Erica Meltzer
@ericameltzer.bsky.social
National Editor at Chalkbeat. I write about education and politics. Reach me at emeltzer@chalkbeat.org
Had my 15-year-old vote with us last night so that she could watch two adults work through what to do when you don't love any of your choices.
November 4, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Had my 15-year-old vote with us last night so that she could watch two adults work through what to do when you don't love any of your choices.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
‘Food over pencils’: SNAP uncertainty increases demands on Indianapolis food pantries
With families still waiting for SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, Indianapolis-area schools like in Perry Township have geared up to provide food assistance. About 260,000 children in India...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
“Ultimately a parent has to make a decision — and you should choose food over pencils.” www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025...
Happy Election Eve to all the journalists watching the readership metrics on their voter guides.
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Happy Election Eve to all the journalists watching the readership metrics on their voter guides.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 PM
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
A grim accounting of the underappreciated dangers faced by school crossing guards. apnews.com/article/scho...
School crossing guards face life-threatening dangers on the job
An investigation by The Associated Press and Cox Media Group Television Stations found that school crossing guards face dangerous conditions, with many injured or killed on the job.
apnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A grim accounting of the underappreciated dangers faced by school crossing guards. apnews.com/article/scho...
If you care about a publication, if it makes your life better in any way, pay for it.
I have overseen editorial for two beloved indie publications that folded: Bitch Media and YES! Media. I learned a lot from those experiences, including the fact that passion is not enough to sustain a media operation. Indie publications need consistent revenue to survive.
October 31, 2025 at 2:55 AM
If you care about a publication, if it makes your life better in any way, pay for it.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
I have overseen editorial for two beloved indie publications that folded: Bitch Media and YES! Media. I learned a lot from those experiences, including the fact that passion is not enough to sustain a media operation. Indie publications need consistent revenue to survive.
October 30, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I have overseen editorial for two beloved indie publications that folded: Bitch Media and YES! Media. I learned a lot from those experiences, including the fact that passion is not enough to sustain a media operation. Indie publications need consistent revenue to survive.
This might be my most capital-P Patriotic Opinion.
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
This might be my most capital-P Patriotic Opinion.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
These teams consistently did some of the best reporting at the network. 💔
NBC News has reportedly eliminated its NBC BLK, NBC Asian America, NBC Latino and NBC OUT teams
NBC News’ 150 Layoffs Gut Black, Latino, Asian American and LGBTQ+ Diversity Teams
The cuts affected teams across the NBC News operation and came as the network no longer needed to support two different news operations. MSNBC has begun growing its own newsroom, hiring swaths of tale...
www.thewrap.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:39 AM
These teams consistently did some of the best reporting at the network. 💔
Democratic governors aren't leaping to opt into the new federal tax credit scholarship program, but only two have said no outright. One is "excited" at the possibilities. But will federal rules give them the flexibility to shape this program?
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/13/f...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/13/f...
Guess which Democratic governor is ‘excited’ about the federal tax-credit scholarship
Most Democratic governors have yet to say whether they will opt their states into the new voucher-like scheme backed by federal tax credits. One advocate likened the situation to making lemonade out o...
www.chalkbeat.org
August 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Democratic governors aren't leaping to opt into the new federal tax credit scholarship program, but only two have said no outright. One is "excited" at the possibilities. But will federal rules give them the flexibility to shape this program?
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/13/f...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/13/f...
The Trump administration is also scrutinizing admissions at Brown and Columbia, looking at grades, standardized test scores and race of admitted students and rejected applicants for evidence of secret affirmative action.
This is the first legal action seeking to force NSF to undo the 300 grants they suspended at UCLA last week.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
NEW: A federal judge today ordered lawyers for the Trump administration to explain why last week’s suspension of about 300 UCLA grants by the National Science Foundation does not run afoul of that judge’s June order barring the agency from terminating additional grants.
August 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The Trump administration is also scrutinizing admissions at Brown and Columbia, looking at grades, standardized test scores and race of admitted students and rejected applicants for evidence of secret affirmative action.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
This is the first legal action seeking to force NSF to undo the 300 grants they suspended at UCLA last week.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
NEW: A federal judge today ordered lawyers for the Trump administration to explain why last week’s suspension of about 300 UCLA grants by the National Science Foundation does not run afoul of that judge’s June order barring the agency from terminating additional grants.
‘Immediately rescind’: UC researchers ask judge to undo Trump’s UCLA grant suspensions
After the National Science Foundation suspended UCLA research grants, the UC claims that decision violated a court order.
calmatters.org
August 6, 2025 at 12:43 AM
This is the first legal action seeking to force NSF to undo the 300 grants they suspended at UCLA last week.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
Also, read my story to see how the NSF accused UCLA of doing affirmative action because it uses holistic admissions. That was a justification in suspending the grants.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
We could have had cancer vaccines, and instead the United States will contribute nothing whatsoever to mRNA research, condemning millions of people worldwide to unnecessary illness and death
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces he will cancel $500 million in vaccine development projects.
August 5, 2025 at 11:04 PM
We could have had cancer vaccines, and instead the United States will contribute nothing whatsoever to mRNA research, condemning millions of people worldwide to unnecessary illness and death
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
Did you feel the North Jersey/Manhattan earthquake? Fill out the USGS “Did you feel it?” form and participate directly in SCIENCE - help them learn more about earthquakes! 🧪
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
August 3, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Did you feel the North Jersey/Manhattan earthquake? Fill out the USGS “Did you feel it?” form and participate directly in SCIENCE - help them learn more about earthquakes! 🧪
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
Possibly my single greatest pet peeve on this and all related platforms. POST THE LINK!
