Jennifer Smith Richards
@jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Investigations in the Midwest at ProPublica. Past: Chicago Tribune by way of OH/GA/NY/WV. Enthusiastic about FOIA + data. Tell me everything.
I should add that we're still very much reporting on what's happening with civil rights in schools: www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...
November 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I should add that we're still very much reporting on what's happening with civil rights in schools: www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...
Linda McMahon plans to move some functions of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies. That would outsource two big roles -- managing funding streams for K-12 schools and colleges -- to the Department of Labor. (No announcement on the Office for Civil Rights yet.)
Education Department offloads some work to other agencies as Trump presses for its closure
The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department.
apnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Linda McMahon plans to move some functions of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies. That would outsource two big roles -- managing funding streams for K-12 schools and colleges -- to the Department of Labor. (No announcement on the Office for Civil Rights yet.)
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
“You starve your public schools to feed your private schools and charter schools,” said one superintendent about Oklahoma's efforts to grow charter schools. “Our foundation was set up for a free and appropriate education for all kids. All kids!”
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Oklahoma Is Ground Zero in Trump’s “America First” Education Push
Oklahoma has spent years reshaping public schools to integrate lessons about Jesus and encourage pride in America’s history. By the time the second Trump administration began espousing its “America Fi...
www.propublica.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“You starve your public schools to feed your private schools and charter schools,” said one superintendent about Oklahoma's efforts to grow charter schools. “Our foundation was set up for a free and appropriate education for all kids. All kids!”
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
Although this story focuses on the education system in Oklahoma, my brilliant colleague @jsmithrichards.bsky.social makes it plain that this is a vision for education, a blueprint really, for the entire country: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
This Is Ground Zero in the Conservative Quest for More Patriotic and Christian Public Schools
Oklahoma has spent years reshaping public schools to integrate lessons about Jesus and encourage pride in America’s history. By the time the second Trump administration began espousing its “America Fi...
www.propublica.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Although this story focuses on the education system in Oklahoma, my brilliant colleague @jsmithrichards.bsky.social makes it plain that this is a vision for education, a blueprint really, for the entire country: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
Current and former Department of Education employees: We want to hear from you.
Use Signal to contact our reporters @jsmithrichards.bsky.social at jsmithrichards.93, @jodiscohen.bsky.social at jodireporter.88 or @megomatz.bsky.social at 414-207-6225.
Use Signal to contact our reporters @jsmithrichards.bsky.social at jsmithrichards.93, @jodiscohen.bsky.social at jodireporter.88 or @megomatz.bsky.social at 414-207-6225.
Help ProPublica Report on Education
ProPublica needs your help to track how the upheaval of public education is affecting schools and colleges in your community. Take a few minutes to join our source network and help guide our coverage.
www.propublica.org
October 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Current and former Department of Education employees: We want to hear from you.
Use Signal to contact our reporters @jsmithrichards.bsky.social at jsmithrichards.93, @jodiscohen.bsky.social at jodireporter.88 or @megomatz.bsky.social at 414-207-6225.
Use Signal to contact our reporters @jsmithrichards.bsky.social at jsmithrichards.93, @jodiscohen.bsky.social at jodireporter.88 or @megomatz.bsky.social at 414-207-6225.
Some immigrants have tried to self-deport using a Trump-promoted app. Many are still here, despite the government giving them departure dates and promises of safe travel. @melissa-sanchez.bsky.social and @mariamelba.bsky.social have a deeply reported, riveting account of people stranded in America.
“I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore”: They Tried to Self-Deport, Then Got Stranded in Trump’s America
Venezuelan immigrants signed up for a Trump-promoted app called CBP Home, which promised a safe and easy way to leave the country, and prepared to leave on their given departure dates. Those dates hav...
www.propublica.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Some immigrants have tried to self-deport using a Trump-promoted app. Many are still here, despite the government giving them departure dates and promises of safe travel. @melissa-sanchez.bsky.social and @mariamelba.bsky.social have a deeply reported, riveting account of people stranded in America.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
Five Ways Trump’s Department of Education Is Upending Public Schools, by @megomatz.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Five Ways the Department of Education Is Upending Public Schools
The Trump administration has made a rapid succession of hires and decisions at the Department of Education that could spur profound changes in how schools operate and children learn. Here’s what to kn...
www.propublica.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Five Ways Trump’s Department of Education Is Upending Public Schools, by @megomatz.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
To understand the Trump administration’s vision for American education, @megomatz.bsky.social and I studied dozens of hours of political appointees’ speeches and podcasts and essays. What emerged is a desire to dismantle the nation’s system of public schools.
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
October 9, 2025 at 2:37 AM
To understand the Trump administration’s vision for American education, @megomatz.bsky.social and I studied dozens of hours of political appointees’ speeches and podcasts and essays. What emerged is a desire to dismantle the nation’s system of public schools.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon says she's leading the department's "final mission" to shut down. But @megomatz.bsky.social and I found it's more than that: Political appointees from ultraconservative groups are in power at ED now, and they hope to dismantle public schools.
