Matt Dempsey
@mizzousundevil.bsky.social
Investigations editor at Spotlight PA |Former IRE Board member |AZR|AJC|HoustonChron|Pulitzer Finalist| Mizzou alum
❤️ my wife Rachael and our kid Will
Profile pic courtesy @kenduque.bsky.social
❤️ my wife Rachael and our kid Will
Profile pic courtesy @kenduque.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Why marbles, playing cards, and ping pong balls decide so many local Pa. races https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pennsylvania-tied-elections-casting-lots-marbles-elections/
Pennsylvania tied elections decided by marbles, drawing lots
Tie elections happen frequently in low-profile races in PA. Some say reform is needed.
www.spotlightpa.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Why marbles, playing cards, and ping pong balls decide so many local Pa. races https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pennsylvania-tied-elections-casting-lots-marbles-elections/
Feels like Mateer is taking a lot of risks. I think he's gonna throw a pick soon.
November 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Feels like Mateer is taking a lot of risks. I think he's gonna throw a pick soon.
That legit should have been a pic on Norwood.
November 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
That legit should have been a pic on Norwood.
Mizzou's defense is playing angry. Like they want everyone to know what they're about
November 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Mizzou's defense is playing angry. Like they want everyone to know what they're about
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
BREAKING NEWS: Director of Penn State Cancer Institute resigns 1 day after Spotlight PA investigation about chemo errors, ‘toxic’ leadership
Penn State cancer chief resigns 1 day after Spotlight PA investigation
Penn State’s internal reviews found alarming lapses in Cancer Institute Director Raymond Hohl’s care of patients.
www.spotlightpa.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:44 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Director of Penn State Cancer Institute resigns 1 day after Spotlight PA investigation about chemo errors, ‘toxic’ leadership
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Penn State’s internal reviews found a top doctor’s alarming errors and disruptive leadership. He remains in charge of the cancer center.
Internal reviews found Penn State cancer chief’s errors, ‘toxic’ leadership
Despite documented warnings and calls for action, Penn State has stood by Raymond Hohl as it pursues a prestigious National Cancer Institute designation.
www.spotlightpa.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Penn State’s internal reviews found a top doctor’s alarming errors and disruptive leadership. He remains in charge of the cancer center.
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
It's been said by many already, but I will say it again: @bkswpicspdx.bsky.social is not just a store, it's a community and an inspiration and some of the best people you'll ever meet. And right now, they need our help:
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-books...
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-books...
Keep Books with Pictures Alive: Donate Now, organized by Katie Pryde
Dear friends: I need your help.
I’m proud of everything Books with Pictures… Katie Pryde needs your support for Keep Books with Pictures Alive: Donate Now
www.gofundme.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
It's been said by many already, but I will say it again: @bkswpicspdx.bsky.social is not just a store, it's a community and an inspiration and some of the best people you'll ever meet. And right now, they need our help:
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-books...
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-books...
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
I could not believe what I was seeing. It takes a lot for Trump to shock me anymore, but this did. Disgusting.
www.azcentral.com/story/entert...
www.azcentral.com/story/entert...
I've watched Trump for a long time. Nothing shocks. Then he defended a murderer | Opinion
President Donald Trump held an Oval Office meeting with the Saudi prince suspected of having journalist Jamal Khashoggi killed. What he said floored me.
www.azcentral.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I could not believe what I was seeing. It takes a lot for Trump to shock me anymore, but this did. Disgusting.
www.azcentral.com/story/entert...
www.azcentral.com/story/entert...
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Gov. Josh Shapiro attended two football games this weekend -- Pitt on Saturday, the Eagles on Sunday. The former was paid for by funds managed by Team PA, a spokesperson said. The latter was paid for by his political campaign. He showed up on TV for both:
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Gov. Josh Shapiro attended two football games this weekend -- Pitt on Saturday, the Eagles on Sunday. The former was paid for by funds managed by Team PA, a spokesperson said. The latter was paid for by his political campaign. He showed up on TV for both:
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Yes, and: There are lots of reporting jobs at startup nonprofit local news organizations doing really important work outside of corporate ownership, for any journalists willing to consider living outside of the nation's three largest cities!
