Melissa Whitler
@mwhitler.bsky.social
public school parent, hobby potter, part-time education reporter, #UglyDogs, Minneapolis
Pinned
Melissa Whitler
@mwhitler.bsky.social
· Feb 4
Signal, the secure messaging app: A guide for beginners
Also available in Spanish.
freedom.press
Have a scoop about k-12 schools? Want to get in touch with me about it? You can find me on Signal. Not sure how to use Signal?
freedom.press/digisec/blog...
freedom.press/digisec/blog...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
I was in a training last night on a Zoom channel with a 5,000 participant capacity.
Demand exceeded capacity.
People are organizing E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
Demand exceeded capacity.
People are organizing E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
January 26, 2026 at 12:30 PM
I was in a training last night on a Zoom channel with a 5,000 participant capacity.
Demand exceeded capacity.
People are organizing E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
Demand exceeded capacity.
People are organizing E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
"In Minnesota, we will continue to follow the letter of the law, which requires us to protect the private data of our voters.
"It is deeply disturbing that the US AG would make this unlawful request a part of an apparent ransom to pay for our state’s peace & security.*
www.kttc.com/2026/01/25/m...
"It is deeply disturbing that the US AG would make this unlawful request a part of an apparent ransom to pay for our state’s peace & security.*
www.kttc.com/2026/01/25/m...
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon releases statement in response to U.S. AG Pam Bondi letter
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon has issued a statement in response to a letter written by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to Governor Tim Walz.
www.kttc.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:49 AM
"In Minnesota, we will continue to follow the letter of the law, which requires us to protect the private data of our voters.
"It is deeply disturbing that the US AG would make this unlawful request a part of an apparent ransom to pay for our state’s peace & security.*
www.kttc.com/2026/01/25/m...
"It is deeply disturbing that the US AG would make this unlawful request a part of an apparent ransom to pay for our state’s peace & security.*
www.kttc.com/2026/01/25/m...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Something I've observed about "shut-down" politics in the Trump II era.
The first calls for using the appropriations process to constrain Trumpism were for the FY25 appropriations bill in March 2025. The majority of Democrats & pundits rejected it out of hand, saying it would politically backfire.
The first calls for using the appropriations process to constrain Trumpism were for the FY25 appropriations bill in March 2025. The majority of Democrats & pundits rejected it out of hand, saying it would politically backfire.
January 26, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Something I've observed about "shut-down" politics in the Trump II era.
The first calls for using the appropriations process to constrain Trumpism were for the FY25 appropriations bill in March 2025. The majority of Democrats & pundits rejected it out of hand, saying it would politically backfire.
The first calls for using the appropriations process to constrain Trumpism were for the FY25 appropriations bill in March 2025. The majority of Democrats & pundits rejected it out of hand, saying it would politically backfire.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence
The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....
www.propublica.org
January 26, 2026 at 1:05 PM
NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Funny thing about that is how obsessed they are with Stoicism/Marcus Aurelius and the virtues.
I do think that a possibly underrated dynamic in The Horrors is that the Right as it has reconstituted itself under Trump legitimately can’t understand sincere moral or physical courage
January 26, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Funny thing about that is how obsessed they are with Stoicism/Marcus Aurelius and the virtues.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
I'm not crying, you're crying
The march is now passing the Chicago city hall / Cook County hall building. The chant goes up,
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
"Minnesota don't you fear, we, the people, are right here"
January 26, 2026 at 3:14 AM
I'm not crying, you're crying
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
The Publishing for Minnesota auction launches this week to support groups providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:57 AM
The Publishing for Minnesota auction launches this week to support groups providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Ragdoll made the world better today
January 26, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Ragdoll made the world better today
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
live shot of Wickson saying hi to you, Q!
January 25, 2026 at 8:38 PM
live shot of Wickson saying hi to you, Q!
