Allison Torres Burtka
@allisonburtka.bsky.social
Freelance writer and editor in metro Detroit. Words in National Geographic, The Guardian, Outside, Parents, Audubon, Harvard Public Health, WebMD & more.
writing portfolio: https://atburtka.journoportfolio.com/
writing portfolio: https://atburtka.journoportfolio.com/
Terrorizing children
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
January 22, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Terrorizing children
A 5-year-old boy has been snatched from his driveway in Minnesota, flown to Texas, and put behind bars. How does terrorizing children "protect America"? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
ICE detains five-year-old Minnesota boy arriving home, say school officials
Superintendent says Liam Ramos and his father were taken into custody while in their driveway and sent to Texas
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:20 PM
A 5-year-old boy has been snatched from his driveway in Minnesota, flown to Texas, and put behind bars. How does terrorizing children "protect America"? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
school being canceled because the president sent armed thugs to harass and imprison the populace for voting against him should be the biggest domestic scandal in american history
January 20, 2026 at 4:10 PM
school being canceled because the president sent armed thugs to harass and imprison the populace for voting against him should be the biggest domestic scandal in american history
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
MLK could have written this today.
January 19, 2026 at 1:57 PM
MLK could have written this today.
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
If ya don't want political reactions in your factory
Don't bring politicians into your factory
Seems really simple
Don't bring politicians into your factory
Seems really simple
January 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
If ya don't want political reactions in your factory
Don't bring politicians into your factory
Seems really simple
Don't bring politicians into your factory
Seems really simple
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
This is completely fucking unacceptable. Shut this terrorist government down until it stops brutalizing its own citizens.
Today at 34 & Park in Minneapolis, a woman tried to drive down the street where a protest had broken out in front of a home ICE was raiding, saying she had a doctor apt to get to. ICE agents busted out her windows, cut off her seatbelt, and pulled her out before arresting her.
January 13, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This is completely fucking unacceptable. Shut this terrorist government down until it stops brutalizing its own citizens.
Glad these 6 prosecutors stood up to this. It's absurd for the DOJ to investigate the widow of the woman killed by an ICE agent--rather than investigating the shooter. This is not how things work.
Never comply in advance: Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/u...
Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Glad these 6 prosecutors stood up to this. It's absurd for the DOJ to investigate the widow of the woman killed by an ICE agent--rather than investigating the shooter. This is not how things work.
These FDA/HHS announcements that they'll conduct new studies on mifepristone, Tylenol & other drugs that have been shown to be safe for many years is bad news for the safety of all our drugs. They are trying to drive the FDA on whims, not science. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Mifepristone and the Future of FDA Drug Regulation
On September 19, 2025, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Martin Makary announced that HHS would be ...
jamanetwork.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:26 PM
These FDA/HHS announcements that they'll conduct new studies on mifepristone, Tylenol & other drugs that have been shown to be safe for many years is bad news for the safety of all our drugs. They are trying to drive the FDA on whims, not science. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Wherever their new venue is, I hope they sell out their first performance immediately.
Breaking News: The Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center after President Trump’s intervention upset artists and donors. The opera has performed there since 1971.
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
The opera, which has performed at the arts center since 1971, was concerned by declines in attendance and donations during President Trump’s second term.
nyti.ms
January 10, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Wherever their new venue is, I hope they sell out their first performance immediately.
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
Remembering today that having your heart broken is a necessary step on the path to becoming fully human. Whichever heartbreak is your first, it’s probably critical that a state break your heart so that you can develop a political imagination. If this is your first, I’m sorry and also welcome.
January 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Remembering today that having your heart broken is a necessary step on the path to becoming fully human. Whichever heartbreak is your first, it’s probably critical that a state break your heart so that you can develop a political imagination. If this is your first, I’m sorry and also welcome.
We should be thanking the officers who did their jobs and put their lives on the line to defend our democracy.
We should also call the insurrectionists who killed officers and tried to overthrow the government what they are: insurrectionists, traitors, criminals (pardon or no pardon).
We should also call the insurrectionists who killed officers and tried to overthrow the government what they are: insurrectionists, traitors, criminals (pardon or no pardon).
Officers like @libradunn1.bsky.social saved my life and my colleagues’ lives on January 6th. I’m forever grateful to the law enforcement officials who courageously defended our Capitol and our democracy from the armed insurrectionists.
January 6, 2026 at 10:44 PM
We should be thanking the officers who did their jobs and put their lives on the line to defend our democracy.
We should also call the insurrectionists who killed officers and tried to overthrow the government what they are: insurrectionists, traitors, criminals (pardon or no pardon).
We should also call the insurrectionists who killed officers and tried to overthrow the government what they are: insurrectionists, traitors, criminals (pardon or no pardon).
In 2025, there were 2,065 confirmed cases of measles in the United States. 3 deaths. All of them completely preventable.
We're doing worse than some developing countries. Venezuela apparently had 0 measles cases in 2025.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
We're doing worse than some developing countries. Venezuela apparently had 0 measles cases in 2025.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
Measles Cases and Outbreaks
Find the latest numbers of confirmed U.S. measles cases. CDC updates this page weekly.
www.cdc.gov
January 6, 2026 at 10:36 PM
In 2025, there were 2,065 confirmed cases of measles in the United States. 3 deaths. All of them completely preventable.
