Natalie Wallington
@narwhallington.bsky.social
Housing reporter + data nerd for @mlk50.com in Memphis 🏠
Call out your landlord: [email protected] 👀
Previously Kansas City Star, Popular Science, Audubon Magazine, Baltimore Times 📝
nataliew.901 on Signal 🗣️
nataliewallington.com 🏳️🌈
Call out your landlord: [email protected] 👀
Previously Kansas City Star, Popular Science, Audubon Magazine, Baltimore Times 📝
nataliew.901 on Signal 🗣️
nataliewallington.com 🏳️🌈
"Briggs and her husband, Smokey, live on 900 acres they bought in the late 2000s after the previous owner died when an old pumpjack fell on him as he attempted to escape a group of aggressive hogs."
A compelling look at the TX conservatives pushing the state to fix leaky abandoned oil wells:
A compelling look at the TX conservatives pushing the state to fix leaky abandoned oil wells:
a big new one from me: I profiled a group of neighbors in west texas who have become the face of the abandoned well problem in the heart of oil country for @motherjones.com - an unlikely group of former industry workers and ranchers who are fed up with how Big Oil won’t clean up its messes:
Meet the TikTok stars demanding oil companies clean up their mess
There are millions of abandoned oil wells across the United States. A group of unlikely activists in Texas is making sure no one forgets they need to be cleaned up.
www.motherjones.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
"Briggs and her husband, Smokey, live on 900 acres they bought in the late 2000s after the previous owner died when an old pumpjack fell on him as he attempted to escape a group of aggressive hogs."
A compelling look at the TX conservatives pushing the state to fix leaky abandoned oil wells:
A compelling look at the TX conservatives pushing the state to fix leaky abandoned oil wells:
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
I really can't emphasize enough that if you care about local politics, all you gotta do is show up. Just a regular schmegular person showing up. Literally just show up consistently in person and within a remarkably short amount of time, you will have a shocking amount of influence.
December 5, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I really can't emphasize enough that if you care about local politics, all you gotta do is show up. Just a regular schmegular person showing up. Literally just show up consistently in person and within a remarkably short amount of time, you will have a shocking amount of influence.
offering a reward to anyone who can tell me what "Minneapolis Sound" is
December 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
offering a reward to anyone who can tell me what "Minneapolis Sound" is
MLK50 reporters are bearing witness to traffic stops by federal agents that lead to immigration detainments, drug charges, or merely verbal warnings-- all at the officers' discretion.
See what this increased surveillance means for Memphis' most vulnerable communities: mlk50.com/2025/11/25/s...
See what this increased surveillance means for Memphis' most vulnerable communities: mlk50.com/2025/11/25/s...
State troopers and federal agents decide Memphis residents’ fates during traffic stops
After a traffic stop on Nov. 18, a man sits in the back of a Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicle. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK50 In the heart of Berclair on
mlk50.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
MLK50 reporters are bearing witness to traffic stops by federal agents that lead to immigration detainments, drug charges, or merely verbal warnings-- all at the officers' discretion.
See what this increased surveillance means for Memphis' most vulnerable communities: mlk50.com/2025/11/25/s...
See what this increased surveillance means for Memphis' most vulnerable communities: mlk50.com/2025/11/25/s...
Fun fact! Since last Thursday afternoon, I made 177 phone calls to make this article a reality.
Introducing THE most up-to-date food pantry guide for the Memphis metro area, complete with an interactive map:
mlk50.com/2025/10/31/u...
Introducing THE most up-to-date food pantry guide for the Memphis metro area, complete with an interactive map:
mlk50.com/2025/10/31/u...
Use our interactive map to find food pantries open near you
As grocery costs rise and federal funding for food banks runs dry, food insecurity is plaguing many Memphis families. Now, the problem could get even
mlk50.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Fun fact! Since last Thursday afternoon, I made 177 phone calls to make this article a reality.
Introducing THE most up-to-date food pantry guide for the Memphis metro area, complete with an interactive map:
mlk50.com/2025/10/31/u...
