Audrey Stienon
@astienon.bsky.social
industrial policy at the Open Markets Institute • fascinated about how we shape industries and markets to serve the public interest • book nerd & recovering globe trotter • views are my own • 🇧🇪🇺🇸
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
So about TrumpRx: We crunched the numbers today and about half of the drugs on there have cheaper generics available already. www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
February 6, 2026 at 11:09 PM
So about TrumpRx: We crunched the numbers today and about half of the drugs on there have cheaper generics available already. www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
Positive actions have positive consequences
PFAS levels in #GreatLakes fish are dropping, study finds
The declining levels were driven by an industry phase-out of legacy PFAS chemicals
www.wpr.org/news/pfas-le...
The declining levels were driven by an industry phase-out of legacy PFAS chemicals
www.wpr.org/news/pfas-le...
PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish are dropping, study finds
A new study shows PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish are on the decline as manufacturers have phased out some chemicals in recent decades.
www.wpr.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Positive actions have positive consequences
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
The inspector general is investigating whether ICE’s surveillance is legal. Even if this doesn’t result in any changes it will likely result in more details about how these systems work and that will hopefully be useful: www.404media.co/inspector-ge...
Inspector General Investigating Whether ICE's Surveillance Tech Breaks the Law
DHS's inspector general is probing ICE's biometric and surveillance programs.
www.404media.co
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The inspector general is investigating whether ICE’s surveillance is legal. Even if this doesn’t result in any changes it will likely result in more details about how these systems work and that will hopefully be useful: www.404media.co/inspector-ge...
Expanding child care supply requires improving the pay and quality of the jobs in this industry so that more people decide that this is the career they want to dedicate their lives to.
I would strongly encourage everyone to read economist Lauren Melodia's criticism at the end of this piece, where she mirrors all of the concerns I've also expressed and expands on them.
www.newyorker.com/news/new-yor...
www.newyorker.com/news/new-yor...
The People Who Will Actually Make Universal Child Care Happen
Zohran Mamdani delivered a political victory—but making his plans a reality will require the help of a workforce that’s already struggling.
www.newyorker.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Expanding child care supply requires improving the pay and quality of the jobs in this industry so that more people decide that this is the career they want to dedicate their lives to.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Recipe for obsolescence. By withdrawing IRA consumer subsidies for EVs, Trump stabbed the US automaker in the back and they may never recover.
Stellantis takes €22bn hit after ‘overestimating’ pace of shift to EVs. Carmaker, which owns marques including Peugeot and Jeep, will also sell stake in battery joint venture.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Stellantis takes €22bn hit after ‘overestimating’ pace of shift to EVs
Carmaker, which owns marques including Peugeot and Jeep, will also sell stake in battery joint venture
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Recipe for obsolescence. By withdrawing IRA consumer subsidies for EVs, Trump stabbed the US automaker in the back and they may never recover.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Mamdani: "I speak of Renee Good, whose final words to the man who murdered her were, 'I'm not mad at you.' I speak of Alex Pretti who died as he lived, caring for the stranger. ICE shot him bc he did something they could never fathom ... let us offer a new path: one of defiance through compassion."
February 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Mamdani: "I speak of Renee Good, whose final words to the man who murdered her were, 'I'm not mad at you.' I speak of Alex Pretti who died as he lived, caring for the stranger. ICE shot him bc he did something they could never fathom ... let us offer a new path: one of defiance through compassion."
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
"The 'anti-woke' movement was not a genteel intellectual inquiry, made by disinterested parties who cared deeply about free speech. It is a social circle of powerful people who feel threatened by #MeToo ...the social consequences, oddly, seem to have freaked these guys out more than anything else."
I wrote about the Epstein files (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/874721/...
How the men in the Epstein files defeated #MeToo
The emails show the “anti-woke” crusaders are afraid of accountability.
www.theverge.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
"The 'anti-woke' movement was not a genteel intellectual inquiry, made by disinterested parties who cared deeply about free speech. It is a social circle of powerful people who feel threatened by #MeToo ...the social consequences, oddly, seem to have freaked these guys out more than anything else."
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Q: Why will football be featured during the Bad Bunny concert?*
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
FAQs for This Weekend’s Bad Bunny Concert Featuring Football
What time is kickoff? The Bad Bunny concert kicks off around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m., but there will be pre-concert entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. f...
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Q: Why will football be featured during the Bad Bunny concert?*
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
![…
25. This Cibola jail was horrible. It was cramped. I was chained up again.
The officers mocked
me and called me their enemy. They laughed at me. I was kept at the jail for what felt like around three hours. I wasn't given an explanation for why I was there.
26. Security
guards then put me on a bus. I think it was around January 27.