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
October 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Education Secretary Linda McMahon says she's leading the department's "final mission" to shut down. But @megomatz.bsky.social and I found it's more than that: Political appointees from ultraconservative groups are in power at ED now, and they hope to dismantle public schools.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
NEW: ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the Trump administration’s cuts to an aid program.
Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived.
ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cut...
projects.propublica.org
October 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
NEW: ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the Trump administration’s cuts to an aid program.
The ex-Chicago cop who got out of dozens of traffic tickets by repeating the same bogus story — that his girlfriend stole his BMW — pleaded guilty.
But there’s more: @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I have been tracking pending court cases that relied on his policing.
More than 90 have been dropped.
But there’s more: @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I have been tracking pending court cases that relied on his policing.
More than 90 have been dropped.
Chicago Cop Who Falsely Blamed an Ex-Girlfriend for Dozens of Traffic Tickets Pleads Guilty but Avoids Prison
Retired officer Jeffrey Kriv acknowledged repeatedly lying under oath to avoid paying dozens of speeding and other traffic tickets. Prosecutors have dropped at least 92 cases in which Kriv was a key w...
www.propublica.org
October 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The ex-Chicago cop who got out of dozens of traffic tickets by repeating the same bogus story — that his girlfriend stole his BMW — pleaded guilty.
But there’s more: @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I have been tracking pending court cases that relied on his policing.
More than 90 have been dropped.
But there’s more: @jodiscohen.bsky.social and I have been tracking pending court cases that relied on his policing.
More than 90 have been dropped.
ProPublica is powered by investigative journalists. Support our union's effort to protect our workers!
We ❤️ @ire.org! @propublica.org employees wore buttons & flyered at the IRE gala to rally support for our fight for a fair contract.
The future of investigative journalism depends on protecting the workers who make it possible.
You can help by signing our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
The future of investigative journalism depends on protecting the workers who make it possible.
You can help by signing our petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
September 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
ProPublica is powered by investigative journalists. Support our union's effort to protect our workers!
NEW: The Trump administration stripped funding from programs that serve deafblind students in 8 states. Programs' years-old grant applications mentioned diversity, inclusion, and in WI, transition. As in, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. w/ @jodiscohen.bsky.social
Programs for Students With Hearing and Vision Loss Harmed by Trump’s Anti-Diversity Push
Citing concerns about DEI, the U.S. Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states. “How low can you go?” one advoc...
www.propublica.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
NEW: The Trump administration stripped funding from programs that serve deafblind students in 8 states. Programs' years-old grant applications mentioned diversity, inclusion, and in WI, transition. As in, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. w/ @jodiscohen.bsky.social
The Minnesota Star Tribune has a live feed of news updates about the school shooting in Minneapolis. www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
Live: Two children and gunman dead after shooting at Minneapolis church, law enforcement source says
Mayor Jacob Frey said he was ‘monitoring reports of horrific violence’ in south Minneapolis. A massive police presence was at the scene.
www.startribune.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The Minnesota Star Tribune has a live feed of news updates about the school shooting in Minneapolis. www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...
Well, this is a wild ride.
NEW: Trump describes Leo Terrell, head of the antisemitism task force, as a “highly respected” and “incredibly successful” attorney. Documents reveal a distinctly mixed legal track record, marred by malpractice suits and client disputes.
By @peterelkind.bsky.social & Katherine Mangan
By @peterelkind.bsky.social & Katherine Mangan
The Leader of Trump’s Assault on Higher Education Has a Troubled Legal and Financial History
Leo Terrell’s past is at odds with Trump’s description of an “incredibly successful” attorney. Documents obtained by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveal a trail of legal disputes a...
www.propublica.org
August 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Well, this is a wild ride.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
1/ Early on in President Trump’s second term, I spent a few weeks observing Chicago’s immigration court to get a sense of how things were changing.
One afternoon in March, the case of a 27-year-old Venezuelan asylum-seeker caught my attention.
I want to tell you his story 👇
One afternoon in March, the case of a 27-year-old Venezuelan asylum-seeker caught my attention.
I want to tell you his story 👇
July 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
1/ Early on in President Trump’s second term, I spent a few weeks observing Chicago’s immigration court to get a sense of how things were changing.
One afternoon in March, the case of a 27-year-old Venezuelan asylum-seeker caught my attention.
I want to tell you his story 👇
One afternoon in March, the case of a 27-year-old Venezuelan asylum-seeker caught my attention.
I want to tell you his story 👇
Today’s must-read.
In rural Tennessee, 16 middle schoolers waiting for cheerleading practice to start made a TikTok video seeming to role play a school shooting.
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
The sheriff's office charged every single one with a crime.
www.propublica.org/article/soci...
Middle School Cheerleaders Made a TikTok Video Portraying a School Shooting. They Were Charged With a Crime.
Social videos, memes and retweets are becoming fodder for criminal charges in an era of heightened responses to student threats. Authorities say harsh punishment is necessary, but experts say the crac...
www.propublica.org
July 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Today’s must-read.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Education Dept. can carry out mass firings it began in March. So I'm here to remind you that we're continuing to report on changes at ED, including to its civil rights division. If you have been affected, we're listening: www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...
Help Us Report on How the Department of Education Is Handling Civil Rights Cases
Have you recently filed a civil rights complaint or do you have a pending case? We need your help to get a full picture of how the dismantling of the Office for Civil Rights is affecting students, par...
www.propublica.org
July 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Education Dept. can carry out mass firings it began in March. So I'm here to remind you that we're continuing to report on changes at ED, including to its civil rights division. If you have been affected, we're listening: www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...
UPDATE: The rural Ohio solar project that fossil fuel interests fought hard against (in part by using the local newspaper) was approved by the state today. Frasier Solar can move forward. Here's our previous story about the fight for reference. www.propublica.org/article/ohio...
Fossil Fuel Interests Are Working to Kill Solar in One Ohio County. The Hometown Newspaper Is Helping.
A retired gas industry executive, a shadowy “grassroots” group and a controversial media company are spreading misinformation while turning residents against a proposed solar farm — and each other.
www.propublica.org
June 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
UPDATE: The rural Ohio solar project that fossil fuel interests fought hard against (in part by using the local newspaper) was approved by the state today. Frasier Solar can move forward. Here's our previous story about the fight for reference. www.propublica.org/article/ohio...
Chicago operates 150 schools that are half-empty and another 47 at less than 33% capacity.
It's extraordinarily expensive. The most extreme example: Douglass high school has 27 employees for 28 students this year and a per-student cost of $93,000. Story w/ with @chalkbeat.org's Mila Koumpilova.
It's extraordinarily expensive. The most extreme example: Douglass high school has 27 employees for 28 students this year and a per-student cost of $93,000. Story w/ with @chalkbeat.org's Mila Koumpilova.
100 Students in a School Meant for 1,000: Inside Chicago’s Refusal to Deal With Its Nearly Empty Schools
Declining school enrollment has left 30% of Chicago public schools at least half-empty. The city’s failure to address this problem has come at a high cost to the district — and its students.
www.propublica.org
June 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Chicago operates 150 schools that are half-empty and another 47 at less than 33% capacity.
It's extraordinarily expensive. The most extreme example: Douglass high school has 27 employees for 28 students this year and a per-student cost of $93,000. Story w/ with @chalkbeat.org's Mila Koumpilova.
It's extraordinarily expensive. The most extreme example: Douglass high school has 27 employees for 28 students this year and a per-student cost of $93,000. Story w/ with @chalkbeat.org's Mila Koumpilova.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
NEW: Illinois legislators passed a law to explicitly prevent police from ticketing and fining students for minor misbehavior at school, ending a practice that harmed students across the state.
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social & @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social & @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Illinois Lawmakers Ban Police From Ticketing and Fining Students for Minor Infractions in School
The legislation comes after a ProPublica-Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that even though state law bans schools from fining students directly, districts skirt the law by calling on police to i...
www.propublica.org
May 29, 2025 at 1:48 AM
NEW: Illinois legislators passed a law to explicitly prevent police from ticketing and fining students for minor misbehavior at school, ending a practice that harmed students across the state.
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social & @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
By @jodiscohen.bsky.social & @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
1/ The day after the Antioch High shooting, Nashville police arrested a 12-year-old for posting a concerning screenshot on Instagram.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
May 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
1/ The day after the Antioch High shooting, Nashville police arrested a 12-year-old for posting a concerning screenshot on Instagram.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
His school was supposed to figure out if it was a valid threat. Instead, the school expelled him with no further investigation.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
Three of our colleagues are being placed on PIPs today and @propublica.org management has refused to allow stewards in those meetings. We're not shutting up about this — our colleagues deserve better and we're extremely disappointed in management for denying us this basic union right.
1/4 UPDATE: This week, @propublica.org management informed a third bargaining unit member that they will be placed on a performance improvement plan and denied steward representation at the meeting where it is discussed. Our full statement 👇
May 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Three of our colleagues are being placed on PIPs today and @propublica.org management has refused to allow stewards in those meetings. We're not shutting up about this — our colleagues deserve better and we're extremely disappointed in management for denying us this basic union right.
Reposted by Jennifer Smith Richards
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights regional office in Chicago, which was previously monitoring Xander's school for civil rights violations of its disabled students, was one of seven offices abolished by President Donald Trump’s administration in March.
A Teacher Dragged a 6-Year-Old With Autism by His Ankle. Federal Civil Rights Officials Might Not Do Anything.
The Garrison School is part of a special education district that had students arrested at the highest rate in the country. It had pledged to change how it disciplines kids after a ProPublica-Chicago T...
www.propublica.org
May 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights regional office in Chicago, which was previously monitoring Xander's school for civil rights violations of its disabled students, was one of seven offices abolished by President Donald Trump’s administration in March.
The Education Department is supposed to be monitoring this school and how it treats students. This is the video that captured a teacher dragging a student with autism last month after he did not stop playing with blocks to go to P.E.
May 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Education Department is supposed to be monitoring this school and how it treats students. This is the video that captured a teacher dragging a student with autism last month after he did not stop playing with blocks to go to P.E.