Jonathan A. Blakley
@jblakley4444.bsky.social
Formerly WYPR/WTMD, NPR, WAMU, KQED, MPR, CBS, ABC and AP. Nieman Class of 2012! WMU 🐴 '91. WSU '00. Alpha Phi Alpha '89. Made in Detroit!! 🦁🐯Lover of audio 📻 Storm Spotter PGN149
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
📈Why is there is upward trend in billion-dollar disasters?
1. There is a growing number of people, homes, and businesses exposed to these hazards.
2. Climate change is causing an increase in frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather.
That's a bad combo.
1. There is a growing number of people, homes, and businesses exposed to these hazards.
2. Climate change is causing an increase in frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather.
That's a bad combo.
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
📈Why is there is upward trend in billion-dollar disasters?
1. There is a growing number of people, homes, and businesses exposed to these hazards.
2. Climate change is causing an increase in frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather.
That's a bad combo.
1. There is a growing number of people, homes, and businesses exposed to these hazards.
2. Climate change is causing an increase in frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather.
That's a bad combo.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
🧵📊The data is in. 2025 ranks as the third-highest year (after 2023 and 2024) for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters — with 23 such events costing a total of $115 billion in damages.
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM
🧵📊The data is in. 2025 ranks as the third-highest year (after 2023 and 2024) for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters — with 23 such events costing a total of $115 billion in damages.
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
"This was a family that could've been like mine" -- Philip Bump breaks down crying on MS NOW when talking about the stuffed animals in Renee Good's car when she was killed
January 8, 2026 at 5:23 PM
"This was a family that could've been like mine" -- Philip Bump breaks down crying on MS NOW when talking about the stuffed animals in Renee Good's car when she was killed
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
This is *excellent* forensic journalism by The Times: clear explanation using video evidence. This is the best of Times journalism.
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:01 PM
This is *excellent* forensic journalism by The Times: clear explanation using video evidence. This is the best of Times journalism.
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles show that the vehicle appears to be turning away from a federal officer as he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Heartbroken by the loss of two of Maryland’s finest heroes. Lt. Mark Dranbauer and Charles Mudra served their community for years — putting themselves on the line to keep Marylanders safe.
My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Dept.
My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Dept.
Baltimore firefighter dies during training Friday
Charles Mudra, an emergency vehicle driver for the department, suffered a medical emergency as he was training at an East Baltimore facility.
www.thebaltimorebanner.com
May 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Heartbroken by the loss of two of Maryland’s finest heroes. Lt. Mark Dranbauer and Charles Mudra served their community for years — putting themselves on the line to keep Marylanders safe.
My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Dept.
My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Dept.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
This post convinced me to spontaneously go and watch the movie. Highly recommend. Amazing story, casting, acting, costuming, writing, sound design,...
I want a podcast just about this movie where experts from all different fields explain in depth why it's great.
I want a podcast just about this movie where experts from all different fields explain in depth why it's great.
I wrote about Sinners.
Watching so many Black folk call the film "demonic", I explain how its central horror -- and triumph is that the film casts Black/African spirituality as an effective challenge to Western Christianity.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Watching so many Black folk call the film "demonic", I explain how its central horror -- and triumph is that the film casts Black/African spirituality as an effective challenge to Western Christianity.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | ‘Sinners’ is a Black challenge to White Christianity
Ryan Coogler’s masterpiece mixes African spirits, the American church and the power of music into a terrifying brew.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This post convinced me to spontaneously go and watch the movie. Highly recommend. Amazing story, casting, acting, costuming, writing, sound design,...
I want a podcast just about this movie where experts from all different fields explain in depth why it's great.
I want a podcast just about this movie where experts from all different fields explain in depth why it's great.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Civil rights groups, labor organizations and politicians praised Alexis Herman as a "trailblazer" who fought for the rights of women, Black people and American workers over the course of decades.
