Sam Mintz
@samjmintz.bsky.social
Editor at Brookline.News, a nonprofit news site covering the town of Brookline, MA.
Before this, I was a reporter covering transportation and energy policy in DC and Boston.
Before this, I was a reporter covering transportation and energy policy in DC and Boston.
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Without explanation, the Norfolk County DA's office has dropped charges against one of the men accused in a violent 2023 home invasion in Brookline.
Corey Buchannan faced 16 charges including home invasion, armed robbery, A&B and illegally discharging a firearm.
brookline.news/da-drops-cha...
Corey Buchannan faced 16 charges including home invasion, armed robbery, A&B and illegally discharging a firearm.
brookline.news/da-drops-cha...
DA drops charges against third man accused in 2023 Brookline home invasion - Brookline.News
Corey Buchannan, 33, faced charges including home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and illegally carrying and discharging a firearm.
brookline.news
November 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Without explanation, the Norfolk County DA's office has dropped charges against one of the men accused in a violent 2023 home invasion in Brookline.
Corey Buchannan faced 16 charges including home invasion, armed robbery, A&B and illegally discharging a firearm.
brookline.news/da-drops-cha...
Corey Buchannan faced 16 charges including home invasion, armed robbery, A&B and illegally discharging a firearm.
brookline.news/da-drops-cha...
Also "up to" is a huge red flag for some funky data!
My wife and I pay for life insurance even though we have never died. I pay for fire insurance even though my house has never burned down. That's not because we want to throw money at insurance companies. It's because THAT'S HOW INSURANCE WORKS.
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Also "up to" is a huge red flag for some funky data!
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Which holidays should Brookline schools take off?
The School Committee is wrestling with that question again, and debating how to balance the cultural value of holidays with the complicated logistics of the school calendar.
brookline.news/what-holiday...
The School Committee is wrestling with that question again, and debating how to balance the cultural value of holidays with the complicated logistics of the school calendar.
brookline.news/what-holiday...
What holidays should Brookline schools take off? School Committee again dives into calendar debate - Brookline.News
The committee is trying to balance the cultural value of holidays with the logistical challenges of an unwieldy school schedule.
brookline.news
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Which holidays should Brookline schools take off?
The School Committee is wrestling with that question again, and debating how to balance the cultural value of holidays with the complicated logistics of the school calendar.
brookline.news/what-holiday...
The School Committee is wrestling with that question again, and debating how to balance the cultural value of holidays with the complicated logistics of the school calendar.
brookline.news/what-holiday...
It is not a coincidence that this vote is going to happen in the middle of the night on a Sunday
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
It is not a coincidence that this vote is going to happen in the middle of the night on a Sunday
Van Jones literally using ChatGPT as the entire basis behind his column claiming that Mamdani's victory speech was divisive
"To make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, my colleague entered the two speeches into AI."
"To make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, my colleague entered the two speeches into AI."
November 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Van Jones literally using ChatGPT as the entire basis behind his column claiming that Mamdani's victory speech was divisive
"To make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, my colleague entered the two speeches into AI."
"To make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, my colleague entered the two speeches into AI."
Reposted by Sam Mintz
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:10 PM
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
Reposted by Sam Mintz
if you can't handle journalists asking clarifying follow up questions you have no business managing reporters. go run a dick's sporting goods
Jake Lahut, a Wired reporter who from the Nancy Mace airport story last week, was among those fired.
During the incident, CN's HR chief asked staff not to congregate outside his office. Lahut asked "what's your definition of congregating?" and was let go later on Wednesday.
During the incident, CN's HR chief asked staff not to congregate outside his office. Lahut asked "what's your definition of congregating?" and was let go later on Wednesday.
November 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
if you can't handle journalists asking clarifying follow up questions you have no business managing reporters. go run a dick's sporting goods
Reposted by Sam Mintz
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Two people were taken to the hospital this afternoon after a car crash at the intersection of Beacon St and St. Paul St. The collision between two SUVs sent the cars skidding towards the sidewalk and forced a pedestrian to jump out of the way, according to a witness.
brookline.news/two-people-i...
brookline.news/two-people-i...
