Rainesford Stauffer
@rainesford.bsky.social
Freelance writer, reporter, author. Kentuckian.
rainesford.alexandra@gmail.com / Signal rstauff.20
www.rainesfordstauffer.com
rainesford.alexandra@gmail.com / Signal rstauff.20
www.rainesfordstauffer.com
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Dr. Janell Green Smith's death has renewed attention to long-standing inequities in maternal health outcomes in the United States. https://bit.ly/4ss35ua
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Dr. Janell Green Smith's death has renewed attention to long-standing inequities in maternal health outcomes in the United States. https://bit.ly/4ss35ua
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Going for a walk.
14. What is the most calming experience that costs nothing?
January 6, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Going for a walk.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Hello! I would love to speak to women who are fans of Heated Rivalry, including those who are new to MM romance and those who aren't, for an article I'm working on exploring the genre's appeal to women.
My DMs are open or I'm at juliacarriewong.11 on Signal and julia.wong@theguardian.com on email
My DMs are open or I'm at juliacarriewong.11 on Signal and julia.wong@theguardian.com on email
January 6, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Hello! I would love to speak to women who are fans of Heated Rivalry, including those who are new to MM romance and those who aren't, for an article I'm working on exploring the genre's appeal to women.
My DMs are open or I'm at juliacarriewong.11 on Signal and julia.wong@theguardian.com on email
My DMs are open or I'm at juliacarriewong.11 on Signal and julia.wong@theguardian.com on email
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
“These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/h...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/h...
Flu reaches highest levels in the US in 25 years | CNN
Flu continues to visit misery across the US, with all but four states showing high or very high levels of activity as a new virus strain called subclade K continues to spread.
www.cnn.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:12 PM
“These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/h...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/h...
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Kentucky State Police charged a woman with "fetal homicide" after she allegedly used abortion pills bought online—despite the fact that the statute explicitly exempts pregnant people from charges. But her mugshot is all over the internet including People fucking magazine
www.wkyt.com/2026/01/02/k...
www.wkyt.com/2026/01/02/k...
Anti-abortion advocates: our bans exempt women from prosecution
Cops: oh we have other laws we can charge them under, and we’ll call fetuses “infants”
www.fox10tv.com/2026/01/02/w... h/t @kelciemmorris.bsky.social
Cops: oh we have other laws we can charge them under, and we’ll call fetuses “infants”
www.fox10tv.com/2026/01/02/w... h/t @kelciemmorris.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Kentucky State Police charged a woman with "fetal homicide" after she allegedly used abortion pills bought online—despite the fact that the statute explicitly exempts pregnant people from charges. But her mugshot is all over the internet including People fucking magazine
www.wkyt.com/2026/01/02/k...
www.wkyt.com/2026/01/02/k...
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
We're suing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his calendar.
Herald-Leader sues Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his schedule
The lawsuit also seeks the calendars of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Beshear’s senior adviser Rocky Adkins.
www.kentucky.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:07 PM
We're suing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his calendar.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Happy New Year! As I continue to work on longer-term articles, I am still very much open to scoops about disability happenings in the US government. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com (don't use your work email) and my Signal is juliametraux.49.
January 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Happy New Year! As I continue to work on longer-term articles, I am still very much open to scoops about disability happenings in the US government. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com (don't use your work email) and my Signal is juliametraux.49.
I repeat:
God bless fact-checkers and seriously, please hire more fact-checkers.
January 5, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I repeat:
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
We spoke with @jamesrball.com about the state of "anti-disinformation" research and journalism, which... ain't as good as it once was, to say the least. Orgs have shuttered, funders have pulled back, and governments have grown hostile.
Where did things go so wrong?
www.patreon.com/posts/068-ho...
Where did things go so wrong?
www.patreon.com/posts/068-ho...
068: How the Fight Against Disinformation Failed feat. James Ball | Posting Through It
Get more from Posting Through It on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
We spoke with @jamesrball.com about the state of "anti-disinformation" research and journalism, which... ain't as good as it once was, to say the least. Orgs have shuttered, funders have pulled back, and governments have grown hostile.
Where did things go so wrong?
www.patreon.com/posts/068-ho...
Where did things go so wrong?
www.patreon.com/posts/068-ho...
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
The sheer number of emails I've written this morning that begin with a variation of "Hope you survived the holiday break?"
"Hope you had a restful break!" we all frantically type, trying to vaguely remember what exactly our jobs are.
January 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
The sheer number of emails I've written this morning that begin with a variation of "Hope you survived the holiday break?"
"Hope you had a restful break!" we all frantically type, trying to vaguely remember what exactly our jobs are.
January 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
"Hope you had a restful break!" we all frantically type, trying to vaguely remember what exactly our jobs are.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Last year, I reported this for Teen Vogue's Work in Progress column (which I was so grateful & lucky to get to be the columnist for 😭) and it's almost painfully relevant today, the scariest Sunday of all the Sundays scaries:
The lull between the end of the year and the start of the next year is like airport time: What's happening when? No one really knows! Which means back-to-work (if you were off) feels like the most intense version of the Sunday Scaries. Some tips on how to deal for @teenvogue.bsky.social:
How Can You Deal With the Sunday Scaries?
