Noel Smith
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Noel Smith
@smithnoel.bsky.social
Freelance Journalist • Diné (Navajo) • Three items in my bag: Wired earphones, reading glasses and measuring tape
Reposted by Noel Smith
As the news media struggles for relevance in a diversifying country, why does it seem as if the journalism industry has turned its back on (some) women and people of color? My Substack essay: https://loom.ly/lz9wJqg
Is the journalism industry turning its back on (some) women and people of color?
The deafening silence from industry leaders as people lose jobs and are marginalized - again - leaves me wondering exactly what they stand for.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Only two of the Navajo Code Talkers are still alive. The Route 66 motel where some of these World War II heroes were recruited may not outlive them.
In Arizona, a fading Route 66 motel hides a story of the Navajo Code Talkers
Only two of the Navajo Code Talkers are still alive. The Route 66 motel where some of these World War II heroes were recruited may not outlive them.
trib.al
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The opening of an all-Native group art exhibition inside L.A. City Hall was filled with heartfelt thanks and celebrations from First Nations members and city council members alike.

The full story: lataco.com/indigenous-l...

By Héctor Zaldívar
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The woman's family had to scramble to prove she was Indigenous and shouldn't be turned over to federal immigration authorities

story via @glorihuh.bsky.social
Arizona tribal member nearly deported after Iowa jail issues ICE detainer by mistake
Native American ICE detainer mistake nearly leads to deportation of Arizona tribal member after Iowa jail clerical error
azmirror.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
“One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing-in of a duly elected member of Congress for political reasons.”
Adelita Grijalva sworn in after 50-day delay, immediately signs Epstein files petition | Arizona Mirror
Grijalva sworn in after 50-day delay immediately signs Epstein files petition, forcing House vote on FBI documents
azmirror.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
BREAKING: Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva is sworn into office, ending weeks of delay as the House reconvenes for a vote on funding deal.
Adelita Grijalva sworn in as the House's newest member, paving the way for an Epstein files vote
After weeks of delay, Democrat Adelita Grijalva of Arizona is a member of the U.S. House. Grijalva was sworn into office Wednesday, more than seven weeks after she won a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat last held by her late father.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
BREAKING: A Kansas county agrees to pay $3 million and apologize over a 2023 police raid on a small-town newspaper, editor says.
Kansas county agrees to pay $3 million over police raid on a small-town newspaper, editor says
The editor of a small-town Kansas newspaper says the local county has agreed to pay a little more than $3 million and apologize over police raid on the paper in August 2023.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Efforts to revive U.S. production of fuel for atomic energy could impact communities and landscapes across the country.
Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom as the Nation Looks to Recharge its Nuclear Power Industry - Inside Climate News
After years of federal efforts to revive nuclear power, old mines are stirring again in Wyoming, Texas and Arizona, while new ones line up for permitting expedited by a Trump executive order.
insideclimatenews.org
November 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
NEW: President Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, a conservative Republican who represented New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District for multiple terms, to serve as director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. sfnm.co/47t1oUZ
Trump nominates former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce to lead BLM
Environmental organizations immediately criticized the nomination, calling Steve Pearce "a notorious public lands hater."
sfnm.co
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Greetings, this reminder is on a sidewalk in Washington, D.C.
November 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Phoenix, Arizona on this day 25 years ago...

Relive the whole performance: pj.lnk.to/20001021TP

🎥: "Long Road", Touring Band 2000
October 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
In a little over a week, more than 450,000 New Mexicans will likely lose their food benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

buff.ly/iBjgAdP
NM food banks say they have no time to prepare for Nov. 1 SNAP stoppage  • Source New Mexico
In 10 days, 450,000 New Mexicans will likely be unable to receive SNAP, due to the federal shutdown.
buff.ly
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Navajo Technical University, a school based in Crownpoint, New Mexico, is building a new database designed to be a hub for documenting and tracking cases of missing and murdered Diné relatives. It will also support families affected by the crisis.
Navajo Technical University developing Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives database
The data system will be used to track cases and support the families of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives.
www.ksut.org
October 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Native drag artists demand more than token support.
As mainstream drag has become sanitized for mass audiences, Native performers are holding onto their authenticity.
www.tucsonsentinel.com/arts/report/...
Native drag artists demand more than token support
Call it drag, call it cross-dressing, call it trans. No matter the term or the context it is used in, Indigenous people in this space existed in the past, they exist now, and they will continue to exi...
www.tucsonsentinel.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The New Mexico Supreme Court is moving forward with hearings on the state's request to remove Eleventh Judicial District Attorney Bernadette Martin from office. buff.ly/MAc1yyz
Supreme Court to hear arguments on state’s request to remove McKinley County DA • Source New Mexico
The New Mexico Supreme Court decided to proceed with the state’s request to remove embattled District Attorney Bernadine Martin.
buff.ly
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The music world mourns the death of Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS, who died Thursday at 74.
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Pearl Jam mourn Kiss founding member Ace Frehley
The music world mourns the death of Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS, who died Thursday at 74.
bit.ly
October 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Noel Smith
OK, here we go...

I'm excited to launch Climate-Colored Goggles, a newsletter about climate and culture. I'll be writing about climate solutions in pop culture, media & sports. America's most influential storytellers need to get in the game.

Sign up here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
BREAKING: Ace Frehley, Kiss' original lead guitarist and founding member, has died at 74.
Ace Frehley, Kiss' original lead guitarist and founding member, dies at 74
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died.
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
A little look at the New Mexico celebrations for Indigenous Peoples Day.
New Mexico marks Indigenous Peoples Day • Source New Mexico
About three dozen people gathered under cloudy skies Albuquerque to see the first traditional dance performances for Indigenous Peoples Day.
buff.ly
October 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Thanks everyone for reading my Boiling Point newsletter the last 5 years. Today's edition is a goodbye note — and an update on what comes next. Happy to say my @latimes.com colleagues will keep bringing Boiling Point to your inbox every Thursday! www.latimes.com/environment/...
Commentary: Leaving the L.A. Times, and a new direction for Boiling Point
I'm not done telling stories about climate. And neither are my wonderful friends and colleagues.
www.latimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Rib cage.
Cacti high-rise condos.
Potato rock.
Clouds have competition.
October 9, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The US Supreme Court today has refused to reconsider Apache legal efforts to stop the copper mine project at sacred #OakFlat.
Once again, corporate greed tramples the Earth and Native spiritual rights.
October 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
The Supreme Court also rejected another effort to block a copper mine on an Apache sacred site. Once again, Justice Gorsuch dissented. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
October 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
NABS honors the lives of Native children taken from their families, remembers those who never returned home, and stands with survivors, their descendants, and Tribal Nations who continue to carry the weight of this history. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/UQfjjaU
September 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Noel Smith
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, who first teamed up as Bill and Ted, are back together on Broadway in Waiting for Godot.

The longtime friends told Tracy Smith their bond has lasted through decades of fame, joking it takes “work, commitment … and a certain degree of resignation.”
September 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM