Melissa Whitler
@mwhitler.bsky.social
public school parent, hobby potter, part-time education reporter, #UglyDogs, Minneapolis
Pinned
Melissa Whitler
@mwhitler.bsky.social
· Feb 4
Signal, the secure messaging app: A guide for beginners
Also available in Spanish.
freedom.press
Have a scoop about k-12 schools? Want to get in touch with me about it? You can find me on Signal. Not sure how to use Signal?
freedom.press/digisec/blog...
freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
BREAKING: Federal judge rejects DOJ's effort to subpoena the names and medical records of children who have received gender-affirming medical care from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 21, 2025 at 10:26 PM
BREAKING: Federal judge rejects DOJ's effort to subpoena the names and medical records of children who have received gender-affirming medical care from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
One of Frida Kahlo’s most vulnerable and poignant self-portraits sold for $54.7 million, overtaking a Georgia O’Keeffe painting as the most expensive work by a woman artist ever sold at auction.
Frida Kahlo Becomes Most Expensive Woman Artist at Auction
“El sueño (La cama)” (1940), a surreal rumination on dreams, nightmares, and the afterlife, sold for $54.7M at Sotheby's.
hyperallergic.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
One of Frida Kahlo’s most vulnerable and poignant self-portraits sold for $54.7 million, overtaking a Georgia O’Keeffe painting as the most expensive work by a woman artist ever sold at auction.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
mid-day fruit snacks for the fruit hounds
November 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
mid-day fruit snacks for the fruit hounds
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Not sure about this particular angle:
PITCH: How families are navigating the high cost of berries
PITCH: How families are navigating the high cost of berries
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Not sure about this particular angle:
PITCH: How families are navigating the high cost of berries
PITCH: How families are navigating the high cost of berries
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
President Zelensky is currently holding a call with France’s Macron, Germany’s Merz and UK’s Starmer, the Ukrainian president’s office tells me. They are working to develop counter points to the Trump peace proposal that is very pro-Russian & filled with demands that are red lines for Kyiv & Europe.
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
President Zelensky is currently holding a call with France’s Macron, Germany’s Merz and UK’s Starmer, the Ukrainian president’s office tells me. They are working to develop counter points to the Trump peace proposal that is very pro-Russian & filled with demands that are red lines for Kyiv & Europe.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
November 21, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
On first glance, the ICE detention centers that I had not seen on recent facility lists include:
- Cambria County Jail, Edensburg, PA
- Christian County Jail, Hopkinsville, KY
- Crow Wing County Jail, Brainerd, MN
- Daviess County Detention, Owensboro, KY
- Davis County, Farmington, UT
(1/4)
- Cambria County Jail, Edensburg, PA
- Christian County Jail, Hopkinsville, KY
- Crow Wing County Jail, Brainerd, MN
- Daviess County Detention, Owensboro, KY
- Davis County, Farmington, UT
(1/4)
November 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
On first glance, the ICE detention centers that I had not seen on recent facility lists include:
- Cambria County Jail, Edensburg, PA
- Christian County Jail, Hopkinsville, KY
- Crow Wing County Jail, Brainerd, MN
- Daviess County Detention, Owensboro, KY
- Davis County, Farmington, UT
(1/4)
- Cambria County Jail, Edensburg, PA
- Christian County Jail, Hopkinsville, KY
- Crow Wing County Jail, Brainerd, MN
- Daviess County Detention, Owensboro, KY
- Davis County, Farmington, UT
(1/4)
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
The number of ICE facilities has increased by nearly 100 over the last 12 months.
According to the ICE facilities page, there are currently a total of 221 facilities holding detainees.
By comparison, at this time last year, there were a total of 124 facilities that ICE reported on the list.
According to the ICE facilities page, there are currently a total of 221 facilities holding detainees.
By comparison, at this time last year, there were a total of 124 facilities that ICE reported on the list.
November 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The number of ICE facilities has increased by nearly 100 over the last 12 months.
According to the ICE facilities page, there are currently a total of 221 facilities holding detainees.
By comparison, at this time last year, there were a total of 124 facilities that ICE reported on the list.
According to the ICE facilities page, there are currently a total of 221 facilities holding detainees.
