Lauren Kirchner
@lkirchner.bsky.social
Investigative reporter at Consumer Reports covering product safety & env. health; previously covered tech & criminal justice at The Markup and ProPublica. Signal: @Lkirchner.44
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
My @propublica.org colleague @peterdicampo.bsky.social & I reported from Minnesota last week, amid the federal immigration crackdown.
This is what we saw: www.propublica.org/article/minn...
This is what we saw: www.propublica.org/article/minn...
What We Saw in Minneapolis
Our visual journalists documented the days surrounding Alex Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis.
www.propublica.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:11 PM
My @propublica.org colleague @peterdicampo.bsky.social & I reported from Minnesota last week, amid the federal immigration crackdown.
This is what we saw: www.propublica.org/article/minn...
This is what we saw: www.propublica.org/article/minn...
Oregon Trail ass 2026
January 30, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Oregon Trail ass 2026
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Thank you @miasato.bsky.social for a new term that will likely be the Word of the Year for 2026: "slopagandist"
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
What is Nick Shirley?
Slop doesn’t need to be AI-generated
www.theverge.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Thank you @miasato.bsky.social for a new term that will likely be the Word of the Year for 2026: "slopagandist"
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
The Portland Press Herald is on the ground covering the ICE surge in Maine without a paywall as a public service.
public service Archives - The Portland Press Herald
www.pressherald.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The Portland Press Herald is on the ground covering the ICE surge in Maine without a paywall as a public service.
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
This here👇👇👇
Fun fact: Your local bookstore is doing more to protect you and your neighbors than Amazon is.
January 26, 2026 at 4:29 PM
This here👇👇👇
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
If a winter storm is headed your way, you could lose power. If using a portable generator, take precautions. Generators are a leading cause of unintentional CO poisoning. Learn how to keep safe and why CR only recommends generators with CO safety systems here:
#COsafe
#COsafe
Best Generator Buying Guide - Consumer Reports
Read about types, features, safety, and other must-know topics in Consumer Reports' generator buying guide to make an informed choice.
www.consumerreports.org
January 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM
If a winter storm is headed your way, you could lose power. If using a portable generator, take precautions. Generators are a leading cause of unintentional CO poisoning. Learn how to keep safe and why CR only recommends generators with CO safety systems here:
#COsafe
#COsafe
Folks I know in Maine are wondering if ICE operations there will get as much national attention as what's happening in bigger cities - but what ICE is doing in Portland and Lewiston is actually proportionally massive. They say they are targeting 1,400 people www.pressherald.com/2026/01/21/i...
ICE confirms operations in Maine as arrests ramp up
Many city and school officials and residents continued to decry the immigration enforcement actions in Portland, Lewiston and elsewhere in the state.
www.pressherald.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Folks I know in Maine are wondering if ICE operations there will get as much national attention as what's happening in bigger cities - but what ICE is doing in Portland and Lewiston is actually proportionally massive. They say they are targeting 1,400 people www.pressherald.com/2026/01/21/i...
Friendly reminder, the House of Representatives switchboard is 202-224-3121. Sometimes when you call your Rep, you just leave a message, and that can feel kind of cathartic, in a speech-making way; other times someone answers, talks to you, and writes down what you say, and that feels even better -
January 22, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Friendly reminder, the House of Representatives switchboard is 202-224-3121. Sometimes when you call your Rep, you just leave a message, and that can feel kind of cathartic, in a speech-making way; other times someone answers, talks to you, and writes down what you say, and that feels even better -
Can A.I. Generate New Ideas?
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
This would be ominous no matter what the circumstances, but it’s not like she was working on national security or classified military information. She’s been reporting about federal workforce issues.
January 14, 2026 at 2:13 PM
This would be ominous no matter what the circumstances, but it’s not like she was working on national security or classified military information. She’s been reporting about federal workforce issues.
"The seven grants terminated in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death"
The judge ordered the restoration of nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including money for rural health care and the identification of disabilities in children. n.pr/4jEOjMz
A judge orders HHS to restore children's health funding as a lawsuit continues
The judge ordered the restoration of nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including money for rural health care and the identification of disabilities in children.
n.pr
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
"The seven grants terminated in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death"
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
if you put this in a script even erin brockovitch would be like “too on the nose, dial it back”
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
if you put this in a script even erin brockovitch would be like “too on the nose, dial it back”
I’ve been disagreeing with a lot of NYT coverage lately, but one thing they got right today was devoting an entire article to Bob Weir’s shorty shorts. What an absolute legend ❤️ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/o...