We're doing worse than some developing countries. Venezuela apparently had 0 measles cases in 2025.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
We're doing worse than some developing countries. Venezuela apparently had 0 measles cases in 2025.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
My mom, 78, had Glacier National Park on her bucket list, so we went on a hiking trip there, even though I wasn't sure how much she'd be able to do. Turns out, way more than she expected--she pretty much became an outdoor adventurer. www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too...
I Took My Mom on a Hiking Trip to Glacier National Park
And she found that, with support, she could do more than she expected
www.sierraclub.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
My mom, 78, had Glacier National Park on her bucket list, so we went on a hiking trip there, even though I wasn't sure how much she'd be able to do. Turns out, way more than she expected--she pretty much became an outdoor adventurer. www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too...
This is what all the Turning Point conference attendees aspire to be.
December 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
This is what all the Turning Point conference attendees aspire to be.
What I absolutely DON'T need from a newspaper is an article on why one sexual predator isn't sorry about his friendship with another sexual predator.
December 15, 2025 at 10:51 PM
What I absolutely DON'T need from a newspaper is an article on why one sexual predator isn't sorry about his friendship with another sexual predator.
At least Forbes is telling it like it is.
There is no limit to his cruelty.
There is no limit to his cruelty.
Reiner and his wife were found dead in an apparent homicide Sunday that Trump claims was related to the actor’s dislike of the president.
Trump Blames Director Rob Reiner’s Death On 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' In Bizarre Post
Reiner and his wife were found dead in an apparent homicide Sunday that Trump claims was related to the actor’s dislike of the president.
www.forbes.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
At least Forbes is telling it like it is.
There is no limit to his cruelty.
There is no limit to his cruelty.
Fred Rogers said to look for the helpers.
Ahmed el Ahmed realized what was happening at Bondi Beach and ran to help, all by himself, pouncing on one of the gunmen and grabbing his gun away.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/w...
Ahmed el Ahmed realized what was happening at Bondi Beach and ran to help, all by himself, pouncing on one of the gunmen and grabbing his gun away.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/w...
Syrian-born Australian Who Tackled Bondi Gunman Hailed as Hero
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Fred Rogers said to look for the helpers.
Ahmed el Ahmed realized what was happening at Bondi Beach and ran to help, all by himself, pouncing on one of the gunmen and grabbing his gun away.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/w...
Ahmed el Ahmed realized what was happening at Bondi Beach and ran to help, all by himself, pouncing on one of the gunmen and grabbing his gun away.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/w...
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
My dog died a few days ago, and then this showed up at my door. It's from Chewy, where I had to cancel autoships I had set up for her food and meds.
This is how you go above and beyond in customer service.
This is how you go above and beyond in customer service.
December 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
My dog died a few days ago, and then this showed up at my door. It's from Chewy, where I had to cancel autoships I had set up for her food and meds.
This is how you go above and beyond in customer service.
This is how you go above and beyond in customer service.
If only there were *something* Target could do differently!
This article doesn't acknowledge that the company's sudden abandonment of DEI (and then doubling down on it every time they had an opportunity to reconsider) is the main reason people are staying away.
This article doesn't acknowledge that the company's sudden abandonment of DEI (and then doubling down on it every time they had an opportunity to reconsider) is the main reason people are staying away.
Target investors brace for market share drop, weak sales due to US shutdown reut.rs/44hsnk2
Target investors brace for market share drop, weak sales due to US shutdown
Target's third‑quarter results on Wednesday are expected to lay bare the retailer’s struggles amid mounting economic uncertainty, and as cash-strapped Americans slashed discretionary spending during the prolonged government shutdown.
reut.rs
November 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM
If only there were *something* Target could do differently!
This article doesn't acknowledge that the company's sudden abandonment of DEI (and then doubling down on it every time they had an opportunity to reconsider) is the main reason people are staying away.
This article doesn't acknowledge that the company's sudden abandonment of DEI (and then doubling down on it every time they had an opportunity to reconsider) is the main reason people are staying away.
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
This is perfect.
She did it all for love
November 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This is perfect.
Reposted by Allison Torres Burtka
This is what's wrong with journalism, the NYT, politicians, health care--all of it.
Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
November 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is what's wrong with journalism, the NYT, politicians, health care--all of it.
Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
Do I want to read about this journalist's infatuation with this imbecile who's bringing back preventable diseases? I sure don't. Reading just part of this breathless article is more than enough.
Color me unsurprised that these rich white people abusing their power are also vicious racists.
Maybe Epstein donated to democrats in the past or was registered as a Dem, but he was awfully excited about DT’s presidency and had no problem enjoying the most vile racist jokes made about Obama.
Also having reviewed hundreds of emails, it’s wild how often DT is mentioned. The Trumpstein Files.
Also having reviewed hundreds of emails, it’s wild how often DT is mentioned. The Trumpstein Files.
November 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Color me unsurprised that these rich white people abusing their power are also vicious racists.