By comparison, at this time last year, there were a total of 124 facilities that ICE reported on the list.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Remember a few weeks ago when Trump brought in a couple bulldozers and demolished about a third of the White House? That was weird.
November 21, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Remember a few weeks ago when Trump brought in a couple bulldozers and demolished about a third of the White House? That was weird.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Trump’s 28-point proposal drawn up with Russia and without Ukrainian and European input is filled with non starters for Kyiv and Brussels: ceding Donbas as DMZ and recognition of it as Russian; reduction of Ukraine’s army; enshrining in constitution that Ukraine country won’t seek NATO membership….
US plan for Ukraine-Russia peace calls on Kyiv to cede land under its control on.ft.com/48rlqiQ
US plan for Ukraine-Russia peace calls on Kyiv to cede land under its control
Ukrainian officials say President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being pressed to agree to terms negotiated by the US and Russia
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Trump’s 28-point proposal drawn up with Russia and without Ukrainian and European input is filled with non starters for Kyiv and Brussels: ceding Donbas as DMZ and recognition of it as Russian; reduction of Ukraine’s army; enshrining in constitution that Ukraine country won’t seek NATO membership….
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
The contagiousness of measles is truly shocking/remarkable/scary. One case in a guest at a wedding has led to thousands of cases in North America, led to Canada losing its elimination status, and will soon do the same in the US.
Vaccine skepticism kills
archive.ph/2025.09.30-2...
Vaccine skepticism kills
archive.ph/2025.09.30-2...
archive.ph
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
The contagiousness of measles is truly shocking/remarkable/scary. One case in a guest at a wedding has led to thousands of cases in North America, led to Canada losing its elimination status, and will soon do the same in the US.
Vaccine skepticism kills
archive.ph/2025.09.30-2...
Vaccine skepticism kills
archive.ph/2025.09.30-2...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
President Trump's tariffs will cut deficits by $3 trillion over the next decade, $1 trillion less than previously forecast, the Congressional Budget Office said today.
CBO slashes tariff deficit forecast, complicating Trump's $2,000 checks
Senate Republicans would rather the tariff money go toward deficits than dividends.
www.axios.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
President Trump's tariffs will cut deficits by $3 trillion over the next decade, $1 trillion less than previously forecast, the Congressional Budget Office said today.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
i think they might even prefer their fries frozen. we should conduct further testing.
November 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM
i think they might even prefer their fries frozen. we should conduct further testing.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
MIT's famous linguistic professor Noam Chomsky was in regular and close contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a review of emails published by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. In the documents, Chomsky described Epstein as a "highly valued friend."
Epstein emails show close connection with MIT's Noam Chomsky
MIT's famous linguistic professor Noam Chomsky was in regular and close contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a review of emails published by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. In t...
www.wbur.org
November 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
MIT's famous linguistic professor Noam Chomsky was in regular and close contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a review of emails published by the U.S. House Oversight Committee. In the documents, Chomsky described Epstein as a "highly valued friend."
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
One of the vice principals at the kids’ school went to Ohio and has been giving me tons of shit this year, O-Hing at me with his hands in the drop off line and such. Drives me nuts. So, I got him a present in preparation for The Game this year. Go Blue!
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
One of the vice principals at the kids’ school went to Ohio and has been giving me tons of shit this year, O-Hing at me with his hands in the drop off line and such. Drives me nuts. So, I got him a present in preparation for The Game this year. Go Blue!
What’s for dinner?
Grilled cheese and tomato soup!
My not as little as he used to be sous chef is helping.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013...
Grilled cheese and tomato soup!
My not as little as he used to be sous chef is helping.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013...
Tomato Soup (Published 2010)
cooking.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
What’s for dinner?
Grilled cheese and tomato soup!
My not as little as he used to be sous chef is helping.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013...
Grilled cheese and tomato soup!
My not as little as he used to be sous chef is helping.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Wow
"[Ed] Martin is also believed to have shared sensitive grand jury information about the James case with at least one unauthorized individual as well as worked with another person from outside the federal government to examine potential evidence in the Schiff and James probes."
