Katie Skeen, PhD
@skeen.bsky.social
Cold-eyed warm-hearted editor researcher mother radical optimist.
🩷NYChicagoDublinPhiladelphia🩷
I was on Jeopardy! the week that Alex Trebek shaved off his mustache.
🩷NYChicagoDublinPhiladelphia🩷
I was on Jeopardy! the week that Alex Trebek shaved off his mustache.
Pinned
Katie Skeen, PhD
@skeen.bsky.social
· Jan 2
“To vex the world rather than divert it”—in other words, Swift seeks to challenge the world with this work, not merely to entertain it.
open.substack.com/pub/karenswa...
open.substack.com/pub/karenswa...
Gulliver's Travels: Week 1
Part 1, Chapters 1-2: They shot arrows in Lilliput as we do bombs in Europe.
open.substack.com
What was the most significant work published in English exactly 300 years ago?
This:
This:
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
This story should be retitled. The US is actually funding pro-Putin think tanks, ones that want to end European democracy.
Lets be honest about this.
Lets be honest about this.
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe ft.trib.al/rg4IDIC
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
ft.trib.al
February 7, 2026 at 12:42 PM
This story should be retitled. The US is actually funding pro-Putin think tanks, ones that want to end European democracy.
Lets be honest about this.
Lets be honest about this.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
February 6, 2026 at 5:10 AM
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
Pennsylvania, we have a job to do this election year.
Pennsylvania GOP state rep. Joanne Stehr on the concentration camps being built in her area: “I’m saying ICE has a job to do, and it’s going to get done. We are taking out the trash.”
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont, Pa., that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in a $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Pennsylvania, we have a job to do this election year.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST.
The worst of the worst with a Gestapo killing the best of the best.
Have you called your reps today?
202-224-3121 #RemoveTrump
The worst of the worst with a Gestapo killing the best of the best.
Have you called your reps today?
202-224-3121 #RemoveTrump
February 6, 2026 at 9:36 PM
RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST. RACIST. RAPIST.
The worst of the worst with a Gestapo killing the best of the best.
Have you called your reps today?
202-224-3121 #RemoveTrump
The worst of the worst with a Gestapo killing the best of the best.
Have you called your reps today?
202-224-3121 #RemoveTrump
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Every member of this administration should be booed wherever they go for the rest of their miserable lives. They should never have a moment of peace.
February 6, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Every member of this administration should be booed wherever they go for the rest of their miserable lives. They should never have a moment of peace.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
February 5, 2026 at 9:08 PM
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Q: Why will football be featured during the Bad Bunny concert?*
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
FAQs for This Weekend’s Bad Bunny Concert Featuring Football
What time is kickoff? The Bad Bunny concert kicks off around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m., but there will be pre-concert entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. f...
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Q: Why will football be featured during the Bad Bunny concert?*
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
A: The Bad Bunny concert is fantastic exposure for the NFL and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the game of American football in front of fans of the biggest musical artist in the world.
Subscribe to the Inquirer.
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Subscribe to the Inquirer.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
I usually avoid sharing what feels like "inside baseball" political analysis here, but this merits an exception because of the stakes + scale involved.
Zohran isn't "wrong" to endorse Hochul; he has no choice. But for primary voters to back Hochul would definitely be unwise. Let me explain why. 🧵
Zohran isn't "wrong" to endorse Hochul; he has no choice. But for primary voters to back Hochul would definitely be unwise. Let me explain why. 🧵
NEW: Mayor Mamdani is set to endorse Gov. Hochul’s reelection run this week, providing her a critical inroad with progressive voters, per four sources.
It deals a near fatal blow to Antonio Delgado's campaign.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
It deals a near fatal blow to Antonio Delgado's campaign.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to endorse Gov. Kathy Hochul
The endorsement, expected this week, gives Hochul a critical inroad with left-leaning voters.
www.politico.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:09 PM
I usually avoid sharing what feels like "inside baseball" political analysis here, but this merits an exception because of the stakes + scale involved.
Zohran isn't "wrong" to endorse Hochul; he has no choice. But for primary voters to back Hochul would definitely be unwise. Let me explain why. 🧵
Zohran isn't "wrong" to endorse Hochul; he has no choice. But for primary voters to back Hochul would definitely be unwise. Let me explain why. 🧵
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Update: In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD *as well as* Surprise, AZ; Upper Bern, PA; and Tremont, PA.
Facts that bear repeating.
Facts that bear repeating.
In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD. Just some facts I think bear repeating.
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Update: In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD *as well as* Surprise, AZ; Upper Bern, PA; and Tremont, PA.
Facts that bear repeating.
Facts that bear repeating.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, who also owns, you know, **Amazon**, just got rid of its books section
💙 📚
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
💙 📚
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
WashPo Shutters Books Section Amid Widespread Layoffs
After weeks of rumors about layoffs, the Washington Post told employees Wednesday morning that the paper, owned by Jeff Bezos, is eliminating its books section, Book World, which was relaunched in 202...
www.publishersweekly.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, who also owns, you know, **Amazon**, just got rid of its books section
💙 📚
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
💙 📚
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
I'm ready to vote for any Democrat who promises to destroy everything Trump builds, fire everyone he hired, and subject everyone who works for him (who wasn't a career civil servant already in place) to criminal investigation.
