alex arriaga
@alexarriaga.bsky.social
local journalist | new york focus audience engagement editor
Pinned
alex arriaga
@alexarriaga.bsky.social
· Dec 11
What New Yorkers Want From Local News
New York Focus traveled across the state to meet with communities about their local news needs.
nysfocus.com
So happy to share this @nysfocus.bsky.social report today!
We met with New Yorkers at a library in Albany, a community center in Syracuse, a church basement in Rochester and a town hall in the North Country.
All to ask: what do people want from local news? 📰
nysfocus.com/2024/12/11/w...
We met with New Yorkers at a library in Albany, a community center in Syracuse, a church basement in Rochester and a town hall in the North Country.
All to ask: what do people want from local news? 📰
nysfocus.com/2024/12/11/w...
My screen time is down 67%. So this is how it feels
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
My screen time is down 67%. So this is how it feels
It’s funny to think about normal people learning about SOMOS
November 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
It’s funny to think about normal people learning about SOMOS
Reposted by alex arriaga
Children & babies in Chicago and its suburbs are feeling the impacts of immigration enforcement. Children had to see a teacher dragged out by federal agents at Rayito de Sol daycare earlier this week. A baby was pepper sprayed today in Cicero, IL. School attendance is dropping in immigrant nhoods.
Attendance Drops At Chicago Schools In Communities With Increased Immigration Enforcement
In the four weeks since the start of Operation Midway Blitz, attendance at one school with a large immigrant population dropped by 4 percentage points — nearly three times the attendance drop citywide...
blockclubchicago.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Children & babies in Chicago and its suburbs are feeling the impacts of immigration enforcement. Children had to see a teacher dragged out by federal agents at Rayito de Sol daycare earlier this week. A baby was pepper sprayed today in Cicero, IL. School attendance is dropping in immigrant nhoods.
Reposted by alex arriaga
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
Reposted by alex arriaga
Her husband told her that detainees at Broadview had to get up at 5am to get in line for one bathroom. He often peed himself. One time he had to wait until 2pm to use the bathroom. You could only use the bathroom once a day. He said the agents would beat you if you used the bathroom on yourself.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Her husband told her that detainees at Broadview had to get up at 5am to get in line for one bathroom. He often peed himself. One time he had to wait until 2pm to use the bathroom. You could only use the bathroom once a day. He said the agents would beat you if you used the bathroom on yourself.
Reposted by alex arriaga
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by alex arriaga
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
Many unhoused Chicagoans uncounted among the disappeared - Chicago Reader
The Latino Union of Chicago, via its Adopt a Corner initiative, organizes patrols to watch for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents at intersections and landmarks wh...
chicagoreader.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
thread:
NEW: Democrats resurged across the country on Tuesday, and New York was no exception. Zohran Mamdani wasn't the only victor.
Here’s a look at how some of New York’s most important local races played out:
Here’s a look at how some of New York’s most important local races played out:
It’s Not Just Mamdani: Democrats, Progressives Rack Up Victories…
Working Families Party–backed candidates flipped county legislatures, won big-city mayoralties, and secured an Assembly seat in Elise Stefanik’s backyard.
nysfocus.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
thread:
I posted a photo of myself in a gray sweatshirt and my cousin DMd me to say it’s hers. girl whatever there’s a hole in it 😒😒😒
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I posted a photo of myself in a gray sweatshirt and my cousin DMd me to say it’s hers. girl whatever there’s a hole in it 😒😒😒
Reposted by alex arriaga
Here’s a deeply tragic story: East Chicago woman with schizophrenia who opted for deportation after being held without her meds now missing in Mexico. By Meredith Colias and Kate Perez
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/t...
‘They destroyed us’: East Chicago woman with schizophrenia who opted for deportation now missing in Mexico
When federal immigration agents raided Martha Porcallo Martinez’s East Chicago, Indiana home on June 12, they also arrested her 26-year-old daughter who has schizophrenia.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Here’s a deeply tragic story: East Chicago woman with schizophrenia who opted for deportation after being held without her meds now missing in Mexico. By Meredith Colias and Kate Perez
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/t...
Reposted by alex arriaga
NEW: Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda.
Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
Zohran Mamdani’s Next Big Battle is in Albany
Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda. Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.
nysfocus.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
NEW: Mamdani convinced New York City voters to back his agenda.
Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
Now he needs to convince Albany politicians.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
Reposted by alex arriaga
In his victory speech, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani gave a shoutout to the taxi cab drivers he fought alongside for in a historic debt relief deal in a hunger strike.
nysfocus.com/2024/09/03/t...
nysfocus.com/2024/09/03/t...
Hundreds of Taxi Drivers Left in Debt as Lenders Balk at Loan Deal
A historic debt relief deal was meant to rescue cabbies from a medallion value crash. But some lenders are insisting drivers pay off loans in full, even…
nysfocus.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:32 AM
In his victory speech, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani gave a shoutout to the taxi cab drivers he fought alongside for in a historic debt relief deal in a hunger strike.
nysfocus.com/2024/09/03/t...
nysfocus.com/2024/09/03/t...
Reposted by alex arriaga
At Brooklyn Paramount, the moment AP called the race for mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social:
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
At Brooklyn Paramount, the moment AP called the race for mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social:
Reposted by alex arriaga
according to @jessyedwards.bsky.social of @hellgatenyc.com Curtis Sliwa just said on stage that he was offered $10 million to drop out of the race
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
according to @jessyedwards.bsky.social of @hellgatenyc.com Curtis Sliwa just said on stage that he was offered $10 million to drop out of the race
when someone I loved told me to read Rich Dad, Poor Dad it gave me the same feeling the first time someone close to me told me they voted for Trump
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 AM
when someone I loved told me to read Rich Dad, Poor Dad it gave me the same feeling the first time someone close to me told me they voted for Trump
Reposted by alex arriaga
sorry but mamdani and cuomo should have worn blue and yellow hats, respectively
November 5, 2025 at 12:24 AM
sorry but mamdani and cuomo should have worn blue and yellow hats, respectively
Reposted by alex arriaga
The crashouts are admittedly funny.
November 4, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The crashouts are admittedly funny.
Reposted by alex arriaga
It's a busy day, I know. But this thread from a reporter covering the trial of the man who threw a sandwich at an immigration agent is absolutely worth your time
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's a busy day, I know. But this thread from a reporter covering the trial of the man who threw a sandwich at an immigration agent is absolutely worth your time
Reposted by alex arriaga
Should New York retroactively legalize a winter sports facility built on a protected state preserve, and in exchange acquire new land to add to the preserve?
Here's what's at stake with New York’s one statewide ballot initiative.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/03/b...
Here's what's at stake with New York’s one statewide ballot initiative.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/03/b...
What Is Ballot Proposal 1?
Voters across the state are scratching their chins about a question on their ballots concerning an Adirondacks winter sports facility. Here’s what’s going…
nysfocus.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Should New York retroactively legalize a winter sports facility built on a protected state preserve, and in exchange acquire new land to add to the preserve?
Here's what's at stake with New York’s one statewide ballot initiative.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/03/b...
Here's what's at stake with New York’s one statewide ballot initiative.
nysfocus.com/2025/11/03/b...
Reposted by alex arriaga
One of Andrew Cuomo's most reliable tactics as governor was to drag his feet on progressive priorities and then finally give in, take all the credit, and use the moment to divert attention from his deeply conservative and harmful governance www.nytimes.com/2021/04/04/o...
Opinion | Meet the New Cuomo. Same as the Old Cuomo. (Published 2021)
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
One of Andrew Cuomo's most reliable tactics as governor was to drag his feet on progressive priorities and then finally give in, take all the credit, and use the moment to divert attention from his deeply conservative and harmful governance www.nytimes.com/2021/04/04/o...
This book made me want to throw up my breakfast a little. And also play breath of the wild.
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 AM
This book made me want to throw up my breakfast a little. And also play breath of the wild.
“I can’t believe the election is tomorrow. I can’t sleep” actually it’s not even 10pm yet
November 4, 2025 at 2:54 AM
“I can’t believe the election is tomorrow. I can’t sleep” actually it’s not even 10pm yet
Do you think Zohran smiles really big while he reads a book quietly to himself
November 4, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Do you think Zohran smiles really big while he reads a book quietly to himself