Deborah La Torre
@deblatorre.bsky.social
Social Scientist @UCLA w/ expertise in measurement, STEM, teacher and afterschool education. Former public school teacher. Musician. Art lover. Italian American. Foodie. NCAA hoops. SoCal native. Cat parent to Chloe and Lila. Photos my own.
Pinned
Today, UCLA IDEA is releasing a new report based on a nationally representative survey of 600+ high school principals (summer 2025) documenting the widespread effects of immigration enforcement in the first months of the Trump administration. /1
This quote from John le Carré rings true:
“The fanatic is always concealing a secret doubt.”
“The fanatic is always concealing a secret doubt.”
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 AM
This quote from John le Carré rings true:
“The fanatic is always concealing a secret doubt.”
“The fanatic is always concealing a secret doubt.”
Watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. What an amazing cast!
January 2, 2026 at 4:28 AM
Watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. What an amazing cast!
I took this photo from my patio in Los Angeles on New Years 2022. We were just getting out of the pandemic and we were full of hope.
May this New Year represent a positive change from last year. We must pull together as a community if we want democracy to win.
May this New Year represent a positive change from last year. We must pull together as a community if we want democracy to win.
January 1, 2026 at 7:28 PM
I took this photo from my patio in Los Angeles on New Years 2022. We were just getting out of the pandemic and we were full of hope.
May this New Year represent a positive change from last year. We must pull together as a community if we want democracy to win.
May this New Year represent a positive change from last year. We must pull together as a community if we want democracy to win.
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Mary Sheffield was sworn in as Detroit’s 76th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the city's 324-year history
January 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Mary Sheffield was sworn in as Detroit’s 76th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the city's 324-year history
I just finished my last group class of the year at my local gym. It’s a little pricy but I love my instructors and classmates. Plus my yoga and other classes really helped me to get my mobility back after having a frozen shoulder at the beginning of the year.
December 31, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I just finished my last group class of the year at my local gym. It’s a little pricy but I love my instructors and classmates. Plus my yoga and other classes really helped me to get my mobility back after having a frozen shoulder at the beginning of the year.
I took this photo at the @gettymuseum.bsky.social on New Years Eve 2021.
One thing that I love about this photo is the reflection of the building in the pool below, showing the connection between the past and the present.
Here’s to remembering the past but moving forward to better things.
One thing that I love about this photo is the reflection of the building in the pool below, showing the connection between the past and the present.
Here’s to remembering the past but moving forward to better things.
December 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I took this photo at the @gettymuseum.bsky.social on New Years Eve 2021.
One thing that I love about this photo is the reflection of the building in the pool below, showing the connection between the past and the present.
Here’s to remembering the past but moving forward to better things.
One thing that I love about this photo is the reflection of the building in the pool below, showing the connection between the past and the present.
Here’s to remembering the past but moving forward to better things.
I initially subscribed to Strength in Numbers because I’m a research scientist and I was interested in the methodology, but I’ve stayed a subscriber because of the very high quality of the work.
I started Strength In Numbers in March with a goal to hit 25,000 readers by 2026.
The site is now just 1,100 people short of fully *doubling* that goal!
If you've found my independent, data-driven work valuable, I'd love it if you shared this post with a friend. ❤️
www.gelliottmorris.com/subscribe
The site is now just 1,100 people short of fully *doubling* that goal!
If you've found my independent, data-driven work valuable, I'd love it if you shared this post with a friend. ❤️
www.gelliottmorris.com/subscribe
Subscribe to Strength In Numbers
Independent, data-driven analysis of politics, public opinion, and elections. Evidence, not spin. Learn what the data really says. Click to read Strength In Numbers, by G. Elliott Morris, a Substack p...
www.gelliottmorris.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I initially subscribed to Strength in Numbers because I’m a research scientist and I was interested in the methodology, but I’ve stayed a subscriber because of the very high quality of the work.