That sense of impending anxiety is very real.
www.teenvogue.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Last year, I reported this for Teen Vogue's Work in Progress column (which I was so grateful & lucky to get to be the columnist for 😭) and it's almost painfully relevant today, the scariest Sunday of all the Sundays scaries:
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Rough vibes on this website today, likely because people feel Hopeless and Helpless Because Can't Stop It and No One Who Is Supposed To Is Trying To So Now We're Fighting Each Other™. I recommend activities such as book, or potentially instrument if you like instrument, or even do talk on phone.
January 5, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Rough vibes on this website today, likely because people feel Hopeless and Helpless Because Can't Stop It and No One Who Is Supposed To Is Trying To So Now We're Fighting Each Other™. I recommend activities such as book, or potentially instrument if you like instrument, or even do talk on phone.
Last year, I reported this for Teen Vogue's Work in Progress column (which I was so grateful & lucky to get to be the columnist for 😭) and it's almost painfully relevant today, the scariest Sunday of all the Sundays scaries:
The lull between the end of the year and the start of the next year is like airport time: What's happening when? No one really knows! Which means back-to-work (if you were off) feels like the most intense version of the Sunday Scaries. Some tips on how to deal for @teenvogue.bsky.social:
How Can You Deal With the Sunday Scaries?
That sense of impending anxiety is very real.
www.teenvogue.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Last year, I reported this for Teen Vogue's Work in Progress column (which I was so grateful & lucky to get to be the columnist for 😭) and it's almost painfully relevant today, the scariest Sunday of all the Sundays scaries:
It was an extremely stressful weekend that included my mom going to the ER (she is okay, for which I’m extremely grateful) and I keep thinking that whatever nurses make, it is not enough. Good nurses are gems and saving graces and my god, I can’t imagine doing that job.
January 5, 2026 at 12:33 AM
It was an extremely stressful weekend that included my mom going to the ER (she is okay, for which I’m extremely grateful) and I keep thinking that whatever nurses make, it is not enough. Good nurses are gems and saving graces and my god, I can’t imagine doing that job.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
It’s not letting me upload the video I shared on IG here but these screenshots capture a tiny bit of Fig Newton’s…whole vibe this holiday season.
December 30, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It’s not letting me upload the video I shared on IG here but these screenshots capture a tiny bit of Fig Newton’s…whole vibe this holiday season.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
There is a tiny child riding a tiny tricycle through the grocery store, helping his dad with the shopping, and it's comforting to know that even with all of the awfulness, there is still joy and care in the world.
January 3, 2026 at 2:13 PM
There is a tiny child riding a tiny tricycle through the grocery store, helping his dad with the shopping, and it's comforting to know that even with all of the awfulness, there is still joy and care in the world.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
How Grok's sexual abuse hit a tipping point
Nonconsensual deepfakes on X are nothing new, but now it's built into the platform.
spitfirenews.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
What amazes me is how quickly people are losing either the confidence or the willingness to complete basic human tasks.
The parents of the first baby born in 2026 in this county outside Baltimore got their name ideas from ChatGPT. Hudson Oakley Winkler.
www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/01/c...
www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/01/c...
ChatGPT named Carroll County’s first-born baby in 2026
The first baby born in Carroll County in 2026 was named with help from ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot.
www.baltimoresun.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:22 PM
What amazes me is how quickly people are losing either the confidence or the willingness to complete basic human tasks.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
i love when media is like, lady wears boots.
January 1, 2026 at 9:36 PM
i love when media is like, lady wears boots.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
guess I should do one of those year-end writing threads huh? was very proud of—and extremely saddened by—this tricky piece of reporting, which seems to have only resonated more broadly as the economy's pain points bare themselves further slate.com/technology/2...
“Why Are There No F-cking Jobs?” There’s More Than Trump to the Vexing Employment Market.
You can do everything right and still be out of work.
slate.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:26 PM
guess I should do one of those year-end writing threads huh? was very proud of—and extremely saddened by—this tricky piece of reporting, which seems to have only resonated more broadly as the economy's pain points bare themselves further slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
A maternity ward doctor donated his own blood during surgery to keep a pregnant patient alive.
One woman gained fewer than 10 pounds over her entire pregnancy.
Another collapsed and had seizures during labor.
One woman gained fewer than 10 pounds over her entire pregnancy.
Another collapsed and had seizures during labor.
What I Saw at a Maternity Ward in Kenya After the U.S. Cut Off Food and Foreign Aid
Photographs tell a story of two mothers determined to help their babies gain enough weight to leave the hospital — only to face little to no food again.
www.propublica.org
December 31, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A maternity ward doctor donated his own blood during surgery to keep a pregnant patient alive.
One woman gained fewer than 10 pounds over her entire pregnancy.
Another collapsed and had seizures during labor.
One woman gained fewer than 10 pounds over her entire pregnancy.
Another collapsed and had seizures during labor.
Reposted by Rainesford Stauffer
A DEA agent used a Louisville Metro police officer’s login credentials to search the city’s license plate reader database using immigration-related terms www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
A DEA agent used Louisville’s Flock camera database for immigration searches against LMPD policy
A DEA agent used a Louisville Metro police officer’s login credentials to search the city’s license plate reader database using immigration-related terms.
www.lpm.org
December 30, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A DEA agent used a Louisville Metro police officer’s login credentials to search the city’s license plate reader database using immigration-related terms www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...