Murray Carpenter
@murray-journo.bsky.social
Author of Sweet and Deadly, How Coca-Cola Spreads Disinformation and Makes Us Sick (MIT Press, March 2025), and Caffeinated (Penguin, 2014). Bylines at New York Times, NPR, Maine Public Radio, Washington Post, etc. Belfast, Maine.
Pinned
Juvenile sand tiger shark, about 3 feet long, in Maine’s Penobscot Bay yesterday.
Penobscot Bay tonight
January 3, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Penobscot Bay tonight
Heading into 2026 fully caffeinated, both barrels blazing!
January 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Heading into 2026 fully caffeinated, both barrels blazing!
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
The #Maine DEP recently issued a letter of warning designed to recoup wetlands protections lost in a regulatory oversight more than 20 years ago. The lapse by state and federal regulators allowed a wetlands mitigation site in Belfast to be marketed for commercial development earlier this year.
Maine regulators issue warning letter for Belfast wetlands lapse
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Penobscot Community Health Care disagree about who should preserve the land.
themainemonitor.org
January 1, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The #Maine DEP recently issued a letter of warning designed to recoup wetlands protections lost in a regulatory oversight more than 20 years ago. The lapse by state and federal regulators allowed a wetlands mitigation site in Belfast to be marketed for commercial development earlier this year.
A @themainemonitor.org
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
Maine regulators issue warning letter for Belfast wetlands lapse
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Penobscot Community Health Care disagree about who should preserve the land.
themainemonitor.org
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A @themainemonitor.org
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
Mark Twain's evergreen advice for authors, via @ronaldchernow.bsky.social's biography:
"Twain admitted to having learned a costly lesson, that if one didn't 'secure publicity for a book the instant it is issued, no amount of hard work and faithful advertising can accomplish it later on.'"
"Twain admitted to having learned a costly lesson, that if one didn't 'secure publicity for a book the instant it is issued, no amount of hard work and faithful advertising can accomplish it later on.'"
December 29, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Mark Twain's evergreen advice for authors, via @ronaldchernow.bsky.social's biography:
"Twain admitted to having learned a costly lesson, that if one didn't 'secure publicity for a book the instant it is issued, no amount of hard work and faithful advertising can accomplish it later on.'"
"Twain admitted to having learned a costly lesson, that if one didn't 'secure publicity for a book the instant it is issued, no amount of hard work and faithful advertising can accomplish it later on.'"
"Childhood immunization rates remain relatively high in the United States.But it has taken only a slight decline in vaccine confidence to set off the disease outbreaks we are seeing.It is easier for anti-vaccine groups to chip away at public trust than it is for the medical community to rebuild it."
We Don’t Seem to be Making America Healthy Again
My latest story for the NY Times on the growing power of anti-vaccine discourse.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/o...
My latest story for the NY Times on the growing power of anti-vaccine discourse.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/o...
Opinion | We Don’t Seem to be Making America Healthy Again
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
"Childhood immunization rates remain relatively high in the United States.But it has taken only a slight decline in vaccine confidence to set off the disease outbreaks we are seeing.It is easier for anti-vaccine groups to chip away at public trust than it is for the medical community to rebuild it."
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
New Substack post: The evolution of Coke’s ad art, from Norman Rockwell to AI: murraycarpenter.substack.com/p/from-norma...
From Norman Rockwell to AI
The Evolution of Coca-Cola's Ad Art
murraycarpenter.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
New Substack post: The evolution of Coke’s ad art, from Norman Rockwell to AI: murraycarpenter.substack.com/p/from-norma...
New Substack post: The evolution of Coke’s ad art, from Norman Rockwell to AI: murraycarpenter.substack.com/p/from-norma...
From Norman Rockwell to AI
The Evolution of Coca-Cola's Ad Art
murraycarpenter.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
New Substack post: The evolution of Coke’s ad art, from Norman Rockwell to AI: murraycarpenter.substack.com/p/from-norma...
The waiver request was submitted in October by the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services, which administers SNAP in the state, and was approved by the USDA earlier this month.
via @mauinow.com
mauinow.com/2025/12/23/h...
via @mauinow.com
mauinow.com/2025/12/23/h...
Hawaiʻi to restrict soda purchases under SNAP in 2026; local groups oppose | Maui Now
Hawaiʻi is among six states approved by the US Department of Agriculture to impose new restrictions on food purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a change that will limit what...
mauinow.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The waiver request was submitted in October by the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services, which administers SNAP in the state, and was approved by the USDA earlier this month.
via @mauinow.com
mauinow.com/2025/12/23/h...
via @mauinow.com
mauinow.com/2025/12/23/h...
