Barry Yeoman
@barryyeoman.com
Freelance journalist in North Carolina who writes longform stories about political, social, and environmental issues. Web site: http://barryyeoman.com. Newsletter: http://barry-yeoman.beehiiv.com. Teaching: Duke, Wake Forest.
Pinned
Barry Yeoman
@barryyeoman.com
· Jan 21
#intropost Hi Bluesky. I'm a freelance journalist who tries to put human faces on complex issues. I also teach at Duke and Wake Forest. I'll be posting my favorite longform narrative in all media, plus my own work and my students' too. Here's me as a baby journalist in 1990. Photo: Sadie Bridger.
My colleague @frankabruni.bsky.social on U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina: "The liberation of a conscience does wonders for a man." #ncpol
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
Also, here's the X post that helped spark the column.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
Also, here's the X post that helped spark the column.
February 10, 2026 at 1:45 PM
My colleague @frankabruni.bsky.social on U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina: "The liberation of a conscience does wonders for a man." #ncpol
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
Also, here's the X post that helped spark the column.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...
Also, here's the X post that helped spark the column.
North Carolina's state health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care. As @j-still.bsky.social reports in @theassemblync.bsky.social, that has left some #transgender employees in limbo. #ncpol
Transgender State Workers Are Facing Whiplash
A recent change means North Carolina's health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care, leaving transgender employees in limbo.
www.theassemblync.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
North Carolina's state health insurance plan no longer covers gender-affirming care. As @j-still.bsky.social reports in @theassemblync.bsky.social, that has left some #transgender employees in limbo. #ncpol
I was fortunate to see this at @fullframefest.bsky.social last year, and it was one of the best documentaries I had seen in a long time. It manages to be suspenseful, haunting, and funny all at once—and above all, it's timely here in America. If you can see it, I encourage you to do so.
Saw Mr Nobody Against Putin tonight, in a theater with 4 other people, 1 of whom was my 12. (Who gives it two thumbs up, it can connect with kids, too.) So it’s always been with documentary, but right now, when people are looking for courage & ideas, I want more to give movies like this a chance.
February 8, 2026 at 3:36 AM
I was fortunate to see this at @fullframefest.bsky.social last year, and it was one of the best documentaries I had seen in a long time. It manages to be suspenseful, haunting, and funny all at once—and above all, it's timely here in America. If you can see it, I encourage you to do so.
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
"Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve. The multiracial community in Minneapolis was supposed to shatter. It did not."
Always read @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Always read @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong
The pushback against ICE exposed a series of mistaken assumptions.
www.theatlantic.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:35 PM
"Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve. The multiracial community in Minneapolis was supposed to shatter. It did not."
Always read @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Always read @adamserwer.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
The Washington Post just laid off its entire award-winning photo team. They were our eyes in places we'll never see. It's a horrifying loss at a time when lying governments, propaganda and AI slop are on the rise.
February 6, 2026 at 6:59 PM
The Washington Post just laid off its entire award-winning photo team. They were our eyes in places we'll never see. It's a horrifying loss at a time when lying governments, propaganda and AI slop are on the rise.
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
A Duke bus driver who was a Honduran with TPS was forced to leave his job last year after 19 years of service. Under a new judicial ruling, he is allowed to come back, but Duke initially attempted to pay him as though he was a new employee www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Beloved C1 driver Luis Juaréz returns to Duke after court ruling
Known for his mood-boosting rides and blasting music, Juaréz plans to return to work at Duke as a bus driver on Feb. 9 after a court ruling reinstated his legal status and work permit.
www.dukechronicle.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:12 PM
A Duke bus driver who was a Honduran with TPS was forced to leave his job last year after 19 years of service. Under a new judicial ruling, he is allowed to come back, but Duke initially attempted to pay him as though he was a new employee www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
"The Post as it existed last week, has ceased to exist…This is a story about incompetent leadership that destroyed the paper’s economic viability. It’s a story of self-mutilation."
@jvl.bsky.social on WaPo and Bezo's civic vandalism in The Triad @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-washin...
@jvl.bsky.social on WaPo and Bezo's civic vandalism in The Triad @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-washin...
The Washington Post Dies in Daylight
Civic vandalism and the mutilation of a great paper.
www.thebulwark.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM
"The Post as it existed last week, has ceased to exist…This is a story about incompetent leadership that destroyed the paper’s economic viability. It’s a story of self-mutilation."
@jvl.bsky.social on WaPo and Bezo's civic vandalism in The Triad @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-washin...
@jvl.bsky.social on WaPo and Bezo's civic vandalism in The Triad @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-washin...
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
60 years.
Martin Weil, one of hundreds of journalists being let go at The Washington Post, has worked on local news there since 1965.
