Rachel Barnhart
@rachbarnhart.com
Former journalist. Current Monroe County Legislator. Posts are personal views unless noted as official. Not allowed: threats, defamation, obscenity, harassment or spam. Rochester, N.Y.
It's not unusual for big corporations to lobby governments. What's unusual is the lobbying firm's ties to local power and the outcome. No other large urban county in Upstate NY chose to opt out.
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/inside-rec...
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/inside-rec...
November 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
It's not unusual for big corporations to lobby governments. What's unusual is the lobbying firm's ties to local power and the outcome. No other large urban county in Upstate NY chose to opt out.
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/inside-rec...
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/inside-rec...
"6,769 federal datasets have been deleted, including those tracking maternal mortality and sickle cell disease...Also removed: data on workforce diversity and environmental exposure in historically redlined neighborhoods"
America stares down erasure of Black history and progress
In the last year, federal, state and institutional decisions have gutted pillars of America's civil rights protections.
www.axios.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"6,769 federal datasets have been deleted, including those tracking maternal mortality and sickle cell disease...Also removed: data on workforce diversity and environmental exposure in historically redlined neighborhoods"
Deeply reported and devastating story. Trump selling out Ukraine for business purposes.
"The picture that emerges is a remarkable story of business leaders working outside the traditional lines of diplomacy to cement a peace agreement with business deals."
"The picture that emerges is a remarkable story of business leaders working outside the traditional lines of diplomacy to cement a peace agreement with business deals."
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Deeply reported and devastating story. Trump selling out Ukraine for business purposes.
"The picture that emerges is a remarkable story of business leaders working outside the traditional lines of diplomacy to cement a peace agreement with business deals."
"The picture that emerges is a remarkable story of business leaders working outside the traditional lines of diplomacy to cement a peace agreement with business deals."
"Data from the credit card company Visa showed spending by Canadians, who make up the county’s largest share of international visitors, was down 37 percent this year through June compared with the same period last year"
Soaring Red Rocks, Perfect Blue Skies and Half-Empty Tours
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
"Data from the credit card company Visa showed spending by Canadians, who make up the county’s largest share of international visitors, was down 37 percent this year through June compared with the same period last year"
"Mr. Trump’s vow to pardon such a high-profile convicted drug trafficker appeared to contradict the president’s campaign to unleash the might of the American military on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific..."
Ya think?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Ya think?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
"Mr. Trump’s vow to pardon such a high-profile convicted drug trafficker appeared to contradict the president’s campaign to unleash the might of the American military on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific..."
Ya think?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Ya think?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Good job, Henrietta Fire District 🐾
Thanksgiving rescue for a four-legged friend
Henrietta, N.Y. (WHAM) — What was a routine day for the Henrietta Fire District turned into a race against the clock to save a four-legged friend.
13wham.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Good job, Henrietta Fire District 🐾
This is snow over a thin coat of black ice. Be careful.
November 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
This is snow over a thin coat of black ice. Be careful.
There is no plan for deeply affordable housing. Buy the Block and modular home pilots are not for this population. This family can’t qualify for these options.
www.whec.com/top-news/sin...
www.whec.com/top-news/sin...
Single Rochester mother deals with housing insecurity amid affordable housing shortage
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Adriana Jackson, a single mother, is struggling to keep a roof over her son’s head. Jackson’s son, who is entering seventh grade at East High School, has faced challenges due to thei...
www.whec.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:43 AM
There is no plan for deeply affordable housing. Buy the Block and modular home pilots are not for this population. This family can’t qualify for these options.
www.whec.com/top-news/sin...
www.whec.com/top-news/sin...
A heartbreaking profile of a young woman who served her country and community. What a tragic loss.
In Her West Virginia Town, Military Service Is a Source of Pride—and an Economic Path
For Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who died after being shot while on duty in Washington, the military offered opportunities that tiny Webster Springs didn’t.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:05 AM
A heartbreaking profile of a young woman who served her country and community. What a tragic loss.
I am NOT complaining - the city does a fantastic job with leaf pickup and I assume it will be delayed a couple weeks. This year, with all the wind, it’s meant the leaves raked to the curb are back on my lawn. 😂
November 28, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I am NOT complaining - the city does a fantastic job with leaf pickup and I assume it will be delayed a couple weeks. This year, with all the wind, it’s meant the leaves raked to the curb are back on my lawn. 😂
“Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers, an order to kill all the boat’s occupants if they were no longer able to fight “would in essence be an order to show no quarter, which would be a war crime””
D.C. police to begin patrolling with National Guard after fatal attack
If enacted on a long-term basis, the change would significantly shift the way National Guard troops have worked with law enforcement in the District since their arrival.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers, an order to kill all the boat’s occupants if they were no longer able to fight “would in essence be an order to show no quarter, which would be a war crime””
Onondaga County opted into creating a registry for short term rentals. Meanwhile, Monroe wants to opt out, after pressure from Airbnb lobbyists that include Congressman Morelle's son.
Onondaga County expands hotel room tax to include short-term rentals
The measure approved by legislators essentially adopts a state law requiring the county to tax rooms or homes rented through VRBO or Airbnb.
www.waer.org
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Onondaga County opted into creating a registry for short term rentals. Meanwhile, Monroe wants to opt out, after pressure from Airbnb lobbyists that include Congressman Morelle's son.
