Donna Blankinship
@dgblankinship.bsky.social
#Civicsforadults on Substack. Formerly Cascade PBS, AP, Seattle Times. Dog mom. People mom. Seattle journalist.
Health insurance and better health are related, in a way that may not be obvious. The uninsured tend to stay away from doctors and hospitals until they are very sick. They are more likely to die from things that wouldn’t kill the rest of us. Now health insurance is about to get much more expensive.
Congress and the health insurance affordability crisis
Why is insurance going to be so expensive next year: The ACA, insurance at work and how we "share the risk."
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Health insurance and better health are related, in a way that may not be obvious. The uninsured tend to stay away from doctors and hospitals until they are very sick. They are more likely to die from things that wouldn’t kill the rest of us. Now health insurance is about to get much more expensive.
What you should know about hunger in America, one of the richest nations in the world. Plus the history of the nation's food assistance program or SNAP and what you can do to help people right now.
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
Donna Blankinship (@dgblankinship)
What you should know about hunger in America, one of the richest nations in the world. Plus the history of the nation's food assistance program or SNAP and what you can do to help people right now.
substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
What you should know about hunger in America, one of the richest nations in the world. Plus the history of the nation's food assistance program or SNAP and what you can do to help people right now.
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
The November election is less than a week away. Do you know if there’s an election in your city, state or county? Do you know where your ballot is? You’d never have to ask those questions if you live in a state that votes by mail. #election2025
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
Donna Blankinship (@dgblankinship)
The November election is less than a week away. Do you know if there’s an election in your city, state or county? Do you know what’s on the ballot? Do you know where your ballot is?
You’d never have ...
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The November election is less than a week away. Do you know if there’s an election in your city, state or county? Do you know where your ballot is? You’d never have to ask those questions if you live in a state that votes by mail. #election2025
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
substack.com/@dgblankinsh...
What to know about the bulldozers at the White House. The most famous house in America has been remodeled before, but never like this.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What to know about bulldozers at the White House
The most famous house in America has been remodeled before, but never like this.
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
What to know about the bulldozers at the White House. The most famous house in America has been remodeled before, but never like this.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Immigration law is complicated, and I am not a lawyer. But I think we all need a basic primer on how the United States handles immigration, plus how Trump Administration actions seem to ignore both laws and traditions.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Immigration Law 101: Law and policy are not the same
A primer on America's immigration traditions and how Trump is trying to throw those rules out the window, including changing the Constitution.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Immigration law is complicated, and I am not a lawyer. But I think we all need a basic primer on how the United States handles immigration, plus how Trump Administration actions seem to ignore both laws and traditions.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Protesters: Stay safe out there. Legal rights, first aid, bystander training, what to do if you are arrested, and a note about protesting while Black, Brown or Queer. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Protesters: Stay safe out there
Legal rights, first aid, bystander training, what to do if you are arrested, and a note about protesting while Black, Brown or Queer.
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Protesters: Stay safe out there. Legal rights, first aid, bystander training, what to do if you are arrested, and a note about protesting while Black, Brown or Queer. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What to know about the government shutdown. From social security checks to ICE, national parks and unpaid government workers. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What to know about government shutdowns
From social security checks to ICE, national parks and unpaid government workers.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM
What to know about the government shutdown. From social security checks to ICE, national parks and unpaid government workers. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Reposted by Donna Blankinship
What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut:
As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
Last words: What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut • Washington State Standard
COMMENTARY | As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism.
washingtonstatestandard.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut:
As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
Last words: What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut. As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. My latest column for the Washington State Standard: washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
Last words: What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut • Washington State Standard
COMMENTARY | As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism.
washingtonstatestandard.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Last words: What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut. As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism. My latest column for the Washington State Standard: washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/24/l...
The U.S. Constitution was a second draft. The nation really struggled with the first, which governed the nation from 1781 to 1789, the first years after the Revolutionary War. An American history guest post by Jim Schlueter. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
The U.S. Constitution was a second draft
The nation really struggled with the first, which governed the nation from 1781 to 1789, the first years after the Revolutionary War.
