Mike Elk
@mikeelk.bsky.social
Emmy-nominated labor reporter @PaydayReport often in 🇧🇷. Alum: @Guardian! Yinzer @UEunion fam. Autistic⚾️ Jew. Falo Português in Pittsburgh. [email protected]
Pinned
Travel & Reporting Fund for Volkswagen Chattanooga Strike Mobilization
In the 12 years that I've covered the union struggle, I've written over 80 stories on the workers' fight there. Now, I hope to be there in Chattanooga to cover the strike mobilization as workers fight...
paydayreport.com
Huge thanks to a reader from Canada who donated $400!
Covering this potential strike at Volkswagen in Chattanooga is crucial!
Covering this potential strike at Volkswagen in Chattanooga is crucial!
After meeting w/ Mamdani, Trump takes U-turn on sending national guard to New York City
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
After meeting w/ Mamdani, Trump takes U-turn on sending national guard to New York City
Reposted by Mike Elk
"...in a video shot early on Saturday the former president had offered a different version of events. In that footage, Bolsonaro can be heard admitting to a security official that he interfered with the equipment 'out of curiosity.'"
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Jair Bolsonaro claims ‘psychotic attack’ made him tamper with ankle monitor
Former Brazilian far-right president says he took a soldering iron to electronic tag as he hallucinated it was bugged
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
"...in a video shot early on Saturday the former president had offered a different version of events. In that footage, Bolsonaro can be heard admitting to a security official that he interfered with the equipment 'out of curiosity.'"
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Mike Elk
Waiting to see the paperwork, but a few things:
-- Trump's numbers are not great in Alabama;
-- Straight-ticket voting is a D killer, even when they have a cash advantage (as Jones did in 2020);
-- But this will be a relief to legislative Democrats to have a top-of-the-ticket name to draw voters.
-- Trump's numbers are not great in Alabama;
-- Straight-ticket voting is a D killer, even when they have a cash advantage (as Jones did in 2020);
-- But this will be a relief to legislative Democrats to have a top-of-the-ticket name to draw voters.
It’s official. @dougjones.bsky.social will run against Tommy Tuberville for Alabama governor. www.al.com/life/2025/11...
Doug Jones will enter 2026 Alabama governor’s race
Campaign paperwork is to be filed this week.
www.al.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Waiting to see the paperwork, but a few things:
-- Trump's numbers are not great in Alabama;
-- Straight-ticket voting is a D killer, even when they have a cash advantage (as Jones did in 2020);
-- But this will be a relief to legislative Democrats to have a top-of-the-ticket name to draw voters.
-- Trump's numbers are not great in Alabama;
-- Straight-ticket voting is a D killer, even when they have a cash advantage (as Jones did in 2020);
-- But this will be a relief to legislative Democrats to have a top-of-the-ticket name to draw voters.
Reposted by Mike Elk
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Reposted by Mike Elk
WHOA. The FBI was/is spying on a Signal chat for a New York immigration court watch group, claiming they were “anarchist violent extremist actors.”
Your reminder that the government is watching and don’t say anything in a big group chat you wouldn’t say on TV.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Your reminder that the government is watching and don’t say anything in a big group chat you wouldn’t say on TV.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The FBI spied on a Signal group chat of immigration activists, records reveal
Exclusive: Agency accessed private conversations of New York ‘courtwatch’ group that was observing public hearings
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
WHOA. The FBI was/is spying on a Signal chat for a New York immigration court watch group, claiming they were “anarchist violent extremist actors.”
