Katie Scarlett Brandt
@katiehappens.bsky.social
editor, @chicagohealth.bsky.social and @caregivingmag.bsky.social
author, Janet Rowley and the History of a Revolutionary Discovery
ready for a nap, any time :)
katiehappens.com
author, Janet Rowley and the History of a Revolutionary Discovery
ready for a nap, any time :)
katiehappens.com
For people in need of food help this month, @chicagohealth.bsky.social put together a list of local mutual aid groups, food pantries, and restaurants offering free/discounted meals: chicagohealthonline.com/its-been-rea...
"It's Been Really Stressful" - Chicago Health
With SNAP funding in jeopardy, Greater Chicago Food Depository sounds alarm on food access.
chicagohealthonline.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
For people in need of food help this month, @chicagohealth.bsky.social put together a list of local mutual aid groups, food pantries, and restaurants offering free/discounted meals: chicagohealthonline.com/its-been-rea...
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
After firing hundreds of meteorologists, the National Weather Service announced it is filling vacant positions. Applicants are being asked to detail their support for Trump’s policies.
Meteorologists now face a Trump ‘loyalty test’ when applying to National Weather Service jobs
After firing hundreds of meteorologists, the National Weather Service announced it is filling vacant positions. Applicants are being asked to detail their support for Trump’s policies.
bit.ly
August 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
After firing hundreds of meteorologists, the National Weather Service announced it is filling vacant positions. Applicants are being asked to detail their support for Trump’s policies.
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
“We don’t need more research to help the disadvantaged live longer. We just need to get them access to what we already know works.” chicagocaregiving.com/live-long-an...
Live Long and Prosper
Life expectancy varies widely between Chicago neighborhoods. Pollution, education, access to healthy food, and racism play a role.
chicagocaregiving.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
“We don’t need more research to help the disadvantaged live longer. We just need to get them access to what we already know works.” chicagocaregiving.com/live-long-an...
“These billionaires think they can buy anything, but they come in here & destroy our neighborhood,” said one woman as Weiss Memorial closed. The safety net hospital served an immigrant & senior population, with 87% of its 2024 income from Medicare, Medicaid. chicagohealthonline.com/how-did-this...
"How Did This Happen?" - Chicago Health
Anger, confusion, and sadness take root among community in the early days of Weiss Memorial Hospital’s closure.
chicagohealthonline.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
“These billionaires think they can buy anything, but they come in here & destroy our neighborhood,” said one woman as Weiss Memorial closed. The safety net hospital served an immigrant & senior population, with 87% of its 2024 income from Medicare, Medicaid. chicagohealthonline.com/how-did-this...
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
Four Al Jazeera staff, including reporter Anas Al Sharif, were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent for journalists outside the main gate of Gaza's al-Shifa hospital aje.io/onll19
Anas al-Sharif among five Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza
Al Jazeera staff killed in targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists near al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City.
aje.io
August 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Four Al Jazeera staff, including reporter Anas Al Sharif, were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent for journalists outside the main gate of Gaza's al-Shifa hospital aje.io/onll19
Medicaid covers 83 million people, including +60% of nursing home residents, 20% of assisted living facility residents, and half of long-term care residents.
Yet many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re enrolled because the program goes by so many nicknames - via @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Yet many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re enrolled because the program goes by so many nicknames - via @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Medicaid's Many Names - Chicago Health
Many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re enrolled because the program goes by different names in different states. Here's the name for Medicaid in each state.
chicagohealthonline.com
July 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Medicaid covers 83 million people, including +60% of nursing home residents, 20% of assisted living facility residents, and half of long-term care residents.
Yet many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re enrolled because the program goes by so many nicknames - via @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Yet many Medicaid recipients don’t realize they’re enrolled because the program goes by so many nicknames - via @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
EPA To Drop 'E,' 'P' From Name
theonion.com/epa-to-...
theonion.com/epa-to-...
July 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
EPA To Drop 'E,' 'P' From Name
theonion.com/epa-to-...
theonion.com/epa-to-...
