Michael Bilow
@mikebilow.bsky.social
News Editor covering news, politics, law, theater, film, and weather for Motif Magazine — Rhode Island's leading arts, entertainment, music, and culture magazine.
With winter fast approaching, check out Charlotte O'Gorman's article in Motif Magazine interviewing Warwick, RI, Mayor Frank J. Picozzi about the city's new ice rink.
The Winter Guide issue is available locally through the season and can be seen on the web.
motifri.com/warwick-slip...
The Winter Guide issue is available locally through the season and can be seen on the web.
motifri.com/warwick-slip...
Warwick Slips Into the Ice Arena – Motif
motifri.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
With winter fast approaching, check out Charlotte O'Gorman's article in Motif Magazine interviewing Warwick, RI, Mayor Frank J. Picozzi about the city's new ice rink.
The Winter Guide issue is available locally through the season and can be seen on the web.
motifri.com/warwick-slip...
The Winter Guide issue is available locally through the season and can be seen on the web.
motifri.com/warwick-slip...
Me: It's better than the tea my grandmother used to make like they did in czarist Russia.
Her: After drinking it someone hunted you down from horseback?
Me: No, but it was just hot water.
Her: After drinking it someone hunted you down from horseback?
Me: No, but it was just hot water.
November 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Me: It's better than the tea my grandmother used to make like they did in czarist Russia.
Her: After drinking it someone hunted you down from horseback?
Me: No, but it was just hot water.
Her: After drinking it someone hunted you down from horseback?
Me: No, but it was just hot water.
At Providence, expect a significant cold snap Nov 27 – Dec 1, then weaker cold snap the following week, followed by reversion to normal.
Overall, the winter season is likely to have temperatures warmer than and precipitation about average, due to La Niña conditions.
motifri.com/winter-weath...
Overall, the winter season is likely to have temperatures warmer than and precipitation about average, due to La Niña conditions.
motifri.com/winter-weath...
La Niña Makes Warmer Winter Likely: Precipitation forecast complicated, but overall average expected – Motif
motifri.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:12 AM
At Providence, expect a significant cold snap Nov 27 – Dec 1, then weaker cold snap the following week, followed by reversion to normal.
Overall, the winter season is likely to have temperatures warmer than and precipitation about average, due to La Niña conditions.
motifri.com/winter-weath...
Overall, the winter season is likely to have temperatures warmer than and precipitation about average, due to La Niña conditions.
motifri.com/winter-weath...
I've been explaining repeatedly that Trump is suggesting that members of Congress be "hanged," not "hung."
www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/hung...
www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/hung...
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I've been explaining repeatedly that Trump is suggesting that members of Congress be "hanged," not "hung."
www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/hung...
www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/hung...
Reposted by Michael Bilow
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
On the one hand, I can understand discontinuing making pennies because they cost four cents each to make; on the other hand, the US is heading for striking off zeroes from the currency like Zimbabwe.
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
On the one hand, I can understand discontinuing making pennies because they cost four cents each to make; on the other hand, the US is heading for striking off zeroes from the currency like Zimbabwe.
Why Democratic senators voted to end the shutdown.
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Why Democratic senators voted to end the shutdown.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
These are my 8 favorite journalism movies. What are yours? #media #Movies #journalism #reporters
thereportersstudio.com/2025/11/07/t...
thereportersstudio.com/2025/11/07/t...
The Best Movies About Journalism
The act of performing journalism means hours on the phone trying to reach sources, talking to dozens of people to get their stories, spending hours double checking their stories for accuracy, writi…
thereportersstudio.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:24 PM
These are my 8 favorite journalism movies. What are yours? #media #Movies #journalism #reporters
thereportersstudio.com/2025/11/07/t...
thereportersstudio.com/2025/11/07/t...
Her: How do you milk almonds?
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Her: How do you milk almonds?
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Me: Grab them by the nuts.
Reposted by Michael Bilow
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
At 6:08pm today, the First Circuit per curiam — storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... — denied the government motion for an administrative stay, allowing the lower court order to go into effect to fully fund SNAP benefits immediately.
#00108364203 in Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins (1st Cir., 25-2089) – CourtListener.com
ORDER entered by David J. Barron, Chief Appellate Judge; Gustavo A. Gelpí, Jr., Appellate Judge and Julie Rikelman, Appellate Judge: This case was brought by cities, unions, nonprofits, and a retailer...
storage.courtlistener.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:27 PM
At 6:08pm today, the First Circuit per curiam — storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... — denied the government motion for an administrative stay, allowing the lower court order to go into effect to fully fund SNAP benefits immediately.
Mother: We donated $100 to the food bank. It's not much, but it helps.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
November 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Mother: We donated $100 to the food bank. It's not much, but it helps.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
Daughter: Don't feel bad, you did more than the entire US government.
