Andrew Couts
@couts.bsky.social
security & investigations editor at @WIRED.com, send tips and/or dog pics
Signal: couts.01
Signal: couts.01
Reposted by Andrew Couts
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules
The Department of Homeland Security collected data on Chicago residents accused of gang ties to test if police files could feed an FBI watchlist. Months passed before anyone noticed it wasn’t deleted.
www.wired.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NEW: DHS secretly obtained Chicago police data on 900 residents accused of gang ties. It was quietly deleted after intelligence officers violated rules against domestic spying.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
The handoff came well after city inspectors formally announced CPD's gang data was deeply flawed and infected w/ bias.
NEW: @wired.com spoke with Chuck Borges, the former SSA data chief turned DOGE whistleblower, who is running to represent southern Maryland in the state’s senate. @makenakelly.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/doge-w...
This DOGE Whistleblower Is Running for Office
WIRED spoke with Chuck Borges, the former SSA data chief turned DOGE whistleblower, who is running to represent southern Maryland in the state’s senate.
www.wired.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
NEW: @wired.com spoke with Chuck Borges, the former SSA data chief turned DOGE whistleblower, who is running to represent southern Maryland in the state’s senate. @makenakelly.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/doge-w...
NEW: Experts say that any lags in protections like security updates and network monitoring caused by the government shutdown could lay the groundwork for future breaches. @lhn.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/the-go...
The Government Shutdown Is a Ticking Cybersecurity Time Bomb
Many critical systems are still being maintained, and the cloud provides some security cover. But experts say that any lapses in protections like patching and monitoring could expose government system...
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
NEW: Experts say that any lags in protections like security updates and network monitoring caused by the government shutdown could lay the groundwork for future breaches. @lhn.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/the-go...
NEW: SSA employees are getting extremely worried about how the agency will continue to provide benefits to some 70 million Americans, according to meeting minutes obtained by @wired.com. @zoeschiffer.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social w/ the scoop: www.wired.com/story/social...
Social Security Employees Grill Management During Tense Shutdown Meeting
WIRED obtained notes from a Social Security Administration management meeting, where employees pressed leadership on plans for the agency.
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
NEW: SSA employees are getting extremely worried about how the agency will continue to provide benefits to some 70 million Americans, according to meeting minutes obtained by @wired.com. @zoeschiffer.bsky.social and @leahfeiger.bsky.social w/ the scoop: www.wired.com/story/social...
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Hey everyone, thank you so much for the outpouring of support.
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
Click here to support Jake Lahut's story *LahutRentFund
*spotfund is the easiest place to create beautiful and free online fundraisers. It takes just minutes to start raising money today.
spot.fund
November 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Hey everyone, thank you so much for the outpouring of support.
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
I need to pay rent, and I launched a GoFundMe spot.fund/LahutRentFund
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Via Anna Barrett: Auburn University apologized for accidentally sending three emergency alerts to students and employees about an active shooter, a tornado and a hazardous waste spill within the space of minutes early Thursday afternoon.
Auburn University apologizes for accidentally sending shooter, tornado, hazmat alerts | Alabama Reflector
Auburn University apologized Thursday afternoon for accidentally sending three emergency alerts to students and employees...
alabamareflector.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Via Anna Barrett: Auburn University apologized for accidentally sending three emergency alerts to students and employees about an active shooter, a tornado and a hazardous waste spill within the space of minutes early Thursday afternoon.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
HAPPENING NOW: Judge McConnell is sharply rebuking the Trump administration for what he said was defying his order to make full SNAP payments by Nov. 5. He has ordered USDA to make the *full* payment to states by tomorrow.
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
HAPPENING NOW: Judge McConnell is sharply rebuking the Trump administration for what he said was defying his order to make full SNAP payments by Nov. 5. He has ordered USDA to make the *full* payment to states by tomorrow.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
A statement from Wired's Conde Union Members
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A statement from Wired's Conde Union Members
"The jury — which feasted on sandwiches for lunch on Thursday, according to a person familiar with jury lunches — deliberated the charges for several hours on Wednesday and Thursday before delivering the verdict." 👏
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"The jury — which feasted on sandwiches for lunch on Thursday, according to a person familiar with jury lunches — deliberated the charges for several hours on Wednesday and Thursday before delivering the verdict." 👏
🥪
We have reached a verdict: Not guilty.
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
🥪
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Jake did tremendous work at WIRED and I'm really going to miss working with him every day.
I was one of the four people who got canned.
In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com
In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Jake did tremendous work at WIRED and I'm really going to miss working with him every day.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
In 2023, students at Ohio State blocked the doors to the president's office.
Little did they know, live video from campus CCTVs were being fed straight to DHS.
It's part of a little-known, decades-long surveillance effort built on the back of college football.
www.foiaball.com/p/dhs-colleg...
Little did they know, live video from campus CCTVs were being fed straight to DHS.
It's part of a little-known, decades-long surveillance effort built on the back of college football.
www.foiaball.com/p/dhs-colleg...
Scoop: Inside DHS's vast college football surveillance effort
If you go to a college football game, the feds have cameras on you.
www.foiaball.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
In 2023, students at Ohio State blocked the doors to the president's office.
Little did they know, live video from campus CCTVs were being fed straight to DHS.
It's part of a little-known, decades-long surveillance effort built on the back of college football.
www.foiaball.com/p/dhs-colleg...
Little did they know, live video from campus CCTVs were being fed straight to DHS.
It's part of a little-known, decades-long surveillance effort built on the back of college football.
www.foiaball.com/p/dhs-colleg...
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.
I PROMISE you, our aggressive, unflinching, investigative reporting isn't going anywhere—ever.
This is a really hard day and I want to just add as WIRED's politics editor -- WIRED's politics reporting isn't going anywhere. We are very much here and won't stop.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
The key thing to watch here: they fired a Wired political reporter. That’s the title doing the most effective, pointed work. Teen Vogue’s stuff was culturally impactful, but less focused on investigating the administration. Within the Condé portfolio, Wired and the New Yorker are the canaries.
November 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I PROMISE you, our aggressive, unflinching, investigative reporting isn't going anywhere—ever.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
This is a really hard day and I want to just add as WIRED's politics editor -- WIRED's politics reporting isn't going anywhere. We are very much here and won't stop.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
The key thing to watch here: they fired a Wired political reporter. That’s the title doing the most effective, pointed work. Teen Vogue’s stuff was culturally impactful, but less focused on investigating the administration. Within the Condé portfolio, Wired and the New Yorker are the canaries.
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This is a really hard day and I want to just add as WIRED's politics editor -- WIRED's politics reporting isn't going anywhere. We are very much here and won't stop.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
Please continue to read and support us - canceling your subscription to WIRED is not standing in solidarity with our journalists.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
SCOOP (free, as it's FOIA-based!): I obtained 1,665 pgs of documents about "Bicken Ben," a growing private school the Zuckerbergs ran illegally out of their Palo Alto compound
Neighbors complained the school for years. Then, in 2024, they reached their breaking point:
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Neighbors complained the school for years. Then, in 2024, they reached their breaking point:
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Mark Zuckerberg Opened an Illegal School at His Palo Alto Compound. His Neighbors Revolted
Neighbors complained about noise, security guards, and hordes of traffic. An unlicensed school named after the Zuckerbergs’ pet chicken tipped them over the edge.
www.wired.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
SCOOP (free, as it's FOIA-based!): I obtained 1,665 pgs of documents about "Bicken Ben," a growing private school the Zuckerbergs ran illegally out of their Palo Alto compound
Neighbors complained the school for years. Then, in 2024, they reached their breaking point:
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Neighbors complained the school for years. Then, in 2024, they reached their breaking point:
www.wired.com/story/mark-z...
Reposted by Andrew Couts
The second in my trilogy on Mamdani & the NYPD. The department’s mass surveillance programs and intelligence division may face their first serious reckoning in decades - or not, if the De Blasio/mainstream Dems climbing onto Zohran’s bandwagon have their way
NEW: NYC's mayor-elect must now grapple with the sweeping NYPD surveillance apparatus that has historically targeted Muslims and other minority groups. @awinston.bsky.social reports for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/welcom...
