Chris Kromm
@chriskromm.bsky.social
Director, Institute for Southern Studies | Publisher, Facing South
Who's making big money off ICE and Border Patrol contracts? After recent operations in Charlotte and New Orleans, I looked at the top contractors in Louisiana and North Carolina for @southernstudies.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
www.facingsouth.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Who's making big money off ICE and Border Patrol contracts? After recent operations in Charlotte and New Orleans, I looked at the top contractors in Louisiana and North Carolina for @southernstudies.bsky.social: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
I recently talked to Tram Nguyen of @newvamajority.bsky.social about lessons from last November's elections in Virginia and what progressives are planning for 2026. See my interview for @southernstudies.bsky.social here: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
www.facingsouth.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM
I recently talked to Tram Nguyen of @newvamajority.bsky.social about lessons from last November's elections in Virginia and what progressives are planning for 2026. See my interview for @southernstudies.bsky.social here: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
www.muellershewrote.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
Montgomery Bus Boycott
facingsouth.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
What's next for progressives in Virginia after their big wins in the 2025 elections? I talked with Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority for @southernstudies.bsky.social about key lessons from 2025, and their plans for moving a bold agenda in 2026: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
www.facingsouth.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
What's next for progressives in Virginia after their big wins in the 2025 elections? I talked with Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority for @southernstudies.bsky.social about key lessons from 2025, and their plans for moving a bold agenda in 2026: www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
New at @southernstudies.bsky.social: Who's making money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts in Louisiana and North Carolina? A look at $340 million worth of contracts in the wake of Border Patrol's immigration actions in LA and NC:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
www.facingsouth.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
New at @southernstudies.bsky.social: Who's making money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts in Louisiana and North Carolina? A look at $340 million worth of contracts in the wake of Border Patrol's immigration actions in LA and NC:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
Montgomery Bus Boycott
facingsouth.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy: facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont... @southernstudies.bsky.social
From Georgia to Virginia, the 2025 elections revealed a data center backlash. 40% of centers are in the South, with many more on the way, straining land, water & energy resources. My by-the-numbers look for @southernstudies.bsky.social
at the growing opposition: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
at the growing opposition: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
www.facingsouth.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
From Georgia to Virginia, the 2025 elections revealed a data center backlash. 40% of centers are in the South, with many more on the way, straining land, water & energy resources. My by-the-numbers look for @southernstudies.bsky.social
at the growing opposition: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
at the growing opposition: www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
BREAKING: Democrats have flipped a conservative state House seat in Georgia in yet another upset.
It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero.
Read our complete writeup here -->
It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero.
Read our complete writeup here -->
Breaking: Georgia Democrats flip conservative seat in yet another upset
That's 25 pickups for Democrats nationwide this year—and zero for Republicans
www.the-downballot.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:11 AM
BREAKING: Democrats have flipped a conservative state House seat in Georgia in yet another upset.
It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero.
Read our complete writeup here -->
It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero.
Read our complete writeup here -->
Reposted by Chris Kromm
SCOOP — Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary ‘2000 Mules’ with Dinesh D’Souza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery.
My story:
My story:
Conspiracy theorist election denier given FEMA’s second-most important role
Gregg Phillips will lead the Office of Response and Recovery, “the heart of what FEMA does.”
www.thehandbasket.co
December 9, 2025 at 10:57 PM
SCOOP — Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary ‘2000 Mules’ with Dinesh D’Souza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery.
My story:
My story:
Democrats flip Miami mayor’s office, winning control for first time in nearly 30 years
thehill.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Democrats flip Miami mayor’s office, winning control for first time in nearly 30 years
Reposted by Chris Kromm
It's that time of year: Support an independent voice for change in the South! #GivingTuesday2025
www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It's that time of year: Support an independent voice for change in the South! #GivingTuesday2025
www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
The data center backlash, by the numbers. The 2025 elections in Georgia and Virginia revealed growing push-back to data centers, especially due to rising energy demands. Via @southernstudies.bsky.social:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
www.facingsouth.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The data center backlash, by the numbers. The 2025 elections in Georgia and Virginia revealed growing push-back to data centers, especially due to rising energy demands. Via @southernstudies.bsky.social:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
My latest, about @siembranc.bsky.social and how they organized in North Carolina to counter Operation Charlotte's Web and Border Patrol's latest anti-immigrant crackdown, co-published in @thenation.com and @southernstudies.bsky.social
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
How North Carolina Rose Up Against Trump’s Latest Anti-Immigrant Crackdown
“Operation Charlotte’s Web” may mobilize North Carolina’s working-class Latino members and allies to shift the political balance of power at the local, state, and national levels.
www.thenation.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
My latest, about @siembranc.bsky.social and how they organized in North Carolina to counter Operation Charlotte's Web and Border Patrol's latest anti-immigrant crackdown, co-published in @thenation.com and @southernstudies.bsky.social
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security's "Charlotte's Web" operation in North Carolina, a look at the top contracts being carried out in the state for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) @southernstudies.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security's "Charlotte's Web" operation in North Carolina, a look at the top contracts being carried out in the state for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) @southernstudies.bsky.social
Press conference this evening in Durham, NC led by @siembranc.bsky.social in response to arrival of ICE in the city. Strong showing of elected officials and faith leaders condemning ICE’s secretive attacks on schools and businesses in the area.