Historian here literally and symbolically Trump is hell bent on destroying the American republic, its constitution, and founding principles on its 250th. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial
The president is eyeing a plot of land near Memorial Bridge. The art critic who proposed the idea called for a smaller arch or for Trump to pick a new site.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I'm ready to vote for any Democrat who promises to destroy everything Trump builds, fire everyone he hired, and subject everyone who works for him (who wasn't a career civil servant already in place) to criminal investigation.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
No. Commonsense reform is to burn ICE to the waterline and scatter the rubble so that all of us who value a constitutional republic with a Bill of Rights can prevent such a monstrosity from ever being constructed again.
And nothing above is hyperbole.
God, but you are not a leader for this time.
And nothing above is hyperbole.
God, but you are not a leader for this time.
Democrats want commonsense reform for ICE:
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
February 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
No. Commonsense reform is to burn ICE to the waterline and scatter the rubble so that all of us who value a constitutional republic with a Bill of Rights can prevent such a monstrosity from ever being constructed again.
And nothing above is hyperbole.
God, but you are not a leader for this time.
And nothing above is hyperbole.
God, but you are not a leader for this time.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
The Nation’s homepage today is dedicated entirely to Gaza and its people. Despite a so-called ceasefire, bombings continue, hunger persists, aid trickles, and hundreds of thousands live in threadbare tents.
Today, as Gaza continues to be stuck in a bloody limbo, we are turning our website over to Gaza and its people in an initiative we are calling “A Day for Gaza.” There will be no pieces published on our website today that do not come directly from Gaza.
A Day for Gaza
Today, The Nation is turning over its website exclusively to stories from Gaza and its people. This is why.
www.thenation.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
The Nation’s homepage today is dedicated entirely to Gaza and its people. Despite a so-called ceasefire, bombings continue, hunger persists, aid trickles, and hundreds of thousands live in threadbare tents.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
this rat was so excited to get home! probably had just won the rat lottery or heard their kid got into the best rat college.
I wish I had a camera in the front to capture the bounding rat that made these tracks. #ChicagoRat
February 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
this rat was so excited to get home! probably had just won the rat lottery or heard their kid got into the best rat college.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
I basically would like to live in a world where I only have to encounter AI when I actively want to. This is obviously not practical, but the sheer amount of AI text I’m reading in a day is really stressing me out.
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I basically would like to live in a world where I only have to encounter AI when I actively want to. This is obviously not practical, but the sheer amount of AI text I’m reading in a day is really stressing me out.
Done!
Maybe write a sweet note to someone this week. Receiving this one from a client the other day sure made my week.
February 3, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Done!
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Brad Lander is a mensch and I can't wait to vote for him in NY-10
Guys I was waiting for him to post footage - I KNOW HE HAS IT - but it seems like he may not. But last week I took Brad Lander on an ICE watch ridealong and he PERSONALLY CHASED OUT AN ICE CAR ON FOOT
I am not making this up. He walked right up to a lurking unmarked car and they tore out of town
I am not making this up. He walked right up to a lurking unmarked car and they tore out of town
February 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Brad Lander is a mensch and I can't wait to vote for him in NY-10
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
We're paying for these idiots.
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what an Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials.
(Published Dec. 2025)
(Published Dec. 2025)
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM
We're paying for these idiots.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social with some well-directed heat at a hiring cycle that fell short in many ways, especially for Black coaches:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
The NFL hired zero Black head coaches. That tells you everything
With 10 head-coaching vacancies this offseason, the hiring cycle echoed decades past as owners defaulted to their superficial practices.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social with some well-directed heat at a hiring cycle that fell short in many ways, especially for Black coaches:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
JFC!!! George Mitchell, too!? What political or business leader of the 1990s/2000s/2010s wasn’t cavorting with Epstein? Barack Obama wasn’t. Seems as if all the others were.
February 1, 2026 at 6:54 PM
JFC!!! George Mitchell, too!? What political or business leader of the 1990s/2000s/2010s wasn’t cavorting with Epstein? Barack Obama wasn’t. Seems as if all the others were.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
This is the U Penn donor who helped push the President out, pushed to eliminate arts & science offerings, and drafted Trumps "compact" with universities.
People like Rowan repeatedly claimed the moral high ground to impose their agenda on students and faculty.
People like Rowan repeatedly claimed the moral high ground to impose their agenda on students and faculty.
Top Apollo Global Management executives including chief Marc Rowan held wide-ranging discussions over the firm’s tax arrangements with Jeffrey Epstein throughout the 2010s www.ft.com/content/092d...
Apollo chief Marc Rowan consulted Epstein on firm’s tax affairs
New files reveal extensive talks between disgraced financier and key decision makers at US private capital firm
www.ft.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This is the U Penn donor who helped push the President out, pushed to eliminate arts & science offerings, and drafted Trumps "compact" with universities.
People like Rowan repeatedly claimed the moral high ground to impose their agenda on students and faculty.
People like Rowan repeatedly claimed the moral high ground to impose their agenda on students and faculty.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
There are four more students from Liam's MN school district in federal detention in Dilley, TX, two of them from the same school as Liam. A second grader, a fourth grader, a fifth grader, and a high-schooler.
i am so grateful that liam ramos as home. this is also a story about the importance of observation and getting these stories out there. how many children are detained that don’t get the same treatment because they don’t have powerful photos
February 1, 2026 at 4:49 PM
There are four more students from Liam's MN school district in federal detention in Dilley, TX, two of them from the same school as Liam. A second grader, a fourth grader, a fifth grader, and a high-schooler.