Megan O'Matz
@megomatz.bsky.social
6.6K followers 190 following 130 posts
Wisconsin reporter, ProPublica.
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Reposted by Megan O'Matz
megomatz.bsky.social
The Trump administration is working to dramatically expand school choice, moving kids to a range of private & religious schools or homeschooling. Ultimately, what percentage of children would remain in public schools? A Moms for Liberty co-founder told me: “I hope zero. I hope to get to zero.”
These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.
Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...
www.propublica.org
megomatz.bsky.social
A policy expert described Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s push in favor of private schools as a “great American heist,” funneling money from public schools: “It’s a strategic theft of the future of our country, our kids and our democracy. @propublica.org
These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.
Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...
www.propublica.org
Reposted by Megan O'Matz
propublica.org
Two lawsuits allege that Jay McGraw, son of Dr. Phil, is the “principal beneficiary” of tribal lender Minto Money.

CreditServe, a company that McGraw plays a key role in, controls the operation while “the Tribe is merely a front,” the suits said.

(Published May w/ @adn.com)
A 700% APR Lending Business Tied to Dr. Phil's Son Is Dividing an Alaska Tribe
Tribal lender Minto Money has boosted the economy of its Alaska town. But some tribal members are appalled by the millions it's made off desperate borrowers -- much of which, lawsuits allege, has gone to outsider Jay McGraw, son of Dr. Phil.
www.propublica.org
megomatz.bsky.social
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announces she will not run for reelection next year blaming "bitter partisanship, personal attacks & political gamesmanship." Will work to "rebuild the conservative movement," rather than continue to serve in the minority on the court, led by liberals.
Reposted by Megan O'Matz
anniewaldman.bsky.social
NEW: In March, the Trump administration announced a massive purge of workers at the nation's health agencies.

We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left.

They refused to give us numbers.

So we conducted our own analysis... 🧵

projects.propublica.org/federal-heal...
In March, the Trump administration announced a massive purge of workers at the nation's health agencies.

We asked them how many workers were laid off, pushed out or left, and the admin refused to give us numbers.

So we conducted our own analysis, a thread...
Reposted by Megan O'Matz
propublica.org
Are you a current or former federal worker with information that you can share about Project 2025 architect Russell Vought?

Reach out to @andykroll.bsky.social on Signal at (202) 215-6203.

Thread 👇👇
andykroll.bsky.social
Last fall, @propublica.org and @documented.net broke the story that Russell Vought, Trump’s current budget chief, said he planned to put career civil servants “in trauma.”

Now, we're investigating the full extent of Vought's impact on the federal government. We need your help… 🧵 1/
Reposted by Megan O'Matz
propublica.org
NEW: Jasmin Belanger believed the deal was simple: pay off what she owed, and her landlord would let her keep her housing.

It wasn’t until months later that she learned it had left her with a permanent record of an eviction — despite there never being one.

With @bangordailynews.bsky.social
A Maine Woman Paid Her Back Rent. Her Record Still Says She Was Evicted.
Repayment plans are supposed to help public housing tenants avoid eviction. In Maine, these deals have put evictions on their permanent records, even if they’ve fulfilled all the terms and were never ...
www.propublica.org
Reposted by Megan O'Matz
ericumansky.bsky.social
This is who Trump shipped to a Salvadoran dungeon:

An event planner
A coal miner
An Uber driver
Tortilla maker
Barber
DoorDashers
Soccer coaches
Furniture-maker
Car washers
Taxi drivers
HVAC techs
Auto parts worker
Tire plant worker

and 240 more...

projects.propublica.org/venezuelan-i...
The Men Trump Deported to a Salvadoran Prison
On March 15, President Donald Trump’s administration sent more than 230 Venezuelan immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Last week, the men were released as suddenly as they’d been t...
projects.propublica.org
megomatz.bsky.social
Two brothers, including a Mexican citizen vacationing in Orlando, are being detained in Alligator Alcatraz after a traffic stop, their father said Wednesday. The brothers’ detention has become an international incident, with the Mexican Consulate warning its citizens about visiting Orlando.
Mexican tourist, brother held in Alligator Alcatraz after Orlando arrest, father says
Mexico’s president demanded that the siblings be returned to Mexico immediately, and the Mexican consul in Orlando warned Mexican citizens not to visit Florida.
www.sun-sentinel.com
megomatz.bsky.social
President Trump called the 230 Venezuelan migrants sent to an El Salvador prison “some of the most violent savages" on Earth. That was not true. Most had not been convicted of crimes in the U.S. The truth of all of their stories — one by one — is here in this database compiled by @propublica.org
The Men Trump Deported to a Salvadoran Prison
On March 15, President Donald Trump’s administration sent more than 230 Venezuelan immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Last week, the men were released as suddenly as they’d been t...
projects.propublica.org