Your reminder that the government is watching and don’t say anything in a big group chat you wouldn’t say on TV.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Your reminder that the government is watching and don’t say anything in a big group chat you wouldn’t say on TV.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Mike Elk
Today’s case is different than the deployments in California, Oregon and Illinois, because Trump controls the DC National Guard
However, the judge noted that “Congress has given the District rights to govern itself. Those rights are infringed upon” once Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard
However, the judge noted that “Congress has given the District rights to govern itself. Those rights are infringed upon” once Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Today’s case is different than the deployments in California, Oregon and Illinois, because Trump controls the DC National Guard
However, the judge noted that “Congress has given the District rights to govern itself. Those rights are infringed upon” once Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard
However, the judge noted that “Congress has given the District rights to govern itself. Those rights are infringed upon” once Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard
Reposted by Mike Elk
NEW: Churches in Charlotte are hosting trainings on how to response to ICE agents — with *hundreds* filling pews.
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
As ICE descends on Charlotte, faith leaders draw on other cities' actions to aid immigrants
(RNS) — As many as 500 people, a mix of clergy and other volunteers, have appeared at the training sessions on how to counter ICE.
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
NEW: Churches in Charlotte are hosting trainings on how to response to ICE agents — with *hundreds* filling pews.
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
Reposted by Mike Elk
My god.
After 4 days in ICE custody, they found the man in a shower stall hog-tied, with a sheet around his neck.
The medical examiner claimed there were other instances of this.
Which means this is not an isolated case.
Trump's Lynching America
After 4 days in ICE custody, they found the man in a shower stall hog-tied, with a sheet around his neck.
The medical examiner claimed there were other instances of this.
Which means this is not an isolated case.
Trump's Lynching America
Man detained by ICE found dead, hanging with hands and feet tied—attorney
The Chinese national died in Pennsylvania in August, but his family's requests for answers from DHS have gone unmet.
www.newsweek.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 AM
My god.
After 4 days in ICE custody, they found the man in a shower stall hog-tied, with a sheet around his neck.
The medical examiner claimed there were other instances of this.
Which means this is not an isolated case.
Trump's Lynching America
After 4 days in ICE custody, they found the man in a shower stall hog-tied, with a sheet around his neck.
The medical examiner claimed there were other instances of this.
Which means this is not an isolated case.
Trump's Lynching America
Reposted by Mike Elk
I got hundreds of pages of records about a controversial deal to offer millions in state + local subsidies to Raytheon (Pratt & Whitney) for a new plant in Asheville, NC.
The company produces the engine for the F-35, which Israel has used during the Gaza genocide
inkstickmedia.com/special-trea...
The company produces the engine for the F-35, which Israel has used during the Gaza genocide
inkstickmedia.com/special-trea...
November 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I got hundreds of pages of records about a controversial deal to offer millions in state + local subsidies to Raytheon (Pratt & Whitney) for a new plant in Asheville, NC.
The company produces the engine for the F-35, which Israel has used during the Gaza genocide
inkstickmedia.com/special-trea...
The company produces the engine for the F-35, which Israel has used during the Gaza genocide
inkstickmedia.com/special-trea...
Reposted by Mike Elk
OK so Blue Owl (private credit data center lender) has called off the merger that would have given a 20% haircut to its private investors. Blue Owl had threatened to block redemptions and force haircuts for those investors taking losses. (somehow this author doesn't mention that last bit at all?)
A rare splat for a private-credit king
Blue Owl’s nixed fund merger shows the risks for managers chasing retail money: It comes with retail vibes.
www.semafor.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
OK so Blue Owl (private credit data center lender) has called off the merger that would have given a 20% haircut to its private investors. Blue Owl had threatened to block redemptions and force haircuts for those investors taking losses. (somehow this author doesn't mention that last bit at all?)
Reposted by Mike Elk
Abrego Garcia is currently detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Centre County.
From @statesnewsroom.com
From @statesnewsroom.com
Top ICE official elaborates on plan to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detailed to a federal judge Thursday plans for the Trump administration to again remove the wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, this time to the W...
penncapital-star.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Abrego Garcia is currently detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Centre County.
From @statesnewsroom.com
From @statesnewsroom.com
Reposted by Mike Elk
Dang - how bad was the Border Patrol invasion in North Carolina?