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
NIH funding cuts are putting rare disease research — and lives — at risk. For Milan Afshar, a young Chicagoan living with stiff-person syndrome, life turned upside down after his clinical trial abruptly ended.
This isn’t just a budget issue. It’s a human one. Read the full story:
This isn’t just a budget issue. It’s a human one. Read the full story:
Life After the Cut - Chicago Health
Patients with rare diseases like stiff-person syndrome grapple with uncertainty amid NIH funding cuts.
chicagohealthonline.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM
NIH funding cuts are putting rare disease research — and lives — at risk. For Milan Afshar, a young Chicagoan living with stiff-person syndrome, life turned upside down after his clinical trial abruptly ended.
This isn’t just a budget issue. It’s a human one. Read the full story:
This isn’t just a budget issue. It’s a human one. Read the full story:
Major medical organizations are suing RFK Jr. + HHS: “This administration is an existential threat to vaccination in America, and those in charge are only just getting started."
At risk: vaccine guidance integrity, vulnerable populations' health, public trust.
At risk: vaccine guidance integrity, vulnerable populations' health, public trust.
Suing the Secretary - Chicago Health
American Academy of Pediatrics and others sue the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over vaccine changes
chicagohealthonline.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Major medical organizations are suing RFK Jr. + HHS: “This administration is an existential threat to vaccination in America, and those in charge are only just getting started."
At risk: vaccine guidance integrity, vulnerable populations' health, public trust.
At risk: vaccine guidance integrity, vulnerable populations' health, public trust.
RFK ousted the vaccine advisory committee (ACIP). What are the chances he'll fill it w/ anti-vaxxers who change the immunization schedule, prompting insurers not to cover vaccines? Here's how the vaccine process typically works: chicagohealthonline.com/whos-in-char... cc: @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Who’s In Charge?
Although local health departments set vaccine requirements, the federal government plays a significant role in development and approval
chicagohealthonline.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
RFK ousted the vaccine advisory committee (ACIP). What are the chances he'll fill it w/ anti-vaxxers who change the immunization schedule, prompting insurers not to cover vaccines? Here's how the vaccine process typically works: chicagohealthonline.com/whos-in-char... cc: @chicagohealth.bsky.social
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
Read our 2024 award-winning stories and latest recognitions! We’re excited to share the honors that @caregivingmag.bsky.social and @chicagohealth.bsky.social have received this past year for outstanding work. Congratulations to all, and please enjoy! chicagohealthonline.com/awards-fello...
Award Season - Chicago Health
Read our 2024 award-winning stories and latest recognitions
chicagohealthonline.com
June 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Read our 2024 award-winning stories and latest recognitions! We’re excited to share the honors that @caregivingmag.bsky.social and @chicagohealth.bsky.social have received this past year for outstanding work. Congratulations to all, and please enjoy! chicagohealthonline.com/awards-fello...
Cuts to the Older Americans Act risk fall-prevention programs, respite care, adult protective services, and more.
How we treat older adults reflects who we are as a society — and previews the future we're building for ourselves. @caregivingmag.bsky.social
chicagocaregiving.com/older-americans-act/
How we treat older adults reflects who we are as a society — and previews the future we're building for ourselves. @caregivingmag.bsky.social
chicagocaregiving.com/older-americans-act/
Op-Ed: Don't Blow Out the Candles on the Older Americans Act
Speak up during an Older Americans Act day of action to protect our future
chicagocaregiving.com
May 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Cuts to the Older Americans Act risk fall-prevention programs, respite care, adult protective services, and more.
How we treat older adults reflects who we are as a society — and previews the future we're building for ourselves. @caregivingmag.bsky.social
chicagocaregiving.com/older-americans-act/
How we treat older adults reflects who we are as a society — and previews the future we're building for ourselves. @caregivingmag.bsky.social
chicagocaregiving.com/older-americans-act/
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
It appears Sec. Kennedy is getting ready to over-ride vaccine policy experts & scrub Covid shot recommendations for children, teens & pregnant people. Having a HHS secretary reset vaccine policy without hearings or expert advice is unprecedented, experts tell STAT. www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
HHS to stop recommending routine Covid shots for children, pregnant people, RFK Jr. ally says
A change in recommending Covid vaccines for children and pregnant women would circumvent an expert panel but please many MAHA fans.
www.statnews.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:21 AM
It appears Sec. Kennedy is getting ready to over-ride vaccine policy experts & scrub Covid shot recommendations for children, teens & pregnant people. Having a HHS secretary reset vaccine policy without hearings or expert advice is unprecedented, experts tell STAT. www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Social media - what's not to love?!
May 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Social media - what's not to love?!
A former criminal court judge, Mariela says the Venezuelan govt removed her b/c she refused to align with its agenda. “They did the same to many other judges.” Here, she works as a delivery driver. "It feels like nothing is guaranteed.” @clavelrangel.bsky.social for @caregivingmag.bsky.social
Ongoing Fear
Older Venezuelans in the U.S. struggle with shifting immigration policies.
chicagocaregiving.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:45 AM
A former criminal court judge, Mariela says the Venezuelan govt removed her b/c she refused to align with its agenda. “They did the same to many other judges.” Here, she works as a delivery driver. "It feels like nothing is guaranteed.” @clavelrangel.bsky.social for @caregivingmag.bsky.social
“Our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it. Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways. None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”
And now, a note on Bill Owens who, until this past week, was the executive producer of 60 Minutes.
We’ll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes.
We’ll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes.
April 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
“Our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it. Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways. None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”
"We may be teens & 20-somethings today, but our parents, and we, are the older adults of the future. Cuts to Medicaid & the elimination of the ACL are crumbling a system that one day we too will rely on for our well-being & our economic security."
Excellent op-ed, Arielle Galinsky in @teenvogue.com
Excellent op-ed, Arielle Galinsky in @teenvogue.com
The Trump Administration Is Going After Your Grandma
When older adults lose access to vital services, their entire families face the consequences.
www.teenvogue.com
April 26, 2025 at 3:19 AM
"We may be teens & 20-somethings today, but our parents, and we, are the older adults of the future. Cuts to Medicaid & the elimination of the ACL are crumbling a system that one day we too will rely on for our well-being & our economic security."
Excellent op-ed, Arielle Galinsky in @teenvogue.com
Excellent op-ed, Arielle Galinsky in @teenvogue.com
How many people in his lab could do embryology, modeling, data analysis, and bioinformatics? Only her.
Petrova developed computer scripts to analyze the 100k images from a one-of-a-kind microscope. “Without her, I fully believe that all the insights into cures that we could make will not be made.”
Petrova developed computer scripts to analyze the 100k images from a one-of-a-kind microscope. “Without her, I fully believe that all the insights into cures that we could make will not be made.”
New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them
Without scientist Kseniia Petrova’s expertise, no one can fully unlock the data’s potential, putting crucial advancements in early cancer detection at risk.
www.nbcnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
How many people in his lab could do embryology, modeling, data analysis, and bioinformatics? Only her.
Petrova developed computer scripts to analyze the 100k images from a one-of-a-kind microscope. “Without her, I fully believe that all the insights into cures that we could make will not be made.”
Petrova developed computer scripts to analyze the 100k images from a one-of-a-kind microscope. “Without her, I fully believe that all the insights into cures that we could make will not be made.”
For our next issue of @caregivingmag.bsky.social, we're asking readers:
What would you tell your younger self about aging?
Respond here, or message me if you'd like to be included!
What would you tell your younger self about aging?
Respond here, or message me if you'd like to be included!
April 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
For our next issue of @caregivingmag.bsky.social, we're asking readers:
What would you tell your younger self about aging?
Respond here, or message me if you'd like to be included!
What would you tell your younger self about aging?
Respond here, or message me if you'd like to be included!
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
The closure of the CDC’s entire FOIA office is unacceptable and in fact, illegal.
Americans shouldn't be left in the dark about how the CDC is operating.
Transparency matters. So we're suing.
Americans shouldn't be left in the dark about how the CDC is operating.
Transparency matters. So we're suing.
CREW sues to challenge destruction of CDC FOIA office - CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
The closure of the CDC's entire FOIA office violates both FOIA and the Administrative Procedure Act and the CDC must be compelled to follow the law.
www.citizensforethics.org
April 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The closure of the CDC’s entire FOIA office is unacceptable and in fact, illegal.
Americans shouldn't be left in the dark about how the CDC is operating.
Transparency matters. So we're suing.
Americans shouldn't be left in the dark about how the CDC is operating.
Transparency matters. So we're suing.
So proud of our latest @chicagohealth.bsky.social. Here's my editor's letter, starting here and continuing in the comments:
I’ve been thinking back to those early days of Covid-19, what it was like to be a journalist then. Every day brought something new.
I’ve been thinking back to those early days of Covid-19, what it was like to be a journalist then. Every day brought something new.
April 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
So proud of our latest @chicagohealth.bsky.social. Here's my editor's letter, starting here and continuing in the comments:
I’ve been thinking back to those early days of Covid-19, what it was like to be a journalist then. Every day brought something new.
I’ve been thinking back to those early days of Covid-19, what it was like to be a journalist then. Every day brought something new.
MD vs. DO: What's the difference? Quite a bit actually! (Though, in my experience, it depends on the specialty.) An interesting history in our latest issue of @chicagohealth.bsky.social: chicagohealthonline.com/md-do-what-k...
MD, DO – What Kind of Doctor is This? - Chicago Health
Exploring the differences between allopathy and osteopathic medicine.
chicagohealthonline.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
MD vs. DO: What's the difference? Quite a bit actually! (Though, in my experience, it depends on the specialty.) An interesting history in our latest issue of @chicagohealth.bsky.social: chicagohealthonline.com/md-do-what-k...
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
For @propublica.org: measles vaccination rates were *below herd immunity* in most states in the 2023-24 school year. Read the story on vaccine hesitancy & rising cases of measles and whooping cough by @deldeib.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/whoo...
www.propublica.org/article/whoo...
April 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
For @propublica.org: measles vaccination rates were *below herd immunity* in most states in the 2023-24 school year. Read the story on vaccine hesitancy & rising cases of measles and whooping cough by @deldeib.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/whoo...
www.propublica.org/article/whoo...
CDC's entire FOIA office is gone, and @crew.bsky.social has filed a complaint. If you're a journalist or nonprofit staffer awaiting pending or litigated FOIA requests, please let them know.
The Freedom of Information Act is a crucial tool that grants public access to records. Firing FOIA staff at the CDC and FDA, who get key information to Americans, is dangerous.
Americans need to know more about what their government is doing, not less.
Americans need to know more about what their government is doing, not less.
Firings at Federal Health Agencies Decimate Offices That Release Public Records - KFF Health News
The Department of Health and Human Services’ mass firings included people who fulfill Freedom of Information Act requests for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Hea...
kffhealthnews.org
April 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
CDC's entire FOIA office is gone, and @crew.bsky.social has filed a complaint. If you're a journalist or nonprofit staffer awaiting pending or litigated FOIA requests, please let them know.
Reposted by Katie Scarlett Brandt
A federal judge ruled that the Trump White House must admit the AP's journalists to news events - ruling its exclusion was "unlawful."
Almost two hours later, two AP journalists were rejected from the WH pool to cover a Trump speech.
My NPR story:
www.npr.org/2025/04/08/n...
Almost two hours later, two AP journalists were rejected from the WH pool to cover a Trump speech.
My NPR story:
www.npr.org/2025/04/08/n...
Judge orders White House to allow AP access to news events
U.S. Judge Trevor N. McFadden rules the White House cannot deny the Associated Press access to news events because the wire service continues to use "Gulf of Mexico" rather than "Gulf of America".
www.npr.org
April 8, 2025 at 11:06 PM
A federal judge ruled that the Trump White House must admit the AP's journalists to news events - ruling its exclusion was "unlawful."
Almost two hours later, two AP journalists were rejected from the WH pool to cover a Trump speech.
My NPR story:
www.npr.org/2025/04/08/n...
Almost two hours later, two AP journalists were rejected from the WH pool to cover a Trump speech.
My NPR story:
www.npr.org/2025/04/08/n...