Ashton Pittman
@ashtonpittman.bsky.social
News Editor @mississippifreepress.org •Writer 🖋️ •Film Shooter 📷 •Husband 🏳️🌈 •Pibble Dad 🐾 Opinions = mine
Pinned
Ashton Pittman
@ashtonpittman.bsky.social
· Nov 23
The mystery roll of film I developed yesterday turned out to be from my 2017 trip to Rodney, Mississippi—a ghost town on the banks of the Mississippi River that almost became the state capital.
Here you can see Rodney Presbyterian Church, whose façade is still damaged from a Civil War battle. 🧵
Here you can see Rodney Presbyterian Church, whose façade is still damaged from a Civil War battle. 🧵
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
What does it really take to grow and diversify Mississippi’s electorate?
Stuart Stevens, a native Mississippian who helped build national political movements, joins MFP editors for a real conversation about voter access and engagement in our state.
Open to all MFP donors.
givebutter.com/mfpdonate
Stuart Stevens, a native Mississippian who helped build national political movements, joins MFP editors for a real conversation about voter access and engagement in our state.
Open to all MFP donors.
givebutter.com/mfpdonate
January 6, 2026 at 9:44 PM
What does it really take to grow and diversify Mississippi’s electorate?
Stuart Stevens, a native Mississippian who helped build national political movements, joins MFP editors for a real conversation about voter access and engagement in our state.
Open to all MFP donors.
givebutter.com/mfpdonate
Stuart Stevens, a native Mississippian who helped build national political movements, joins MFP editors for a real conversation about voter access and engagement in our state.
Open to all MFP donors.
givebutter.com/mfpdonate
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
“Our culture and history (as Mississippians), especially our literary contributions, are too brilliant for us to box ourselves in,” Magnolia Literacy Project Executive Director LaWanda Dickens said.
Brookhaven Native’s Magnolia Literacy Project Unites Black Writers Across Generations
Jackson State University professor LaWanda Dickens founded the Magnolia Literacy Project to share her love of reading and to mentor writers young and old.
buff.ly
January 6, 2026 at 11:31 PM
“Our culture and history (as Mississippians), especially our literary contributions, are too brilliant for us to box ourselves in,” Magnolia Literacy Project Executive Director LaWanda Dickens said.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
company that creates deepfake CSAM raises $20 billion www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/t...
Elon Musk’s xAI Raises $20 Billion
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:51 PM
company that creates deepfake CSAM raises $20 billion www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/t...
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
WHOA: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) stands next to image of Jan 6 plaque on Senate floor.. and is noting the pardoned rioters who have been arrested again
Tillis: "We let bad people go"
Re: plaque Tillis says he'll seek unanimous consent to get approval for THIS version of plaque to be hung
Tillis: "We let bad people go"
Re: plaque Tillis says he'll seek unanimous consent to get approval for THIS version of plaque to be hung
January 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
WHOA: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) stands next to image of Jan 6 plaque on Senate floor.. and is noting the pardoned rioters who have been arrested again
Tillis: "We let bad people go"
Re: plaque Tillis says he'll seek unanimous consent to get approval for THIS version of plaque to be hung
Tillis: "We let bad people go"
Re: plaque Tillis says he'll seek unanimous consent to get approval for THIS version of plaque to be hung
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
I know this feels impossible now, but I swear, on January 6 itself, there was a pretty broad bipartisan consensus that storming the Capitol to find and kill lawmakers was bad, and that Trump was responsible for inciting his followers to try it
January 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
I know this feels impossible now, but I swear, on January 6 itself, there was a pretty broad bipartisan consensus that storming the Capitol to find and kill lawmakers was bad, and that Trump was responsible for inciting his followers to try it
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
Mississippi teachers could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase salaries for educators in K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.
buff.ly/9cHW8LT
buff.ly/9cHW8LT
Mississippi Teachers Could Get a $2,000 Raise, Retirees Could Be Asked to Teach
Mississippi teachers could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Mississippi teachers could soon get an annual pay raise of at least $2,000 after the Mississippi Senate Education Committee advanced legislation on Tuesday to increase salaries for educators in K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.
buff.ly/9cHW8LT
buff.ly/9cHW8LT
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
i am not *entirely* convinced they are seriously considering taking it by force, but congress (specifically, republican senators) really need to dig their heads out of their asses and behave as if they are serious about it
*TRUMP AND TEAM DISCUSSING OPTIONS TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND: REUTERS
Reuters heads:
TRUMP AND HIS TEAM ARE DISCUSSING A RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR ACQUIRING GREENLAND AND 'UTILIZING THE US MILITARY IS ALWAYS AN OPTION'- WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
Reuters heads:
TRUMP AND HIS TEAM ARE DISCUSSING A RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR ACQUIRING GREENLAND AND 'UTILIZING THE US MILITARY IS ALWAYS AN OPTION'- WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT
January 6, 2026 at 9:32 PM
i am not *entirely* convinced they are seriously considering taking it by force, but congress (specifically, republican senators) really need to dig their heads out of their asses and behave as if they are serious about it
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
not to go all identity politics but I think it’s also because the victims are women
one takeaway from the grok noncon porn thing is that much of the media just isn't interested in an issue they can't pretend has two sides or that doesn't give them an opportunity to shit on the left. Also it would be uncomfortable to justify remaining on twitter after acknowledging it
January 6, 2026 at 9:21 PM
not to go all identity politics but I think it’s also because the victims are women
How they voted on Jan. 6 should be in the obituary for every member of Congress who was in office that day.
It's becoming standard procedure across all news media to explicitly not mention in the obituary of a Republican member of congress that they voted on Jan. 6, 2021 to overturn the election
BREAKING: Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California has died at 65, GOP officials say. His death reduces the party's control of the House to 218-213.
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 PM
How they voted on Jan. 6 should be in the obituary for every member of Congress who was in office that day.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
BREAKING: Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws, including the first U.S. ban on pill abortions.
Abortion stays legal in Wyoming as its top court strikes down laws, including first US pill ban
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws including the nation’s first explicit ban on abortion pills.
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
BREAKING: Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws, including the first U.S. ban on pill abortions.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
this is how every outlet should refer to X
January 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
this is how every outlet should refer to X
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
Big: Wyoming supreme court just struck down abortion ban.
And get this: The reason is a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare!
Quite the backfire. We explained this lawsuit a few years back:
And get this: The reason is a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare!
Quite the backfire. We explained this lawsuit a few years back:
How Attacks Against Obamacare Turned Into Tools to Protect Abortion Access - Bolts
Explore our ongoing Bolts series, Abortion Rights in State Constitutions. A decade ago, when conservatives were attacking President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act as government encroachment in hea...
boltsmag.org
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Big: Wyoming supreme court just struck down abortion ban.
And get this: The reason is a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare!
Quite the backfire. We explained this lawsuit a few years back:
And get this: The reason is a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare!
Quite the backfire. We explained this lawsuit a few years back:
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
Actual exchange from court today:
Me: I can't do January 20 for the hearing, your honor, because I'm having surgery, but I can do [dates in February]
Judge: Ordinarily I'd accommodate medical issues, but not for people like you. Attend from the hospital if you have to.
Me: I can't do January 20 for the hearing, your honor, because I'm having surgery, but I can do [dates in February]
Judge: Ordinarily I'd accommodate medical issues, but not for people like you. Attend from the hospital if you have to.
January 6, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Actual exchange from court today:
Me: I can't do January 20 for the hearing, your honor, because I'm having surgery, but I can do [dates in February]
Judge: Ordinarily I'd accommodate medical issues, but not for people like you. Attend from the hospital if you have to.
Me: I can't do January 20 for the hearing, your honor, because I'm having surgery, but I can do [dates in February]
Judge: Ordinarily I'd accommodate medical issues, but not for people like you. Attend from the hospital if you have to.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
if you want the Senate to do something, Senate Republicans must do something.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
Schumer: "Republicans must -- if there was ever a time, they must step up to the plate. This is the time. And if they don't, they're gonna feel the heat from their constituents."
January 6, 2026 at 1:24 AM
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
And, you can also change the narrative yourself, by leading the public. Public pressure absolutely moves politicians. Sitting around waiting for others to take this seriously is failing. Making something the story and making the public care about it is the job of a politician.
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
if you want the Senate to do something, Senate Republicans must do something.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
January 6, 2026 at 1:45 AM
And, you can also change the narrative yourself, by leading the public. Public pressure absolutely moves politicians. Sitting around waiting for others to take this seriously is failing. Making something the story and making the public care about it is the job of a politician.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
At some point, I would love to see an interviewer ask someone from the Trump administration which specific portion of Article II they are relying on.