Two people injured in Beacon Street car crash - Brookline.News
Two people were injured after two cars collided at the intersection of Beacon Street and St. Paul Street on Wednesday afternoon, according to police. Police responded at about 3:20 p.m. after reports ...
brookline.news
November 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Two people were taken to the hospital this afternoon after a car crash at the intersection of Beacon St and St. Paul St. The collision between two SUVs sent the cars skidding towards the sidewalk and forced a pedestrian to jump out of the way, according to a witness.
brookline.news/two-people-i...
brookline.news/two-people-i...
I've been closely following the debate around a homeless shelter slated for my neighborhood (West Rox).
I think I'm a pretty cynical person and not much shocks me.
But I feel completely stunned and disturbed by the invective and lack of humanity from some of my neighbors on this subject.
I think I'm a pretty cynical person and not much shocks me.
But I feel completely stunned and disturbed by the invective and lack of humanity from some of my neighbors on this subject.
November 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I've been closely following the debate around a homeless shelter slated for my neighborhood (West Rox).
I think I'm a pretty cynical person and not much shocks me.
But I feel completely stunned and disturbed by the invective and lack of humanity from some of my neighbors on this subject.
I think I'm a pretty cynical person and not much shocks me.
But I feel completely stunned and disturbed by the invective and lack of humanity from some of my neighbors on this subject.
Michelle Wu gets a shoutout from NYT editorial board as a mayor who has "delivered concrete solutions to specific problems."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
Opinion | How Mayor Mamdani Can Write New York’s Next Chapter
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Michelle Wu gets a shoutout from NYT editorial board as a mayor who has "delivered concrete solutions to specific problems."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/o...
Anybody got a traffic report on the NYC outbound bridges?
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Anybody got a traffic report on the NYC outbound bridges?
In a community email listserv, former Brookline Town Meeting member Mike Offner (these days more involved in town gov in Amherst) has called Zohran Mamdani a "monster bigot," linked him to an attack on a rabbi in NYC a few days ago, and claimed that Trump won b/c of the Brookline teacher's union
November 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
In a community email listserv, former Brookline Town Meeting member Mike Offner (these days more involved in town gov in Amherst) has called Zohran Mamdani a "monster bigot," linked him to an attack on a rabbi in NYC a few days ago, and claimed that Trump won b/c of the Brookline teacher's union
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
November 4, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
Our reporting at @brooklinenews.bsky.social was what first made the public aware of the plan to install controversial Flock license plate readers in South Brookline. Now the real estate company behind the plan is putting the installation on pause after community backlash
Breaking news: Chestnut Hill Realty is pausing its plan to install Flock license plate readers in South Brookline after feedback from the community. The company says no cameras have been installed and no data is being collected.
brookline.news/chestnut-hil...
brookline.news/chestnut-hil...
Chestnut Hill Realty pauses its plan to install Flock license plate readers after community backlash - Brookline.News
Chestnut Hill Realty is pausing its installation of controversial Flock license plate reader cameras in South Brookline after feedback from the community, the company said Tuesday. In a statement shar...
brookline.news
November 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Our reporting at @brooklinenews.bsky.social was what first made the public aware of the plan to install controversial Flock license plate readers in South Brookline. Now the real estate company behind the plan is putting the installation on pause after community backlash
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Detailed design work for the Beacon Street Bridle Path, which aims to revive Olmsted's vision with a protected bike and pedestrian pathway down the median of Beacon Street, is beginning this fall.
brookline.news/brookline-be...
brookline.news/brookline-be...
Brookline begins detailed design for Beacon Street Bridle Path - Brookline.News
This fall, the town of Brookline is kicking off a plan to restore a historic landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the town's most famous residents, by bringing back the Beacon Street Brid...
brookline.news
November 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Detailed design work for the Beacon Street Bridle Path, which aims to revive Olmsted's vision with a protected bike and pedestrian pathway down the median of Beacon Street, is beginning this fall.
brookline.news/brookline-be...
brookline.news/brookline-be...
I find it interesting to read and listen to Ezra Klein but I also think it would be a good thing if everybody cared a lot less about what he says.
November 2, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I find it interesting to read and listen to Ezra Klein but I also think it would be a good thing if everybody cared a lot less about what he says.
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Zero emissions by 2040? Not happening in Brookline, the town's leaders and climate experts acknowledge. They've set a new goal of 2050.
brookline.news/town-pushes-...
brookline.news/town-pushes-...
