Sharon Lerner
@fastlerner.bsky.social
Environmental reporter at ProPublica. Brooklynite. Fan of nature, facts, pie
Pinned
Sharon Lerner
@fastlerner.bsky.social
· Dec 8
Under Former Chemical Industry Insiders, Trump EPA Nearly Doubles Amount of Formaldehyde Considered Safe to Inhale
Chemical industry lobbyists have long pushed the government to adopt a less stringent approach to gauging the cancer risk from chemicals, one that would help ease regulations on companies that make or...
www.propublica.org
NEW: Last year we found the acceptable level of exposure to formaldehyde set by the EPA left people at risk for cancer.
Now the Trump administration has roughly doubled it
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Now the Trump administration has roughly doubled it
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
"This is Mia, 7 years old -- 'I don't want to be in this place. I want to be in my school'" -- Walkinshaw confronts Lyons with letters written by kids being detained by ICE
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"This is Mia, 7 years old -- 'I don't want to be in this place. I want to be in my school'" -- Walkinshaw confronts Lyons with letters written by kids being detained by ICE
I've long wondered about this - whether infants sucking on pacifiers are ingesting toxic chemicals. Turns out they are 😞
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Migration of bisphenol A from commercially available pacifiers: HPLC-FLD analysis and exposure assessment in infants and toddlers - Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting compound widely used in plastics and resins and associated with metabolic, reproductive, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Infants and toddlers are particu...
link.springer.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I've long wondered about this - whether infants sucking on pacifiers are ingesting toxic chemicals. Turns out they are 😞
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
US carbon pollution rose in 2025 by 2.4% over the previous year.
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is attributable to a combination of a cool winter, the explosive growth of datacenters and cryptocurrency mining, and higher natural gas prices.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is attributable to a combination of a cool winter, the explosive growth of datacenters and cryptocurrency mining, and higher natural gas prices.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
US carbon pollution rose in 2025 in reversal of previous years’ reductions
Study from research firm finds that US greenhouse gas emissions grew faster than economic activity last year
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:53 AM
US carbon pollution rose in 2025 by 2.4% over the previous year.
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is attributable to a combination of a cool winter, the explosive growth of datacenters and cryptocurrency mining, and higher natural gas prices.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is attributable to a combination of a cool winter, the explosive growth of datacenters and cryptocurrency mining, and higher natural gas prices.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
NEW: The Trump administration is planning to use AI to write federal regulations despite the risk of hallucinations.
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
January 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM
NEW: The Trump administration is planning to use AI to write federal regulations despite the risk of hallucinations.
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
Half the world’s 100 largest cities are experiencing high levels of water stress, with 38 of these in regions of “extremely high water stress”, new analysis and mapping has shown.
About 1.1 billion people live in metropolitan areas experiencing long-term drying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
About 1.1 billion people live in metropolitan areas experiencing long-term drying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Half the world’s 100 largest cities are in high water stress areas, analysis finds
Exclusive: Beijing, Delhi, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro among worst affected, with demand close to exceeding supply
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Half the world’s 100 largest cities are experiencing high levels of water stress, with 38 of these in regions of “extremely high water stress”, new analysis and mapping has shown.
About 1.1 billion people live in metropolitan areas experiencing long-term drying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
About 1.1 billion people live in metropolitan areas experiencing long-term drying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
"ICE will leave Minnesota if you hand over your voter rolls" tells you everything you need to know.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
January 25, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"ICE will leave Minnesota if you hand over your voter rolls" tells you everything you need to know.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
Statistic: 2/3rds of murders in Minneapolis so far in 2026 have been committed by DHS agents
January 26, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Statistic: 2/3rds of murders in Minneapolis so far in 2026 have been committed by DHS agents
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
This morning, I recorded a video on TikTok about why DHS’s arguments for the power to enter homes without judicial warrants in immigration cases are bunk.
Nine hours later, TikTok still says my video is “under review,” and can’t be shared.
Well, here’s a link:
georgetown.box.com/v/Vladeck-IC...
Nine hours later, TikTok still says my video is “under review,” and can’t be shared.
Well, here’s a link:
georgetown.box.com/v/Vladeck-IC...
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 AM
This morning, I recorded a video on TikTok about why DHS’s arguments for the power to enter homes without judicial warrants in immigration cases are bunk.
Nine hours later, TikTok still says my video is “under review,” and can’t be shared.
Well, here’s a link:
georgetown.box.com/v/Vladeck-IC...
Nine hours later, TikTok still says my video is “under review,” and can’t be shared.
Well, here’s a link:
georgetown.box.com/v/Vladeck-IC...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
LIVE NOW: Our reporters Brett Murphy and @annamaria.bsky.social and photographer @peterdicampo.bsky.social are taking your questions on Reddit about how Trump’s gutting of USAID exacerbated a cholera epidemic and created an American-made hunger crisis 👇
January 22, 2026 at 8:09 PM
LIVE NOW: Our reporters Brett Murphy and @annamaria.bsky.social and photographer @peterdicampo.bsky.social are taking your questions on Reddit about how Trump’s gutting of USAID exacerbated a cholera epidemic and created an American-made hunger crisis 👇
Tylenol in Pregnancy Not Tied to Autism, Rigorous Review Shows www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/au...