He Was Laid Off at The Washington Post After Working There 60 Years
Martin Weil, one of hundreds being let go at The Post, has worked on local news there since 1965, witnessing the paper’s rise and now retrenchment.
nyti.ms
February 5, 2026 at 1:57 PM
60 years.
The Washington Post fired every one of its staff photographers yesterday.
All hail photographer @joshualott.bsky.social who got THEE shot of nazi Jake Lang being Super-Soakered to the face standing in a window well in the Minneapolis City Hall building. Wind chill -4°F/20°C
Lang planned to burn a Quran. Instead, the crowd chased him off. 📸: Joshua Lott/Washington Post
Lang planned to burn a Quran. Instead, the crowd chased him off. 📸: Joshua Lott/Washington Post
February 5, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The Washington Post fired every one of its staff photographers yesterday.
"It’s almost like he’s treated it like Pets-dot-com," said @sallyjenx.bsky.social. But "it's not a business that just disappears into the muck of venture capitalism. It’s a business that is essential to the survival of the Republic, for Christ’s sake. So you don’t fuck around with it like that."
@ruthmarcus.bsky.social writes about mass layoffs at the Washington Post—where she spent more than 40 years as a reporter, an editor, an editorial writer, and a columnist—and the paper’s decline under Jeff Bezos. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/hsbIts
How Jeff Bezos Brought Down the Washington Post
The Amazon founder bought the paper to save it. Instead, with a mass layoff, he’s forced it into severe decline.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
February 5, 2026 at 3:47 AM
"It’s almost like he’s treated it like Pets-dot-com," said @sallyjenx.bsky.social. But "it's not a business that just disappears into the muck of venture capitalism. It’s a business that is essential to the survival of the Republic, for Christ’s sake. So you don’t fuck around with it like that."
🧵
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 10:12 PM
🧵
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
Here's who the Washington Post just laid off.
February 4, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Here's who the Washington Post just laid off.
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
If you live in the DC area, you should definitely do this
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only…
51st.news
February 4, 2026 at 7:27 PM
If you live in the DC area, you should definitely do this
Heartbroken and infuriated by today's bloodletting at the Washington Post.
February 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Heartbroken and infuriated by today's bloodletting at the Washington Post.
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
My latest, on the secretive legal weapon Homeland Security is using to target Americans.
Last fall, Jon, 67, emailed a DHS attorney, urging mercy for an asylum seeker. Hours later, DHS subpoenaed his Google account. Then it sent investigators to his home.
wapo.st/4rtfCw8
Last fall, Jon, 67, emailed a DHS attorney, urging mercy for an asylum seeker. Hours later, DHS subpoenaed his Google account. Then it sent investigators to his home.
wapo.st/4rtfCw8
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
wapo.st
February 3, 2026 at 8:09 PM
My latest, on the secretive legal weapon Homeland Security is using to target Americans.
Last fall, Jon, 67, emailed a DHS attorney, urging mercy for an asylum seeker. Hours later, DHS subpoenaed his Google account. Then it sent investigators to his home.
wapo.st/4rtfCw8
Last fall, Jon, 67, emailed a DHS attorney, urging mercy for an asylum seeker. Hours later, DHS subpoenaed his Google account. Then it sent investigators to his home.
wapo.st/4rtfCw8
"When our rivers, forests and sidewalks began to overflow with trash, environmentalists went straight to the source, demanding that corporations put a stop to single-use packaging. But companies ... created their own campaign: Keep America Beautiful, which placed the blame on the individual."
"Overflow with trash."
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer Emily Topping & @currentaffairs.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-sin...
Today's article pick from Damn History, a free newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer Emily Topping & @currentaffairs.bsky.social!
Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-sin...
How Corporations Convinced America that Litter is Our Fault
The "Keep America Beautiful" campaign urged Americans to pick up their trash—so that companies could keep producing it.
www.currentaffairs.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:25 AM
"When our rivers, forests and sidewalks began to overflow with trash, environmentalists went straight to the source, demanding that corporations put a stop to single-use packaging. But companies ... created their own campaign: Keep America Beautiful, which placed the blame on the individual."
"The policy of shielding officers’ identities, particularly after a public shooting, is a stark departure from standard law enforcement protocols, according to lawmakers [and other] officials. Such secrecy, in our view, deprives the public of the most fundamental tool for accountability."
1/ BREAKING: Government documents reviewed by ProPublica identify Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, as the two who fired their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:25 AM
"The policy of shielding officers’ identities, particularly after a public shooting, is a stark departure from standard law enforcement protocols, according to lawmakers [and other] officials. Such secrecy, in our view, deprives the public of the most fundamental tool for accountability."