Alexis Herman, the first Black secretary of labor in U.S. history, dies at age 77
Civil rights groups, labor organizations and politicians praised Alexis Herman as a "trailblazer" who fought for the rights of women, Black people and American workers over the course of decades.
www.npr.org
April 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Civil rights groups, labor organizations and politicians praised Alexis Herman as a "trailblazer" who fought for the rights of women, Black people and American workers over the course of decades.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Another victory for U.S.-funded international broadcasters in court against the Trump admin: "Staffers at the government-funded Voice of America news service can go back to work, a federal judge in Washington ruled on Tuesday..." www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
Judge says Voice of America staffers can go back to work
The government-funded VOA has been locked in a court battle to stay on the airwaves.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Another victory for U.S.-funded international broadcasters in court against the Trump admin: "Staffers at the government-funded Voice of America news service can go back to work, a federal judge in Washington ruled on Tuesday..." www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
AP, in a legal filing this morning, says the new White House policy removing all wire services from the daily press pool rotation clearly violates the court's injunction and asks Federal District Court Judge Trevor McFadden to enforce his order […]
Original post on journa.host
journa.host
April 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
AP, in a legal filing this morning, says the new White House policy removing all wire services from the daily press pool rotation clearly violates the court's injunction and asks Federal District Court Judge Trevor McFadden to enforce his order […]
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
My colleagues and our broadcasts, devoted to telling America’s story to the world — honestly, fairly and with an unwavering commitment to the truth, are being silenced this weekend […]
[Original post on journa.host]
[Original post on journa.host]
March 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
My colleagues and our broadcasts, devoted to telling America’s story to the world — honestly, fairly and with an unwavering commitment to the truth, are being silenced this weekend […]
[Original post on journa.host]
[Original post on journa.host]
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
The main voanews.com webpage hasn’t been updated in more than 24 hours and the programming from the 50 language services not being refreshed. Some shows replaced online and on air with a loop video (this example for VOA’s Persian feed): https://ir.voanews.com/a/8011941.html
March 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The main voanews.com webpage hasn’t been updated in more than 24 hours and the programming from the 50 language services not being refreshed. Some shows replaced online and on air with a loop video (this example for VOA’s Persian feed): https://ir.voanews.com/a/8011941.html
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
All 550 of VOA’s contract status reporters, editors, videographers, engineers and techs just notified they’re terminated effective end of this month. We don’t distinguish internally between them and regular staff — all are highly skilled and absolutely critical to the operation.
March 16, 2025 at 11:14 PM
All 550 of VOA’s contract status reporters, editors, videographers, engineers and techs just notified they’re terminated effective end of this month. We don’t distinguish internally between them and regular staff — all are highly skilled and absolutely critical to the operation.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Now Spinning #BlackMusicSky #MusicSky
March 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Now Spinning #BlackMusicSky #MusicSky
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Justin Trudeau gave the exact kind of press conference today that we have been waiting for from our Democratic leaders. Watch it and learn from it. No gimmicks, no stunts, no script, no platitudes, no slogans, no games. Just straight talk, honesty, sincerity and facts.
March 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Justin Trudeau gave the exact kind of press conference today that we have been waiting for from our Democratic leaders. Watch it and learn from it. No gimmicks, no stunts, no script, no platitudes, no slogans, no games. Just straight talk, honesty, sincerity and facts.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Kee Malesky, NPR's research librarian for more than 20 years, has died at age 74. She left NPR in 2014. She's remembered for her love of facts, and here's another irrefutable one: She will be missed.
Kee Malesky, NPR's research librarian for more than 20 years, has died at 74
Kee Malesky, NPR's research librarian for more than 20 years, has died at age 74. She left NPR in 2014. She's remembered for her love of facts, and here's another irrefutable one: She will be missed.
www.npr.org
March 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Kee Malesky, NPR's research librarian for more than 20 years, has died at age 74. She left NPR in 2014. She's remembered for her love of facts, and here's another irrefutable one: She will be missed.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
For journalists, writers, artists, historians, photographers and cultural workers -- it's going to be so, so important that we document and bear witness to this moment in history.
It's going to be hard, and many of us will have to move differently. But we must try.
It's going to be hard, and many of us will have to move differently. But we must try.
March 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
For journalists, writers, artists, historians, photographers and cultural workers -- it's going to be so, so important that we document and bear witness to this moment in history.
It's going to be hard, and many of us will have to move differently. But we must try.