But we do know that high fevers in pregnancy are associated with autism
But we do know that high fevers in pregnancy are associated with autism
Tylenol in Pregnancy Not Tied to Autism, Rigorous Review Shows
Study debunks fears about prenatal acetaminophen and child development
www.medpagetoday.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Tylenol in Pregnancy Not Tied to Autism, Rigorous Review Shows www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/au...
But we do know that high fevers in pregnancy are associated with autism
But we do know that high fevers in pregnancy are associated with autism
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
“Asking scientists to spy on and report on their fellow co-authors” is a “classic hallmark of authoritarianism,” said Jennifer Jones, director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and me:
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:48 PM
“Asking scientists to spy on and report on their fellow co-authors” is a “classic hallmark of authoritarianism,” said Jennifer Jones, director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
I’ve been following this case for several years. Finally, a judge in Milwaukee brought a grieving father’s 13-year quest for justice to a close, accepting a plea deal for two men who were criminally charged for their role in the 2012 killing of teenager Corey Stingley at a convenience store.
A Black Teen Died Over a $12 Shoplifting Attempt. 13 Years Later, Two Men Plead Guilty in His Killing.
16-year-old Corey Stingley died from asphyxiation after being pinned down by customers in a convenience store. Under a special agreement, the family of the teen finally feels that “truth, understandin...
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I’ve been following this case for several years. Finally, a judge in Milwaukee brought a grieving father’s 13-year quest for justice to a close, accepting a plea deal for two men who were criminally charged for their role in the 2012 killing of teenager Corey Stingley at a convenience store.
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and me:
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and me:
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.”
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
I am still tracking the detentions of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents
If you know something or want to share your story, please get in touch
✉️nicole.foy@propublica.org
Signal: nicolefoy.27
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
If you know something or want to share your story, please get in touch
✉️nicole.foy@propublica.org
Signal: nicolefoy.27
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
www.propublica.org
January 15, 2026 at 8:23 PM
I am still tracking the detentions of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents
If you know something or want to share your story, please get in touch
✉️nicole.foy@propublica.org
Signal: nicolefoy.27
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
If you know something or want to share your story, please get in touch
✉️nicole.foy@propublica.org
Signal: nicolefoy.27
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
NEW: Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With, by @lisalsong.bsky.social @fastlerner.bsky.social
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
NEW: Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With, by @lisalsong.bsky.social @fastlerner.bsky.social
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and @fastlerner.bsky.social: The Trump administration is directing employees at the USDA to investigate foreign scientists who collaborate with the agency on research papers for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:48 PM
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and @fastlerner.bsky.social: The Trump administration is directing employees at the USDA to investigate foreign scientists who collaborate with the agency on research papers for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
Flashbangs burn hotter then lava.
They've caused serious burns, severed hands, and even killed.
*That's* what ICE just tossed into a car full of kids.
Here's our investigation from 2015, by @juliaangwin.com:
www.propublica.org/article/flas...
They've caused serious burns, severed hands, and even killed.
*That's* what ICE just tossed into a car full of kids.
Here's our investigation from 2015, by @juliaangwin.com:
www.propublica.org/article/flas...
January 15, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Flashbangs burn hotter then lava.
They've caused serious burns, severed hands, and even killed.
*That's* what ICE just tossed into a car full of kids.
Here's our investigation from 2015, by @juliaangwin.com:
www.propublica.org/article/flas...
They've caused serious burns, severed hands, and even killed.
*That's* what ICE just tossed into a car full of kids.
Here's our investigation from 2015, by @juliaangwin.com:
www.propublica.org/article/flas...
the alarming studies keep rolling in... this one shows that exposure to "forever chemicals" is linked to a higher Risk of gestational diabetes
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00682-0/fulltext
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00682-0/fulltext
Associations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances with markers of glycaemic control, insulin secretion and sensitivity, and diabetes risk: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Evidence from observational studies supports PFAS associations with higher odds of
GDM and increased markers of insulin resistance and secretion. PFAS associations with
established T2D or T1D remain t...
thelancet.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:33 PM
the alarming studies keep rolling in... this one shows that exposure to "forever chemicals" is linked to a higher Risk of gestational diabetes
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00682-0/fulltext
thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00682-0/fulltext
kudos to the forever lobbying project and @stephanehorel.bsky.social
. @corporateeurope.org joined forces with a team of international journalists including us at Watershed for The Forever Lobbying Project - exposing industry lobbying to prevent an EU PFAS ban, "bigger than anything the tobacco industry have been able to pull together."
share.google/TGvHaj8ITpgy...
share.google/TGvHaj8ITpgy...
January 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
kudos to the forever lobbying project and @stephanehorel.bsky.social
Reposted by Sharon Lerner
DOJ staff resign over the department’s disinterest in Good killing.
A new spate of Justice Department officials quit because their section didn't want to probe Renee Good's shooting
At least four leaders of the Civil Rights Division resigned because the section's head, Harmeet Dhillon, decided not to investigate shooting of Renee Good.
www.ms.now
January 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
DOJ staff resign over the department’s disinterest in Good killing.