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
Fonzie thought he was an Alabamian. He lived for football and his fiancee and a little too much fun. I followed him to Mexico when he was deported to a place he did not know or understand. This is his story. As it is with any deportation, it is not his story alone.
www.al.com/news/2026/01...
www.al.com/news/2026/01...
'Deported for that?': Football referee forced to leave Alabama for Mexico
Fonzie had to leave behind his fiancée and 18-month-old son in rural Alabama.
www.al.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Fonzie thought he was an Alabamian. He lived for football and his fiancee and a little too much fun. I followed him to Mexico when he was deported to a place he did not know or understand. This is his story. As it is with any deportation, it is not his story alone.
www.al.com/news/2026/01...
www.al.com/news/2026/01...
In Minneapolis, photographer John Noltner set up a black-and-white portrait studio at churches, community centers, colleges, and singing vigils. He'll be projecting the images in public—"to stand in community and solidarity with our friends and neighbors. And to let them know they are not alone."
I am human
It’s a hard season in Minneapolis. But Minnesotans are a certain kind of strong. As we’ve seen our friends and neighbors come under pressure, we’ve shown up for one another in big and small ways. P…
apeaceofmymind.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
In Minneapolis, photographer John Noltner set up a black-and-white portrait studio at churches, community centers, colleges, and singing vigils. He'll be projecting the images in public—"to stand in community and solidarity with our friends and neighbors. And to let them know they are not alone."
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
An article about this political moment, the role of journalism, and the very real dangers of state repression—told as a cheeky guide to buying a gas mask.
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
Best gas masks
“How did these people go out and get gas masks?” AG Bondi asked.
www.theverge.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:55 PM
An article about this political moment, the role of journalism, and the very real dangers of state repression—told as a cheeky guide to buying a gas mask.
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
I’ve been sending it to everyone; it both delights and horrifies me.
Well done @sarahjeong.bsky.social
www.theverge.com/policy/86857...
Reposted by Barry Yeoman
Incredible story by @agreenberg.bsky.social, both on the scam compound operation and how he navigated a uniquely difficult and dangerous situation for his source. This one should be required reading for journalism ethics classes: www.wired.com/story/he-lea...
He Leaked the Secrets of a Southeast Asian Scam Compound. Then He Had to Get Out Alive
A source trapped inside an industrial-scale scamming operation contacted me, determined to expose his captors’ crimes—and then escape. This is his story.
www.wired.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Incredible story by @agreenberg.bsky.social, both on the scam compound operation and how he navigated a uniquely difficult and dangerous situation for his source. This one should be required reading for journalism ethics classes: www.wired.com/story/he-lea...
Film critic @stephenwhitty.bsky.social watched it so you don't have to.
Now grifting at a theatre near you. Consider yourself warned, dahlink.
www.njarts.net/169839
www.njarts.net/169839
'Melania' proves First Lady is the last person who should have made a movie about her life
"Nothing but publicity and marketing for the Melania brand, whatever that is.'
www.njarts.net
January 31, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Film critic @stephenwhitty.bsky.social watched it so you don't have to.
"Their voting records likely wouldn’t differ dramatically," writes Chase Pellegrini de Paur. Both support Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, codifying Roe v. Wade, and raising the federal minimum wage. But Allam is "a step more antiestablishment," with an "aggressively pro-worker message." #ncpol
Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam is challenging incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee in this year’s Democratic primary. The race is a rematch: Foushee defeated Allam in 2022 and cruised to victory in the general. But a lot has changed since their last matchup.
www.theassemblync.com/news/valerie...
www.theassemblync.com/news/valerie...
A House District Divided
Incumbent Valerie Foushee and challenger Nida Allam present starkly different approaches to politics. Could NC-4 be a bellwether for Democrats?
www.theassemblync.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:15 PM
"Their voting records likely wouldn’t differ dramatically," writes Chase Pellegrini de Paur. Both support Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, codifying Roe v. Wade, and raising the federal minimum wage. But Allam is "a step more antiestablishment," with an "aggressively pro-worker message." #ncpol
"The testimony of each musician that Minnesota had inspired them stoked something more than our ordinary Midwestern need for validation. Efforts like ours feed off assurance that our actions are being seen, that they’re not submerged in the news-cycle churn or warped by algorithmic distortion."
I stood pretty close to Bruce Springsteen today.
Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello Rouse Anti-Fascist Fervor at First Ave - Racket
Fists were pumped, tears were cried, and "fuck" was shouted at the anti-ICE rally we all needed.
racketmn.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:45 PM
"The testimony of each musician that Minnesota had inspired them stoked something more than our ordinary Midwestern need for validation. Efforts like ours feed off assurance that our actions are being seen, that they’re not submerged in the news-cycle churn or warped by algorithmic distortion."