Michael Skvarla
@napoleonicento.bsky.social
PhD in entomology, professor of insect ID. Co-host of @Arthro_Podshow. Slava Ukraini. Views are my own.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
'measles outbreak at the child prison' seems entirely avoidable, it's really the kind of thing that only happens if you do several unthinkably evil things on purpose all at once
Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 AM
'measles outbreak at the child prison' seems entirely avoidable, it's really the kind of thing that only happens if you do several unthinkably evil things on purpose all at once
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Artists have always loved to sketch!
Sketch of a sparrow from Egypt dated c. 1479–1458 BC.
Some 3,500 years ago in Egypt, artists used flakes of limestone as sketchpads!
MMA excavations 1922-23, Deir el-Bahri. 📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
Sketch of a sparrow from Egypt dated c. 1479–1458 BC.
Some 3,500 years ago in Egypt, artists used flakes of limestone as sketchpads!
MMA excavations 1922-23, Deir el-Bahri. 📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
February 3, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Artists have always loved to sketch!
Sketch of a sparrow from Egypt dated c. 1479–1458 BC.
Some 3,500 years ago in Egypt, artists used flakes of limestone as sketchpads!
MMA excavations 1922-23, Deir el-Bahri. 📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
Sketch of a sparrow from Egypt dated c. 1479–1458 BC.
Some 3,500 years ago in Egypt, artists used flakes of limestone as sketchpads!
MMA excavations 1922-23, Deir el-Bahri. 📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
@mosquitolab.bsky.social I'm teaching Plagues Through the Ages this semester and had been struggling to find a map of the 1878 Lower Mississippi yelloe fever outbreak. Your 2022 paper had exactly what I needed
February 2, 2026 at 4:12 PM
@mosquitolab.bsky.social I'm teaching Plagues Through the Ages this semester and had been struggling to find a map of the 1878 Lower Mississippi yelloe fever outbreak. Your 2022 paper had exactly what I needed
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
An extreme Kansas bill will invalidate the drivers license of every trans person in the state. It was passed alongside a particularly extreme bathroom bill, meaning that the implications of every trans Kansan losing legal ID overnight has largely been missed.
Kansas Bill Will Strip Driver’s Licenses from Every Trans Resident Who Changed Gender — Assigned
As Kansas passes a bathroom bill, another bill that will invalidate the driver’s license of every trans resident has been deemphasized in the coverage. Also, Trump’s Department of Education says San J...
www.assignedmedia.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 AM
An extreme Kansas bill will invalidate the drivers license of every trans person in the state. It was passed alongside a particularly extreme bathroom bill, meaning that the implications of every trans Kansan losing legal ID overnight has largely been missed.
See also: entomologists, botanists, ornithologists, and basically and other biologist
You want to go fast: go alone. You want to go far: go with others. You want neither: go with ecologists 😜
📸 @eatgrowlearn.withsophie on IG
#ecology #naturelovers #earthygirl #hiking #ecologists
📸 @eatgrowlearn.withsophie on IG
#ecology #naturelovers #earthygirl #hiking #ecologists
February 2, 2026 at 2:04 PM
See also: entomologists, botanists, ornithologists, and basically and other biologist
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
there are a lot of reasons to want schumer out. but even if this is not a major issue for you, claiming that your role as leader during a fascist putsch is to preserve a policy favored by the fascist and opposed by your party's voters is disqualifying. schumer cannot continue to lead the democrats
Video of his remarks where he says, verbatim, that one of his jobs as leader is to funnel more aid to Israel
75% of Democratic voters oppose sending Israel more military aid, as do 66% of independents and 60% of Americans overall according to recent polling
75% of Democratic voters oppose sending Israel more military aid, as do 66% of independents and 60% of Americans overall according to recent polling
February 2, 2026 at 6:31 AM
there are a lot of reasons to want schumer out. but even if this is not a major issue for you, claiming that your role as leader during a fascist putsch is to preserve a policy favored by the fascist and opposed by your party's voters is disqualifying. schumer cannot continue to lead the democrats
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
Congress hasn’t seen the complaint, which was filed eight months ago with the U.S. intelligence community watchdog’s office.
on.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Exclusive: A U.S. official has alleged wrongdoing by U.S. spy chief Tulsi Gabbard in a complaint that is so highly classified it has sparked months of wrangling over how to share it with Congress, according to people familiar with the matter.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Whether it's Hillary Clinton writing "pls print" 35 times in emails on a private server or Donald Trump being mentioned 38,000 times in the emails of a notorious sex trafficker, both candidates had a fraught relationship with electronic communication.
February 2, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Whether it's Hillary Clinton writing "pls print" 35 times in emails on a private server or Donald Trump being mentioned 38,000 times in the emails of a notorious sex trafficker, both candidates had a fraught relationship with electronic communication.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Wonderful weird: 3D reconstruction of the tracheal system and balloon gut of the male Stylops ovinae. #Strepsiptera
February 1, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Wonderful weird: 3D reconstruction of the tracheal system and balloon gut of the male Stylops ovinae. #Strepsiptera
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and now wants $10 billion because a leaker pointed that out www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Trump Lawsuit Against IRS Puts Him on Both Sides of the Same Case
President Trump’s lawsuit against the government that he runs presents a mind-bending minefield of conflicts that could end with his appointees approving a federal payout to him.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and now wants $10 billion because a leaker pointed that out www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Can't believe I hadn't put these together. The reason MeToo caused a panic and we're still living with the subsequent Gender reverberations is the very same as that huge swathes of the international business, entertainment, political, and academic elite were besties with a sex-trafficking paedophile
in retrospect in the wake of the epstein files being released, no wonder ‘me too’ was met with such anger and ultimately those in power it meant to target never face many consequences
February 2, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Can't believe I hadn't put these together. The reason MeToo caused a panic and we're still living with the subsequent Gender reverberations is the very same as that huge swathes of the international business, entertainment, political, and academic elite were besties with a sex-trafficking paedophile
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
the Epstein files make it very clear why the MeToo backlash was so extreme and why so much of elite society preferred Donald Trump ruling us like a king to the barest hint of accountability
February 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
the Epstein files make it very clear why the MeToo backlash was so extreme and why so much of elite society preferred Donald Trump ruling us like a king to the barest hint of accountability
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Such blatant corruption — which the media will, of course, totally ignore.
