Emily Belz
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emilybelz.bsky.social
Emily Belz
@emilybelz.bsky.social
2.1K followers 290 following 510 posts
Senior staff writer | news | Christianity Today
ebelz@christianitytoday.com

📍NYC

fan of baseball, chess, McDonald’s apple pie
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emilybelz.bsky.social
Per NBC exit poll, Cuomo won the religious voters in the city. Mamdani won nones/other.

I don't think people realize what a big role religious voters have played in past NYC elections. Both Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio won their elections with big support of religious voters
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Emily Belz
womensartbluesky.bsky.social
The work of May Morris (1862-1938) influential English embroidery designer, jeweller, socialist, and editor who supported and taught fellow female artists #WomensArt#WomensArt
Embroidered textile with repeated blue diamond shaped design in which individual flowering plants are depicted
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 AM
emilybelz.bsky.social
Trump admin focusing on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria .... but also no longer accepting persecuted Christian refugees.

from @harvestprude.bsky.social - www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/refu...
Trump’s Refugee Policy ‘Is Slamming the Door on Persecuted Christians’ - Christianity Today
Faith organizations hope the Trump administration will reverse course after the announcement of a historically low refugee ceiling.
www.christianitytoday.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
If I were elected mayor of NYC I would ban QR code menus
November 4, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reposted by Emily Belz
rns.org
The Episcopal bishop of Texas said the priest was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials this week while returning home from his workplace.
religionnews.com/2025/11/02/e...
Episcopal priest has been detained by ICE in Texas, says diocese
(RNS) — 'We do not know yet why he was targeted,' said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, who leads the Diocese of Texas.
religionnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
My advice for the average person: have contact info for a reporter you trust and reach out if something like this happens.
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 7d
In Chicago, a woman was driving to get coffee when a DHS vehicle fleeing an angry crowd crashed into her car. Armed agents jumped out of the vehicle, yanked her door open, pulled her by the legs out of her car at gunpoint, held her incommunicado for hours, then released her with no charges.
Dayanne Figueroa was on her way to get coffee before heading to work when she encountered a chaotic scene in West Town: heavily armed, masked federal agents making arrests on a residential street. People yelled as vehicles honked their horn — a sign now used to alert neighbors that immigration federal agents are in the area — and witnesses said federal agents had arrested several landscaper workers presumed to be in the country without authorization. As Figuero tried to drive through the 1600 block of West Hubbard Street on Friday, Oct. 10, an unmarked vehicle driven by federal agents collided with Figueroa’s as it tried to speed away from a hostile crowd, multiple videos reviewed by the Tribune show. Seconds after the crash, agents abruptly stopped their vehicle and exited with weapons in hand pointing at Figueroa, a U.S citizen. Agents then forcibly opened her door and pulled her out of the vehicle by her legs without identifying themselves, presenting a warrant or informing her that she was under arrest. As bystanders yelled, “You hit her! We have it on video!” agents ignored the crowd and forced Figueroa into a red minivan and drove away. Her car was left behind in the middle of the road, her coffee still in the cup holder, and her keys in plain view.
November 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Emily Belz
ncronline.bsky.social
More than 2,000 faithful gathered to pray outside the Broadview ICE Detention Center Nov. 1, but the group's main request — to bring Communion to detainees — was rejected by federal immigration officials.
ICE again prevents Chicago Catholics from bringing Eucharist to immigrant detainees
More than 2,000 faithful gathered to pray outside the Broadview ICE Detention Center Nov. 1, but the group's main request — to bring Communion to detainees — was rejected by federal immigration offici...
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Emily Belz
propublica.org
NEW: A pastor was pulled over for looking lost. A 72-year-old was marched out in his bathrobe due to mistaken identity.

