Kara Karlson
@karakarlson.bsky.social
Mother. #DisabilityRights. #ElectionLaw attorney. 4th gen Arizonan. #Momvocate
Pinned
Kara Karlson
@karakarlson.bsky.social
· Nov 10
One of my proudest moments was when I got AZ policy changed to ensure people with intellectual & developmental disabilities received priority for COVID vaccines. This has been promised, but was quietly rescinded. Helping 42k ppl access life saving vaccines. Higher rate uptake than nat'l avg.
"The fragility and weakness of my body, I can handle. The fragility of the safety net is something I fear and worry about constantly."
Rest in power Ms. Wong. Disabled activist, & proud "Medicaid welfare queen" whose voice will be heard for generations.
Rest in power Ms. Wong. Disabled activist, & proud "Medicaid welfare queen" whose voice will be heard for generations.
We should not forget that Alice Wong could only go to college because she had access to Medicaid. People with disabilities can only thrive and survive if society chooses to invest in them the way it invests in everyone else.
www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/o...
Opinion | My Medicaid, My Life (Published 2017)
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
"The fragility and weakness of my body, I can handle. The fragility of the safety net is something I fear and worry about constantly."
Rest in power Ms. Wong. Disabled activist, & proud "Medicaid welfare queen" whose voice will be heard for generations.
Rest in power Ms. Wong. Disabled activist, & proud "Medicaid welfare queen" whose voice will be heard for generations.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
This is a fantastic tribute to Alice. I know she always knew death was nearby. It doesn't make her absence any less heartbreaking.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Alice Wong, disability rights advocate and wordsmith, dies at 51
Alice Wong, a transformational leader for disability rights and justice, who founded the Disability Visibility project to magnify disabled culture, died Nov. 14.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM
This is a fantastic tribute to Alice. I know she always knew death was nearby. It doesn't make her absence any less heartbreaking.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
"Thomas (rapist) is an alumna of Oklahoma State University, where Butler’s (prosecutor) father worked as a director of operations for the college’s football program. Worthington is also an Oklahoma State University alumna."
So, college football. 🤮
So, college football. 🤮
Jesse Butler raped & strangled two girls…
One ended up in hospital.
He managed a plea deal as a “youthful offender”. He was 17.
He won’t serve time.
How come Jesse avoids jail time because he’s a “kid”… yet the Epstein survivors are being reframed as women?
Rape culture
One ended up in hospital.
He managed a plea deal as a “youthful offender”. He was 17.
He won’t serve time.
How come Jesse avoids jail time because he’s a “kid”… yet the Epstein survivors are being reframed as women?
Rape culture
Outrage mounts in Oklahoma over plea deal for rapist: ‘That’s sketchy as hell’
Jesse Butler, 18, faced 78 years in prison, but judge reduced sentence to community service and counseling
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:50 PM
"Thomas (rapist) is an alumna of Oklahoma State University, where Butler’s (prosecutor) father worked as a director of operations for the college’s football program. Worthington is also an Oklahoma State University alumna."
So, college football. 🤮
So, college football. 🤮
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." U.S. Constitution, 1st Amend.
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." U.S. Constitution, 1st Amend.
Boy, I'm glad they made sure our trans service members were removed for "military readiness." Sure feel like our Dept of War is at peak readiness. Don't you?
/Sarc
This is terrible, and is a true burden for our service members.
Congress could end it all, if they had a spine.
/Sarc
This is terrible, and is a true burden for our service members.
Congress could end it all, if they had a spine.
Some military service personnel have started seeking outside legal counsel about the missions Trump has assigned them.
At least two members of the National Guard have already said they will defy orders to unlawfully occupy Oregon.
This is what we need.
Good people standing up to fascism.
At least two members of the National Guard have already said they will defy orders to unlawfully occupy Oregon.
This is what we need.
Good people standing up to fascism.
Military personnel seek legal advice on whether Trump-ordered missions are lawful
Military service personnel have been seeking outside legal advice about some of the missions the Trump administration has assigned them. The strikes against alleged drug traffickers and deployments to...
www.pbs.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Boy, I'm glad they made sure our trans service members were removed for "military readiness." Sure feel like our Dept of War is at peak readiness. Don't you?
/Sarc
This is terrible, and is a true burden for our service members.
Congress could end it all, if they had a spine.
/Sarc
This is terrible, and is a true burden for our service members.
