Shefali Luthra
@shefali.bsky.social
Reproductive health reporter @19thnews.org
I wrote UNDUE BURDEN, a book about abortion post-Dobbs. Past lives: KHN, The Texas Tribune.
Julien Baker/Boston Celtics/Jaguars enthusiast. She / Her. sbluthra(at)19thnews(dot)org; Signal: shefaliluthra.94
I wrote UNDUE BURDEN, a book about abortion post-Dobbs. Past lives: KHN, The Texas Tribune.
Julien Baker/Boston Celtics/Jaguars enthusiast. She / Her. sbluthra(at)19thnews(dot)org; Signal: shefaliluthra.94
Even if ICE is leaving Minnesota, the consequences — including delayed abortions, missed cancer visits, fewer people getting birth control — will be felt for a long time
19thnews.org/2026/02/abor...
19thnews.org/2026/02/abor...
Pregnant patients in Minnesota have postponed abortion appointments to avoid ICE
Planned Parenthood’s no-show rate has gone up almost 10 percent since the federal government’s Minnesota operation began.
19thnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Even if ICE is leaving Minnesota, the consequences — including delayed abortions, missed cancer visits, fewer people getting birth control — will be felt for a long time
19thnews.org/2026/02/abor...
19thnews.org/2026/02/abor...
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
NEW: GOP senators met behind closed doors with the head of the FDA, and emerged big mad about a lack of progress on the agency's promised review of the abortion drug mifepristone. Hawley called it a "dead end" and wants Congress to step in and roll back access. www.politico.com/live-updates...
GOP Senators rail at FDA after closed-door briefing on abortion drug
Republicans aren't confident the Trump administration is taking a promised review seriously.
www.politico.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM
NEW: GOP senators met behind closed doors with the head of the FDA, and emerged big mad about a lack of progress on the agency's promised review of the abortion drug mifepristone. Hawley called it a "dead end" and wants Congress to step in and roll back access. www.politico.com/live-updates...
Health and legal orgs want Congress to protect "sensitive locations" — e.g. churches, medical clinics, child care facilities — from ICE raids as part of a DHS deal.
Trump rescinded the sensitive location protection. It's why many — including pregnant immigrants — are skipping basic medical care.
Trump rescinded the sensitive location protection. It's why many — including pregnant immigrants — are skipping basic medical care.
familiesusa.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Health and legal orgs want Congress to protect "sensitive locations" — e.g. churches, medical clinics, child care facilities — from ICE raids as part of a DHS deal.
Trump rescinded the sensitive location protection. It's why many — including pregnant immigrants — are skipping basic medical care.
Trump rescinded the sensitive location protection. It's why many — including pregnant immigrants — are skipping basic medical care.
some of us though this game was great even in the first half!!!
February 9, 2026 at 3:07 AM
some of us though this game was great even in the first half!!!
nothing says true love like jags super bowl!!!!!!!!
Next year’s Super Bowl lands on Feb. 14, marking the first-ever Valentine’s Day-Super Bowl eclipse. It’s already creating anxiety.
The Next Super Bowl Is on Valentine’s Day. I Love You—and I’m Sorry.
The first-ever Feb. 14 overlap will force you to decide between your two true loves: football and your spouse.
on.wsj.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:10 PM
nothing says true love like jags super bowl!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
Insulting the intelligence of readers never works well
The Washington Post ran a full-page letter to subscribers in today's print edition from exec editor Matt Murray stating that it is committed to sports and local coverage after laying off the vast majority of the staff on those desks
February 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Insulting the intelligence of readers never works well
the best part of book tour was coming back to see a smart, thoughtful review in the Post, from a critic who thought an abortion book was worth writing about. this is all just so stupid.
there isn’t a better Books desk in the country than the one at the Washington Post. I’m not really sure there’s anything else to say
February 4, 2026 at 3:16 PM
the best part of book tour was coming back to see a smart, thoughtful review in the Post, from a critic who thought an abortion book was worth writing about. this is all just so stupid.
just an awful day for journalism, for the people of dc who deserve a great paper, and the remarkable post employees who gave us that for so long
February 4, 2026 at 3:08 PM
just an awful day for journalism, for the people of dc who deserve a great paper, and the remarkable post employees who gave us that for so long
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
bean ballet incoming
costco now selling british baked beans, a cultural turning point is approaching
February 1, 2026 at 1:31 PM
bean ballet incoming
Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care
Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.
19thnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Citing fear of ICE, pregnant immigrants in Minnesota are
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
-skipping prenatal care
-requesting home births, even when not medically advised
-going w/o adequate food
Many are experiencing complications providers say can be stress-onset: diabetes, high blood pressure, and even water breaking early
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
Six providers in the Twin Cities area said no-show rates have increased for prenatal visits, which are essential in detecting, treating and preventing complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and even stillbirth. @shefali.bsky.social for @19thnews.org.
Fear of ICE is keeping pregnant immigrants in Minnesota from critical care
Health care providers in Minnesota said pregnant patients are having more complications linked to stress. But fear of immigration agents is keeping them from prenatal care.
19thnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Six providers in the Twin Cities area said no-show rates have increased for prenatal visits, which are essential in detecting, treating and preventing complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and even stillbirth. @shefali.bsky.social for @19thnews.org.
