Heather Vogell
@heathervogell.bsky.social
Reporter, ProPublica. The space industry, business & politics, and other things. Signal: HeatherVogell.55
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Heather Vogell
@heathervogell.bsky.social
· Feb 11
One Agency Tried to Regulate SpaceX. Now Its Fate Could Be in Elon Musk’s Hands.
The Trump ally and DOGE chief is expected to turn his budget-slashing sights on the FAA’s little-known commercial spaceflight office, which has proposed fines and grounded SpaceX after explosions and ...
www.propublica.org
A little-known office in the FAA safeguards the public during commercial rocket launches. Elon Musk says it works too slow. Now he’s in a position to change that. New:
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence was misleading.
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
Reposted by Heather Vogell
Administrators at Indiana University baselessly fired the student media director and ordered the student paper to cease its print edition, so it'd sure be a shame if this excellent digital front page were to be widely shared today
issuu.com/idsnews/docs...
issuu.com/idsnews/docs...
October 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Administrators at Indiana University baselessly fired the student media director and ordered the student paper to cease its print edition, so it'd sure be a shame if this excellent digital front page were to be widely shared today
issuu.com/idsnews/docs...
issuu.com/idsnews/docs...
Reposted by Heather Vogell
Let me help you with that, Speaker Johnson.
This is what we documented.
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
This is what we documented.
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
October 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Let me help you with that, Speaker Johnson.
This is what we documented.
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
This is what we documented.
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
The newly unsealed testimony marks the first time direct Chinese investment in the company has been disclosed, raising new questions about foreign ownership interests in one of America’s most importan...
www.propublica.org
October 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: The Pentagon told journalists it will require them to pledge they won’t gather any information — even unclassified — that hasn’t been expressly authorized for release, and will revoke the press credentials of those who do not obey. @washingtonpost.com
Pentagon demands journalists pledge to not obtain unauthorized material
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is imposing strict new rules that would severely limit the ability of journalists to report on the Pentagon.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:57 PM
NEW: The Pentagon told journalists it will require them to pledge they won’t gather any information — even unclassified — that hasn’t been expressly authorized for release, and will revoke the press credentials of those who do not obey. @washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
Gutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health Agencies
More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...
projects.propublica.org
August 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
NEW: More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform inspections and combat deadly outbreaks.
We reported in July that Trump was poised to slash regs protecting the public and the environment during rocket launches by companies like SpaceX.
Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order making it happen.
Here’s our story. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order making it happen.
Here’s our story. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Looking to Slash Environmental Protection Rules for Rocket Launches
A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change El...
www.propublica.org
August 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
We reported in July that Trump was poised to slash regs protecting the public and the environment during rocket launches by companies like SpaceX.
Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order making it happen.
Here’s our story. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Yesterday, Trump signed an executive order making it happen.
Here’s our story. www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The biggest landlord in the US will stop using rent-setting algorithms that critics say can result in price-fixing.
Greystar settled after federal prosecutors sued it, other landlords and the software’s maker.
We first wrote about the practice in 2022.
www.propublica.org/article/grey...
Greystar settled after federal prosecutors sued it, other landlords and the software’s maker.
We first wrote about the practice in 2022.
www.propublica.org/article/grey...
America’s Largest Landlord to Stop Using RealPage Rent-Setting Software, Makes Deal With DOJ
Greystar, which manages nearly 950,000 apartments, has agreed to stop using “anti-competitive” algorithms to suggest rents. ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a...
www.propublica.org
August 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The biggest landlord in the US will stop using rent-setting algorithms that critics say can result in price-fixing.
Greystar settled after federal prosecutors sued it, other landlords and the software’s maker.
We first wrote about the practice in 2022.
www.propublica.org/article/grey...
Greystar settled after federal prosecutors sued it, other landlords and the software’s maker.
We first wrote about the practice in 2022.
www.propublica.org/article/grey...
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: Greystar, which manages nearly 950,000 apartments, has agreed to stop using “anti-competitive” algorithms to suggest rents.
ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a way that could result in cartel-like behavior.
By @heathervogell.bsky.social
ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a way that could result in cartel-like behavior.
By @heathervogell.bsky.social
America’s Largest Landlord to Stop Using RealPage Rent-Setting Software, Makes Deal With DOJ
Greystar, which manages nearly 950,000 apartments, has agreed to stop using “anti-competitive” algorithms to suggest rents. ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a...
www.propublica.org
August 12, 2025 at 3:41 PM
NEW: Greystar, which manages nearly 950,000 apartments, has agreed to stop using “anti-competitive” algorithms to suggest rents.
ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a way that could result in cartel-like behavior.
By @heathervogell.bsky.social
ProPublica previously showed how such software lets landlords set rents in a way that could result in cartel-like behavior.
By @heathervogell.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Vogell
More women have nearly bled to death during miscarriage under Texas’ abortion ban.