Pam Bondi: "This was well within the president's Article 2 powers. It was a law enforcement function to arrest indicted individuals in Venezuela."
January 6, 2026 at 2:28 AM
At some point, I would love to see an interviewer ask someone from the Trump administration which specific portion of Article II they are relying on.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
I am not a Section 230 expert but being that Twitter is creating and publishing these photos I wonder if they actually have any civil legal protection? @kenwhite.bsky.social ? @akivamcohen.bsky.social ?
What X is allowing Grok to do is unlawful or regulatory-illegal in multiple jurisdictions, creates clear DSA violations, and continues despite regulator scrutiny. The images do not need to be pornographic, non-consensual sexualised or intimate depictions are enough.
Elon Musk chatbot repeatedly making CSAM on demand should be one of the single biggest stories right now and it's effectively a collective shrug instead
January 5, 2026 at 3:58 PM
I am not a Section 230 expert but being that Twitter is creating and publishing these photos I wonder if they actually have any civil legal protection? @kenwhite.bsky.social ? @akivamcohen.bsky.social ?
It's even worse: People are using it to take clothes off small children. Deplorable doesn't even begin to describe it.
If the biggest donor to the DCCC/DNC ran a website where you could use AI to take women's clothes off I feel like there'd be a demand for Dems to give the money back.
January 6, 2026 at 12:16 AM
It's even worse: People are using it to take clothes off small children. Deplorable doesn't even begin to describe it.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
If the biggest donor to the DCCC/DNC ran a website where you could use AI to take women's clothes off I feel like there'd be a demand for Dems to give the money back.
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 PM
If the biggest donor to the DCCC/DNC ran a website where you could use AI to take women's clothes off I feel like there'd be a demand for Dems to give the money back.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
New from me: The storied fiddler Ashley MacIsaac wanted to play a show at a Nova Scotia First Nation. It got cancelled because Google's AI search summary incorrectly called him a sex offender. Now he's worried for his safety www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
Fiddler Ashley MacIsaac has show cancelled over Google AI-generated misinformation
Cape Breton musician was set to perform in Nova Scotia before a search summary incorrectly described him as a sex offender
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
New from me: The storied fiddler Ashley MacIsaac wanted to play a show at a Nova Scotia First Nation. It got cancelled because Google's AI search summary incorrectly called him a sex offender. Now he's worried for his safety www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
Hey, maybe turning Google into a libel machine was a mistake.
New from me: The storied fiddler Ashley MacIsaac wanted to play a show at a Nova Scotia First Nation. It got cancelled because Google's AI search summary incorrectly called him a sex offender. Now he's worried for his safety www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
Fiddler Ashley MacIsaac has show cancelled over Google AI-generated misinformation
Cape Breton musician was set to perform in Nova Scotia before a search summary incorrectly described him as a sex offender
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Hey, maybe turning Google into a libel machine was a mistake.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
This looks like 1,000 videos I've seen from authoritarian states
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
This looks like 1,000 videos I've seen from authoritarian states
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
Here are some choice quotes from Jack Smith’s testimony about the conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
“..the evidence made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
“..the evidence made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
January 5, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Here are some choice quotes from Jack Smith’s testimony about the conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
“..the evidence made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
“..the evidence made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy.”
Reposted by Ashton Pittman
So Trump successfully bullied a good man and his family. Because winning over Harris Walz wasn’t enough. Trump wanted to destroy him.
Walz is making the right decision for his family. But the success of Trump’s grotesque bullying campaign is yet another frightening step in our national descent.
Walz is making the right decision for his family. But the success of Trump’s grotesque bullying campaign is yet another frightening step in our national descent.
Breaking News: Gov. Tim Walz will abandon his re-election bid in Minnesota and Sen. Amy Klobuchar may run instead, people familiar with the matter said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Won’t Seek Third Term and Amy Klobuchar May Run Instead
Mr. Walz and Ms. Klobuchar met Sunday in Minnesota, where he informed her of his plans and she confirmed her interest in running to replace him.
nyti.ms
January 5, 2026 at 3:12 PM
So Trump successfully bullied a good man and his family. Because winning over Harris Walz wasn’t enough. Trump wanted to destroy him.
Walz is making the right decision for his family. But the success of Trump’s grotesque bullying campaign is yet another frightening step in our national descent.
Walz is making the right decision for his family. But the success of Trump’s grotesque bullying campaign is yet another frightening step in our national descent.