Introducing THE most up-to-date food pantry guide for the Memphis metro area, complete with an interactive map:
mlk50.com/2025/10/31/u...
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
"I start drawing the spiral on the back of my hand in crusty ballpoint pen, refreshing it whenever it fades, so when the aliens come back they'll know right away who to trust."
"Spirals" by @narwhallington.bsky.social, new flash fiction out today at OKD:
"Spirals" by @narwhallington.bsky.social, new flash fiction out today at OKD:
Spirals by Natalie Wallington
I am nine when I see the lights in the sky. I crow to Mom from the back seat that there’s a triangle over the field, moving away from us. She says she needs to keep her eyes on the road, but …
okaydonkeymag.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
"I start drawing the spiral on the back of my hand in crusty ballpoint pen, refreshing it whenever it fades, so when the aliens come back they'll know right away who to trust."
"Spirals" by @narwhallington.bsky.social, new flash fiction out today at OKD:
"Spirals" by @narwhallington.bsky.social, new flash fiction out today at OKD:
In personal writing news, I have a flash fiction story up today in @okaydonkeymag.com! It's not scary as much as... spooky?
okaydonkeymag.com/2025/10/31/s...
okaydonkeymag.com/2025/10/31/s...
Spirals by Natalie Wallington
I am nine when I see the lights in the sky. I crow to Mom from the back seat that there’s a triangle over the field, moving away from us. She says she needs to keep her eyes on the road, but …
okaydonkeymag.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
In personal writing news, I have a flash fiction story up today in @okaydonkeymag.com! It's not scary as much as... spooky?
okaydonkeymag.com/2025/10/31/s...
okaydonkeymag.com/2025/10/31/s...
Just spoke with an employee at one of the largest food distribution programs in Memphis and he told me he had a sleepless night last night worrying about how they are going to meet the need for food when SNAP benefits halt on Saturday.
October 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Just spoke with an employee at one of the largest food distribution programs in Memphis and he told me he had a sleepless night last night worrying about how they are going to meet the need for food when SNAP benefits halt on Saturday.
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
"Borders' killing brought police scrutiny to the encampment."
"Borders was shot while defending a woman who lived there."
"I had a tent, clothes, a bookbag, personal hygiene, and stuff like that [..] They bulldozed everything."
#Tennessee #USA #Policing #Drugs #Incarceration #Housing
"Borders was shot while defending a woman who lived there."
"I had a tent, clothes, a bookbag, personal hygiene, and stuff like that [..] They bulldozed everything."
#Tennessee #USA #Policing #Drugs #Incarceration #Housing
Their friend was killed, then their home was demolished: Inside a Memphis homeless encampment sweep
One of the last residents to clear their belongings from an encampment in a patch of woods near Fletcher Creek pulls a shopping cart away while Memphis police officers watch heavy equipment clear a…
mlk50.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"Borders' killing brought police scrutiny to the encampment."
"Borders was shot while defending a woman who lived there."
"I had a tent, clothes, a bookbag, personal hygiene, and stuff like that [..] They bulldozed everything."
#Tennessee #USA #Policing #Drugs #Incarceration #Housing
"Borders was shot while defending a woman who lived there."
"I had a tent, clothes, a bookbag, personal hygiene, and stuff like that [..] They bulldozed everything."
#Tennessee #USA #Policing #Drugs #Incarceration #Housing
Residents of an encampment near Memphis' Fletcher Creek saw their friend shot in front of them. Then, a few weeks later, police moved in to demolish their homes.
I was on site with @andreamorales.bsky.social and spoke to a former resident. Here's what we learned.
mlk50.com/2025/10/24/t...
I was on site with @andreamorales.bsky.social and spoke to a former resident. Here's what we learned.
mlk50.com/2025/10/24/t...
Their friend was killed, then their home was demolished: Inside a Memphis homeless encampment sweep
One of the last residents to clear their belongings from an encampment in a patch of woods near Fletcher Creek pulls a shopping cart away while Memphis
mlk50.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Residents of an encampment near Memphis' Fletcher Creek saw their friend shot in front of them. Then, a few weeks later, police moved in to demolish their homes.