Vineyard Wind has been delivering power to the New England grid since the beginning of the year.
Good reporting by @shankman.bsky.social on today's offshore wind news. Via @bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
Good reporting by @shankman.bsky.social on today's offshore wind news. Via @bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
Vineyard Wind, already delivering power to the grid, is among five wind projects paused by Trump administration - The Boston Globe
Citing national security concerns, the Trump administration suspended leases for five offshore wind projects on Monday.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Vineyard Wind has been delivering power to the New England grid since the beginning of the year.
Good reporting by @shankman.bsky.social on today's offshore wind news. Via @bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
Good reporting by @shankman.bsky.social on today's offshore wind news. Via @bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/22/s...
On the caffeine beat:
"The package’s exterior is labeled Decaf de Agua and the interior is labeled Deep Disco."
Deep Disco is, as it sounds, a caffeinated coffee.
Via @masslive.bsky.social www.masslive.com/news/2025/12...
"The package’s exterior is labeled Decaf de Agua and the interior is labeled Deep Disco."
Deep Disco is, as it sounds, a caffeinated coffee.
Via @masslive.bsky.social www.masslive.com/news/2025/12...
Coffee sold in 10 states recalled: Second highest risk level; return ASAP
Products were sold across several states — including Massachusetts.
www.masslive.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
On the caffeine beat:
"The package’s exterior is labeled Decaf de Agua and the interior is labeled Deep Disco."
Deep Disco is, as it sounds, a caffeinated coffee.
Via @masslive.bsky.social www.masslive.com/news/2025/12...
"The package’s exterior is labeled Decaf de Agua and the interior is labeled Deep Disco."
Deep Disco is, as it sounds, a caffeinated coffee.
Via @masslive.bsky.social www.masslive.com/news/2025/12...
Glassy afternoon on Penobscot Bay
December 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Glassy afternoon on Penobscot Bay
New leadership for Coke.
"Coke is also winning the soda wars. Its namesake soda has held onto its spot as the best-selling soda in the U.S., and Sprite surpassed Pepsi to become the No. 3 soda in the nation."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/10/c...
"Coke is also winning the soda wars. Its namesake soda has held onto its spot as the best-selling soda in the U.S., and Sprite surpassed Pepsi to become the No. 3 soda in the nation."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/10/c...
Coca-Cola taps COO Henrique Braun to replace James Quincey as CEO in 2026
Quincey has led Coca-Cola since 2017, seeing the company through the Covid pandemic and a focus on healthier beverages.
www.cnbc.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM
New leadership for Coke.
"Coke is also winning the soda wars. Its namesake soda has held onto its spot as the best-selling soda in the U.S., and Sprite surpassed Pepsi to become the No. 3 soda in the nation."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/10/c...
"Coke is also winning the soda wars. Its namesake soda has held onto its spot as the best-selling soda in the U.S., and Sprite surpassed Pepsi to become the No. 3 soda in the nation."
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/10/c...
Nice to see this excerpt of Sweet and Deadly in the MIT Press Reader today. @mitpress.bsky.social.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-coca-col...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-coca-col...
How Coca-Cola’s Calories-Out Myth Backfired Spectacularly
The soda giant astroturfed a campaign meant to shift blame from sugar to sedentary lifestyles. Instead, it sparked a PR nightmare.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
December 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Nice to see this excerpt of Sweet and Deadly in the MIT Press Reader today. @mitpress.bsky.social.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-coca-col...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-coca-col...
Glassy Maine waves last week, before the cold snap.
December 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Glassy Maine waves last week, before the cold snap.
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
UPDATED: Mom of Karoline Leavitt's nephew to be freed from ICE detention.
DHS, after characterizing Brazilian mom with ties to Karoline Leavitt as a "criminal," did not oppose her release at a hearing today. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
DHS, after characterizing Brazilian mom with ties to Karoline Leavitt as a "criminal," did not oppose her release at a hearing today. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
December 8, 2025 at 5:42 PM
UPDATED: Mom of Karoline Leavitt's nephew to be freed from ICE detention.
DHS, after characterizing Brazilian mom with ties to Karoline Leavitt as a "criminal," did not oppose her release at a hearing today. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
DHS, after characterizing Brazilian mom with ties to Karoline Leavitt as a "criminal," did not oppose her release at a hearing today. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Strong reporting from @mariasacchetti.bsky.social and team: wapo.st/4oJHXMS
Mom of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew rejects White House narrative of her ICE arrest
In an interview, Bruna Ferreira, who chose the White House press secretary as her son’s godmother, contested the portrayal of her as a criminal, absentee mom.
wapo.st
December 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Strong reporting from @mariasacchetti.bsky.social and team: wapo.st/4oJHXMS
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
"In all, the team removed more than 300 feet of rope from Division. Thompson said it was clear the gear wasn’t from the Southeast. That rope will be examined further to determine its exact origin."
thecurrentga.org/2025/12/06/i...
thecurrentga.org/2025/12/06/i...