"[Ed] Martin is also believed to have shared sensitive grand jury information about the James case with at least one unauthorized individual as well as worked with another person from outside the federal government to examine potential evidence in the Schiff and James probes."
DOJ, FBI probing top Trump administration officials over investigations of president's adversaries: Sources
The DOJ is probing the conduct of at least two top administration officials for possibly jeopardizing the criminal investigations of Trump's political foes, sources say.
abcnews.go.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Wow
"[Ed] Martin is also believed to have shared sensitive grand jury information about the James case with at least one unauthorized individual as well as worked with another person from outside the federal government to examine potential evidence in the Schiff and James probes."
"[Ed] Martin is also believed to have shared sensitive grand jury information about the James case with at least one unauthorized individual as well as worked with another person from outside the federal government to examine potential evidence in the Schiff and James probes."
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
"[T]he Court finds that Defendants’ widespread misrepresentations call into question everything that Defendants say they are doing in their characterization of what is happening at the Broadview facility or out in the streets of the Chicagoland area during law enforcement activities."
#281 in Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill., 1:25-cv-12173) – CourtListener.com
OPINION AND ORDER. For the foregoing reasons and those set forth on the record on November 6, 2025, the Court grants Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction 82, 86 . The Court has set forth th...
storage.courtlistener.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:53 PM
"[T]he Court finds that Defendants’ widespread misrepresentations call into question everything that Defendants say they are doing in their characterization of what is happening at the Broadview facility or out in the streets of the Chicagoland area during law enforcement activities."
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Over at the rebooted Southwest Voices, @mwhitler.bsky.social has an excellent round up of Minneapolis Public Schools "bright spots."
She asked the district for data to back its claims. They get a C- for that. But being Melissa, she brings the context people need to interpret for themselves!
She asked the district for data to back its claims. They get a C- for that. But being Melissa, she brings the context people need to interpret for themselves!
Looking for Bright Spots in Minneapolis Public Schools
Southwest Voices asked the district for data-backed positive trends that show improved outcomes for students. Here's what we found.
www.southwestvoices.news
November 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Over at the rebooted Southwest Voices, @mwhitler.bsky.social has an excellent round up of Minneapolis Public Schools "bright spots."
She asked the district for data to back its claims. They get a C- for that. But being Melissa, she brings the context people need to interpret for themselves!
She asked the district for data to back its claims. They get a C- for that. But being Melissa, she brings the context people need to interpret for themselves!
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
NEW JOBS DATA:
Non-farm Payrolls: +119k
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (+0.1%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment-Population Ratio: 80.7% (+0%)
Average Hourly Earnings: +0.2%
Non-farm Payrolls: +119k
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (+0.1%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment-Population Ratio: 80.7% (+0%)
Average Hourly Earnings: +0.2%
November 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
NEW JOBS DATA:
Non-farm Payrolls: +119k
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (+0.1%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment-Population Ratio: 80.7% (+0%)
Average Hourly Earnings: +0.2%
Non-farm Payrolls: +119k
Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (+0.1%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment-Population Ratio: 80.7% (+0%)
Average Hourly Earnings: +0.2%
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
The unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point (pp) to 4.4%, continuing slow rise. Up 0.3 pp over the year.
November 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point (pp) to 4.4%, continuing slow rise. Up 0.3 pp over the year.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Switching to weekly UI claims...
220K Americans filed new unemployment insurance claims in the week ending 11/15, similar to prior week's 228K.
Continuing claims also steady.
These have remined steady & are more reliable than corporate layoff announcements in measuring layoffs.
220K Americans filed new unemployment insurance claims in the week ending 11/15, similar to prior week's 228K.
Continuing claims also steady.
These have remined steady & are more reliable than corporate layoff announcements in measuring layoffs.
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Switching to weekly UI claims...
220K Americans filed new unemployment insurance claims in the week ending 11/15, similar to prior week's 228K.
Continuing claims also steady.
These have remined steady & are more reliable than corporate layoff announcements in measuring layoffs.
220K Americans filed new unemployment insurance claims in the week ending 11/15, similar to prior week's 228K.
Continuing claims also steady.
These have remined steady & are more reliable than corporate layoff announcements in measuring layoffs.