I was on site with @andreamorales.bsky.social and spoke to a former resident. Here's what we learned.
mlk50.com/2025/10/24/t...
I was on site with @andreamorales.bsky.social and spoke to a former resident. Here's what we learned.
mlk50.com/2025/10/24/t...
A handful of my colleagues and I took to the streets this past weekend to witness how the "Memphis Safe Task Force" is impacting everyday people.
What I learned following the feds around in my 2001 station wagon:
mlk50.com/2025/10/22/a...
What I learned following the feds around in my 2001 station wagon:
mlk50.com/2025/10/22/a...
A day and night in Memphis: Trump’s task force expands surveillance
A child sitting in the backseat of a car pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol peeks through the window during a traffic stop at an Exxon located at
mlk50.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
A handful of my colleagues and I took to the streets this past weekend to witness how the "Memphis Safe Task Force" is impacting everyday people.
What I learned following the feds around in my 2001 station wagon:
mlk50.com/2025/10/22/a...
What I learned following the feds around in my 2001 station wagon:
mlk50.com/2025/10/22/a...
My colleague @kathsburgess.bsky.social recently obtained a document detailing the arrests made by the "Memphis Safe Task Force" on Monday, Oct. 13.
The 'violent criminals' the governor described included a 17-year-old who was *checks notes* standing in front of a store 🤔
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/b...
The 'violent criminals' the governor described included a 17-year-old who was *checks notes* standing in front of a store 🤔
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/b...
Bill Lee said people arrested by task force are "violent criminals and known gang members." Data show that's not true.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks during a Tuesday morning press conference with Memphis Mayor Paul Young at the temporary command center for the Memphis
mlk50.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
My colleague @kathsburgess.bsky.social recently obtained a document detailing the arrests made by the "Memphis Safe Task Force" on Monday, Oct. 13.
The 'violent criminals' the governor described included a 17-year-old who was *checks notes* standing in front of a store 🤔
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/b...
The 'violent criminals' the governor described included a 17-year-old who was *checks notes* standing in front of a store 🤔
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/b...
As Memphis' law enforcement crackdown ramps up, I talked to some of our most vulnerable neighbors: unhoused people.
The city says it's eager to get them off the streets-- but hasn't offered any plan or directed any funding to do so.
My latest for @mlk50.com:
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/m...
The city says it's eager to get them off the streets-- but hasn't offered any plan or directed any funding to do so.
My latest for @mlk50.com:
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/m...
Memphis tightens scrutiny on the unhoused as task force arrives, but offers no funding to help them find shelter
A person and their belongings rest on a bench in Civic Center Plaza. Photo by Andrea Morales/MLK50 Rick was charging his phone at an outdoor power outlet
mlk50.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
As Memphis' law enforcement crackdown ramps up, I talked to some of our most vulnerable neighbors: unhoused people.
The city says it's eager to get them off the streets-- but hasn't offered any plan or directed any funding to do so.
My latest for @mlk50.com:
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/m...
The city says it's eager to get them off the streets-- but hasn't offered any plan or directed any funding to do so.
My latest for @mlk50.com:
mlk50.com/2025/10/15/m...
Something to keep in mind as you hear narratives about Memphis being a "crime-ridden," "dangerous" city requiring a National Guard crackdown is that BY FAR its most commonly recorded crime is shoplifting.
This is according to the city & police dept's own data.
app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI...
This is according to the city & police dept's own data.
app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI...
October 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Something to keep in mind as you hear narratives about Memphis being a "crime-ridden," "dangerous" city requiring a National Guard crackdown is that BY FAR its most commonly recorded crime is shoplifting.
This is according to the city & police dept's own data.
app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI...
This is according to the city & police dept's own data.
app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI...
