Liz Borkowski
@lizborkowski.bsky.social
Public health researcher at George Washington University (Jacobs Institute of Women's Health), managing editor of Women's Health Issues. She/her, views are my own.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
With benefits suspended, college students — especially those with children — have been distracted by a battle over food they never expected to fight.
The overlooked SNAP recipients: 1.1 million college students
With benefits suspended, college students — especially those with children — have been distracted by a battle over food they never expected to fight.
19thnews.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
With benefits suspended, college students — especially those with children — have been distracted by a battle over food they never expected to fight.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the party of "States' Rights".
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the party of "States' Rights".
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
A Waukegan councilman was briefly detained by U.S. immigration agents on Friday, and he says the agents drew their guns on him while he was sitting in his car with his hands raised.
“My life flashed before my eyes,” said Ald. Juan Martinez.
“My life flashed before my eyes,” said Ald. Juan Martinez.
Waukegan alderman says federal agents pulled guns on him: ‘There were four barrels pointed at me’
As soon as he felt he felt he was safe, Martinez said his first call was to Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham.
trib.al
November 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A Waukegan councilman was briefly detained by U.S. immigration agents on Friday, and he says the agents drew their guns on him while he was sitting in his car with his hands raised.
“My life flashed before my eyes,” said Ald. Juan Martinez.
“My life flashed before my eyes,” said Ald. Juan Martinez.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
There is a theme to a lot of the recent public health reporting: “No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening”
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews-org.cdn.ampproject.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
There is a theme to a lot of the recent public health reporting: “No one thought this was possible or legal, but that is what’s happening”
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
The AP tracked down details of some of the people killed in President Trump's military strikes on drug smugglers he describes as narco-terrorists.
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The AP tracked down details of some of the people killed in President Trump's military strikes on drug smugglers he describes as narco-terrorists.
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” [attorney Ginger] Quintero-McCall said.
The suit seeks to force ICE to check its emails from Congress.
The suit seeks to force ICE to check its emails from Congress.
Our attorney @kevinok.bsky.social is spot on: “ICE will find hiding from FOIA harder than simply pulling on their balaclavas, which tend to be frowned on in court.”
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
Read more about our latest FOIA lawsuit, in which we are represented by Free Information Group, here:
FPF takes ICE to court over dangerous secrecy
FOIA lawsuit targets ICE’s efforts to stop congressional oversight of detention facilities
freedom.press
November 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
“ICE loves to demand our papers but it seems they don’t like it as much when we demand theirs,” [attorney Ginger] Quintero-McCall said.
The suit seeks to force ICE to check its emails from Congress.
The suit seeks to force ICE to check its emails from Congress.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Thank you @apha.org for recognizing the work of past and present UCS experts who documented the equity & environmental justice impacts of the first Trump administration's anti-science actions. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36737622/
November 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Thank you @apha.org for recognizing the work of past and present UCS experts who documented the equity & environmental justice impacts of the first Trump administration's anti-science actions. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36737622/
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Heads-up—The man tapped to head the agency that coordinates the govt's response to pandemics & manages the stockpile of emergency medicines, is an avowed anti-vaxxer. John Knox, chosen by RFKjr for Strategic Preparedness & Response, traffics in conspiracies & has no public health experience👇
Meet the anti-vaccine activist who could lead the response to the next pandemic
Former firefighter John Knox's ties to RFK Jr. have landed him atop the agency that helped bring Covid-19 under control. People in the know are worried.
www-msnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Heads-up—The man tapped to head the agency that coordinates the govt's response to pandemics & manages the stockpile of emergency medicines, is an avowed anti-vaxxer. John Knox, chosen by RFKjr for Strategic Preparedness & Response, traffics in conspiracies & has no public health experience👇
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, sex assaults in several states, FBI says
FBI urges agencies to ensure officers clearly identify themselves and cooperate when civilians ask to verify an officer’s identity—including by allowing calls to local police
FBI urges agencies to ensure officers clearly identify themselves and cooperate when civilians ask to verify an officer’s identity—including by allowing calls to local police
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, sex assaults in several states, FBI says
FBI urges agencies to ensure officers clearly identify themselves and cooperate when civilians ask to verify an officer’s identity—including by allowing calls to local police
FBI urges agencies to ensure officers clearly identify themselves and cooperate when civilians ask to verify an officer’s identity—including by allowing calls to local police
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Teen Vogue was so welcoming to teen We Testify storytellers as they broke new ground. It’s disgusting to see how Condé Nast is destroying some of the best journalism. Young people deserve news and info that educates and uplifts them. Thank you Teen Vogue writers for the way you changed the world.