Bob Weir, Guitarist and Founding Member of the Grateful Dead, Dies at 78
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I’ve been disagreeing with a lot of NYT coverage lately, but one thing they got right today was devoting an entire article to Bob Weir’s shorty shorts. What an absolute legend ❤️ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/o...
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
Can't believe they left out Fhqwhgads
The National Weather Service used AI to create a forecast for Idaho. Low chances of wind for the nonexistent towns of Cocrerrireod, Orangeotild and Whata Bod www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...
January 7, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Can't believe they left out Fhqwhgads
Just figured out my new years' resolution
Sun Ball, designed by Ferdinand Ris in the 1960s
January 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Just figured out my new years' resolution
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
oh christ look at the time
December 12, 2023 at 9:21 PM
oh christ look at the time
Are you guys even up on the latest candy technology
December 22, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Are you guys even up on the latest candy technology
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
WHAT’s up guys its Plato welcome back to the cave. Guys we’ve got some CRAZY shadows for you today you are not gonna want to miss this! But first I have to thank our sponsor OnX Backcountry
December 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
WHAT’s up guys its Plato welcome back to the cave. Guys we’ve got some CRAZY shadows for you today you are not gonna want to miss this! But first I have to thank our sponsor OnX Backcountry
Need a last-minute gift idea? The best book I've read in YEARS came out in 2025, and it's "The Death and Life of August Sweeney" by @samuelashworth.bsky.social. It's both spectacularly weird and universally appealing, if that makes sense. Everyone you know will like it: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Death and Life of August Sweeney
Check out The Death and Life of August Sweeney - Legendary chef August Sweeney has served his final meal, dying in the middle of service in the very restaurant he built to secure his legacy. When Dr. ...
bookshop.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Need a last-minute gift idea? The best book I've read in YEARS came out in 2025, and it's "The Death and Life of August Sweeney" by @samuelashworth.bsky.social. It's both spectacularly weird and universally appealing, if that makes sense. Everyone you know will like it: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
In light of the news that HHS is cutting funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including a grant to help reduce sudden infant deaths, I'm just going to share this around again... www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/...
‘These Aren’t Statistics. These Are Babies.’ Why Online Misinformation About Infant Sleep Is More Dangerous Than Ever. - Consumer Reports
Whether scrolling, searching, or shopping, parents are bombarded with misleading information and imagery about unsafe infant sleep practices and products.
www.consumerreports.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In light of the news that HHS is cutting funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including a grant to help reduce sudden infant deaths, I'm just going to share this around again... www.consumerreports.org/babies-kids/...
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
"The newspaper industry served as a feeder for our entire news media ecosystem. So when we lose those newspapers, we've lost that journalism. In the early 2000s, we had 40 journalists per 100,000 people. We're now down to 8 journalists per 100,000 people," says @victorpickard.bsky.social.
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
In collaboration w/ @groundwork.bsky.social & @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, we convened hundreds of volunteers from across the country to investigate Instacart’s AI-assisted pricing experiments at popular grocery stores like Target & Kroger. Read our full investigation below:
Instacart’s AI-Enabled Pricing Experiments May Be Inflating Your Grocery Bill, CR and Groundwork Collaborative Investigation Finds - Consumer Reports
Exclusive: Instacart’s AI pricing may be inflating your grocery bill.
www.consumerreports.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In collaboration w/ @groundwork.bsky.social & @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, we convened hundreds of volunteers from across the country to investigate Instacart’s AI-assisted pricing experiments at popular grocery stores like Target & Kroger. Read our full investigation below:
Reposted by Lauren Kirchner
"Hundreds of thousands of work orders for NYC buses flagged for inspection or repairs show no recorded labor hours by MTA maintenance crews — a finding that raises the possibility buses are being put into service...without critical repairs or required inspections."
Gift link below:
Gift link below:
Missing data on bus repairs spark troubling questions about MTA fleet: investigation
Hundreds of thousands of work orders for NYC buses show no recorded labor hours by MTA maintenance crews — a finding that raises the possibility that buses are being put into service on New York Ci…
www.nydailynews.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
"Hundreds of thousands of work orders for NYC buses flagged for inspection or repairs show no recorded labor hours by MTA maintenance crews — a finding that raises the possibility buses are being put into service...without critical repairs or required inspections."
Gift link below:
Gift link below: