Ann Finkbeiner
@annfinkbeiner.bsky.social
Freelance science writer, mostly astro, some natsec sci, some women-in-astro, some grief psych, otherwise whatever I can get paid to write about. I love Baltimore, I do.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Cases of measles cropped up in two centers for unauthorized immigrants in Arizona and Texas last month. They are almost 1,000 miles apart, yet the centers have one thing in common: They are operated by CoreCivic, a publicly traded detention company with a checkered track record.
Sick Detainees Describe Poor Care at Facilities Run by ICE Contractor
Problems at detention centers operated by CoreCivic extend far beyond recent measles outbreaks.
nyti.ms
February 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Cases of measles cropped up in two centers for unauthorized immigrants in Arizona and Texas last month. They are almost 1,000 miles apart, yet the centers have one thing in common: They are operated by CoreCivic, a publicly traded detention company with a checkered track record.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Tiny Dog Has Been Barking Nonstop For 6 Years
February 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Tiny Dog Has Been Barking Nonstop For 6 Years
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
pretty stunning chart
February 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM
pretty stunning chart
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
New hard data show the same pattern of intense anti-Trump backlash that polls do. Protests against Trump are happening at 4x the rate as 2017-18, and special election swings offer more data on the same point
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
The backlash against Trump is showing up in hard data, not just polls
New data on protest activity shows organized anti-Trump actions are 4x the size they were in the president's first term. Your weekly political data roundup for February 15, 2026.
www.gelliottmorris.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:54 PM
New hard data show the same pattern of intense anti-Trump backlash that polls do. Protests against Trump are happening at 4x the rate as 2017-18, and special election swings offer more data on the same point
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
If you want to understand why rich guys are turning back to eugenics and recreating the rhetoric and theology of slavery, it’s because they know on some level this level of wealth inequality is unjustifiable bsky.app/profile/marl...
February 16, 2026 at 6:06 PM
If you want to understand why rich guys are turning back to eugenics and recreating the rhetoric and theology of slavery, it’s because they know on some level this level of wealth inequality is unjustifiable bsky.app/profile/marl...
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Yeah, this is pretty much exactly what I thought about when I saw Musk's stupid racist tweet: Minnesotans have spent the last month and a half saying we will die to defend our multicultural community.
It's also part of a very direct negation of the latest stupid tweet by Musk: people have given so much, two of them their lives, to defend a multicultural city and the rights of people not exactly like them. And that multiculturalism is American culture.
February 16, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Yeah, this is pretty much exactly what I thought about when I saw Musk's stupid racist tweet: Minnesotans have spent the last month and a half saying we will die to defend our multicultural community.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
The agency warns: "The Salmonella strain associated with this outbreak is resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly recommended for the treatment of Salmonella infections."
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Moringa Powder (February 2026)
Do not eat or sell certain lots of Rosabella-brand moringa powder capsules. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov
February 16, 2026 at 4:32 PM
The agency warns: "The Salmonella strain associated with this outbreak is resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly recommended for the treatment of Salmonella infections."
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Only a few illnesses so far and no deaths. But the appearance of drug-resistant Salmonella in a supplement is definitely not good news. I've put the FDA announcement in the next post. 1/2
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Dietary Supplement Involves Extensively Drug-Resistant Strain
The moringa powder capsules are sold under the Rosabella brand name and are distributed by Ambrosia Brands LLC. The outbreak strain is resistant to all first-line and alternative antibiotics commonly ...
www.food-safety.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Only a few illnesses so far and no deaths. But the appearance of drug-resistant Salmonella in a supplement is definitely not good news. I've put the FDA announcement in the next post. 1/2
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
To my surprise, CDC is still tracking how many children RFK condemns to measles. Cases are getting younger and, of course, it is spreading faster.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
February 16, 2026 at 12:21 PM
To my surprise, CDC is still tracking how many children RFK condemns to measles. Cases are getting younger and, of course, it is spreading faster.
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
www.cdc.gov/measles/data...
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
While we're on ancestry stuff: Am I the only American to have learned just recently about Canada's new BIll C-3?
Which apparently entitles people w/ forebears who were at any stage Canadian (born or naturalized) to apply for Canadian citizenship?
(Thinking of the Mackenzies of Halifax...)
Which apparently entitles people w/ forebears who were at any stage Canadian (born or naturalized) to apply for Canadian citizenship?
(Thinking of the Mackenzies of Halifax...)
February 15, 2026 at 8:47 PM
While we're on ancestry stuff: Am I the only American to have learned just recently about Canada's new BIll C-3?
Which apparently entitles people w/ forebears who were at any stage Canadian (born or naturalized) to apply for Canadian citizenship?
(Thinking of the Mackenzies of Halifax...)
Which apparently entitles people w/ forebears who were at any stage Canadian (born or naturalized) to apply for Canadian citizenship?
(Thinking of the Mackenzies of Halifax...)
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
This enormous chain of hundreds of galaxies—a cosmic filament—is twisting through space 400 million light-years away
Astronomers spot one of the largest spinning structures in the universe
This enormous chain of hundreds of galaxies—a cosmic filament—is twisting through space 400 million light-years away
www.scientificamerican.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:16 PM
This enormous chain of hundreds of galaxies—a cosmic filament—is twisting through space 400 million light-years away
Sarah's got neighbors she didn't know she had, neighbors who leave around evidence that Sarah can't quite piece into stories. lastwordonnothing.com/2026/02/16/p...
Passages from unknowable stories - The Last Word On Nothing
If you liked this post, I hope you’ll consider becoming a subscriber to Terra Affirma, the weekly newsletter where I publish my comics poems and illustrated essays in hopes of building a new home for ...
lastwordonnothing.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Sarah's got neighbors she didn't know she had, neighbors who leave around evidence that Sarah can't quite piece into stories. lastwordonnothing.com/2026/02/16/p...
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre: “I was trafficked to a lot of types of different men — billionaires, royalty… he used me as a form of blackmail so these people would owe him favors.”
February 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre: “I was trafficked to a lot of types of different men — billionaires, royalty… he used me as a form of blackmail so these people would owe him favors.”
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
I am ABSOLUTELY reading this as HARD PROOF that Romans farmed ichthyosaurs.
It is fact now. Sorry.
It is fact now. Sorry.
Ichthyosaur snout and Roman farm found in bypass dig. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ichthyosaur snout and Roman farm found in Melton bypass digs
Archaeological digs unearth a rich seam of discoveries dating back to prehistory.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 11:52 AM
I am ABSOLUTELY reading this as HARD PROOF that Romans farmed ichthyosaurs.
It is fact now. Sorry.
It is fact now. Sorry.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
The sun will rise in #Baltimore #Maryland tomorrow at 6:57, 74 seconds earlier than the day before.
It will set at 17:43, 68 seconds later than the day before.
It will set at 17:43, 68 seconds later than the day before.
February 15, 2026 at 10:46 PM
The sun will rise in #Baltimore #Maryland tomorrow at 6:57, 74 seconds earlier than the day before.
It will set at 17:43, 68 seconds later than the day before.
It will set at 17:43, 68 seconds later than the day before.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Literally it was about something that happened to "you," and second person is sometimes how people tell stories, not usually literal stories.
Talking Heads:
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful house!"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful wife!"
But labeling is good.
Talking Heads:
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful house!"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful wife!"
But labeling is good.
February 15, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Literally it was about something that happened to "you," and second person is sometimes how people tell stories, not usually literal stories.
Talking Heads:
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful house!"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful wife!"
But labeling is good.
Talking Heads:
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful house!"
And you may tell yourself
"This is not my beautiful wife!"
But labeling is good.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
I believe I am being threatened with a good time.
Chicago UP is running a HUGE sale, and you can get extremely well-researched hard-bound books about all sorts of topics and all sorts of places for a price of a cheap paperback press.uchicago.edu/resource/Sal...
press.uchicago.edu
February 15, 2026 at 7:49 PM
I believe I am being threatened with a good time.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
American culture from 1776 on was Black, was Indigenous, was Spanish, was Jewish, was Quaker, was a whole lot of different things which then often got together and made splendidly non-European things, and most of our music has an African mother.
We must speak plainly about the agenda Elon Musk & other MAGA leaders are pushing. It’s white nationalism.
There’s no room for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish or all other Americans in Musk’s monocultural vision.
Multiculturalism is superior. We can’t allow Musk & others to end it.
There’s no room for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish or all other Americans in Musk’s monocultural vision.
Multiculturalism is superior. We can’t allow Musk & others to end it.
February 15, 2026 at 11:13 PM
American culture from 1776 on was Black, was Indigenous, was Spanish, was Jewish, was Quaker, was a whole lot of different things which then often got together and made splendidly non-European things, and most of our music has an African mother.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
The Mississippi Free Press is seeking a full-time East Central Bureau Reporter. Read more at mfp.ms/jobs.
buff.ly/kbxgOA1
buff.ly/kbxgOA1
February 15, 2026 at 8:47 PM
The Mississippi Free Press is seeking a full-time East Central Bureau Reporter. Read more at mfp.ms/jobs.
buff.ly/kbxgOA1
buff.ly/kbxgOA1
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
For a lot of people the divide is blurry in a lot of ways, sometimes by intention of the makers. Arendt: “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction...true and false...no longer exist.”
February 15, 2026 at 8:59 PM
For a lot of people the divide is blurry in a lot of ways, sometimes by intention of the makers. Arendt: “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction...true and false...no longer exist.”
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Example: "When the NP at the clinic[1] confirms it, Sandra knows what to expect. It would be her third child.[2] She has taken off work for the visit[3] and can't stay."
1. Most abortions begin at a clinic
2. Most abortion-seeker have at least one child
3. Most abortion seekers are employed.
1. Most abortions begin at a clinic
2. Most abortion-seeker have at least one child
3. Most abortion seekers are employed.
February 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Example: "When the NP at the clinic[1] confirms it, Sandra knows what to expect. It would be her third child.[2] She has taken off work for the visit[3] and can't stay."
1. Most abortions begin at a clinic
2. Most abortion-seeker have at least one child
3. Most abortion seekers are employed.
1. Most abortions begin at a clinic
2. Most abortion-seeker have at least one child
3. Most abortion seekers are employed.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
You could probably find a person to whom this actually happened! There's actually no excuse for this!
Alternatively, you make clear it's a hypothetical and do footnotes: "Statistically, this is the most common scenario," or some such. Lay out the a TYPICAL case, use quote from what's been reported.
Alternatively, you make clear it's a hypothetical and do footnotes: "Statistically, this is the most common scenario," or some such. Lay out the a TYPICAL case, use quote from what's been reported.
February 15, 2026 at 5:52 PM
You could probably find a person to whom this actually happened! There's actually no excuse for this!
Alternatively, you make clear it's a hypothetical and do footnotes: "Statistically, this is the most common scenario," or some such. Lay out the a TYPICAL case, use quote from what's been reported.
Alternatively, you make clear it's a hypothetical and do footnotes: "Statistically, this is the most common scenario," or some such. Lay out the a TYPICAL case, use quote from what's been reported.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Did other people know this is fiction? It's an incredibly bizarre choice and something I haven't seen magazines do before.
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Did other people know this is fiction? It's an incredibly bizarre choice and something I haven't seen magazines do before.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
Academia has not been a gold standard of resistance in any way.
The UMN leadership - ultimately my bosses - has failed this test, as they have failed every test except, perhaps catering to the needs of power.
Gift link.
Gift link.
Opinion | At the University of Minnesota, neutrality has become censorship
"In theory, neutrality policies protect free debate by allowing the community to disagree on controversial matters. But in practice, these policies are easily weaponized to achieve the opposite — cens...
www.startribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Academia has not been a gold standard of resistance in any way.
Reposted by Ann Finkbeiner
February 15, 2026 at 5:28 PM