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care.
“This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care.
“This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
A “Striking” Trend: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
A new ProPublica data analysis adds to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of first-trimester miscarriage far more dangerous.
www.propublica.org
August 5, 2025 at 3:00 AM
More women have nearly bled to death during miscarriage under Texas’ abortion ban.
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care.
“This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
Experts say the trend paints a troubling picture of the harms of unnecessary delays in care.
“This is striking,” one doctor said. “The trend is very clear.”
Reposted by Heather Vogell
The Trump administration is set to destroy $9.7 million worth of US-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas, following the dismantling of foreign assistance programs carried out by USAID
US to burn $9.7 million worth of USAID-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas | CNN
The Trump administration is set to destroy $9.7 million worth of US-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas, following the dismantling of foreign assistance programs carrie...
cnn.it
July 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The Trump administration is set to destroy $9.7 million worth of US-purchased contraceptives rather than deliver them to women overseas, following the dismantling of foreign assistance programs carried out by USAID
We learned the Trump admin is moving to slash regs on launch companies — like Elon Musk’s SpaceX — that aim to protect people and the enviro.
The changes come despite explosions that sent debris raining on the Caribbean and Gulf.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @tophersanders.bsky.social
The changes come despite explosions that sent debris raining on the Caribbean and Gulf.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @tophersanders.bsky.social
Trump Administration Looking to Slash Environmental Protection Rules for Rocket Launches
A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change El...
www.propublica.org
July 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We learned the Trump admin is moving to slash regs on launch companies — like Elon Musk’s SpaceX — that aim to protect people and the enviro.
The changes come despite explosions that sent debris raining on the Caribbean and Gulf.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @tophersanders.bsky.social
The changes come despite explosions that sent debris raining on the Caribbean and Gulf.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @tophersanders.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change Elon Musk’s SpaceX and others have long sought.
Trump Administration Looking to Slash Environmental Protection Rules for Rocket Launches
A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change El...
www.propublica.org
July 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
NEW: A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change Elon Musk’s SpaceX and others have long sought.
Reposted by Heather Vogell
Breaking News: The EPA said it would eliminate its scientific research arm and begin firing hundreds of scientists, after denying that it intended to do so.
E.P.A. Says It Will Eliminate Its Scientific Research Arm
The decision comes after a Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to slash the federal work force and dismantle agencies.
trib.al
July 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Breaking News: The EPA said it would eliminate its scientific research arm and begin firing hundreds of scientists, after denying that it intended to do so.
Reposted by Heather Vogell
🎧 Our reporter @abrahm.bsky.social was on @npr.org's Fresh Air today to talk about how Trump's undermining of science — at a time when erratic weather is making disasters more common — is "extraordinarily concerning":
'ProPublica' climate reporter calls Texas floods an 'early warning' of future chaos
Abrahm Lustgarten says the undermining of science, and cuts to FEMA and NOAA, at a time when erratic weather is making disasters more common, should be "extraordinarily concerning" to us.
www.npr.org
July 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
🎧 Our reporter @abrahm.bsky.social was on @npr.org's Fresh Air today to talk about how Trump's undermining of science — at a time when erratic weather is making disasters more common — is "extraordinarily concerning":
Reposted by Heather Vogell
The pressure is building on health providers who offer gender-affirming care for trans kids: Department of Justice Subpoenas Doctors and Clinics Involved in Performing Transgender Medical Procedures on Children
Department of Justice Subpoenas Doctors and Clinics Involved in Performing Transgender Medical Procedures on Children
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Justice announced that it has sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in performing transgender medical procedures on children.
www.justice.gov
July 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The pressure is building on health providers who offer gender-affirming care for trans kids: Department of Justice Subpoenas Doctors and Clinics Involved in Performing Transgender Medical Procedures on Children
Reposted by Heather Vogell
NEW: The number of extreme weather disasters has jumped fivefold worldwide over the past 50 years, and the number of deaths has nearly tripled.
The recent disaster in Texas is a grim omen of the climate chaos still to come.
By @abrahm.bsky.social @propublica.org
The recent disaster in Texas is a grim omen of the climate chaos still to come.
By @abrahm.bsky.social @propublica.org
The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come
Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.
www.propublica.org
July 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
NEW: The number of extreme weather disasters has jumped fivefold worldwide over the past 50 years, and the number of deaths has nearly tripled.
The recent disaster in Texas is a grim omen of the climate chaos still to come.
By @abrahm.bsky.social @propublica.org
The recent disaster in Texas is a grim omen of the climate chaos still to come.
By @abrahm.bsky.social @propublica.org
Reposted by Heather Vogell
BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. names eight vaccine committee replacements, including a prominent critic of COVID-19 shots.
Kennedy names 8 vaccine committee replacements, including COVID shot critic
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week.
bit.ly
June 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. names eight vaccine committee replacements, including a prominent critic of COVID-19 shots.
