Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
@lauritadianita.bsky.social
I ✍️ about AK politics, health equity, feminism, advocacy 4 kids, documentary films, 🎨, 🎶, 🥘,🌱 , ADHD, synesthesia. Social worker, public health professional, & lactation counselor raising Alaskan-🇨🇴 kids on Dena’ina ełnena. www.lauranortoncruzconsulting.com
Meeting my parents’ new kitten, a stray rescued from the woods along with her littermates who, understandably, is a little skittish with people, was the holiday highlight for me.
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Meeting my parents’ new kitten, a stray rescued from the woods along with her littermates who, understandably, is a little skittish with people, was the holiday highlight for me.
Reposted by Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
This is the first Thanksgiving for Sophie & Colin Hortman without their parents, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman who were assassinated along with the family dog in an act of political murder. National guards troops were not deployed to the state in response.
November 27, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This is the first Thanksgiving for Sophie & Colin Hortman without their parents, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman who were assassinated along with the family dog in an act of political murder. National guards troops were not deployed to the state in response.
This is the first time I’ve seen a survey that you can fill out to tell the USGS how you felt the earthquake and what happened in the location you were at. Seems helpful.
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This is the first time I’ve seen a survey that you can fill out to tell the USGS how you felt the earthquake and what happened in the location you were at. Seems helpful.
Whoa, that felt like the 2018 earthquake. 😳
November 27, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Whoa, that felt like the 2018 earthquake. 😳
Every once in a while, I paint or draw, and it feels like a reset to my brain. This used to be such a huge and daily part of my life before kids, and I miss it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Every once in a while, I paint or draw, and it feels like a reset to my brain. This used to be such a huge and daily part of my life before kids, and I miss it.
This makes me wonder about the frequency of something I’ve been afraid of since this admin took over, which is white people or citizens using racist ICE practices to harm their immigrant co-parents & gain custody. 😢
ICE arrested the mother of Leavitt’s nephew, and the comment from her brother makes it hard not to wonder if the woman was intentionally targeted.
"A woman with a family connection to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Revere, Massachusetts."
www.wcvb.com/article/karo...
www.wcvb.com/article/karo...
November 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
This makes me wonder about the frequency of something I’ve been afraid of since this admin took over, which is white people or citizens using racist ICE practices to harm their immigrant co-parents & gain custody. 😢
It must be so exhausting to live that way.
I try every day to tell my son that those rules he’s implicitly picking up on at school are all made up & imprisoning, & that he’s allowed to be a boy however he wants. It’s like swimming against a riptide of messaging & pressure.
I try every day to tell my son that those rules he’s implicitly picking up on at school are all made up & imprisoning, & that he’s allowed to be a boy however he wants. It’s like swimming against a riptide of messaging & pressure.
I have often seen masculinity, conventional version, as a constant renunciation, in return for corrosive power. All the things you're not allowed to like, enjoy, do, say, wear, but (metaphorically speaking) this straitjacket comes with a gun.
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
It must be so exhausting to live that way.
I try every day to tell my son that those rules he’s implicitly picking up on at school are all made up & imprisoning, & that he’s allowed to be a boy however he wants. It’s like swimming against a riptide of messaging & pressure.
I try every day to tell my son that those rules he’s implicitly picking up on at school are all made up & imprisoning, & that he’s allowed to be a boy however he wants. It’s like swimming against a riptide of messaging & pressure.
What do u think of the practice of disengaging from friendships & not telling the friend why, even when they ask? Saying “oh no I’m not mad it’s all good” but then never reaching out or responding to texts about hanging out? I can see doing that w/ someone you think would retaliate, but otherwise?
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 AM
What do u think of the practice of disengaging from friendships & not telling the friend why, even when they ask? Saying “oh no I’m not mad it’s all good” but then never reaching out or responding to texts about hanging out? I can see doing that w/ someone you think would retaliate, but otherwise?