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The U.S. Constitution was a second draft. The nation really struggled with the first, which governed the nation from 1781 to 1789, the first years after the Revolutionary War. An American history guest post by Jim Schlueter. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
You’ve probably been reading that the U.S. government is coming after hate speech. But hate speech is protected from government interference by the First Amendment. That doesn’t mean you should indulge. But it probably won’t land you in jail. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Hate speech is protected speech
But should you indulge?
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
You’ve probably been reading that the U.S. government is coming after hate speech. But hate speech is protected from government interference by the First Amendment. That doesn’t mean you should indulge. But it probably won’t land you in jail. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Reposted by Donna Blankinship
Immigration court is and can be complex.
To help you make sense of the system, Cascade PBS spoke with immigration attorneys and advocates in Washington to answer questions regarding recent federal changes and our region’s unique challenges.
To help you make sense of the system, Cascade PBS spoke with immigration attorneys and advocates in Washington to answer questions regarding recent federal changes and our region’s unique challenges.
A guide to navigating the immigration court system in WA state
How do you locate someone in ICE custody? Who has the right to an immigration hearing? Attorneys and advocates answer common questions.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Immigration court is and can be complex.
To help you make sense of the system, Cascade PBS spoke with immigration attorneys and advocates in Washington to answer questions regarding recent federal changes and our region’s unique challenges.
To help you make sense of the system, Cascade PBS spoke with immigration attorneys and advocates in Washington to answer questions regarding recent federal changes and our region’s unique challenges.
WA U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is blocking the Trump administration’s nominee for U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington. Few U.S. attorneys have ever been confirmed without the blessing of a state’s two U.S. senators. (By Nick Geranios for @crosscut @cascadepbs)
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
Murray seeks to block Trump nominee for Eastern WA U.S. Attorney
The senator says she’ll use “every legislative tool” she has to thwart the permanent appointment of former Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano to a federal post.
www.cascadepbs.org
September 10, 2025 at 8:18 PM
WA U.S. Sen. Patty Murray is blocking the Trump administration’s nominee for U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington. Few U.S. attorneys have ever been confirmed without the blessing of a state’s two U.S. senators. (By Nick Geranios for @crosscut @cascadepbs)
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
The fabulous perks of serving in Congress: From a generous pension to perks that continue after retirement (or death). It’s a great job if you can win it. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
The fabulous perks of serving in Congress
From a generous pension to perks that continue after retirement (or death), it’s a great job if you can win it.
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The fabulous perks of serving in Congress: From a generous pension to perks that continue after retirement (or death). It’s a great job if you can win it. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Congress is back in D.C. Your summer break is over. (Except for those who never took a break). How to call your lawmakers, update your voter registration, keep track of legislation and get involved.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Congress is back in D.C. Your summer break is over.
How to call your lawmakers, update your voter registration, keep track of legislation and get involved.
open.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Congress is back in D.C. Your summer break is over. (Except for those who never took a break). How to call your lawmakers, update your voter registration, keep track of legislation and get involved.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
The No. 1 problem facing Washington farmers … is
an issue that predates the Trump administration.
My latest for @washingtonstatestandard.com
washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/t...
an issue that predates the Trump administration.
My latest for @washingtonstatestandard.com
washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/t...
The No. 1 problem facing Washington farmers • Washington State Standard
COMMENTARY | News coming out of the other Washington is concerning, but the industry’s top issue is labor, and as has been for years.
washingtonstatestandard.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The No. 1 problem facing Washington farmers … is
an issue that predates the Trump administration.
My latest for @washingtonstatestandard.com
washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/t...
an issue that predates the Trump administration.
My latest for @washingtonstatestandard.com
washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/01/t...
Constitutional law for beginners: the First Amendment. And all the ways the Trump administration is taking aim at free speech. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Constitutional law for beginners: the First Amendment
And all the ways the Trump administration is taking aim at free speech.
open.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Constitutional law for beginners: the First Amendment. And all the ways the Trump administration is taking aim at free speech. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What’s a gerrymander and when was the political species discovered? Digging into the government, politics and history of gerrymandering. Explaining how redistricting is supposed to work. substack.com/home/post/p-...