Congress could end it all, if they had a spine.
TW: Discussion of SA and trafficking in the voice of one of the child survivors.
WATCH - @tarapalmeri.bsky.social : “Hey Megyn Kelly… you want to hear the sound of one of the girls recruited from her nearby high school by Epstein? It is pedophilia. I would recommend you go listen to the audio from the police reports.”
November 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
TW: Discussion of SA and trafficking in the voice of one of the child survivors.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
When an insurance company is deciding whether to pay for your medical treatment, it generates a file, which should contain all records associated with your case, including documents explaining why the claim was denied.
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
Health Insurance Claim Denied? See What Insurers Said Behind the Scenes
Learn how to request your health insurance claim file, which can include details about what your insurer is saying about you and your case.
www.propublica.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 AM
When an insurance company is deciding whether to pay for your medical treatment, it generates a file, which should contain all records associated with your case, including documents explaining why the claim was denied.
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
You have a right to see this file.
(Published May 2023)
This is why the antivaxx movement is not about "personal freedom."
Arizonans, if you were one of 20,000 people at the Mortgage Matchup Center on November 5th for the Tate McRae concert, or November 5-6 or at the Home2 Suites Hilton on Jackson Street, you may have been exposed to measles.
Concertgoers at a Tate McRae show in Phoenix may have been exposed to measles
Someone with measles may have exposed others during a Tate McRae concert at the Mortgage Matchup Center in downtown Phoenix earlier this month.
www.12news.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This is why the antivaxx movement is not about "personal freedom."
Fun fact: nearly all countries in the world prohibit or restrict the immigration of disabled people.
This is just a new verse in a long, sad, very old song. If more people experience it, maybe we will finally stop this?
This is just a new verse in a long, sad, very old song. If more people experience it, maybe we will finally stop this?
New guidance from the Trump administration directs visa officers to consider common health ailments, including obesity and diabetes, when would-be immigrants seek to enter the U.S. n.pr/4oV0WFn
Immigrants with obesity, diabetes and other health problems may be denied visas
New guidance from the Trump administration directs visa officers to consider common health ailments, including obesity and diabetes, when would-be immigrants seek to enter the U.S.
n.pr
November 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Fun fact: nearly all countries in the world prohibit or restrict the immigration of disabled people.
This is just a new verse in a long, sad, very old song. If more people experience it, maybe we will finally stop this?
This is just a new verse in a long, sad, very old song. If more people experience it, maybe we will finally stop this?
Americans can't afford oligarchs.
Under the Big Ugly Bill, Alphabet gets $17.9B in tax breaks. That could pay for SNAP benefits for 7.5 million Americans.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
Amazon gets $15.7B. That could lower ACA premiums for 2.4 million people.
Microsoft gets $12.5B. That could cover Medicaid for 3.8 million children.
November 13, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Americans can't afford oligarchs.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
This story by @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social about Landon Thomas, former NYT reporter now appearing in the latest email tranche, soliciting a $30k contribution from Jeffrey Epstein?
Yes, you can read it here
www.npr.org/2019/08/22/7...
Yes, you can read it here
www.npr.org/2019/08/22/7...
November 12, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This story by @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social about Landon Thomas, former NYT reporter now appearing in the latest email tranche, soliciting a $30k contribution from Jeffrey Epstein?
Yes, you can read it here
www.npr.org/2019/08/22/7...
Yes, you can read it here
www.npr.org/2019/08/22/7...
Reposted by Kara Karlson
I’m gifting this article so you can read it without a subscription.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I’m gifting this article so you can read it without a subscription.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Light reading.
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Epstein Document Search
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
November 13, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Light reading.
Vile. Disgusting. These words seem insufficient to describe the reality.
I hope the people who engaged in this atrocity are brought to justice.
I hope the people who engaged in this atrocity are brought to justice.
Italy probes claims that tourists paid to shoot at civilians in Bosnian war
Italy probes claims that tourists paid to shoot at civilians in Bosnian war
Italians and others are alleged to have paid large sums to fire at Bosnians risking their lives in besieged Sarajevo.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Vile. Disgusting. These words seem insufficient to describe the reality.
I hope the people who engaged in this atrocity are brought to justice.
I hope the people who engaged in this atrocity are brought to justice.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
This tight-knit community was recovering from a cultlike leader. Then measles got in. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
This tight-knit community was recovering from a cultlike leader. Then measles got in.