November 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Teen Vogue was so welcoming to teen We Testify storytellers as they broke new ground. It’s disgusting to see how Condé Nast is destroying some of the best journalism. Young people deserve news and info that educates and uplifts them. Thank you Teen Vogue writers for the way you changed the world.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
New-to-me but very helpful visualizations how all the actions of the past ten months are affecting the CDC www.cdcdataproject.org
The CDC Data Project
In the proposed FY26 budget, programs that help Americans live safer, healthier, longer lives are on the chopping block.
www.cdcdataproject.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
New-to-me but very helpful visualizations how all the actions of the past ten months are affecting the CDC www.cdcdataproject.org
"Are there any limits to your presidential power? Be specific."
@froomkin.bsky.social on the questions interviewers should be asking Trump.
presswatchers.org/2025/11/cbss...
@froomkin.bsky.social on the questions interviewers should be asking Trump.
presswatchers.org/2025/11/cbss...
CBS’s interview with Donald Trump was an abdication | Press Watch
The elephant in the room is that he lies all the time
presswatchers.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
"Are there any limits to your presidential power? Be specific."
@froomkin.bsky.social on the questions interviewers should be asking Trump.
presswatchers.org/2025/11/cbss...
@froomkin.bsky.social on the questions interviewers should be asking Trump.
presswatchers.org/2025/11/cbss...
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
A couple of reminders for context on SNAP:
The avg SNAP benefit is around $6.20/day. And it can take up to two weeks to reload EBT cards, so deciding today to partially fund SNAP through contingency funds -- which took a damn lawsuit for them to do -- is still inadequate. apnews.com/article/snap...
The avg SNAP benefit is around $6.20/day. And it can take up to two weeks to reload EBT cards, so deciding today to partially fund SNAP through contingency funds -- which took a damn lawsuit for them to do -- is still inadequate. apnews.com/article/snap...
Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings
President Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program after a pair of judges’ rulings required the payments to continue.
apnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A couple of reminders for context on SNAP:
The avg SNAP benefit is around $6.20/day. And it can take up to two weeks to reload EBT cards, so deciding today to partially fund SNAP through contingency funds -- which took a damn lawsuit for them to do -- is still inadequate. apnews.com/article/snap...
The avg SNAP benefit is around $6.20/day. And it can take up to two weeks to reload EBT cards, so deciding today to partially fund SNAP through contingency funds -- which took a damn lawsuit for them to do -- is still inadequate. apnews.com/article/snap...
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Timely (grim) new NBER working paper: Households screened out of SNAP "suffer tangible downstream economic consequences. Specifically, we find that process-related denials increase debt and delinquencies, and decrease credit scores."
www.nber.org/papers/w34434
www.nber.org/papers/w34434
November 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Timely (grim) new NBER working paper: Households screened out of SNAP "suffer tangible downstream economic consequences. Specifically, we find that process-related denials increase debt and delinquencies, and decrease credit scores."
www.nber.org/papers/w34434
www.nber.org/papers/w34434
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
“The Chief Justice… is presiding over the end of the rule of law in America”. That quote did not come from host Dahlia Lithwick, but this week’s guest, former Federal Circuit Court Judge and George H. W. Bush appointee, J Michael Luttig
Important read/listen. Transcript at site, no paywall.
Important read/listen. Transcript at site, no paywall.
The Federal Judiciary Is Trapped by Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
Trump’s lawlessness demands judicial courage and candour. Federal judges got the memo. SCOTUS is asleep at the switch.
megaphone.link
November 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
“The Chief Justice… is presiding over the end of the rule of law in America”. That quote did not come from host Dahlia Lithwick, but this week’s guest, former Federal Circuit Court Judge and George H. W. Bush appointee, J Michael Luttig
Important read/listen. Transcript at site, no paywall.
Important read/listen. Transcript at site, no paywall.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
Awful: Pentagon officials told lawmakers Trump now claims authority to bomb people merely “affiliated” with “narco-terrorist" groups, Rep Adam Smith tells me. But under questioning, they wouldn't say what “affiliated” even means!