People, I'm begging you: If you post a screenshot of a paragraph from an article, AT LEAST include a link to the article.
July 31, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Possibly my single greatest pet peeve on this and all related platforms. POST THE LINK!
Penny Schwinn was supposed to bring expertise and education bonafides to Trump's Education Department. Cultural conservatives back in Tennessee had other ideas. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/31/p...
Penny Schwinn is no longer Trump’s nominee to be No. 2 at the Education Department
Some hoped Schwinn, a former state schools chief, would lend expertise to Trump’s efforts to give states more power over education. But cultural conservatives in Tennessee opposed her nomination.
www.chalkbeat.org
July 31, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Penny Schwinn was supposed to bring expertise and education bonafides to Trump's Education Department. Cultural conservatives back in Tennessee had other ideas. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/31/p...
Sharing this story in Slack almost feels like its own HR violation. So much secondhand embarrassment.
www.oklahoman.com/story/news/e...
www.oklahoman.com/story/news/e...
Board members say naked women on TV in Ryan Walters' office during closed session
Two Oklahoma State Board of Education members say scenes of naked women were on a TV screen visible to them during a closed session.
www.oklahoman.com
July 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Sharing this story in Slack almost feels like its own HR violation. So much secondhand embarrassment.
www.oklahoman.com/story/news/e...
www.oklahoman.com/story/news/e...
This is just mean. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Venezuelan Little League team denied travel visas to U.S. for World Series
The Cacique Mara Little League team from Maracaibo, Venezuela, will not be able to participate in the Senior League Baseball World Series in South Carolina this year.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This is just mean. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
I don't put a lot of stock in "did it the right way" rhetoric, period, because immigration laws were so different in the past, but in this case, Gabe Evans' grandfather was in a nearly identical position to the people whose deportation Evans supports today.
Colorado Republican Rep. Gabe Evans has centered his pro-Trump political identity — and his support for mass deportation — on the story of his Mexican-American grandfather, who he has repeatedly said immigrated “the legal way.”
Documents show that isn’t true.
Documents show that isn’t true.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans misrepresented family’s immigration history | Colorado Newsline
U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans of Colorado has mischaracterized the story of how his Depression-era ancestors immigrated to America.
coloradonewsline.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I don't put a lot of stock in "did it the right way" rhetoric, period, because immigration laws were so different in the past, but in this case, Gabe Evans' grandfather was in a nearly identical position to the people whose deportation Evans supports today.
Feeling very grateful today because my father is 90-95% going to maintain his track record of having 10 fingers.
For someone who's been a cabinetmaker for nearly 50 years, it's an impressive track record. Things looked dicey yesterday, but the hand surgeon is pretty optimistic.
For someone who's been a cabinetmaker for nearly 50 years, it's an impressive track record. Things looked dicey yesterday, but the hand surgeon is pretty optimistic.
July 23, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Feeling very grateful today because my father is 90-95% going to maintain his track record of having 10 fingers.
For someone who's been a cabinetmaker for nearly 50 years, it's an impressive track record. Things looked dicey yesterday, but the hand surgeon is pretty optimistic.
For someone who's been a cabinetmaker for nearly 50 years, it's an impressive track record. Things looked dicey yesterday, but the hand surgeon is pretty optimistic.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
Very funny interview as Gov. Polis cancels his pedestrian bridge...
Polis: "I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway."
@ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social: "Governor, the only person you would chain yourself to oppose is your previous self."
Polis: "I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway."
@ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social: "Governor, the only person you would chain yourself to oppose is your previous self."
July 22, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Very funny interview as Gov. Polis cancels his pedestrian bridge...
Polis: "I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway."
@ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social: "Governor, the only person you would chain yourself to oppose is your previous self."
Polis: "I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway."
@ryanhasaquestion.bsky.social: "Governor, the only person you would chain yourself to oppose is your previous self."
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
JUST IN: Gov. Polis scuttles walkway near the state Capitol.
87,000 people responded to a survey, 93% opposed.
"I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza, if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway," says Polis, who was its initial and rare champion.
Plans have cost ~$1 million, he says.
87,000 people responded to a survey, 93% opposed.
"I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza, if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway," says Polis, who was its initial and rare champion.
Plans have cost ~$1 million, he says.
July 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
JUST IN: Gov. Polis scuttles walkway near the state Capitol.
87,000 people responded to a survey, 93% opposed.
"I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza, if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway," says Polis, who was its initial and rare champion.
Plans have cost ~$1 million, he says.
87,000 people responded to a survey, 93% opposed.
"I'll chain myself to the Capitol plaza, if needed, to prevent construction of the walkway," says Polis, who was its initial and rare champion.
Plans have cost ~$1 million, he says.
Reposted by Erica Meltzer
The Pentagon has ordered U.S. Marines to leave Los Angeles after more than a month in the city.
Pentagon withdraws 700 Marines from Los Angeles
The Pentagon has ordered U.S. Marines to leave Los Angeles after more than a month in the city. The 700 Marines were deployed on June 9 during protests against the administration’s immigration policies.
bit.ly
July 22, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The Pentagon has ordered U.S. Marines to leave Los Angeles after more than a month in the city.