I don't have a problem with this. People need to slow down and follow the rules of the road.
New York overhauling driver point system, changes could impact your license and insurance
ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is overhauling the point system it uses to penalize drivers and the changes could impact you significantly. The new system has already be...
www.whec.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I don't have a problem with this. People need to slow down and follow the rules of the road.
Thinking about Keeping Our Promise, the Rochester organization that helps to resettle Afghans who helped US forces, as well as the people they serve.
One evil act is being used to hurt many innocent people.
One evil act is being used to hurt many innocent people.
Trump vows to 'permanently pause' migration from some countries after National Guard shooting
In a post on his social media platform late Thursday, President Donald Trump said he will "permanently pause migration" from some countries following the D.C. shooting.
abcnews.go.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Thinking about Keeping Our Promise, the Rochester organization that helps to resettle Afghans who helped US forces, as well as the people they serve.
One evil act is being used to hurt many innocent people.
One evil act is being used to hurt many innocent people.
"Judges have assailed the administration for defying the law and suggested the unprecedented interpretation of the law could subject millions of people to detention, even if they have lived in the country for decades without incident."
More than 220 judges have now rejected the Trump admin’s mass detention policy
The number has skyrocketed in recent weeks and includes at least 20 judges appointed by Trump himself.
www.politico.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"Judges have assailed the administration for defying the law and suggested the unprecedented interpretation of the law could subject millions of people to detention, even if they have lived in the country for decades without incident."
"Adam Carr, Specialist Beckstrom’s former boyfriend, described her as “caring and tenderhearted.” He said she worked for the military police and joined the National Guard because she dreamed of having a career in the F.B.I."
Anguish for the Families of Two Guard Troops
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"Adam Carr, Specialist Beckstrom’s former boyfriend, described her as “caring and tenderhearted.” He said she worked for the military police and joined the National Guard because she dreamed of having a career in the F.B.I."
"The units were known for their brutality and labeled “death squads” by human rights groups...
A childhood friend...said that Mr. Lakanwal had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused."
A childhood friend...said that Mr. Lakanwal had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused."
D.C. Shooting Suspect ‘Could Not Tolerate’ the Violence of His C.I.A.-Backed Unit in Afghanistan, a Childhood Friend Said
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:09 PM
"The units were known for their brutality and labeled “death squads” by human rights groups...
A childhood friend...said that Mr. Lakanwal had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused."
A childhood friend...said that Mr. Lakanwal had suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused."
Good morning from North Winton Village
November 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Good morning from North Winton Village
Hard to believe this isn’t already the flag. Common sense and welcome move.
www.rochesterfirst.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Hard to believe this isn’t already the flag. Common sense and welcome move.
“A 6-year-old such as her would only be responsible for being in a visa violation status six months after 18th birthday. By then, she already had DACA, which is a lawful process.”
A mother was taken into custody by ICE. Then the public learned of her family tie to the White House | CNN Politics
Bruna Ferreira came to the US from Brazil as a child, and by all accounts, lived a life like any American: playing on the high school tennis team, getting married and divorced, building a small busine...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:37 AM
“A 6-year-old such as her would only be responsible for being in a visa violation status six months after 18th birthday. By then, she already had DACA, which is a lawful process.”
Thank you to @Reuters for putting this together.
“At least 470 people, organizations and institutions have been targeted for retribution since Trump took office – an average of more than one a day.”
“At least 470 people, organizations and institutions have been targeted for retribution since Trump took office – an average of more than one a day.”
Trump’s campaign of retribution: At least 470 targets and counting
A Reuters investigation documents at least 470 acts of retribution under Trump’s leadership.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Thank you to @Reuters for putting this together.
“At least 470 people, organizations and institutions have been targeted for retribution since Trump took office – an average of more than one a day.”
“At least 470 people, organizations and institutions have been targeted for retribution since Trump took office – an average of more than one a day.”
“”I had to take our baby from my crying wife’s arms,” Mr. Paul, 33, said, recalling the moment that agents said they were arresting his wife, Katie.”
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
“”I had to take our baby from my crying wife’s arms,” Mr. Paul, 33, said, recalling the moment that agents said they were arresting his wife, Katie.”
One thing that shows more bad faith on part of Bello admin - no one asked legislators' their avail for a (private) briefing. I asked for other times than 12/2 at 4p and never got a response.
Why is Bello rushing through a short-term rental law designed to favor AirbnB? Follow the money and the friends, as per usual. Have to read to the end on this one.
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/now-it-all...
rachbarnhart.substack.com/p/now-it-all...
November 26, 2025 at 9:43 PM
One thing that shows more bad faith on part of Bello admin - no one asked legislators' their avail for a (private) briefing. I asked for other times than 12/2 at 4p and never got a response.
The FBI has absolutely no business investigating the protected and lawful speech of lawmakers.
FBI seeks interviews with six Democrats Trump accused of 'seditious behavior'
The lawmakers, who released a video urging members of the military and the intelligence community not to follow illegal orders, accused Trump of trying to intimidate them.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The FBI has absolutely no business investigating the protected and lawful speech of lawmakers.