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
November 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Dang - how bad was the Border Patrol invasion in North Carolina?
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
None other than Thom Tillis himself is blasting DHS for gross overreach, and demanding lists of those detained, property damage caused by CBP agents, and their plan for restitution.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Mike Elk
Elizabeth Howell just backed my Screw Billionaire Media Drive! 🎉 Join them here
The Screw Billionaire-Owned Media. We'll Tell Our Own Stories Drive.
I launched Revenue Rulebreaker to document my own business. Now, I use it to show what's going on inside all kinds of creative businesses. And I want to build it into a reliable, trusted media home for micro entrepreneurs who don't feel represented by Forbes or Fast Company.
buymeacoffee.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Elizabeth Howell just backed my Screw Billionaire Media Drive! 🎉 Join them here
Reposted by Mike Elk
NEW from me: Catholic clergy, nuns sue Trump admin over Communion access for ICE detainees.
All told, more than 60 religious groups/denominations and ~10 religious professionals have sued the Trump admin this year. This lawsuit adds one more group, four more clergy. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
All told, more than 60 religious groups/denominations and ~10 religious professionals have sued the Trump admin this year. This lawsuit adds one more group, four more clergy. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Catholic clergy, nuns sue Trump admin over Communion access for ICE detainees
(RNS) — ‘The Catholic Church recognizes service to people on the margins as corporal works of mercy that are cornerstones of Christianity,’ the legal complaint reads.
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
NEW from me: Catholic clergy, nuns sue Trump admin over Communion access for ICE detainees.
All told, more than 60 religious groups/denominations and ~10 religious professionals have sued the Trump admin this year. This lawsuit adds one more group, four more clergy. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
All told, more than 60 religious groups/denominations and ~10 religious professionals have sued the Trump admin this year. This lawsuit adds one more group, four more clergy. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Mike Elk
"The Barnes and Noble in York—where Fetterman was born and raised—had sold zero copies. The Barnes and Noble in Philadelphia had sold two copies. An independent store in Pittsburgh and an independent store in Philadelphia each told me they weren’t stocking Unfettered" defector.com/john-fetterm...
John Fetterman's Memoir Is As Low-Effort As His Senate Tenure | Defector
John Fetterman’s just-released memoir, Unfettered, argues that he’s turned a corner and has everything under control. Fetterman was a “stubborn asshole” (his words), he was clinically depressed, he wa...
defector.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"The Barnes and Noble in York—where Fetterman was born and raised—had sold zero copies. The Barnes and Noble in Philadelphia had sold two copies. An independent store in Pittsburgh and an independent store in Philadelphia each told me they weren’t stocking Unfettered" defector.com/john-fetterm...
Reposted by Mike Elk
#OtD 20 Nov 1945 mine workers across the US went on strike directly against the govt, who had taken over the coal mines in May to try to break an earlier strike. The United Mine Workers union was fined $3.5 million for contempt. Learn more in this book: shop.workingclasshistory.com/products/str...
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#OtD 20 Nov 1945 mine workers across the US went on strike directly against the govt, who had taken over the coal mines in May to try to break an earlier strike. The United Mine Workers union was fined $3.5 million for contempt. Learn more in this book: shop.workingclasshistory.com/products/str...
Guerrilla-style’: How a Colorado filmmaker made a documentary about immigrant workers inside Churchill Downs
www.cpr.org/2025/11/18/b...
www.cpr.org/2025/11/18/b...
How a Colorado filmmaker made a documentary about immigrant workers inside Churchill Downs
The observational documentary began by prioritizing the workers’ consent over the Kentucky Derby’s.
www.cpr.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Guerrilla-style’: How a Colorado filmmaker made a documentary about immigrant workers inside Churchill Downs
www.cpr.org/2025/11/18/b...
www.cpr.org/2025/11/18/b...
Cherokee Nation hits $15 minimum wage for tribal workers, fulfilling 2019 pledge
ktul.com/news/local/c...
ktul.com/news/local/c...