Jaw-dropping investigation out today from my colleague Rebecca Cadenhead:
Children as young as 13 are being held in solitary confinement for weeks or months in Shelby County's juvenile detention center. And the adults involved, from the court to the state, know about it.
mlk50.com/2025/10/01/n...
Children as young as 13 are being held in solitary confinement for weeks or months in Shelby County's juvenile detention center. And the adults involved, from the court to the state, know about it.
mlk50.com/2025/10/01/n...
No school, no fresh air and isolated
David spent eight months incarcerated at the Youth Justice and Education Center. Center portrait by Kevin Wurm / MLK50 / CatchLight Local / Report for
mlk50.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Jaw-dropping investigation out today from my colleague Rebecca Cadenhead:
Children as young as 13 are being held in solitary confinement for weeks or months in Shelby County's juvenile detention center. And the adults involved, from the court to the state, know about it.
mlk50.com/2025/10/01/n...
Children as young as 13 are being held in solitary confinement for weeks or months in Shelby County's juvenile detention center. And the adults involved, from the court to the state, know about it.
mlk50.com/2025/10/01/n...
Very weird vibes in Memphis this week as the National Guard's arrival looms. No one quite certain what to expect. One friend described it as "like the day or two before a hurricane when everyone is taping up their windows." Another compared it to the early days of COVID, pre-lockdown. Eerie, quiet.
September 26, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Very weird vibes in Memphis this week as the National Guard's arrival looms. No one quite certain what to expect. One friend described it as "like the day or two before a hurricane when everyone is taping up their windows." Another compared it to the early days of COVID, pre-lockdown. Eerie, quiet.
National Guard + other federal agents will "begin operations" in Memphis next week, per mayor Paul Young.
New page says NG "will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals" but "will not make arrests or issue warrants." These seem to contradict each other; we're looking into it.
memphistn.gov/safeandclean/
New page says NG "will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals" but "will not make arrests or issue warrants." These seem to contradict each other; we're looking into it.
memphistn.gov/safeandclean/
Safe & Clean
In Memphis, we rise to every challenge. Since January 2024, crime has fallen by double digit percentages — the result of focused policing, strong community-based partnerships, and the resolve of our p...
memphistn.gov
September 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
National Guard + other federal agents will "begin operations" in Memphis next week, per mayor Paul Young.
New page says NG "will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals" but "will not make arrests or issue warrants." These seem to contradict each other; we're looking into it.
memphistn.gov/safeandclean/
New page says NG "will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals" but "will not make arrests or issue warrants." These seem to contradict each other; we're looking into it.
memphistn.gov/safeandclean/
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
Morning walk
September 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Morning walk
A new Memphis ordinance would allow the city broad discretion in identifying and tearing down "blighted" buildings.
But critics worry low-income homeowners could be targeted while out-of-town slumlords get off the hook. I took a look with my colleague Katherine Burgess:
mlk50.com/2025/09/22/a...
But critics worry low-income homeowners could be targeted while out-of-town slumlords get off the hook. I took a look with my colleague Katherine Burgess:
mlk50.com/2025/09/22/a...
A new city ordinance would allow Memphis to tear down ‘blighted’ buildings. How will it choose which to tackle?
A blight listening session was held inside the Lester Community Center on July 30. Photo by Kevin Wurm / MLK50 / CatchLight Local / Report For America A
mlk50.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A new Memphis ordinance would allow the city broad discretion in identifying and tearing down "blighted" buildings.
But critics worry low-income homeowners could be targeted while out-of-town slumlords get off the hook. I took a look with my colleague Katherine Burgess:
mlk50.com/2025/09/22/a...
But critics worry low-income homeowners could be targeted while out-of-town slumlords get off the hook. I took a look with my colleague Katherine Burgess:
mlk50.com/2025/09/22/a...
Overheard at the pharmacy:
"I'm really sorry about that mix-up."
"It's okay. I'm really sorry about my attitude before."
"It's okay."
Taking this as a reminder to give people grace & hopefully receive it in kind.
"I'm really sorry about that mix-up."