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Lot of conservative dudes out there telling on themselves by being astounded by a level of ”logistics” that the average mom has to manage every fucking day
January 26, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Lot of conservative dudes out there telling on themselves by being astounded by a level of ”logistics” that the average mom has to manage every fucking day
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
“People in MN had hand warmers!” you absolute fucking imbeciles
January 26, 2026 at 1:02 AM
“People in MN had hand warmers!” you absolute fucking imbeciles
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Shawn and Sarah with Shawn's award, made by our friend and neighbor, Erica Matthews
January 26, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Shawn and Sarah with Shawn's award, made by our friend and neighbor, Erica Matthews
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Standing with 65 of my UMN Law colleagues (and counting) to condemn ICE’s lawless conduct towards Minnesotans: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Open Letter to Minnesota Law CommunityJanuary 25
January 25, 2026 To the Minnesota Law Community: We, the undersigned faculty of the University of Minnesota Law School, write in our individual capacities to address the federal government's ongoin...
docs.google.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Standing with 65 of my UMN Law colleagues (and counting) to condemn ICE’s lawless conduct towards Minnesotans: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Shawn got third in the Two Rivers 100! So so proud. They thank everyone who saw them trip and Isabelle (TR200 bib #13) for not panicking when they both got lost and ended up on a road.
January 25, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Shawn got third in the Two Rivers 100! So so proud. They thank everyone who saw them trip and Isabelle (TR200 bib #13) for not panicking when they both got lost and ended up on a road.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
This whole thing is amazing but this part really sings.
January 25, 2026 at 11:48 PM
This whole thing is amazing but this part really sings.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
BREAKING: Judge Tostrud -- a Trump appointee — has quickly granted a restraining order, barring the administration from "destroying or altering evidence" taken from today's shooting. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 5:17 AM
BREAKING: Judge Tostrud -- a Trump appointee — has quickly granted a restraining order, barring the administration from "destroying or altering evidence" taken from today's shooting. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Art was made. Felt good. Not sure I really need 10 more mugs but I just needed to throw something easy.
Logging off to go make some art. Hope you all find a little bit of joy today amidst <<everything>>.
January 25, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Art was made. Felt good. Not sure I really need 10 more mugs but I just needed to throw something easy.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Literally made a Bluesky account so I could come up here and say it was me who created this polish. The vest has been ordered!!!
someone in a nail polish subreddit created a shade that matches the one in this photo and is selling it on etsy so she can afford to buy her boyfriend a bulletproof vest to wear while doing ICE watch at home depot. we live in hell but we are going to fucking win.
the nail polish girlies are going absolutely feral and it’s so good
January 25, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Literally made a Bluesky account so I could come up here and say it was me who created this polish. The vest has been ordered!!!
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
We aren’t minimizing the atrocity in MN by posting about sleddogs or continuing with a race in that state today, we have deep MN roots and what’s happening is completely appalling and unacceptable. The 🐩 don’t know what’s going on and hope they bring a tiny bit of reprieve from these horrific events
January 25, 2026 at 9:40 PM
We aren’t minimizing the atrocity in MN by posting about sleddogs or continuing with a race in that state today, we have deep MN roots and what’s happening is completely appalling and unacceptable. The 🐩 don’t know what’s going on and hope they bring a tiny bit of reprieve from these horrific events
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
BREAKING: The National Basketball Players Association issues statement on ICE killings in Minnesota.
“[W]e refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
“[W]e refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
January 25, 2026 at 9:07 PM
BREAKING: The National Basketball Players Association issues statement on ICE killings in Minnesota.
“[W]e refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
“[W]e refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
January 25, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has released this letter on behalf of more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies.
January 25, 2026 at 8:30 PM
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has released this letter on behalf of more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
In new update to its request for a preliminary injunction, MN submits a list of Trump, Bondi, & Vance's outlandish statements, highlighting AG's Bondi's demands for MN's unredacted voter rolls and Medicaid & Food Nutrition records.
January 25, 2026 at 10:31 PM
In new update to its request for a preliminary injunction, MN submits a list of Trump, Bondi, & Vance's outlandish statements, highlighting AG's Bondi's demands for MN's unredacted voter rolls and Medicaid & Food Nutrition records.
Reposted by Melissa Whitler
Congratulations to Pete Kaiser for this 10th win in the 2026 Kuskokwim 300. Once again, he shows he is hard to beat on his home trails (or most places, really). Riley put up the good fight, but Pete and his team poured on the speed heading home! #mushersky
Pete Kaiser is a mile out from the Kuskokwim 300 finish!
Pete Kaiser is 5 miles from the finish. He should be hitting the finish line in the next 30 minutes or so. He still has a solid lead on Riley Dyche. Behind them, Mike Williams, Jr. continues to inch closer to Emily Robinson for 3rd. #mushersky
January 25, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Congratulations to Pete Kaiser for this 10th win in the 2026 Kuskokwim 300. Once again, he shows he is hard to beat on his home trails (or most places, really). Riley put up the good fight, but Pete and his team poured on the speed heading home! #mushersky