Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
@ashponders.bsky.social
I was a poet but then I wanted
to get paid
worse.
I make photos for news.
@ashponders.01 on signal.
http://ashponders.com
to get paid
worse.
I make photos for news.
@ashponders.01 on signal.
http://ashponders.com
Pinned
Hey friends. I'm doing a holiday printsale over on ashponders.darkroom.com. Please take a look, I make images of pretty things like monkeys who are disappointed in you and rainbows that aren't. If you can buy a print, do!
Ok! A buncha people came through & suggested some images I've made that might find a home on the walls of my many many admirers.
Because of their wonderful labor, I've increased the 'bluesky' discount to 50% and refunded the difference to those of you who've used the code when it was only 25%.
Because of their wonderful labor, I've increased the 'bluesky' discount to 50% and refunded the difference to those of you who've used the code when it was only 25%.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Love this idea >:3 Click this link if you want to support worker-owned journalism in the Bay Area! coyotemedia.org?ref=coyoteme...
November 13, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Love this idea >:3 Click this link if you want to support worker-owned journalism in the Bay Area! coyotemedia.org?ref=coyoteme...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
The woman whom the House Ethics Committee determined Matt Gaetz paid for sex when she was 17 years old was living in a homeless shelter, working at McDonald's, and needed the money for braces www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
November 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The woman whom the House Ethics Committee determined Matt Gaetz paid for sex when she was 17 years old was living in a homeless shelter, working at McDonald's, and needed the money for braces www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
“In the 1960s and 1970s, as Kenya made the transition from colony to democracy, Joseph Kamaru sang messages of national pride, anti-corruption, class betrayal and gender politics to an emerging nation.” Joseph Kamaru in @aquariumdrunkard.com aquariumdrunkard.com/2025/11/13/j...
Joseph Kamaru :: Heavy Combination 1966 – 2007 - Aquarium Drunkard
n the 1960s and 1970s, as Kenya made the difficult transition from colony to functioning democracy, Joseph Kamaru sang the soundtrack, bringing messages of national pride, anti-corruption, class betra...
aquariumdrunkard.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
“In the 1960s and 1970s, as Kenya made the transition from colony to democracy, Joseph Kamaru sang messages of national pride, anti-corruption, class betrayal and gender politics to an emerging nation.” Joseph Kamaru in @aquariumdrunkard.com aquariumdrunkard.com/2025/11/13/j...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
The Republic has identified the guard who brutally punched a 22-year-old outside a Phoenix nightclub. Rafael Montoya died after the brawl.
Guard in fatal Phoenix nightclub beating is violent felon with far-right ties
The Republic has identified the guard who brutally punched a 22-year-old outside a Phoenix nightclub. Rafael Montoya died after the brawl.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The Republic has identified the guard who brutally punched a 22-year-old outside a Phoenix nightclub. Rafael Montoya died after the brawl.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Epstein was obviously the story of the day but it’s wild that we got confirmation the CIA was engaged in biological warfare in Afghanistan for at least a decade
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium
In a decade-long operation, the CIA modified poppy seeds and dropped them by the billions from aircraft over Afghanistan in an attempt to weaken the potency of the country’s opium crop.
wapo.st
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Epstein was obviously the story of the day but it’s wild that we got confirmation the CIA was engaged in biological warfare in Afghanistan for at least a decade
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
New: We analyzed prison rules and sanctions, and gathered accounts from incarcerated people, to reveal how DOCs use disciplinary policies to punish people for menstruating. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/11...
Menstruation as misconduct: How prisons punish people for having their periods
Our analysis of prison rules and sanctions across all fifty states and the federal system — as well as accounts of incarcerated people — reveal ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
New: We analyzed prison rules and sanctions, and gathered accounts from incarcerated people, to reveal how DOCs use disciplinary policies to punish people for menstruating. www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Today, Oklahoma is set to execute Tremane Wood even though a state panel recommended his life is spared
Tremane Wood is currently on death row, despite his older brother admitting to killing victim Ronnie Wipf in 2002.
Next week, he will have the chance to make his case for mercy.
Oklahoma's attorney general is fighting to ensure his death anyway.
Next week, he will have the chance to make his case for mercy.
Oklahoma's attorney general is fighting to ensure his death anyway.
His Brother Admitted To A Murder. He Is Set To Be Executed For It.
Next week, Tremane Wood will have the chance to make his case for mercy. Oklahoma's attorney general is fighting to ensure his death.
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Today, Oklahoma is set to execute Tremane Wood even though a state panel recommended his life is spared
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
You probably saw videos of a nighttime raid in Chicago. Agents rappelling from a helicopter, bursting down doors, questioning brown-skinned immigrants.
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
We investigated -- and found little evidence to support the government’s claims about Tren de Aragua.
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Canada announces a $1.7 billion program to recruit top H1B visa holders from America
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Canada announces a $1.7 billion program to recruit top H1B visa holders from America
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Leaders of the Colorado River Indian Tribes formally granted the Colorado River legal personhood status, making it the third river with such legal protections in North America. The Yurok Tribe granted personhood to the Klamath River in 2019. @debkrol.bsky.social www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Colorado River wins personhood status from Arizona tribal council
Personhood status creates a powerful new mechanism for protecting the eponymous river that makes life possible in their arid homelands.
www.azcentral.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Leaders of the Colorado River Indian Tribes formally granted the Colorado River legal personhood status, making it the third river with such legal protections in North America. The Yurok Tribe granted personhood to the Klamath River in 2019. @debkrol.bsky.social www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Tiny spiders that build giant 'puppet' decoys from disembodied prey discovered in Peru and Philippines www.livescience.com/animals/spid...
Tiny spiders turn their webs into 'theaters of deception' with giant 'puppets' to stave off predators
Researchers have documented the strange antics of two tropical spider species that build giant, arachnid-shaped decoys out of silk, plant matter and prey remains in their webs.
www.livescience.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Tiny spiders that build giant 'puppet' decoys from disembodied prey discovered in Peru and Philippines www.livescience.com/animals/spid...
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
High Country News is another independent journalism outlet that does great work, focusing on the American West (public lands, indigenous affairs, climate change, water, arts & culture); a digital subscription is only $25/yr.
How I found hope while reporting on a metal fest
Peek behind the scenes at the challenges and joy of covering Fire in the Mountains.
Peek behind the scenes at the challenges and joy of covering Fire in the Mountains.
How I found hope while reporting on a metal fest
Peek behind the scenes at the challenges and joy of covering Fire in the Mountains.
www.hcn.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
High Country News is another independent journalism outlet that does great work, focusing on the American West (public lands, indigenous affairs, climate change, water, arts & culture); a digital subscription is only $25/yr.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
It's not just Starbucks: coffee shop workers across the country, from national chains to local cafes, have unionized in a quest to turn being a barista into a good job www.bonappetit.com/story/barist...
America's Baristas Are Brewing Up a Labor Movement
From union victories at local coffee institutions to the campaigns at giants like Starbucks, this grassroots movement is fundamentally reshaping the service industry.
www.bonappetit.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It's not just Starbucks: coffee shop workers across the country, from national chains to local cafes, have unionized in a quest to turn being a barista into a good job www.bonappetit.com/story/barist...
When cats go in submarines, do they want to eat the fishes they see?
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
When cats go in submarines, do they want to eat the fishes they see?
Honestly don’t know how
fantastic
this life in plastic.
fantastic
this life in plastic.
November 12, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Honestly don’t know how
fantastic
this life in plastic.
fantastic
this life in plastic.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
And just to underscore the loss and human suffering associated with this, the IEA now says demand for oil and gas could continue to grow until 2050.
Exclusive by me: A quarter of the world’s population lives within three miles (5km) of operational fossil fuel projects, threatening the health of more than 2bn people as well as critical ecosystems, according to first-of-its-kind research.
@amnesty.org
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@amnesty.org
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fossil fuel projects around the world threaten the health of 2bn people – report
Exclusive: ‘Deep-rooted injustices’ affect billions of people due to location of wells, pipelines and other infrastructure
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
And just to underscore the loss and human suffering associated with this, the IEA now says demand for oil and gas could continue to grow until 2050.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
The should play Born in East LA on PBS.
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 AM
The should play Born in East LA on PBS.
ProPublica 🤝🏽 The Onion
A sincere thanks to @theonion.com for spotlighting a huge and growing problem with America's broken Veterans Affairs system.
My @propublica.org colleagues have been investigating the VA and could use help from those who've worked there:
My @propublica.org colleagues have been investigating the VA and could use help from those who've worked there:
November 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
ProPublica 🤝🏽 The Onion
There are like three employees in the whole store. Two of them only work pharmacy.
Is this good? It doesn't seem good.
"Walgreens will no longer give many of its retail workers paid vacation time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays, as the company looks to cut costs under new owners."
"Walgreens will no longer give many of its retail workers paid vacation time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays, as the company looks to cut costs under new owners."
Walgreens Cuts Pay for Hourly Store Workers After $10 Billion Buyout
Walgreens will no longer give many of its retail workers paid vacation time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays, as the company looks to cut costs under new owners.
www.bloomberg.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
There are like three employees in the whole store. Two of them only work pharmacy.
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
Wow, a Long Island jury awarded $112 Million to 674 immigrants who were unlawfully held by county police so they could be handed over to ICE
Federal jury awards $112M to immigrants detained by Suffolk for ICE
A federal jury found the county and the Sheriff's Office violated the Constitutional rights of 674 people.
longisland.news12.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Wow, a Long Island jury awarded $112 Million to 674 immigrants who were unlawfully held by county police so they could be handed over to ICE
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
The state is justified in tracking residencies and online identities of convicted child sex offenders, the court ruled
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
Judge rejects claim that the Arizona sex offender registry violates constitutional rights
Arizona sex offender registry lawsuit dismissed as judge upholds laws requiring lifetime registration and online tracking
azmirror.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The state is justified in tracking residencies and online identities of convicted child sex offenders, the court ruled
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
Reposted by Ash Ponders is judging the Smithsonian Photo Contest
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss wants to take down ‘too much power’ CBS News Standards unit: sources
EXCLUSIVE: Internal rumblings within the newsroom come after the S&P head resigned and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit.
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...