US District Court in Providence orders SNAP payments to be made tomorrow as originally scheduled, drawn from emergency funds.
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
October 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM
US District Court in Providence orders SNAP payments to be made tomorrow as originally scheduled, drawn from emergency funds.
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Motif Magazine reports from inside today's court hearing.
motifri.com/snap-ricc-v-...
Federal District Court to broadcast emergency 1:00pm TRO hearing www.youtube.com/@USCourtsRID in the SNAP case, RI State Council of Churches et al. v. Rollins et al. (1:25-cv-00569).
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is located in Providence and serves the region, hearing criminal and civil cases involving federal law.
This channel features videos for the p...
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Federal District Court to broadcast emergency 1:00pm TRO hearing www.youtube.com/@USCourtsRID in the SNAP case, RI State Council of Churches et al. v. Rollins et al. (1:25-cv-00569).
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71820...
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social Closest parallel to "House of Dynamite" is less "The Day After" than "Fail Safe."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
Fail Safe (1964 film) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:32 PM
@radiostoryteller.bsky.social Closest parallel to "House of Dynamite" is less "The Day After" than "Fail Safe."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail_Sa...
PVD: Remnants of H. Melissa bring heavy rain Thu 4pm – Fri 5am, as much as 2 inches.
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
PVD: Remnants of H. Melissa bring heavy rain Thu 4pm – Fri 5am, as much as 2 inches.
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
Halloween trick-or-treaters expect nearly ideal weather, high 50s, except for somewhat high winds, 15 MPH sustained with gusts to 25 MPH, Fri 10am – 11pm. Sunset will be 5:41pm.
motifri.com/wx-2025-10-3...
SNAP (food stamps) interruption:
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
SNAP (Food Stamps) Emergency: RI announces support during federal shutdown – Motif
motifri.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
SNAP (food stamps) interruption:
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
@govdanmckee.bsky.social declares state of emergency, mobilizing RI agencies and community organizations to get food to those in need.
@peterneronha.bsky.social joins multi-state lawsuit.
@rifoodbank.bsky.social deploys resources.
motifri.com/snap-emergen...
This made my day after watching the 18-inning slog that ended around 2:50am ET.
it's cool to see that this game's starting pitcher is still hanging in there
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This made my day after watching the 18-inning slog that ended around 2:50am ET.
Just picked up, released today:
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Just picked up, released today:
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
"Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder" by Michael McFaul
"Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" by @jonathankarl.bsky.social
I'm eager to hear recommendations soon from @radiostoryteller.bsky.social
I can't quite believe I'm awake at 2am watching World Series game 3 tied in the 16th inning. At least they're in Los Angeles where sunrise is three hours later.
October 28, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I can't quite believe I'm awake at 2am watching World Series game 3 tied in the 16th inning. At least they're in Los Angeles where sunrise is three hours later.
I'm spending Sunday morning as I usually do, reading @nytimes.com on the web and waiting for sunrise.
October 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I'm spending Sunday morning as I usually do, reading @nytimes.com on the web and waiting for sunrise.
I have rarely enjoyed a television program as much as "Breaking the Deadlock" — www.pbs.org/video/breaki... — with an extraordinary panel of experts from different perspectives discussing a hypothetical political controversy going viral on social media.
DEADLOCK | BREAKING the DEADLOCK: Truth Under Fire | Season 2025
Facing a gripping hypothetical dilemma, a panel of experts reckons with social media and truth.
www.pbs.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I have rarely enjoyed a television program as much as "Breaking the Deadlock" — www.pbs.org/video/breaki... — with an extraordinary panel of experts from different perspectives discussing a hypothetical political controversy going viral on social media.
My informative article including alternatives to the defunct ICEBlock app has escaped the editorial queue!
motifri.com/iceblock/
motifri.com/iceblock/
Skating on ICE with Technology: Is Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming for your smartphone? – Motif
motifri.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
My informative article including alternatives to the defunct ICEBlock app has escaped the editorial queue!
motifri.com/iceblock/
motifri.com/iceblock/
Reposted by Michael Bilow
When your "law enforcement" plans involve you literally shooting at *multiple* religious leaders, you're on a timer.
Oh wow:
"During the fracas, a federal agent fired a pepper round that struck a (UCC) clergyman, Jorge Bautista, near the chin. The impact caked his face and clothing in orange powder. Bautista said the agent shot him in the face from about 5 feet away."
"'I’m in a lot of pain,'" Bautista texted…"
"During the fracas, a federal agent fired a pepper round that struck a (UCC) clergyman, Jorge Bautista, near the chin. The impact caked his face and clothing in orange powder. Bautista said the agent shot him in the face from about 5 feet away."
"'I’m in a lot of pain,'" Bautista texted…"
October 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
When your "law enforcement" plans involve you literally shooting at *multiple* religious leaders, you're on a timer.