It's going to be hard, and many of us will have to move differently. But we must try.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Thank you to all who reached out about the situation at The Washington Post—I appreciate the support.
No matter what, I’m committed to speaking truth to power and helping us navigate these hard times.
Subscribe to my audio columns at The Karen Attiah Podcast.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
No matter what, I’m committed to speaking truth to power and helping us navigate these hard times.
Subscribe to my audio columns at The Karen Attiah Podcast.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
The Golden Hour by Karen Attiah | Substack
On writing, fighting, and beauty. Click to read The Golden Hour by Karen Attiah, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
open.substack.com
March 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Thank you to all who reached out about the situation at The Washington Post—I appreciate the support.
No matter what, I’m committed to speaking truth to power and helping us navigate these hard times.
Subscribe to my audio columns at The Karen Attiah Podcast.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
No matter what, I’m committed to speaking truth to power and helping us navigate these hard times.
Subscribe to my audio columns at The Karen Attiah Podcast.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
NOTE: The opponents of DEI are purging anyone who is not a white man from military leadership
This is not about merit; it’s about normalizing racism and misogyny
This is not about merit; it’s about normalizing racism and misogyny
No More Female 4-Stars: Franchetti Firing Leaves Top Ranks Filled by Men
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy's first female chief, last week without any clear explanation -- part of a purge of top uniformed leadership that included the Joint...
www.military.com
March 1, 2025 at 11:31 PM
NOTE: The opponents of DEI are purging anyone who is not a white man from military leadership
This is not about merit; it’s about normalizing racism and misogyny
This is not about merit; it’s about normalizing racism and misogyny
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Angie Stone, singer and member of the iconic hip hop trio The Sequence, has died at 63
Singer-Songwriter Angie Stone Dead at 63
Angie Stone -- a singer and member of the iconic hip hop trio The Sequence -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.
www.tmz.com
March 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Angie Stone, singer and member of the iconic hip hop trio The Sequence, has died at 63
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Some notable DOGE errors added this week include:
-linking to wrong SBA contract (neither were canceled)
-listing $99 million in savings from a $9.9 million contract
-replacing one wrong contract listing from last week with a DIFFERENT wrong listing, inflated claims by ~$150M
-linking to wrong SBA contract (neither were canceled)
-listing $99 million in savings from a $9.9 million contract
-replacing one wrong contract listing from last week with a DIFFERENT wrong listing, inflated claims by ~$150M
March 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Some notable DOGE errors added this week include:
-linking to wrong SBA contract (neither were canceled)
-listing $99 million in savings from a $9.9 million contract
-replacing one wrong contract listing from last week with a DIFFERENT wrong listing, inflated claims by ~$150M
-linking to wrong SBA contract (neither were canceled)
-listing $99 million in savings from a $9.9 million contract
-replacing one wrong contract listing from last week with a DIFFERENT wrong listing, inflated claims by ~$150M
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
Half of the $9.6 billion in savings claims from ending contracts on the DOGE site still weren’t canceled as of Tuesday, NPR found.
bsky.app/profile/stph...
bsky.app/profile/stph...
March 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Half of the $9.6 billion in savings claims from ending contracts on the DOGE site still weren’t canceled as of Tuesday, NPR found.
bsky.app/profile/stph...
bsky.app/profile/stph...
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's company, Tesla, alleging it allowed "severe racial harassment" of Black employees including “frequent direct verbal racial attacks” and the “constant presence of racist graffiti evocative of lynchings.” Every story about these cuts should say that.
This should not be posed by journalists as cost-cutting measure. This is an attempt to gut civil rights enforcement across the federal government and therefore across American life. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Trump officials start dismantling civil rights offices, as part of DOGE’s secret plan
Legal experts said that unwinding a civil rights-era bulwark designed to safeguard employees’ rights removes a crucial check on institutional power.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's company, Tesla, alleging it allowed "severe racial harassment" of Black employees including “frequent direct verbal racial attacks” and the “constant presence of racist graffiti evocative of lynchings.” Every story about these cuts should say that.
Reposted by Jonathan A. Blakley
When FAA employees are telling us it’s not safe to fly, we should probably listen.
February 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
When FAA employees are telling us it’s not safe to fly, we should probably listen.