Zohran Mamdani Just Inherited the NYPD Surveillance State
In addition to affordability, New York City’s mayor-elect will be forced to reckon with the NYPD’s sweeping mass surveillance operations.
www.wired.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The second in my trilogy on Mamdani & the NYPD. The department’s mass surveillance programs and intelligence division may face their first serious reckoning in decades - or not, if the De Blasio/mainstream Dems climbing onto Zohran’s bandwagon have their way
NEW: NYC's mayor-elect must now grapple with the sweeping NYPD surveillance apparatus that has historically targeted Muslims and other minority groups. @awinston.bsky.social reports for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/welcom...
Zohran Mamdani Just Inherited the NYPD Surveillance State
In addition to affordability, New York City’s mayor-elect will be forced to reckon with the NYPD’s sweeping mass surveillance operations.
www.wired.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
NEW: NYC's mayor-elect must now grapple with the sweeping NYPD surveillance apparatus that has historically targeted Muslims and other minority groups. @awinston.bsky.social reports for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/welcom...
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Alvin Bragg has won a second term race for DA of Manhattan.
The Democrat, who prosecuted Trump last year, was facing two challengers who were targeting him for going too far toward criminal justice reforms.
(The Republican nominee here was a prominent anti-trans voice.)
The Democrat, who prosecuted Trump last year, was facing two challengers who were targeting him for going too far toward criminal justice reforms.
(The Republican nominee here was a prominent anti-trans voice.)
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Alvin Bragg has won a second term race for DA of Manhattan.
The Democrat, who prosecuted Trump last year, was facing two challengers who were targeting him for going too far toward criminal justice reforms.
(The Republican nominee here was a prominent anti-trans voice.)
The Democrat, who prosecuted Trump last year, was facing two challengers who were targeting him for going too far toward criminal justice reforms.
(The Republican nominee here was a prominent anti-trans voice.)
Reposted by Andrew Couts
new bluesky growth strategy: hold an election in the United States weekly
November 5, 2025 at 3:11 AM
new bluesky growth strategy: hold an election in the United States weekly
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Repro wins so far:
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Repro wins so far:
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
- Virginia protected its status as the last abortion access haven in the South
- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court retained the three Democratic justices needed to protect abortion
- New Jersey elected a Dem governor (vital as one of the few states w/zero abortion restrictions)
Reposted by Andrew Couts
Today marks 30 days of the government shutdown and federal workers -- 750,000 were furloughed -- are barely making ends meet.
@telliotter.bsky.social + @makenakelly.bsky.social spoke to federal workers struggling to pay bills, working side gigs, and relying on free food programs to get by:
@telliotter.bsky.social + @makenakelly.bsky.social spoke to federal workers struggling to pay bills, working side gigs, and relying on free food programs to get by:
Federal Workers Are Barely Making It Through the Government Shutdown
The US government shut down 30 days ago. WIRED spoke with more than a dozen federal workers who have struggled to pay bills, worked side gigs, and relied on free food programs to get by.
www.wired.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Today marks 30 days of the government shutdown and federal workers -- 750,000 were furloughed -- are barely making ends meet.
@telliotter.bsky.social + @makenakelly.bsky.social spoke to federal workers struggling to pay bills, working side gigs, and relying on free food programs to get by:
@telliotter.bsky.social + @makenakelly.bsky.social spoke to federal workers struggling to pay bills, working side gigs, and relying on free food programs to get by:
To everyone considering a Staten Island thinkpiece, you’re off the hook.
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 AM
To everyone considering a Staten Island thinkpiece, you’re off the hook.
Reposted by Andrew Couts
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.
November 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
Reposted by Andrew Couts
POST THE BEST CRASHOUTS PLLLLEASE 🙏🙏🙏🥰
November 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
POST THE BEST CRASHOUTS PLLLLEASE 🙏🙏🙏🥰