Town pushes back a key climate change goal by 10 years - Brookline.News
Zero emissions by 2040? Not happening. 2050 is the town's new goal.
brookline.news
October 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Zero emissions by 2040? Not happening in Brookline, the town's leaders and climate experts acknowledge. They've set a new goal of 2050.
brookline.news/town-pushes-...
brookline.news/town-pushes-...
New favorite guy just dropped: the redditor who was arguing with me about a story I wrote and is active in the following subreddits:
Landlord
EufyCam
TeslaSupport
Trump
Kalshi
TacoBell
WalmartEmployees
ChatGPT
Landlord
EufyCam
TeslaSupport
Trump
Kalshi
TacoBell
WalmartEmployees
ChatGPT
October 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
New favorite guy just dropped: the redditor who was arguing with me about a story I wrote and is active in the following subreddits:
Landlord
EufyCam
TeslaSupport
Trump
Kalshi
TacoBell
WalmartEmployees
ChatGPT
Landlord
EufyCam
TeslaSupport
Trump
Kalshi
TacoBell
WalmartEmployees
ChatGPT
A few quotes from last night on Flock:
"Do we want to be North Korea?"
"We should not be aiding and abetting the expansion of a nationwide surveillance network by what is obviously a bad actor."
"We live in a scary time, and this is a scary technology that can be accessed by scary people."
"Do we want to be North Korea?"
"We should not be aiding and abetting the expansion of a nationwide surveillance network by what is obviously a bad actor."
"We live in a scary time, and this is a scary technology that can be accessed by scary people."
Controversial license plate readers made by the company Flock Safety are still being installed by Chestnut Hill Realty in South Brookline, but whether the town’s police department will be able to use a stream of real-time information from them remains up in the air.
brookline.news/select-board...
brookline.news/select-board...
Select Board weighs police use of data from real estate company's license plate readers - Brookline.News
Controversial license plate readers made by the company Flock Safety are still being installed by Chestnut Hill Realty in South Brookline, but whether the town’s police department will be able to use ...
brookline.news
October 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
A few quotes from last night on Flock:
"Do we want to be North Korea?"
"We should not be aiding and abetting the expansion of a nationwide surveillance network by what is obviously a bad actor."
"We live in a scary time, and this is a scary technology that can be accessed by scary people."
"Do we want to be North Korea?"
"We should not be aiding and abetting the expansion of a nationwide surveillance network by what is obviously a bad actor."
"We live in a scary time, and this is a scary technology that can be accessed by scary people."
This would be way more depressing than opinion polling
I’ve been thinking a lot about a new kind of polling I’d like to see. We have polling that measures public opinion, which is obviously important, but I’d love to see a little more empirical work on public knowledge: what do voters know about politics and policy?
October 29, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This would be way more depressing than opinion polling
Incredible reporting here, hats off to the Globe.
"He isn’t a high-ranking member of anything. He’s high-ranking dumb."
"He isn’t a high-ranking member of anything. He’s high-ranking dumb."
A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent said the DEA made “high-level arrests” of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members across New England in August.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
The DEA said they arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe
A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against such groups.
trib.al
October 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Incredible reporting here, hats off to the Globe.
"He isn’t a high-ranking member of anything. He’s high-ranking dumb."
"He isn’t a high-ranking member of anything. He’s high-ranking dumb."
Reposted by Sam Mintz
A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent said the DEA made “high-level arrests” of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members across New England in August.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
The DEA said they arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe
A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against such groups.
trib.al
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent said the DEA made “high-level arrests” of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members across New England in August.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
Reposted by Sam Mintz
Lmao what (from today's Breaker newsletter)
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Lmao what (from today's Breaker newsletter)
Reposted by Sam Mintz
"According to his running club, the man, who is a U.S. citizen, was returning from a team run when agents pulled him out of his vehicle, tackled him to the ground and kneeled on top of him, allegedly breaking six ribs and causing internal bleeding"
US citizen, 67, ‘has six ribs broken’ by Border Patrol agents, his running club says
The incident unfolded Saturday in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood, where residents say federal agents disrupted a children’s Halloween parade
www.independent.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"According to his running club, the man, who is a U.S. citizen, was returning from a team run when agents pulled him out of his vehicle, tackled him to the ground and kneeled on top of him, allegedly breaking six ribs and causing internal bleeding"