheimer’s in humans 🧪 🐈
This could offer a naturally occurring model to study the disease, as opposed to artificial models induced in rodents.
www.sciencefocus.com/news/cat-dem...
This could offer a naturally occurring model to study the disease, as opposed to artificial models induced in rodents.
www.sciencefocus.com/news/cat-dem...
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Grant Watch — now called Grant Witness — is the leading watchdog of lost research dollars from the NIH and NSF. I wrote about how the site came to be and about Scott Delaney (@scott-delaney.bsky.social), the Harvard research scientist who helped make it happen: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/24/b...
How a researcher from Medfield created the go-to database of federal research cuts - The Boston Globe
A lawyer-turned-Harvard scientist built what was known as Grant Watch from a Google spreadsheet over a matter of months.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Grant Watch — now called Grant Witness — is the leading watchdog of lost research dollars from the NIH and NSF. I wrote about how the site came to be and about Scott Delaney (@scott-delaney.bsky.social), the Harvard research scientist who helped make it happen: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/24/b...
Just finished a deep dive into recent immigration controversies, looking at mass deportations, recent court rulings, digital
surveillance and more - read
free til July 4 at cqpress.sagepub.com/cqresearcher...
surveillance and more - read
free til July 4 at cqpress.sagepub.com/cqresearcher...
Please wait while we attempt to authenticate you...
cqpress.sagepub.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Just finished a deep dive into recent immigration controversies, looking at mass deportations, recent court rulings, digital
surveillance and more - read
free til July 4 at cqpress.sagepub.com/cqresearcher...
surveillance and more - read
free til July 4 at cqpress.sagepub.com/cqresearcher...
You may, like me, have never heard the term ‘AI slop’ before, but you’ll recognize it as soon as you see Jon Oliver’s many examples. Fascinating look at a ridiculous, stupid but potentially very scary phenomenon. Too many people believe this shit, er, slop, is real.
John Oliver's Last Week Tonight looks at AI slop, how it corrodes the concept of objective reality, the slop economy, tech leaders' enthusiasm for gen AI, more (LastWeekTonight on YouTube)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
June 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
You may, like me, have never heard the term ‘AI slop’ before, but you’ll recognize it as soon as you see Jon Oliver’s many examples. Fascinating look at a ridiculous, stupid but potentially very scary phenomenon. Too many people believe this shit, er, slop, is real.
Reposted by Lorna Collier
Utah Republicans accidently did an honest scientific and medical review of the evidence behind youth gender care instead of the overtly political reports done by the UK government and federal HHS.
Republicans in Utah commissioned an investigation into gender-affirming care for trans youth after banning it in 2023.
They're now rejecting the findings of that investigation which showed access to care reduced suicides and improved "positive mental health and psychosocial functioning outcomes."
They're now rejecting the findings of that investigation which showed access to care reduced suicides and improved "positive mental health and psychosocial functioning outcomes."
Utah lawmakers’ own study found gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Will they lift the treatment ban?
The Utah Legislature's own newly-released study found that gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Now, will lawmakers lift the treatment ban?
www.sltrib.com
May 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Utah Republicans accidently did an honest scientific and medical review of the evidence behind youth gender care instead of the overtly political reports done by the UK government and federal HHS.
Reposted by Lorna Collier
I had a chat with the folks at @cnn.com about menopause. Here are a few things I'd like you to know: www.cnn.com/2025/05/13/h...
5 things Samantha Bee’s menopause expert wants you to know | CNN
Menopause has long been shrouded in mystery and shame. A comedian discusses her experience and the internet’s ob-gyn offers five things to know about that
www.cnn.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I had a chat with the folks at @cnn.com about menopause. Here are a few things I'd like you to know: www.cnn.com/2025/05/13/h...