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Press conference this evening in Durham, NC led by @siembranc.bsky.social in response to arrival of ICE in the city. Strong showing of elected officials and faith leaders condemning ICE’s secretive attacks on schools and businesses in the area.
A key issue animating the 2025 elections in the South: data centers, and their growing pressures on land, water, and especially energy. Virginia has the most centers in the country, and Georgia ranks 7th.
November 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A key issue animating the 2025 elections in the South: data centers, and their growing pressures on land, water, and especially energy. Virginia has the most centers in the country, and Georgia ranks 7th.
North Carolina has been pulled into the national redistricting wars. Watch/read our @southernstudies.bsky.social interview with Tyler Daye at @commoncausenc.bsky.social
breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here #ncpol #ncga
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here #ncpol #ncga
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
NC and the redistricting wars: An interview with Tyler Daye
As North Carolina gets dragged into the national congressional redistricting wars, Facing South talked with democracy advocate Tyler Daye about how we got here, and the road ahead for redistricting re...
www.facingsouth.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
North Carolina has been pulled into the national redistricting wars. Watch/read our @southernstudies.bsky.social interview with Tyler Daye at @commoncausenc.bsky.social
breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here #ncpol #ncga
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here #ncpol #ncga
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
Key elections to watch in the South this week - my latest at facingsouth.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
Key Southern elections to watch in 2025
This election season, voters will decide the political direction of Virginia, elect key members of a Georgia commission shaping energy policy, and elect mayors in many of the South's biggest cities.
www.facingsouth.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Key elections to watch in the South this week - my latest at facingsouth.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
one of the things i think is that policies answer the question of “what will you do” but they don’t answer the question of “why should i vote for you” and i think there is a tendency in this broad conversation to equate the two
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 PM
one of the things i think is that policies answer the question of “what will you do” but they don’t answer the question of “why should i vote for you” and i think there is a tendency in this broad conversation to equate the two
Reposted by Chris Kromm
NEW VIDEO: What does Duke owe Durham? Historian and urbanist @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social breaks down the role of universities like Duke and why they should invest more to support workers and communities. www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/watc...
WATCH: What does Duke owe Durham?
At a recent Institute forum, urbanist and historian Prof. Davarian Baldwin looked at the role of universities in their communities, and why institutions like Duke University should do more to invest i...
www.facingsouth.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
NEW VIDEO: What does Duke owe Durham? Historian and urbanist @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social breaks down the role of universities like Duke and why they should invest more to support workers and communities. www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/watc...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
Southern states are being disproportionately hard-hit by the government shutdown. Analysis finds 8 of 20 states most affected are in the South, based on indicators including share of federal jobs and contract dollars per capita. More:
wallethub.com/edu/governme...
wallethub.com/edu/governme...
October 27, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Southern states are being disproportionately hard-hit by the government shutdown. Analysis finds 8 of 20 states most affected are in the South, based on indicators including share of federal jobs and contract dollars per capita. More:
wallethub.com/edu/governme...
wallethub.com/edu/governme...
Reposted by Chris Kromm
Trying to imagine the furor if Democratic leadership had called the Tea Party protests "Hate America" protests. Every day a new lesson in how different the rules really are.
October 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Trying to imagine the furor if Democratic leadership had called the Tea Party protests "Hate America" protests. Every day a new lesson in how different the rules really are.
🌟 TODAY 🌟 What Does Duke Owe Durham? Forum with author @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social about why universities should support workers and communities. 2pm, Asbury United Methodist, Durham. Sponsored by @southernstudies.bsky.social + @durhamrising.bsky.social
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
What Does Duke Owe Durham?
The Institute for Southern Studies and Durham Rising invite you to a talk and discussion with award-winning author DAVARIAN BALDWIN Friday, Sept. 26 | 2-3pm Asbury United Methodist Church | 806 Claren...
www.southernstudies.org
September 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
🌟 TODAY 🌟 What Does Duke Owe Durham? Forum with author @davarianbaldwin.bsky.social about why universities should support workers and communities. 2pm, Asbury United Methodist, Durham. Sponsored by @southernstudies.bsky.social + @durhamrising.bsky.social
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...