Memphis’ mayor welcomed the federal law enforcement surge, but some residents say they feel targeted just going about their lives.
“I Don’t Feel Safe”: Black Memphis Residents Report Harassment by Trump’s Police Task Force
A pastor was pulled over for looking lost. A 72-year-old was marched out in his bathrobe due to mistaken identity. Memphis’ mayor welcomed the federal law enforcement surge, but some residents say they feel targeted just going about their lives.
www.propublica.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Emily Belz
en.afp.com
🇫🇷 The Paris Catacombs will close to visitors for six months of renovations. The underground galleries that are the final resting place for millions of bodies will be modernised, with better ventilation, lighting and an improved layout.
➡️ u.afp.com/Seet
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
autocorrect today changed Revoice to "regicide"
November 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
new study: lots of Bats in the belfry www.bbc.com/news/article...
Bats are seeking sanctuary in churches - but they're making an unholy mess
A new study estimates that about half of all churches in England have bats living in them.
www.bbc.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
NYC getting a W www.upi.com/Top_News/US/...
L.A. tops Chicago in Orkin's Rattiest Cities list - UPI.com
Los Angeles has beaten Chicago as America's Rattiest City, according to Orkin, which publishes the the top 50 list. Chicago has been the perennial winner.
www.upi.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Reposted by Emily Belz
birdcpk.bsky.social
One of the prettiest songbirds migrating through Central Park, this Blue-headed Vireo.
October 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
US canceled the visa of 91 year old Nobel laureate (and Trump critic) who teaches in the US www.reuters.com/world/us/nig...
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says US revokes his visa
Nigeria's Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka said on Tuesday the United States had revoked his non-immigrant visa issued last year and he was told to re-apply if he wished to try again to visit the U.S.
www.reuters.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
come to my mostly Latin neighborhood in the middle of wind, rain, snow, day or night, and you'll see, somewhere nearby, earnest (usually white) Mormon youngsters speaking rapid Spanish and inviting people to church. truly remarkable outreach operation
October 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
today's good news 😭 religionnews.com/2025/10/27/g...
Girl shot in Minneapolis church returns home from the hospital
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sophia Forchas was the most seriously wounded child among those who survived the shooting at the Church of the Annunciation.
religionnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
NYT reporting on the swirl of unsubstantiated cheating accusations that surrounded the grandmaster Naroditsky quotes chess detective Kenneth Regan saying he analyzed Naroditsky's games and did not find evidence of cheating - www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/s...
Did Cheating Accusations Have Anything to Do With the Death of a Chess Grandmaster?
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Emily Belz
apnews.com
An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions.
Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds
An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions.
bit.ly
October 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Emily Belz
conradhackett.bsky.social
Please repost:

We're looking for an excellent writer/editor with strong data journalism skills to join the religion team at @pewresearch.org.

pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Center...
The writer/editor is a position within the Center’s Religion research team, which seeks to promote a deeper understanding of religion and spirituality. The Religion research team conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research in the United States and around the world, studying people’s religious beliefs and practices as well as their views on related issues, including religion’s role in public life. The ideal candidate will have a strong data journalism mindset, with the ability to translate complex quantitative findings into clear and engaging narratives that are nonpartisan and non-advocacy. This position will be embedded within the Religion research team, where the writer/editor will work collaboratively to shape the team’s research agenda, including identifying key research questions; contributing to survey development; and synthesizing findings into accessible and compelling storylines. The writer/editor will also evaluate drafts of research reports to determine whether there are shortcomings in the analysis; edit, rewrite and reorganize drafts as necessary to improve flow and clarity; and work with researchers and designers to create appropriate charts and tables. In addition, the writer/editor will provide guidance and training to the Religion team’s researchers and serve as a writing resource. Following the release of reports, the writer/editor may help disseminate research to the public through the Center’s social media channels, videos, newsletters, and virtual or in-person gatherings, always adhering to the Center’s independent, nonpartisan, non-advocacy stance. 
October 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
"At Bay Regional Hospital, admissions for malnutrition were up by 40 percent by July compared with January" www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/h...
America’s Retreat From Aid Is Devastating Somalia’s Health System
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
- two days ago a TPUSA staffer/influencer posted about a Chinatown corner where people sell purses (aka a normal day in NYC). She says ICE should come

- today: military-style ICE raid on that corner
www.thecity.nyc/2025/10/21/i...
Military-Style Immigration Sweep Hits NYC as Masked Federal Agents Arrest Canal Street Vendors
Spontaneous protests were met with an armored military vehicle and assault rifles in a crackdown that escalated the Trump administration’s focus on NYC.
www.thecity.nyc
October 22, 2025 at 2:56 AM
emilybelz.bsky.social
interesting - "We are living in a moment when giving is too often used not to serve but to control ... Some of the loudest voices in public life now assert that their donations give them carte blanche to dictate the terms of belonging."

www.wsj.com/us-news/laur...
Essay | Laurene Powell Jobs: Beware of Philanthropists Who Want Control in Exchange for Their Giving
True generosity flows quietly to communities that already know what they need, building capacity not dependency.
www.wsj.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
The same 24-hour span where the president posts a video of poop raining down on his political opponents, a Republican lawmaker says Trump is promoting the gospel bsky.app/profile/atru...
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21d
Chip Roy: "The truth is the marxist, radicals, and Islamists the Democratic Party promoted this weekend, they cannot handle the truth. The truth is that there is a king and that king is Jesus. And the president has been willing to say it, & Charlie Kirk was willing to say it & he got killed for it."
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
emilybelz.bsky.social
I hate this. Spent a lot of hours enjoying his commentary
leonwatson.bsky.social Leon Watson @leonwatson.bsky.social · 21d
Daniel Naroditsky, the American chess Grandmaster, simply amazing commentator and all-round good guy, has died.

Heartbreaking news.
October 20, 2025 at 7:20 PM