Years after the reign of Warren Jeffs, the Short Creek community on the Utah-Arizona border is focused on rebuilding. Missed vaccines were low on the list of priorities, until now.
www.nbcnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:43 PM
This tight-knit community was recovering from a cultlike leader. Then measles got in. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Oh no. Not again. Info in the link about symptoms of botulinum poisoning in infants, extent of the recall (all By heart Formula), and what to do if your baby gets sick. Botulism can kill.
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (November 2025)
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov/food/outbrea...
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov/food/outbrea...
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula
Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.
www.fda.gov
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Oh no. Not again. Info in the link about symptoms of botulinum poisoning in infants, extent of the recall (all By heart Formula), and what to do if your baby gets sick. Botulism can kill.
Not exactly the T-1000 now, is it?
November 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Not exactly the T-1000 now, is it?
Reposted by Kara Karlson
Canada has just lost measles elimination status. The U.S. will undoubtedly follow shortly.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades, health agency says
Canada has lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades due to its failure to curb a year-long outbreak, the country's public health agency said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Canada has just lost measles elimination status. The U.S. will undoubtedly follow shortly.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Elimination means that there is no continuous spreading of measles within the country for a year or longer.
Canada and the U.S. have blown it, and it’s largely the fault of the anti-vaccination movement.
Harm reduction works.
Pretending it doesn't hurts.
And it *will* spread beyond the borders of Maine, and outside of the most impoverished people.
Pretending it doesn't hurts.
And it *will* spread beyond the borders of Maine, and outside of the most impoverished people.
The STAT article culminates in a firewall, so I found this one: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
An HIV Outbreak in Maine Shows the Risk of Trump’s Crackdown on Homelessness and Drug Use - KFF Health News
Public health experts and advocates say the outbreak has been fueled by a confluence of local factors, including the sweeping of a homeless encampment and shuttering of a sterile-syringe program. But ...
kffhealthnews.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Harm reduction works.
Pretending it doesn't hurts.
And it *will* spread beyond the borders of Maine, and outside of the most impoverished people.
Pretending it doesn't hurts.
And it *will* spread beyond the borders of Maine, and outside of the most impoverished people.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
This, right here. I agree to forgo air travel to feed my neighbors.
Will our congressional representatives do the same?
Will our congressional representatives do the same?
not enough chatter about how frequently members fly and how attacking airport capacity directly affects them in a way that cutting SNAP does not
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
This, right here. I agree to forgo air travel to feed my neighbors.
Will our congressional representatives do the same?
Will our congressional representatives do the same?
Yep. I will die on this hill.
I have an international trip planned soon that I am very excited for. But if I only get to take it if my neighbors starve, I'll forgo it. I've lived for decades w/o taking the trip. I can live for decades w/o.
Ppl can't live decades w/o food.
I have an international trip planned soon that I am very excited for. But if I only get to take it if my neighbors starve, I'll forgo it. I've lived for decades w/o taking the trip. I can live for decades w/o.
Ppl can't live decades w/o food.
People and their health is more important than people flying comfortably. I'm sorry.
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Yep. I will die on this hill.
I have an international trip planned soon that I am very excited for. But if I only get to take it if my neighbors starve, I'll forgo it. I've lived for decades w/o taking the trip. I can live for decades w/o.
Ppl can't live decades w/o food.
I have an international trip planned soon that I am very excited for. But if I only get to take it if my neighbors starve, I'll forgo it. I've lived for decades w/o taking the trip. I can live for decades w/o.
Ppl can't live decades w/o food.
Reposted by Kara Karlson
The Trump administration is calling on the Supreme Court to block a judge’s order to fully fund SNAP.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Trump asks Supreme Court to block judge’s order to fully fund SNAP
The USDA says funding is already going to states while the government wages a legal battle to freeze it
www.independent.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Trump administration is calling on the Supreme Court to block a judge’s order to fully fund SNAP.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
I'm not linking to any of the obits, b/c all the ones I've seen have inaccurate headlines about what Watson actually did. This is what those headlines should have said.
"All right, class, who knows what Watson and Crick discovered?"
"Rosalind Franklin's notes."
"That's correct."
"Rosalind Franklin's notes."
"That's correct."
November 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I'm not linking to any of the obits, b/c all the ones I've seen have inaccurate headlines about what Watson actually did. This is what those headlines should have said.