February 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Such blatant corruption — which the media will, of course, totally ignore.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
JANE FONDA: “I know Don Lemon. My husband created CNN. And I will fight for their right to speak… they arrested the wrong Don. This is how autocrats act. We can’t fall for it.”
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 AM
JANE FONDA: “I know Don Lemon. My husband created CNN. And I will fight for their right to speak… they arrested the wrong Don. This is how autocrats act. We can’t fall for it.”
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:05 AM
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
🪲
New species of ladybird beetle discovered on university campus in Japan
University campuses are often places of learning and discovery, but rarely do researchers find a new species living right on their doorstep. However, that is exactly what happened when a research team...
phys.org
February 1, 2026 at 3:52 PM
🪲
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
I testified Friday on the history of CBP and ICE's corruption and training problems. It's so much worse than you think.
The population of CBP officers/agents arrested THEMSELVES since 2005 would be America's 4th largest police dept—larger than the Philly PD. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
The population of CBP officers/agents arrested THEMSELVES since 2005 would be America's 4th largest police dept—larger than the Philly PD. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Accountability for ICE and CBP
However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
I testified Friday on the history of CBP and ICE's corruption and training problems. It's so much worse than you think.
The population of CBP officers/agents arrested THEMSELVES since 2005 would be America's 4th largest police dept—larger than the Philly PD. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
The population of CBP officers/agents arrested THEMSELVES since 2005 would be America's 4th largest police dept—larger than the Philly PD. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
The full run of SCTV for free. God bless and keep the Internet Archive.
SCTV is on Internet Archive if you'd like to enjoy the early work of Catherine O'Hara and her fellow sketch comedy gods.
S1: archive.org/details/sctv...
S2: archive.org/details/sctv...
S3: archive.org/details/19-m...
S4-5: archive.org/details/66-s...
S6 + Cinemax: archive.org/details/sctv... #TVSky
S1: archive.org/details/sctv...
S2: archive.org/details/sctv...
S3: archive.org/details/19-m...
S4-5: archive.org/details/66-s...
S6 + Cinemax: archive.org/details/sctv... #TVSky
January 31, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The full run of SCTV for free. God bless and keep the Internet Archive.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
A thread of ICE and CBP sex offenders and credibly accused sex pasts. Content-warning descriptions of abuse
Yuma Sector CBP agent Ramon Marquez, 31, was arrested in May 2025 and has been charged with 15 felonies including 14 counts of sexual conduct with a 16-year-old between Dec 2024 and Apr 2025.
Yuma Sector CBP agent Ramon Marquez, 31, was arrested in May 2025 and has been charged with 15 felonies including 14 counts of sexual conduct with a 16-year-old between Dec 2024 and Apr 2025.
January 8, 2026 at 1:36 AM
A thread of ICE and CBP sex offenders and credibly accused sex pasts. Content-warning descriptions of abuse
Yuma Sector CBP agent Ramon Marquez, 31, was arrested in May 2025 and has been charged with 15 felonies including 14 counts of sexual conduct with a 16-year-old between Dec 2024 and Apr 2025.
Yuma Sector CBP agent Ramon Marquez, 31, was arrested in May 2025 and has been charged with 15 felonies including 14 counts of sexual conduct with a 16-year-old between Dec 2024 and Apr 2025.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
For all the discussion of doxxing federal agents, there’s essentially no discussion of how those agents are taking steps that attach severe punitive measures that stretch across wide swaths of the federal bureaucracy against people acting lawfully.
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:42 PM
For all the discussion of doxxing federal agents, there’s essentially no discussion of how those agents are taking steps that attach severe punitive measures that stretch across wide swaths of the federal bureaucracy against people acting lawfully.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
MINNESOTA — Mom goes outside to warm up her car, ICE grabs her: "Please, my car kids are all alone in the house!”
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
January 30, 2026 at 2:43 AM
MINNESOTA — Mom goes outside to warm up her car, ICE grabs her: "Please, my car kids are all alone in the house!”
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
So nothing has changed and Homan was just to put a new face on the cruelty, got it
(H/T longtimehistory)
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
Reposted by Michael Skvarla
"Barry said she is too scared now to leave her apartment. Since her husband’s arrest, she has only gone outside once to attend a hospital appointment for her son. She has postponed her own doctor’s appointments out of fear that she will be picked up by ICE as well."
Video shows ICE leaving behind an infant and broken glass after arresting a man with no criminal history.
“There was a car seat in the back... There were broken glass shards all over it... There was just this tiny peanut of a baby. He was crying.”
My latest: www.pressherald.com/2026/01/28/i...
“There was a car seat in the back... There were broken glass shards all over it... There was just this tiny peanut of a baby. He was crying.”
My latest: www.pressherald.com/2026/01/28/i...
ICE agents shatter window, leave 1-month-old baby, mother in car after Portland arrest
Video shows federal immigration agents leaving behind an infant and broken glass after detaining a Guinean immigrant with no known criminal history.
www.pressherald.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:24 PM
"Barry said she is too scared now to leave her apartment. Since her husband’s arrest, she has only gone outside once to attend a hospital appointment for her son. She has postponed her own doctor’s appointments out of fear that she will be picked up by ICE as well."