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Yes, and: There are lots of reporting jobs at startup nonprofit local news organizations doing really important work outside of corporate ownership, for any journalists willing to consider living outside of the nation's three largest cities!
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
1) Ethics officials at Fannie Mae investigate how Bill Pulte got Letitia James mortgage docs
2) They send findings to Inspector Gen. of FHFA, which Pulte heads
3) IG sends it to Lindsay Halligan, new USA prosecuting James
4) IG and ethics officials are all fired.
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
2) They send findings to Inspector Gen. of FHFA, which Pulte heads
3) IG sends it to Lindsay Halligan, new USA prosecuting James
4) IG and ethics officials are all fired.
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
Exclusive | Fannie Mae Watchdogs Probed How Pulte Obtained Mortgage Records of Key Democrats
FHFA’s acting inspector general handed the probe report to the U.S. attorney office that had indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James.
www.wsj.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
1) Ethics officials at Fannie Mae investigate how Bill Pulte got Letitia James mortgage docs
2) They send findings to Inspector Gen. of FHFA, which Pulte heads
3) IG sends it to Lindsay Halligan, new USA prosecuting James
4) IG and ethics officials are all fired.
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
2) They send findings to Inspector Gen. of FHFA, which Pulte heads
3) IG sends it to Lindsay Halligan, new USA prosecuting James
4) IG and ethics officials are all fired.
www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
We're moving into Holiday Time and I can already hear the comments:
"You're eating so healthy!" is just as invasive as "Should you really be eating that?"
Both are commentary on YOUR body. 🧵
"You're eating so healthy!" is just as invasive as "Should you really be eating that?"
Both are commentary on YOUR body. 🧵
November 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
We're moving into Holiday Time and I can already hear the comments:
"You're eating so healthy!" is just as invasive as "Should you really be eating that?"
Both are commentary on YOUR body. 🧵
"You're eating so healthy!" is just as invasive as "Should you really be eating that?"
Both are commentary on YOUR body. 🧵
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
I'm seeing some middle aged men whose hearts I really do think are in the right place NONETHELESS making dumb "sexy time" jokes about the Epstein stuff. Just a default setting of heh heh, whoa sex heh heh.
I feel like a real drag for scolding about this, but c'mon man. Discernment, Even in jokes.
I feel like a real drag for scolding about this, but c'mon man. Discernment, Even in jokes.
November 13, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I'm seeing some middle aged men whose hearts I really do think are in the right place NONETHELESS making dumb "sexy time" jokes about the Epstein stuff. Just a default setting of heh heh, whoa sex heh heh.
I feel like a real drag for scolding about this, but c'mon man. Discernment, Even in jokes.
I feel like a real drag for scolding about this, but c'mon man. Discernment, Even in jokes.
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
At IRE, we believe investigative journalism helps us live in a better, more informed world. Join us in our mission by making a gift: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/qycOsg?vid=1mkwsg
Your generous contributions directly support IRE training programs and resources for journalists worldwide.
Your generous contributions directly support IRE training programs and resources for journalists worldwide.
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
At IRE, we believe investigative journalism helps us live in a better, more informed world. Join us in our mission by making a gift: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/qycOsg?vid=1mkwsg
Your generous contributions directly support IRE training programs and resources for journalists worldwide.
Your generous contributions directly support IRE training programs and resources for journalists worldwide.
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret • Kansas Reflector
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
kansasreflector.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Because it is. For instance, what injury did a US political candidate suffer from a documentary broadcast in Britain that wasn’t even noticed here until a year after the election?
Trump's legal letter to the BBC reads like an attempt at a shakedown.
November 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Because it is. For instance, what injury did a US political candidate suffer from a documentary broadcast in Britain that wasn’t even noticed here until a year after the election?
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
it is almost as if someone was promoted beyond their ability
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss wants to take down ‘too much power’ CBS News Standards unit: sources
EXCLUSIVE: Internal rumblings within the newsroom come after the S&P head resigned and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit.