We can smell this in the south Valley as well
Gas line explosion in Castaic prompts 5 Freeway closure, shelter-in-place order
Gas line explosion in Castaic prompts 5 Freeway closure, shelter-in-place order
Los Angeles County firefighters were responding to a gas line explosion in Castaic Saturday, which prompted California Highway Patrol to close a portion of the 5 freeway and the fire department to order residents to shelter-in-place.
www.latimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:27 AM
We can smell this in the south Valley as well
I just saw Wicked For Good, which as with all Oz stories reminds me of my hometown of San Diego.
In case you didn’t know Frank Baum wrote many of his books in Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado was the inspiration for the Emerald City.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2024/09...
In case you didn’t know Frank Baum wrote many of his books in Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado was the inspiration for the Emerald City.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2024/09...
Behind the Curtain: How the Hotel del Coronado Inspired L. Frank Baum’s 'Oz'
One of the author's greatest sources of inspiration came from the enchanting Hotel del Coronado on San Diego’s Coronado Island.
timesofsandiego.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:28 AM
I just saw Wicked For Good, which as with all Oz stories reminds me of my hometown of San Diego.
In case you didn’t know Frank Baum wrote many of his books in Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado was the inspiration for the Emerald City.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2024/09...
In case you didn’t know Frank Baum wrote many of his books in Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado was the inspiration for the Emerald City.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2024/09...
For those of you who like to support independent writers, my real life friend Jonathan has a really good travel blog where he digs into the history and culture of the places he travels to, often for an extended period.
Reintroducing myself.
I’m a travel writer from California. I am here for the politics and current events, but also looking to build community around travel, history, books, and more!
Let’s build the Bluesky of our dreams.
Connect and say hi!
I’m a travel writer from California. I am here for the politics and current events, but also looking to build community around travel, history, books, and more!
Let’s build the Bluesky of our dreams.
Connect and say hi!
December 27, 2025 at 7:02 PM
For those of you who like to support independent writers, my real life friend Jonathan has a really good travel blog where he digs into the history and culture of the places he travels to, often for an extended period.
It’s time for Charlie Brown and the Vince Guaraldi Trio
December 27, 2025 at 1:47 AM
It’s time for Charlie Brown and the Vince Guaraldi Trio
I did my teacher training in a charter school, and I’ve had the opportunity to work as research staff on studies of school choice, so I think this is an important report to read.
Groundbreaking Report by National Center for Charter School Accountability - Support for charter schools has dropped dramatically, from 7 in 10 Americans in 2013 to 46% today. Part II of the Charter School Reckoning report explains why. networkforpubliceduc...
December 27, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I did my teacher training in a charter school, and I’ve had the opportunity to work as research staff on studies of school choice, so I think this is an important report to read.
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Merry Christmas!
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Recreating this legendary Peanuts scene. Yeah hoe!
December 25, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Recreating this legendary Peanuts scene. Yeah hoe!
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and stra...
www.reuters.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Die Hard isn't just a Christmas movie. It's the story of a man going to Los Angeles to reconnect with his estranged wife on Christmas Eve. It's a HALLMARK Christmas movie.
December 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Die Hard isn't just a Christmas movie. It's the story of a man going to Los Angeles to reconnect with his estranged wife on Christmas Eve. It's a HALLMARK Christmas movie.
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Nat King Cole releases his 4th and most-famous recording of “The Christmas Song” today in 1961.
Years earlier, songwriters Mel Tormé and Bob Wells had taken it to Nat King Cole’s house.
“Play that again,” Cole said.
They did, but before they finished, Cole said, “Stop everything. That's my song.”
Years earlier, songwriters Mel Tormé and Bob Wells had taken it to Nat King Cole’s house.
“Play that again,” Cole said.
They did, but before they finished, Cole said, “Stop everything. That's my song.”
December 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Nat King Cole releases his 4th and most-famous recording of “The Christmas Song” today in 1961.
Years earlier, songwriters Mel Tormé and Bob Wells had taken it to Nat King Cole’s house.