To prevent this kind of tragedy:
*get a Tdap 💉during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy
*vaccinate babies on AAP-recommended schedule
*ALL adults need TDap boosters every 10 years minimum (5 is better bc the pertussis part of 💉can wane sooner)
h/t @ashtonpittman.bsky.social
*get a Tdap 💉during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy
*vaccinate babies on AAP-recommended schedule
*ALL adults need TDap boosters every 10 years minimum (5 is better bc the pertussis part of 💉can wane sooner)
h/t @ashtonpittman.bsky.social
Third unvaccinated Kentucky baby dies of whooping cough.
Pertussis, best prevented with a vaccine, has killed three Kentucky babies in the last 12 months.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/25/t...
Pertussis, best prevented with a vaccine, has killed three Kentucky babies in the last 12 months.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/25/t...
Third unvaccinated Kentucky baby dies of whooping cough • Kentucky Lantern
A third unvaccinated infant in Kentucky has died of pertussis as public health officials urge Kentuckians to get vaccinated against the disease.
kentuckylantern.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
To prevent this kind of tragedy:
*get a Tdap 💉during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy
*vaccinate babies on AAP-recommended schedule
*ALL adults need TDap boosters every 10 years minimum (5 is better bc the pertussis part of 💉can wane sooner)
h/t @ashtonpittman.bsky.social
*get a Tdap 💉during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy
*vaccinate babies on AAP-recommended schedule
*ALL adults need TDap boosters every 10 years minimum (5 is better bc the pertussis part of 💉can wane sooner)
h/t @ashtonpittman.bsky.social
"As adults, we have to be willing to upset the apple cart & attend to what young people share w/ us & create real cultures & systems of accountability in order to keep them safe and model safety."
My 2nd article for @mississippifreepress.org, & a very time-sensitive one about standing w/ youth.
My 2nd article for @mississippifreepress.org, & a very time-sensitive one about standing w/ youth.
OPINION: "I believe we all have a role and can build on this moment in politics and news to prepare and empower the young people in our lives and create greater safety for them," Laura Norton-Cruz writes.
buff.ly/oM8E89E
buff.ly/oM8E89E
Opinion | Raising Teens in the Era of the Epstein Files
Laura Norton-Cruz writes about why it’s important for adults to engage teenagers on sensitive topics and create safe spaces for discussion.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
"As adults, we have to be willing to upset the apple cart & attend to what young people share w/ us & create real cultures & systems of accountability in order to keep them safe and model safety."
My 2nd article for @mississippifreepress.org, & a very time-sensitive one about standing w/ youth.
My 2nd article for @mississippifreepress.org, & a very time-sensitive one about standing w/ youth.
I am super excited to see this animated short by @joeytainment.bsky.social w/ @gingela.bsky.social at the Anchorage International Film Festival! And I'm heartbroken to be out of town for @princessdaazhraii.bsky.social's "Two Old Women" at the fest but y'all should go. anchoragefilmfestival.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I am super excited to see this animated short by @joeytainment.bsky.social w/ @gingela.bsky.social at the Anchorage International Film Festival! And I'm heartbroken to be out of town for @princessdaazhraii.bsky.social's "Two Old Women" at the fest but y'all should go. anchoragefilmfestival.org
I feel nervous emailing legislators as a group but I sure hope it gets some of #akleg to come watch "ILP" at the Anch Int'l Film Festival on Dec 7th at 10:30 am @ Anchorage Museum (& then support SB178 so we can serve AK's youngest & most vulnerable residents)! www.goelevent.com/AIFF/e/Short...
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I feel nervous emailing legislators as a group but I sure hope it gets some of #akleg to come watch "ILP" at the Anch Int'l Film Festival on Dec 7th at 10:30 am @ Anchorage Museum (& then support SB178 so we can serve AK's youngest & most vulnerable residents)! www.goelevent.com/AIFF/e/Short...
I went to a gun shop alone for the 1st time ever, & while dressed up & made up bc I was coming from mtgs. I was there getting a hunting rifle. (I'm a progressive who's learning to hunt bc it's an eco sustainable & healthy way to get protein.)
Anyway, it was comical how the men working there behaved
Anyway, it was comical how the men working there behaved
a cartoon of a wolf and a dog sitting at a table with the words `` hot mamma '' .
Alt: a cartoon of a wolf and a dog sitting at a table with the words `` hot mamma '' and the wolf's tongue falling out of his mouth, with the dog rolling it up and putting it back in.
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I went to a gun shop alone for the 1st time ever, & while dressed up & made up bc I was coming from mtgs. I was there getting a hunting rifle. (I'm a progressive who's learning to hunt bc it's an eco sustainable & healthy way to get protein.)
Anyway, it was comical how the men working there behaved
Anyway, it was comical how the men working there behaved
My daily reminder to myself amidst all the chaos that I am lucky to live in beautiful Alaska, lucky to live in the diverse city of Anchorage on the traditional Dena’ina lands of Dgheyay Kaq, lucky to have children & parents & friends & community & health.
November 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
My daily reminder to myself amidst all the chaos that I am lucky to live in beautiful Alaska, lucky to live in the diverse city of Anchorage on the traditional Dena’ina lands of Dgheyay Kaq, lucky to have children & parents & friends & community & health.
Absolutely. Change takes numbers. It takes massive waves of courage, of people acting in solidarity to back each other up.
And this is the chance for the “Maverick” Republicans to distinguish themselves too as being anti-shooting protestors/pro first ammendment/pro-UCMJ.
And this is the chance for the “Maverick” Republicans to distinguish themselves too as being anti-shooting protestors/pro first ammendment/pro-UCMJ.
Every Democrat in Congress should put out a video saying troops have an obligation to refuse unlawful orders. Make them prosecute all of you. This isn't a close call.
I'd add Republicans too if I thought any of them had the courage to actually cross Trump on this.
I'd add Republicans too if I thought any of them had the courage to actually cross Trump on this.
Hegseth is now threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active duty in order to court martial him.
November 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Absolutely. Change takes numbers. It takes massive waves of courage, of people acting in solidarity to back each other up.
And this is the chance for the “Maverick” Republicans to distinguish themselves too as being anti-shooting protestors/pro first ammendment/pro-UCMJ.
And this is the chance for the “Maverick” Republicans to distinguish themselves too as being anti-shooting protestors/pro first ammendment/pro-UCMJ.
Recent news of MTG bucking the party & then resigning, of the Epstein files being released, & then my neighbors taking down their Trump sign, has me revisiting this. I’d like to explore it more if people can share w/ me their own experiences of moving out of right-wing thought, esp as SV survivors.
🧵 I have many thoughts abt MTG standing w/ survivors against Trump. While most of it may have to do w/ her feeling used & betrayed by the party as @ericmgarcia.bsky.social explained & tbh likely her anti-Semitism is at play, I also think about survivor solidarity & the commonness of SV x party lines
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Recent news of MTG bucking the party & then resigning, of the Epstein files being released, & then my neighbors taking down their Trump sign, has me revisiting this. I’d like to explore it more if people can share w/ me their own experiences of moving out of right-wing thought, esp as SV survivors.
It’s really happening!
My far-right Christian neighbors FINALLY took down their Trump flag.
Somehow everything else he had done wasn’t enough — but this last few weeks is shattering the MAGA coalition.
It brings me a little hope. 🥹
My far-right Christian neighbors FINALLY took down their Trump flag.
Somehow everything else he had done wasn’t enough — but this last few weeks is shattering the MAGA coalition.
It brings me a little hope. 🥹
November 24, 2025 at 4:49 AM
It’s really happening!
My far-right Christian neighbors FINALLY took down their Trump flag.