Reposted by Heather Vogell
Staffers at the US National Institutes of Health published a letter of dissent, taking issue with what they see as the politicization of research and destruction of scientific progress under the Trump administration. They called it the Bethesda Declaration, for the location of the NIH.
NIH employees publish ‘Bethesda Declaration’ in dissent of Trump administration policies | CNN
Staffers at the US National Institutes of Health published a letter of dissent, taking issue with what they see as the politicization of research and destruction of scientific progress under the Trump...
cnn.it
June 9, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Staffers at the US National Institutes of Health published a letter of dissent, taking issue with what they see as the politicization of research and destruction of scientific progress under the Trump administration. They called it the Bethesda Declaration, for the location of the NIH.
Reposted by Heather Vogell
Hooray! The new encrypted tips form Ive been working on with @phiffer.org is now live! Very, very proud and delighted with this effort.
www.propublica.org/tips/#submit
www.propublica.org/tips/#submit
How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely — ProPublica
Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.
www.propublica.org
June 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Hooray! The new encrypted tips form Ive been working on with @phiffer.org is now live! Very, very proud and delighted with this effort.
www.propublica.org/tips/#submit
www.propublica.org/tips/#submit
Reposted by Heather Vogell
White House report re “clear, evidence-based foundation” for action on a range of children’s health included fictitious studies on direct-to-consumer drug advertising, mental illness and medications prescribed for children with asthma. By Dani Blum and Maggie Astor
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w...
White House Health Report Included Fake Citations
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
White House report re “clear, evidence-based foundation” for action on a range of children’s health included fictitious studies on direct-to-consumer drug advertising, mental illness and medications prescribed for children with asthma. By Dani Blum and Maggie Astor
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/w...
Reposted by Heather Vogell
The 2-year-old, native-born U.S. citizen, removed by ICE in February, is now stuck in Poté on a soon-to-expire tourist visa without a Brazilian citizen’s access to routine pediatric checkups, day care or school @terrencemccoy.bsky.social and Marina Dias report
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
This 2-year-old American girl was ‘deported’ with her undocumented parents
Since being flown to Brazil in February, Manu has become all but stateless — removed from her place of birth and not yet adopted by her parents’ home country.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The 2-year-old, native-born U.S. citizen, removed by ICE in February, is now stuck in Poté on a soon-to-expire tourist visa without a Brazilian citizen’s access to routine pediatric checkups, day care or school @terrencemccoy.bsky.social and Marina Dias report
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Late Wed., Sen. Amy Klobuchar told us there is bipartisan support for AI rules and bipartisan oppo to the moratorium:
“By preventing cities and states from protecting renters and allowing landlords to leverage AI to collude, House Republicans would raise rents even more while reducing competition."
“By preventing cities and states from protecting renters and allowing landlords to leverage AI to collude, House Republicans would raise rents even more while reducing competition."
To read more about how RealPage has shaped the nation’s rental markets, read our “Rent Barons” series here: www.propublica.org/series/rent-...
Rent Barons
Powerful interests, including a real estate tech company and private equity firms, are contributing to soaring rents.
www.propublica.org
May 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Late Wed., Sen. Amy Klobuchar told us there is bipartisan support for AI rules and bipartisan oppo to the moratorium:
“By preventing cities and states from protecting renters and allowing landlords to leverage AI to collude, House Republicans would raise rents even more while reducing competition."
“By preventing cities and states from protecting renters and allowing landlords to leverage AI to collude, House Republicans would raise rents even more while reducing competition."
In 2022, @propublica.org found landlords were using RealPage software to raise rents — potentially in violation of laws against collusion.
Cities then moved to ban such pricing algorithms.
But now, @wsj.com reports that House Republicans are seeking to “muzzle” those local efforts. THREAD
Cities then moved to ban such pricing algorithms.
But now, @wsj.com reports that House Republicans are seeking to “muzzle” those local efforts. THREAD
May 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In 2022, @propublica.org found landlords were using RealPage software to raise rents — potentially in violation of laws against collusion.
Cities then moved to ban such pricing algorithms.
But now, @wsj.com reports that House Republicans are seeking to “muzzle” those local efforts. THREAD
Cities then moved to ban such pricing algorithms.
But now, @wsj.com reports that House Republicans are seeking to “muzzle” those local efforts. THREAD
Reposted by Heather Vogell
A huge step from HHS that is at odds with science showing significant risks for young children and pregnant women — and that directly contradicts *the FDA's own publication* from last week listing pregnancy as a high-risk condition that would qualify people for this fall's Covid vaccine
May 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A huge step from HHS that is at odds with science showing significant risks for young children and pregnant women — and that directly contradicts *the FDA's own publication* from last week listing pregnancy as a high-risk condition that would qualify people for this fall's Covid vaccine