"It's okay. I'm really sorry about my attitude before."
"It's okay."
Taking this as a reminder to give people grace & hopefully receive it in kind.
September 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Overheard at the pharmacy:
"I'm really sorry about that mix-up."
"It's okay. I'm really sorry about my attitude before."
"It's okay."
Taking this as a reminder to give people grace & hopefully receive it in kind.
"I'm really sorry about that mix-up."
"It's okay. I'm really sorry about my attitude before."
"It's okay."
Taking this as a reminder to give people grace & hopefully receive it in kind.
I humbly ask that as the National Guard arrives in the coming weeks, don't let national news outlets tell you what's happening on the ground in Memphis.
Please get your news from the people who actually live here and are part of the community. Whether that's my outlet (@mlk50.com) or others.
Please get your news from the people who actually live here and are part of the community. Whether that's my outlet (@mlk50.com) or others.
September 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I humbly ask that as the National Guard arrives in the coming weeks, don't let national news outlets tell you what's happening on the ground in Memphis.
Please get your news from the people who actually live here and are part of the community. Whether that's my outlet (@mlk50.com) or others.
Please get your news from the people who actually live here and are part of the community. Whether that's my outlet (@mlk50.com) or others.
"These National Guardsmen will actually be military police" -TN Gov. Bill Lee on @actionnews5.com
He says they are expected to arrive in the next two weeks-- shorter than the 3-4 week timeline Memphis' mayor has been sharing with community members in recent days.
He says they are expected to arrive in the next two weeks-- shorter than the 3-4 week timeline Memphis' mayor has been sharing with community members in recent days.
September 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"These National Guardsmen will actually be military police" -TN Gov. Bill Lee on @actionnews5.com
He says they are expected to arrive in the next two weeks-- shorter than the 3-4 week timeline Memphis' mayor has been sharing with community members in recent days.
He says they are expected to arrive in the next two weeks-- shorter than the 3-4 week timeline Memphis' mayor has been sharing with community members in recent days.
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
this devin kelly poem was (re)posted over on twitter yesterday by @reiilly.bsky.social and so now I've been thinking about it again for the last 24 hours
www.havehashad.com/hadposts/all...
www.havehashad.com/hadposts/all...
September 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
this devin kelly poem was (re)posted over on twitter yesterday by @reiilly.bsky.social and so now I've been thinking about it again for the last 24 hours
www.havehashad.com/hadposts/all...
www.havehashad.com/hadposts/all...
Reposted by Natalie Wallington
“Citations for minor issues like parking violations and overgrown lawns aren’t handed out uniformly... management seems to enforce community rules more strictly for some residents than for others.”
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
By @mlk50.com @narwhallington.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
By @mlk50.com @narwhallington.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
These Memphis mobile home residents are fighting for safe and accessible common spaces
While some repairs have been made to the streetlights at Wheel Estate, parts of Josibpet Lane remain in the dark. Photo by Diana Azcarate Barreto for MLK50 Editor’s Note: MLK50: Justice Through Jou…
mlk50.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
“Citations for minor issues like parking violations and overgrown lawns aren’t handed out uniformly... management seems to enforce community rules more strictly for some residents than for others.”
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
By @mlk50.com @narwhallington.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
By @mlk50.com @narwhallington.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
POV: It's Friday. It's a slow morning at work. As you scroll Bluesky, you find a juicy longread about a makeshift union of Memphis trailer park residents fighting for better living conditions. Now you have something to read while you sip on your second cup of coffee:
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
These Memphis mobile home residents are fighting for safe and accessible common spaces
While some repairs have been made to the streetlights at Wheel Estate, parts of Josibpet Lane remain in the dark. Photo by Diana Azcarate Barreto for
mlk50.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
POV: It's Friday. It's a slow morning at work. As you scroll Bluesky, you find a juicy longread about a makeshift union of Memphis trailer park residents fighting for better living conditions. Now you have something to read while you sip on your second cup of coffee:
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...
mlk50.com/2025/08/07/t...