Tomorrow will mark a month since Cecil has seen her children. She is still detained in Louisiana and does not know what will happen to her.
“I’ve been telling them I’ve been having cramps and they told me I have to have a referral to see the doctor,” Cecil Elvir-Quinonez told me. “I’ve been telling them every day, and they just say I have to wait.”
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
A pregnant mother in ICE detention says she’s bleeding — and hasn’t seen a doctor in weeks
Cecil Elvir-Quinonez, who is still breastfeeding her youngest child, is awaiting deportation in a Louisiana ICE facility states away from her family and children.
19thnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Tomorrow will mark a month since Cecil has seen her children. She is still detained in Louisiana and does not know what will happen to her.
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
The Trump administration on Monday targeted Minnesota schools, saying they have violated federal law by allowing transgender girls to play sports with their peers.
Minnesota targeted by federal government over trans girls in sports
The notice comes as the Trump administration faces a substantial backlash to its immigration enforcement in the state, which has led to the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans.
19thnews.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:44 PM
The Trump administration on Monday targeted Minnesota schools, saying they have violated federal law by allowing transgender girls to play sports with their peers.
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
New joint statement from Democratic members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation calls for ICE/CBP officers to leave the state “immediately” and for Republicans to “speak up for the safety of all Minnesotans”
January 24, 2026 at 9:50 PM
New joint statement from Democratic members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation calls for ICE/CBP officers to leave the state “immediately” and for Republicans to “speak up for the safety of all Minnesotans”
Journalists in Minneapolis are working nonstop to inform us about the horrific violence being inflicted in upon their city, their state and our country — all while living through it in their communities. @mprnews.org has been invaluable.
It’s a good day to support their work
support.mpr.org
It’s a good day to support their work
support.mpr.org
Support Minnesota Public Radio Today! | American Public Media
support.mpr.org
January 24, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Journalists in Minneapolis are working nonstop to inform us about the horrific violence being inflicted in upon their city, their state and our country — all while living through it in their communities. @mprnews.org has been invaluable.
It’s a good day to support their work
support.mpr.org
It’s a good day to support their work
support.mpr.org
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
Stories like this one are also part of reporting on reproductive health policy, and I really appreciate The 19th’s coverage of how a supposedly pronatalist administration is disrupting essential pregnancy care and separating families
19thnews.org/2026/01/preg...
19thnews.org/2026/01/preg...
A pregnant mother in ICE detention says she’s bleeding — and hasn’t seen a doctor in weeks
Cecil Elvir-Quinonez, who is still breastfeeding her youngest child, is awaiting deportation in a Louisiana ICE facility states away from her family and children.
19thnews.org
January 24, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Stories like this one are also part of reporting on reproductive health policy, and I really appreciate The 19th’s coverage of how a supposedly pronatalist administration is disrupting essential pregnancy care and separating families
19thnews.org/2026/01/preg...
19thnews.org/2026/01/preg...
“I’ve been telling them I’ve been having cramps and they told me I have to have a referral to see the doctor,” Cecil Elvir-Quinonez told me. “I’ve been telling them every day, and they just say I have to wait.”
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
A pregnant mother in ICE detention says she’s bleeding — and hasn’t seen a doctor in weeks
Cecil Elvir-Quinonez, who is still breastfeeding her youngest child, is awaiting deportation in a Louisiana ICE facility states away from her family and children.
19thnews.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:44 PM
“I’ve been telling them I’ve been having cramps and they told me I have to have a referral to see the doctor,” Cecil Elvir-Quinonez told me. “I’ve been telling them every day, and they just say I have to wait.”
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
She hasn’t seen her kids — a 5 year old and an infant — in weeks.
dawn of the dead (2026)
January 23, 2026 at 4:45 PM
dawn of the dead (2026)
need a needle for whether it will be safe to drive from dc to pittsburgh for a wedding this weekend
January 22, 2026 at 4:20 PM
need a needle for whether it will be safe to drive from dc to pittsburgh for a wedding this weekend
Reposted by Shefali Luthra
but it is very silly to nominate F1 and not It Was Just an Accident. imho.
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 PM
but it is very silly to nominate F1 and not It Was Just an Accident. imho.
Jesse Plemons, you’ll always be best actor to me
January 22, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Jesse Plemons, you’ll always be best actor to me
mad men … what a show
January 16, 2026 at 3:05 AM
mad men … what a show
These kinds of tactics are why medically vulnerable immigrants — especially those who are pregnant — have been skipping basic, essential health care and experiencing complications as a result
19thnews.org/2025/10/preg...
19thnews.org/2025/10/preg...
ICE's "presence is terrifying medical staff and raising concerns about patient care, according to five nurses at HCMC hospital in Minneapolis who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs."
Via reporter @ericazurek.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Via reporter @ericazurek.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
ICE agents appear at Twin Cities hospitals, alarming health care workers
Health care workers in the Twin Cities report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are entering hospitals with detained individuals, leaving some medical staff terrified and concerned ...
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:26 PM
These kinds of tactics are why medically vulnerable immigrants — especially those who are pregnant — have been skipping basic, essential health care and experiencing complications as a result
19thnews.org/2025/10/preg...
19thnews.org/2025/10/preg...