“Play that again,” Cole said.
They did, but before they finished, Cole said, “Stop everything. That's my song.”
Years earlier, songwriters Mel Tormé and Bob Wells had taken it to Nat King Cole’s house.
“Play that again,” Cole said.
They did, but before they finished, Cole said, “Stop everything. That's my song.”
I live next to the Santa Monica Mountain range so we get more rain than some parts of Los Angeles, but we already have two inches and we have a lot more to go.
It’s definitely a day for a cappuccino and holiday movies.
It’s definitely a day for a cappuccino and holiday movies.
December 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I live next to the Santa Monica Mountain range so we get more rain than some parts of Los Angeles, but we already have two inches and we have a lot more to go.
It’s definitely a day for a cappuccino and holiday movies.
It’s definitely a day for a cappuccino and holiday movies.
Since my dad was both a radar man and in the FAA, I’ve always had a love of the NORAD Tracks Santa program run every Christmas Eve out of Colorado Springs
If you want to know more @hcrichardson.bsky.social just posted a fun video about its creation.
If you want to know more @hcrichardson.bsky.social just posted a fun video about its creation.
Tracking Santa’s Sleigh | Talk & Draw with Liza Donnelly and Heather Cox Richardson
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Since my dad was both a radar man and in the FAA, I’ve always had a love of the NORAD Tracks Santa program run every Christmas Eve out of Colorado Springs
If you want to know more @hcrichardson.bsky.social just posted a fun video about its creation.
If you want to know more @hcrichardson.bsky.social just posted a fun video about its creation.
It’s nice to see my city councilwoman talk about what still needs to be done in Los Angeles
Here is my commitment to you for 2026: I promise to communicate more with you, I promise to be honest about the problems we are facing, about what it will take to fix them, and about the obstacles that stand in the way of real solutions.
December 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
It’s nice to see my city councilwoman talk about what still needs to be done in Los Angeles
LA Taco has become well known in Los Angeles for covering the ICE raids and Kavanaugh stops, but @lataco.bsky.social is also a James Beard award winner with a focus on the diverse food culture in Los Angeles.
The Oscars of the taco world is going to a taquero who stood up for first responders and inspired us with words of compassion, all while serving a mean surf-and-turf taco in a masa wasteland.
The full story: lataco.com/taquero-of-t...
By L.A. TACO STAFF
The full story: lataco.com/taquero-of-t...
By L.A. TACO STAFF
December 23, 2025 at 10:50 PM
LA Taco has become well known in Los Angeles for covering the ICE raids and Kavanaugh stops, but @lataco.bsky.social is also a James Beard award winner with a focus on the diverse food culture in Los Angeles.
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
Today is a big win for Illinois and American democracy.
I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.
I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.
December 23, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Today is a big win for Illinois and American democracy.
I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.
I am glad the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump did not have the authority to deploy the federalized guard in Illinois.
I never knew as a kid or young adult that Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird about the civil rights movement. It makes me love him and the Beatles all the more.
youtu.be/JiL5JpUtjqY?...
youtu.be/JiL5JpUtjqY?...
Paul McCartney - Blackbird （Abbey Road studio LIVE）
YouTube video by くろめぐ
youtu.be
December 23, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I never knew as a kid or young adult that Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird about the civil rights movement. It makes me love him and the Beatles all the more.
youtu.be/JiL5JpUtjqY?...
youtu.be/JiL5JpUtjqY?...
Reposted by Deborah La Torre
BREAKING:
Here’s the 60 Minutes Segment Trump and CBS News Executives Don’t Want You to See
Video (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
Here’s the 60 Minutes Segment Trump and CBS News Executives Don’t Want You to See
Video (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
December 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM
BREAKING:
Here’s the 60 Minutes Segment Trump and CBS News Executives Don’t Want You to See
Video (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
Here’s the 60 Minutes Segment Trump and CBS News Executives Don’t Want You to See
Video (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5