What's a gerrymander and when was the political species discovered?
Digging into the government, politics and history of gerrymandering: a collaboration from Civics for Adults and Civics & Coffee Substack.
substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
What’s a gerrymander and when was the political species discovered? Digging into the government, politics and history of gerrymandering. Explaining how redistricting is supposed to work. substack.com/home/post/p-...
How immigration and crime are definitely (not) connected
Immigration, both authorized and not, grew tremendously over the past four years. Crime went down.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Immigration, both authorized and not, grew tremendously over the past four years. Crime went down.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
How immigration and crime are definitely (not) connected
Immigration, both authorized and not, grew tremendously over the past four years. Crime went down.
open.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
How immigration and crime are definitely (not) connected
Immigration, both authorized and not, grew tremendously over the past four years. Crime went down.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Immigration, both authorized and not, grew tremendously over the past four years. Crime went down.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
New post from my Civics for Adults newsletter.
Which is more concerning: The economy or censorship of economic statistics?
An explanation of how the U.S. government has tracked jobs numbers since the 1880s.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Which is more concerning: The economy or censorship of economic statistics?
An explanation of how the U.S. government has tracked jobs numbers since the 1880s.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Which is more concerning: The economy or censorship of economic statistics?
An explanation of how the U.S. government has tracked jobs numbers since the 1880s.
open.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
New post from my Civics for Adults newsletter.
Which is more concerning: The economy or censorship of economic statistics?
An explanation of how the U.S. government has tracked jobs numbers since the 1880s.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Which is more concerning: The economy or censorship of economic statistics?
An explanation of how the U.S. government has tracked jobs numbers since the 1880s.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Experiments in American democracy. From Democracy Vouchers to ranked-choice voting: Seattle is an election petri dish. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Experiments in American democracy
From Democracy Vouchers to ranked-choice voting: Seattle is an election petri dish.
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Experiments in American democracy. From Democracy Vouchers to ranked-choice voting: Seattle is an election petri dish. open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
The real tragedy of NPR & PBS budget cuts. City dwellers are pitching in to help their local public media stations after Congress cut federal funding. Who is going to bail out rural broadcasters? open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
The real tragedy of NPR & PBS budget cuts
Urban dwellers are pitching in to help their local public media stations after Congress cut federal funding. Who is going to bail out rural broadcasters?
open.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The real tragedy of NPR & PBS budget cuts. City dwellers are pitching in to help their local public media stations after Congress cut federal funding. Who is going to bail out rural broadcasters? open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What’s the solution to homelessness? Housing. It saves people AND money, according to new study. Seattle Times: Homeless people visited ER less after moving into King County's hotels
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Homeless people visited ER less after moving into King County’s hotels
King County had two goals when it purchased more than a dozen hotels to convert into housing for people living on the streets — end homelessness for a bunch of people and improve their health. Officia...
www.seattletimes.com
July 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
What’s the solution to homelessness? Housing. It saves people AND money, according to new study. Seattle Times: Homeless people visited ER less after moving into King County's hotels
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
How to get your hands on federal and state government documents like a boss (because as an American you are the boss). open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
FOIA like an American who has a right to government documents
How to get your hands on public records and track your government
open.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
How to get your hands on federal and state government documents like a boss (because as an American you are the boss). open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What if Kamala actually won in 2024?
Is there still a way to overturn the election?
The answer comes from the Constitution, the nation’s history and our current political reality.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Is there still a way to overturn the election?
The answer comes from the Constitution, the nation’s history and our current political reality.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
What if Kamala actually won in 2024?
Is there still a way to overturn the election?
open.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
What if Kamala actually won in 2024?
Is there still a way to overturn the election?
The answer comes from the Constitution, the nation’s history and our current political reality.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...
Is there still a way to overturn the election?
The answer comes from the Constitution, the nation’s history and our current political reality.
open.substack.com/pub/dgblanki...