Somehow everything else he had done wasn’t enough — but this last few weeks is shattering the MAGA coalition.
It brings me a little hope. 🥹
My far-right Christian neighbors FINALLY took down their Trump flag.
Somehow everything else he had done wasn’t enough — but this last few weeks is shattering the MAGA coalition.
It brings me a little hope. 🥹
Alaska Earthquake BlueSky activate! That was a good one.
November 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Alaska Earthquake BlueSky activate! That was a good one.
That would be me 👋🏻!
Funny how these are almost entirely female-dominated professions who will now face extra barriers to loans and therefore to education & careers.
Funny how these are almost entirely female-dominated professions who will now face extra barriers to loans and therefore to education & careers.
If you’re a social worker helping those in poverty or other marginalized groups, you’re not a professional in the eyes of Donald Trump & JD Vance.
www.newsweek.com/full-list-de...
www.newsweek.com/full-list-de...
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
That would be me 👋🏻!
Funny how these are almost entirely female-dominated professions who will now face extra barriers to loans and therefore to education & careers.
Funny how these are almost entirely female-dominated professions who will now face extra barriers to loans and therefore to education & careers.
My social worker/youth violence prevention perspective on how to help teens in light of all this Epstein files news will be published on Tuesday!
I'm exercising self-control, so instead of QTing everything I see about Epstein & Trump like I want, I'm writing the essay I've been meaning to write & submit to @mississippifreepress.org re how we can meet this moment w/ appropriate education about sexual violence for the young people in our lives.
November 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
My social worker/youth violence prevention perspective on how to help teens in light of all this Epstein files news will be published on Tuesday!
Every bit of news I see about how North Carolina is resisting ICE, is banding together in protest, is organizing and protecting neighbors from being kidnapped, puts this song in my head. 💙
12:33am, and I’m in…
NORTH CAROLINA COME ON A RAISE UP TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF TWIST IT ROUND YOUR HEAD SPIN IT LIKE A HELICOPTER…
NORTH CAROLIIIIIIIIIINNNNNAAA
NORTH CAROLINA COME ON A RAISE UP TAKE YOUR SHIRT OFF TWIST IT ROUND YOUR HEAD SPIN IT LIKE A HELICOPTER…
NORTH CAROLIIIIIIIIIINNNNNAAA
make gifs at gifsoup.com is written on the bottom of the screen
Alt: make gifs at gifsoup.com is written on the bottom of the screen
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Every bit of news I see about how North Carolina is resisting ICE, is banding together in protest, is organizing and protecting neighbors from being kidnapped, puts this song in my head. 💙
Reposted by Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
Will you permit me a more-personal-than-usual 🧵 based on recent news?
For some reason this infuriating Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK-Olberman-Sanford story has me bemusedly re-thinking my 20's. Like, what if instead of all the school & growth & social justice, I'd focused instead on being pretty & a sugar baby?
For some reason this infuriating Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK-Olberman-Sanford story has me bemusedly re-thinking my 20's. Like, what if instead of all the school & growth & social justice, I'd focused instead on being pretty & a sugar baby?
November 19, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Will you permit me a more-personal-than-usual 🧵 based on recent news?
For some reason this infuriating Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK-Olberman-Sanford story has me bemusedly re-thinking my 20's. Like, what if instead of all the school & growth & social justice, I'd focused instead on being pretty & a sugar baby?
For some reason this infuriating Nuzzi-Lizza-RFK-Olberman-Sanford story has me bemusedly re-thinking my 20's. Like, what if instead of all the school & growth & social justice, I'd focused instead on being pretty & a sugar baby?
This is who the President today said “had it coming” regarding his torture & dismemberment.
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is who the President today said “had it coming” regarding his torture & dismemberment.
Yes yes yes; this is so important for those of us who are pro-human rights, pro-democracy, pro-justice.
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Yes yes yes; this is so important for those of us who are pro-human rights, pro-democracy, pro-justice.