Lots of fresh info in my new piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Lots of fresh info in my new piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Awful: Pentagon officials told lawmakers Trump now claims authority to bomb people merely “affiliated” with “narco-terrorist" groups, Rep Adam Smith tells me. But under questioning, they wouldn't say what “affiliated” even means!
Lots of fresh info in my new piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Lots of fresh info in my new piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
A judge ordered agents involved in the Chicago deportation blitz to have "visible identification … prominently displayed."
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
IDs are mismatched, illegible or still missing 3 weeks after judge’s order to immigration officers
In dozens of photographs at four locations, Chicago Sun-Times photojournalists documented federal officers failing to wear the “visible identification” needed to hold individuals accountable during th...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:51 PM
A judge ordered agents involved in the Chicago deportation blitz to have "visible identification … prominently displayed."
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
"If we don’t protect our healthcare workers, who will care for those stricken with illness?"
@drjudystone.bsky.social & Judith Feinberg urge ACIP to endorse COVID vaccines for health facility workers under 65, and health facilities to require employee vaccination.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/c...
@drjudystone.bsky.social & Judith Feinberg urge ACIP to endorse COVID vaccines for health facility workers under 65, and health facilities to require employee vaccination.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/c...
Health care workers under 65 must be vaccinated against Covid
The vaccination status of health care workers under 65 has profound implications for millions of Americans.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"If we don’t protect our healthcare workers, who will care for those stricken with illness?"
@drjudystone.bsky.social & Judith Feinberg urge ACIP to endorse COVID vaccines for health facility workers under 65, and health facilities to require employee vaccination.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/c...
@drjudystone.bsky.social & Judith Feinberg urge ACIP to endorse COVID vaccines for health facility workers under 65, and health facilities to require employee vaccination.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/c...
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
"At one steel industry plant near Pittsburgh, a potent carcinogen was found at levels more than 30 times higher than estimated."
If you read to the end you'll find an asthmatic cat photo 😭
My latest, 📸 by Annie Flanagan. Shocking pics that look like pre-EPA days
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
If you read to the end you'll find an asthmatic cat photo 😭
My latest, 📸 by Annie Flanagan. Shocking pics that look like pre-EPA days
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Air Pollution From Industrial Facilities Is Far Worse Than Estimated
The Trump administration has put a stop to EPA rules that would have required more than 130 industrial facilities to install air monitors to measure pollution. Millions of people living near these pla...
www.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"At one steel industry plant near Pittsburgh, a potent carcinogen was found at levels more than 30 times higher than estimated."
If you read to the end you'll find an asthmatic cat photo 😭
My latest, 📸 by Annie Flanagan. Shocking pics that look like pre-EPA days
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
If you read to the end you'll find an asthmatic cat photo 😭
My latest, 📸 by Annie Flanagan. Shocking pics that look like pre-EPA days
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
A new study shows that COVID19 during pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the odds of neurodevelopmental conditions in offspring.
This supports literature suggesting that infections during pregnancy can increase the odds of ASD in offspring.
It also supports vaccination.
This supports literature suggesting that infections during pregnancy can increase the odds of ASD in offspring.
It also supports vaccination.
journals.lww.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A new study shows that COVID19 during pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the odds of neurodevelopmental conditions in offspring.
This supports literature suggesting that infections during pregnancy can increase the odds of ASD in offspring.
It also supports vaccination.
This supports literature suggesting that infections during pregnancy can increase the odds of ASD in offspring.
It also supports vaccination.
Reposted by Liz Borkowski
A really, really important point is that Republicans are unwilling to spend allocated reserves for SNAP because their plan is to gut the program, see HR1 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A really, really important point is that Republicans are unwilling to spend allocated reserves for SNAP because their plan is to gut the program, see HR1 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
"An authoritarian regime strives to control the public narrative—and to suppress facts, evidence, and information that threaten its power or agenda ... However, history teaches us that authoritarian regimes are stopped by the people." -Jennifer Jones of @ucs.org
blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jon...
blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jon...
What Authoritarian Regimes Do
As we speak, the Trump administration is abandoning principles of democracy and dismantling the rule of law. The willful destruction of the federal science apparatus is but one harmful and onerous asp...
blog.ucs.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:49 PM
"An authoritarian regime strives to control the public narrative—and to suppress facts, evidence, and information that threaten its power or agenda ... However, history teaches us that authoritarian regimes are stopped by the people." -Jennifer Jones of @ucs.org
blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jon...
blog.ucs.org/jennifer-jon...