Cherokee Nation hits $15 minimum wage for tribal workers, fulfilling 2019 pledge
The Cherokee Nation says it has officially met its goal of increasing the minimum wage for all hourly tribal government workers to $15 an hour — a commitment fi
ktul.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Cherokee Nation hits $15 minimum wage for tribal workers, fulfilling 2019 pledge
ktul.com/news/local/c...
ktul.com/news/local/c...
Immigration agents have raided at least 100 car washes across Southern California since June, detaining at least 340 mostly Latino workers in Trump’s deportation push.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Commentary: Car wash workers already had it tough. Then immigration raids slammed them to the ground
Activists say immigration agents have raided at least 100 car washes across Southern California since June, detaining at least 340 mostly Latino workers in Trump's deportation push.
www.latimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Immigration agents have raided at least 100 car washes across Southern California since June, detaining at least 340 mostly Latino workers in Trump’s deportation push.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Mike Elk
A senior ICE official just admitted in an evidentiary hearing in Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case that someone else drafted his declaration in the case and he didn’t know what certain words meant.
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A senior ICE official just admitted in an evidentiary hearing in Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case that someone else drafted his declaration in the case and he didn’t know what certain words meant.
More than 800 Harvard custodians go on strike
www.nbcboston.com/boston-busin...
www.nbcboston.com/boston-busin...
More than 800 Harvard custodians go on strike
More than 800 Harvard custodians go on strike
www.nbcboston.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
More than 800 Harvard custodians go on strike
www.nbcboston.com/boston-busin...
www.nbcboston.com/boston-busin...
You're Not Bad At Job Hunting—30% Of Job Postings Are Fake
www.forbes.com/sites/caroli...
www.forbes.com/sites/caroli...
30% of Job Postings Are Fake—Here’s How to Stop Wasting Time
One in three job postings are ghost jobs. Learn how to spot fake listings, avoid wasted applications, and focus on opportunities that actually hire.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
You're Not Bad At Job Hunting—30% Of Job Postings Are Fake
www.forbes.com/sites/caroli...
www.forbes.com/sites/caroli...
Sister Joanna Persch prayed the rosary outside the Broadview ICE facility every week since 2007.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
Sister JoAnn Persch, Trailblazing Immigrant Rights Activist, Dies At 91
Sister JoAnn Persch spent decades with the Sisters of Mercy, fighting for immigrant and refugee rights in Chicago and across the country. She prayed the rosary outside the Broadview ICE facility every...
blockclubchicago.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Sister Joanna Persch prayed the rosary outside the Broadview ICE facility every week since 2007.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
A law creating a misdemeanor offense for school employees that supply ‘sexually explicit material’ to students is now void
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
Missouri court strikes down 2022 law that pulled library books off shelves • Missouri Independent
A Jackson County Circuit Court struck down a 2022 law that criminalized school employees for providing "sexually explicit material."
missouriindependent.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A law creating a misdemeanor offense for school employees that supply ‘sexually explicit material’ to students is now void
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/m...
Reposted by Mike Elk
UAW is being forced to pay $316,000 to 3 zionist union members, who claimed that their rights were violated under federal labor law.
The settlement could scare many unions away from calling out Israel
paydayreport.com/uaw-forced-t...
The settlement could scare many unions away from calling out Israel
paydayreport.com/uaw-forced-t...
UAW Forced to Pay $315,000 to 3 Zionist Union Members
This week, UAW Local 2325, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA), was forced to pay $315,000 to three Zionist union members over claims that they violated their rights as union members.
paydayreport.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
UAW is being forced to pay $316,000 to 3 zionist union members, who claimed that their rights were violated under federal labor law.
The settlement could scare many unions away from calling out Israel
paydayreport.com/uaw-forced-t...
The settlement could scare many unions away from calling out Israel
paydayreport.com/uaw-forced-t...