No one said
anything about where I was going. I was handcuffed. It felt like the middle of the night. It was freezing cold in the bus because the driver had the AC on. We had no jackets. The bus eventually took me back to El Paso in the carly morning of Tuesday, January 27th.
27. I was put in a cold cell where I had to sleep on the bare cement floor. Around 10 in the morning my cellmate asked to speak to an ICE officer. Three officers came into the cell so I had a chance to speak to them too. One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." She told me that if I fought my case, I would spend two to three more months here in El Paso. She offered me $2600 to self-deport. I refused. I wanted to talk to my attorney. They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota. If I hadn't managed to talk to my attorney who told me a while back that I was ordered released. I might have given up at this point and signed the self-deportation forms because the conditions were so unbearable.
…
30. When I was taken back to the detention center from the airport, after missing the flight, I overheard an ICE officer saying in English, "the judge in Minnesota wants this one back." I was put in a cold jail cell again until early next morning (January 28). But again no one had told me directly that a judge had ordered my release
…
32. When I arrived in Minneapolis, I was handed off to ICE
… I had to sign lots of papers saying that I wasn't going to be a part of any "groups." I didn't know what they meant by "groups." They never told me why I was detained](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5cn3kbi4g5blrtahon34xbu4/bafkreiccqxmfncofjqinoveiqscwale2ox5xpiqt46veqjdh3jmimkrxhq@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 6:04 AM
‘One officer told me that I "had no chance of returning to Minnesota" and that "the best thing for (me] is self-deportation." …
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
She offered me $2600 to self-deport.
I refused.
I wanted to talk to my attorney.
They didn't tell me the judge had already ordered my release and return to Minnesota.’
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Recall: “We need to get better at treating this like a business…like Prime, but with human beings.”
Banality of evil indeed. Eichman was just a logistics guy, after all.
newrepublic.com/post/193784/...
Banality of evil indeed. Eichman was just a logistics guy, after all.
newrepublic.com/post/193784/...
February 6, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Recall: “We need to get better at treating this like a business…like Prime, but with human beings.”
Banality of evil indeed. Eichman was just a logistics guy, after all.
newrepublic.com/post/193784/...
Banality of evil indeed. Eichman was just a logistics guy, after all.
newrepublic.com/post/193784/...
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
A new study puts a number on the potential human toll of sharp aid cuts over the past year, projecting an extra 9.4 million deaths by 2030 if the current trends persist.
Global aid cuts could lead to 9.4 million deaths by 2030, study projects
The Lancet study examines how the dismantling of international aid by the U.S. and other countries could undo decades of health gains.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM
A new study puts a number on the potential human toll of sharp aid cuts over the past year, projecting an extra 9.4 million deaths by 2030 if the current trends persist.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
The supposed free speech champions over in the US government are demanding that US tech companies hand over data about Trump critics.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts docu...
techcrunch.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The supposed free speech champions over in the US government are demanding that US tech companies hand over data about Trump critics.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
NEW: Mobile Fortify is not designed to "verify" identity, as DHS claims, and it was only approved after DHS rewrote its privacy review rules, records reviewed by @wired.com show. @dell.bsky.social, @regret.bsky.social & @hudsongiles.bsky.social w/scoops. No paywall. www.wired.com/story/cbp-ic...
ICE and CBP’s Face-Recognition App Can’t Actually Verify Who People Are
ICE has used Mobile Fortify to identify immigrants and citizens alike over 100,000 times, by one estimate. It wasn't built to work like that—and only got approved after DHS abandoned its own privacy r...
www.wired.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
NEW: Mobile Fortify is not designed to "verify" identity, as DHS claims, and it was only approved after DHS rewrote its privacy review rules, records reviewed by @wired.com show. @dell.bsky.social, @regret.bsky.social & @hudsongiles.bsky.social w/scoops. No paywall. www.wired.com/story/cbp-ic...
Stop trying to make fetch happen 😒
Andrew Yang has run for president, tried to remake the political system, and pitched universal basic income. Now he’s offering a cheaper phone plan. Xochitl Gonzalez spoke with him to learn whether his relentlessness has a place in American politics:
The Relentless Andrew Yang
He loves to solve problems. But what if politics isn’t about solving problems?
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Stop trying to make fetch happen 😒
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Happening now: Hundreds of people are outside the headquarters of @washingtonpost.com in solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social and the 300 workers and journalists Jeff Bezos has fired.
February 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Happening now: Hundreds of people are outside the headquarters of @washingtonpost.com in solidarity with @postguild.bsky.social and the 300 workers and journalists Jeff Bezos has fired.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
This is 100% perjury. The idea that the Treasury Secretary doesn't know anything about one of the most important figures in crypto facilitating a giant bribe to Trump and then getting pardoned is laughable. He would literally be the only person in the finance world who didn't know about it.