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
it is almost as if someone was promoted beyond their ability
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Try it out with the transitive property: 'Up to 40% of auto insurance enrollees never file a claim. That's billions to insurance companies for people who don't even use the system.'
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Try it out with the transitive property: 'Up to 40% of auto insurance enrollees never file a claim. That's billions to insurance companies for people who don't even use the system.'
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Counterpoints:
- The feds keep axing off-shore wind power projects
- The feds are attempting to make it vastly more difficult to put new solar on western lands
- The feds are doing nothing to fix the transmission bottlenecks, under the misguided idea that'll hurt incumbent fossil fuel plants
- The feds keep axing off-shore wind power projects
- The feds are attempting to make it vastly more difficult to put new solar on western lands
- The feds are doing nothing to fix the transmission bottlenecks, under the misguided idea that'll hurt incumbent fossil fuel plants
Pressed by Stephanopoulos on the fact that electricity prices have in fact gone up, Bessent punts: "Electricity prices are a state problem ... look, there are things the federal government can control. Local electricity prices are not one of them."
November 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Counterpoints:
- The feds keep axing off-shore wind power projects
- The feds are attempting to make it vastly more difficult to put new solar on western lands
- The feds are doing nothing to fix the transmission bottlenecks, under the misguided idea that'll hurt incumbent fossil fuel plants
- The feds keep axing off-shore wind power projects
- The feds are attempting to make it vastly more difficult to put new solar on western lands
- The feds are doing nothing to fix the transmission bottlenecks, under the misguided idea that'll hurt incumbent fossil fuel plants
At some point, you'd think the refs are gonna have to call PI on Rix. He's extremely grabby and it's been three plays in three drives where it hasn't been called. But it's pretty blatant
November 8, 2025 at 9:25 PM
At some point, you'd think the refs are gonna have to call PI on Rix. He's extremely grabby and it's been three plays in three drives where it hasn't been called. But it's pretty blatant
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
NEW: Democrats Stella Tsai, Brandon Neuman win open seats on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth and Superior Courts https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pennsylvania-election-results-commonwealth-superior-courts-stella-tsai-brandon-neuman-elections/
November 5, 2025 at 4:01 AM
NEW: Democrats Stella Tsai, Brandon Neuman win open seats on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth and Superior Courts https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pennsylvania-election-results-commonwealth-superior-courts-stella-tsai-brandon-neuman-elections/
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
just in: Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner is on track to win easily.
With roughly a quarter of the vote reporting, he leads Pat Dugan 81% to 19%.
Krasner already beat Dugan in the Dem primary... and Dugan kept running as the GOP nominee. (My write-up: boltsmag.org/2025-prosecu...)
With roughly a quarter of the vote reporting, he leads Pat Dugan 81% to 19%.
Krasner already beat Dugan in the Dem primary... and Dugan kept running as the GOP nominee. (My write-up: boltsmag.org/2025-prosecu...)
November 5, 2025 at 1:37 AM
just in: Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner is on track to win easily.
With roughly a quarter of the vote reporting, he leads Pat Dugan 81% to 19%.
Krasner already beat Dugan in the Dem primary... and Dugan kept running as the GOP nominee. (My write-up: boltsmag.org/2025-prosecu...)
With roughly a quarter of the vote reporting, he leads Pat Dugan 81% to 19%.
Krasner already beat Dugan in the Dem primary... and Dugan kept running as the GOP nominee. (My write-up: boltsmag.org/2025-prosecu...)
Reposted by Matt Dempsey
Pa. election results: All 3 Democratic Supreme Court justices win retention races. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pa-election-results-supreme-court-retention-donohue-dougherty-wecht/
All three PA Supreme Court justices win retention election
Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht have won additional terms on the PA Supreme Court.
www.spotlightpa.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Pa. election results: All 3 Democratic Supreme Court justices win retention races. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/11/pa-election-results-supreme-court-retention-donohue-dougherty-wecht/