In two-day effort at sea, team partially frees whale of fishing gear off Georgia coast - The Current
A team from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources disentangled a four-year-old male North Atlantic right whale, nicknamed Division, from commercial fishing gear after two days of exhausting and ...
thecurrentga.org
December 7, 2025 at 12:45 PM
"In all, the team removed more than 300 feet of rope from Division. Thompson said it was clear the gear wasn’t from the Southeast. That rope will be examined further to determine its exact origin."
thecurrentga.org/2025/12/06/i...
thecurrentga.org/2025/12/06/i...
Very pleased that Sweet and Deadly made
@larrygennari.bsky.social's year-end list for @bosbizjournal.bsky.social In good company with
@cberdik.bsky.social's Clamor, and Dr. Michael Stein's A Living, among others.
www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/...
@larrygennari.bsky.social's year-end list for @bosbizjournal.bsky.social In good company with
@cberdik.bsky.social's Clamor, and Dr. Michael Stein's A Living, among others.
www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/...
Year in reading: Notable business books from 2025 - Boston Business Journal
Larry Gennari offers his top choices for business book of the year. Now more than ever, he writes, consider giving a gift that keeps on giving: a great book from an independent bookstore.
www.bizjournals.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Very pleased that Sweet and Deadly made
@larrygennari.bsky.social's year-end list for @bosbizjournal.bsky.social In good company with
@cberdik.bsky.social's Clamor, and Dr. Michael Stein's A Living, among others.
www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/...
@larrygennari.bsky.social's year-end list for @bosbizjournal.bsky.social In good company with
@cberdik.bsky.social's Clamor, and Dr. Michael Stein's A Living, among others.
www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/...
Tug meeting tanker among sea smoke this morning, Penobscot Bay.
December 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Tug meeting tanker among sea smoke this morning, Penobscot Bay.
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
Just finished STRATA, and was entirely absorbed. Definitely one of my 2025 favorites!
WOW, thank you to @meghanbartels.bsky.social and @sciam.bsky.social for listing STRATA as a Staff Favorite Book of 2025. 🙏💫🌎
My own to-read pile just keeps growing and growing...so many gems on this list! 🤩
My own to-read pile just keeps growing and growing...so many gems on this list! 🤩
It's the most wonderful time of the year, best-of book list time! At @sciam.bsky.social we do a fun spin, highlighting a ton of books individual staffers read this year and loved, and it's always a pleasure to contribute. Check out this year's list (with lots of entries from yours truly): 📚💙
December 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Just finished STRATA, and was entirely absorbed. Definitely one of my 2025 favorites!
Glad to see that Sweet and Deadly made it across the pond, and is is well-displayed at @waterstones.bsky.social in Edinburgh. Thanks to @laurapoppick.bsky.social for spotting it! @mitpress.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Glad to see that Sweet and Deadly made it across the pond, and is is well-displayed at @waterstones.bsky.social in Edinburgh. Thanks to @laurapoppick.bsky.social for spotting it! @mitpress.bsky.social
Defendants include the Coca-Cola Company; PepsiCo; Kraft Heinz Company, which makes Lunchables and Kool-Aid; Post Holdings; and Mondelez International. The lawsuit also names General Mills; Nestle USA; Kellogg; Mars Incorporated; and ConAgra Brands." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
San Francisco Will Sue Ultraprocessed Food Companies
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Defendants include the Coca-Cola Company; PepsiCo; Kraft Heinz Company, which makes Lunchables and Kool-Aid; Post Holdings; and Mondelez International. The lawsuit also names General Mills; Nestle USA; Kellogg; Mars Incorporated; and ConAgra Brands." www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
I should buy a lottery ticket today.
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December 2, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I should buy a lottery ticket today.
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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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"The only thing you need to know about Olivia Nuzzi is that she used her position of power, as a journalist, to advise and elevate the world’s most prominent anti-vaccine activist to the most influential health position in the United States."
You won't believe the CRAZIEST part of the Olivia Nuzzi scandal! (My latest) newrepublic.com/article/2035...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Real Victims
More than her fiancé, or fellow female journalists, the public will pay the price for these misdeeds. RFK Jr. will see to that.
newrepublic.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:12 AM
"The only thing you need to know about Olivia Nuzzi is that she used her position of power, as a journalist, to advise and elevate the world’s most prominent anti-vaccine activist to the most influential health position in the United States."