KIM: When Binance founder Zhao pleaded guilty to violating money laundering laws & was sent to prison, Binance injected billions into Trump's business & Zhao was pardoned. Is that a conflict?
BESSENT: I'm unfamiliar with any of that
KIM: Is it a conflict?
BESSENT: Again, I'm not going to respond
BESSENT: I'm unfamiliar with any of that
KIM: Is it a conflict?
BESSENT: Again, I'm not going to respond
February 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
This is 100% perjury. The idea that the Treasury Secretary doesn't know anything about one of the most important figures in crypto facilitating a giant bribe to Trump and then getting pardoned is laughable. He would literally be the only person in the finance world who didn't know about it.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Tragic, and a similar story across many federal government agencies intended to promote the public good.
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
Former BLM head: Public lands at ‘breaking point’
Tracy Stone-Manning, who led the agency during the Biden administration, said layoffs, budget cuts and more have "destabilized" the Bureau of Land
www.eenews.net
February 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Tragic, and a similar story across many federal government agencies intended to promote the public good.
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
www.eenews.net/articles/for...
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Great. Federal employees will no longer be able to provide expert assessments or advice without fearing for their jobs.
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Great. Federal employees will no longer be able to provide expert assessments or advice without fearing for their jobs.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
WARNOCK: Trump said 'we're going to have a manufacturing boom.' Yes or no, have we had one?
BESSENT: There's the beginnings of a manufacturing boom. We have intentions -- factory groundbreakings
WARNOCK: Do you know how many manufacturing jobs have been lost since 'liberation day'? 72,000
BESSENT: There's the beginnings of a manufacturing boom. We have intentions -- factory groundbreakings
WARNOCK: Do you know how many manufacturing jobs have been lost since 'liberation day'? 72,000
February 5, 2026 at 4:33 PM
WARNOCK: Trump said 'we're going to have a manufacturing boom.' Yes or no, have we had one?
BESSENT: There's the beginnings of a manufacturing boom. We have intentions -- factory groundbreakings
WARNOCK: Do you know how many manufacturing jobs have been lost since 'liberation day'? 72,000
BESSENT: There's the beginnings of a manufacturing boom. We have intentions -- factory groundbreakings
WARNOCK: Do you know how many manufacturing jobs have been lost since 'liberation day'? 72,000
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Whatever else this is, it is one more glaring example of how Trump can torture any American business at his whim. So why on earth does American business remain silent and supine? Wake up, folks! It only gets worse from here!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Nike, Accused of Bias Against White Workers, Is Under Federal Investigation
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Whatever else this is, it is one more glaring example of how Trump can torture any American business at his whim. So why on earth does American business remain silent and supine? Wake up, folks! It only gets worse from here!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
February 4, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Our founders, though deeply flawed, understood that democracy requires an informed citizenry and a government accountable to it people. That’s why the press is the only profession protected by the Constitution. It’s also why autocrats and oligarchs seek to control and destroy it.
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
A large CAVA bag stuffed with what it says is $50,000 for White House Border Czar Tom Homan.
It’s been reported Homan took bribery money when he was recorded by the FBI accepting a bag full of $50,000 in cash.
“ICE GTFO OF MN”
Minneapolis February 4, 2026
It’s been reported Homan took bribery money when he was recorded by the FBI accepting a bag full of $50,000 in cash.
“ICE GTFO OF MN”
Minneapolis February 4, 2026
February 4, 2026 at 11:07 PM
A large CAVA bag stuffed with what it says is $50,000 for White House Border Czar Tom Homan.
It’s been reported Homan took bribery money when he was recorded by the FBI accepting a bag full of $50,000 in cash.
“ICE GTFO OF MN”
Minneapolis February 4, 2026
It’s been reported Homan took bribery money when he was recorded by the FBI accepting a bag full of $50,000 in cash.
“ICE GTFO OF MN”
Minneapolis February 4, 2026
Reposted by Audrey Stienon
The meeting is adjourned. Mayor Kevin Sartor ended the long meeting by saying “We hear you, we have a lot to consider and your voices are impactful and powerful.” Surprise showed tf up. The overflow room filled + hundreds outside. It ended with only 2 speakers in favor of the ICE camp.
February 4, 2026 at 6:24 AM
The meeting is adjourned. Mayor Kevin Sartor ended the long meeting by saying “We hear you, we have a lot to consider and your voices are impactful and powerful.” Surprise showed tf up. The overflow room filled + hundreds outside. It ended with only 2 speakers in favor of the ICE camp.