Sam Feldman
@srfeld.bsky.social
Appellate public defender, trade unionist, NYC-DSA member. Washingtonian by birth, Chicago alum. He/him. Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
The murder rate dropped by 20% in 2025, the largest U.S. decline ever recorded
Crime in the U.S. fell in 2025. Will the trend continue?
Crime rates dropped across much of the U.S. in 2025. That was true for both property and violent crime. And it declined nearly everywhere: In big cities and small towns, and in red and blue states.
www.npr.org
December 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The murder rate dropped by 20% in 2025, the largest U.S. decline ever recorded
Reposted by Sam Feldman
fun fact: conviction registries weren’t supposed to be public.
initially, they were only for law enforcement. but then lawmakers realized they could just keep bashing people with sex offense convictions to score easy political points.
boltsmag.org/illinois-hou...
initially, they were only for law enforcement. but then lawmakers realized they could just keep bashing people with sex offense convictions to score easy political points.
boltsmag.org/illinois-hou...
December 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
fun fact: conviction registries weren’t supposed to be public.
initially, they were only for law enforcement. but then lawmakers realized they could just keep bashing people with sex offense convictions to score easy political points.
boltsmag.org/illinois-hou...
initially, they were only for law enforcement. but then lawmakers realized they could just keep bashing people with sex offense convictions to score easy political points.
boltsmag.org/illinois-hou...
Reposted by Sam Feldman
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
"The newspaper industry served as a feeder for our entire news media ecosystem. So when we lose those newspapers, we've lost that journalism. In the early 2000s, we had 40 journalists per 100,000 people. We're now down to 8 journalists per 100,000 people," says @victorpickard.bsky.social.
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
When I was on CNN's northeast desk, the first job at 6a every morning was to read the local papers. That guided some of what the massive CNN machine followed every day.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
When those papers die, CNN doesn't hire new regional reporters. What you get instead is more panel shows, more punditry.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a mainstream news story before that wasn’t about homelessness but quoted two separate homeless people on how a current event was affecting them.
Intense California Storm Brings Flash Floods and Mudslides, Forcing Evacuations
www.nytimes.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Not sure I’ve ever seen a mainstream news story before that wasn’t about homelessness but quoted two separate homeless people on how a current event was affecting them.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
the fact that there is free parking at all in manhattan is wild to me
“Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest,” writes Nicolas Rohatyn.
Opinion | The Way to Pay for Free Buses Is to End Free Parking
Free buses would be transformative not only for riders, but for the ecosystem of the city as a whole.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
the fact that there is free parking at all in manhattan is wild to me
Reposted by Sam Feldman
Really think there should be an effort to theorize the broader significance of this common reactionary centrist tactic to pass a law banning something already illegal
"porch piracy" is theft. it's illegal in every single state. in states with expansive statutes, this could even be burglary. there is no evidence that local police or prosecutors are unable to handle this. and existing federal law on interstate transportation of stolen property can handle big cases.
December 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Really think there should be an effort to theorize the broader significance of this common reactionary centrist tactic to pass a law banning something already illegal
Reposted by Sam Feldman
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
I count 10 cities in 2025 that are on track to have the fewest murders since at least 1970. Newark is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1956 (though only have data through Oct this year) and San Francisco is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1942.
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
Kavanaugh's separate opinions often reflect a desire to be perceived as reasonable & nonpartisan, even while his votes & the opinions he joins look very different. I think he wrote this unnecessary footnote because he sincerely wants ICE to act legally. He's just unwilling to do anything about that.
Check out the Kavanaugh FN 4; I think it's pretty clear that the Kavanaugh Stop thing has gotten to him:
December 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Kavanaugh's separate opinions often reflect a desire to be perceived as reasonable & nonpartisan, even while his votes & the opinions he joins look very different. I think he wrote this unnecessary footnote because he sincerely wants ICE to act legally. He's just unwilling to do anything about that.
This is a smart piece by @mtkonczal.bsky.social on why the Trump administration has stumbled over itself and failed so badly at consolidating power, despite its advantages: everything-bagel authoritarianism, or the inability to tell any part of its coalition "no."
Everything-Bagel Authoritarianism
If you want to dismantle a liberal, pluralist democracy, you need to be able to tell parts of your far-right coalition “no.”
newsletter.mikekonczal.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This is a smart piece by @mtkonczal.bsky.social on why the Trump administration has stumbled over itself and failed so badly at consolidating power, despite its advantages: everything-bagel authoritarianism, or the inability to tell any part of its coalition "no."
Former NYC councilmember @rorylancman.bsky.social moved to the suburbs & is now running for state senate. In between, he's spent his time waging war on my union for calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. If elected in this swing district, he'd have Dem leadership's ear & drag the caucus to the right.
Democrat Rory Lancman to run for 7th District state senator
Great Neck resident Rory Lancman, 56, has confirmed he is running for the state Senate seat representing the 7th District.
www.longislandpress.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Former NYC councilmember @rorylancman.bsky.social moved to the suburbs & is now running for state senate. In between, he's spent his time waging war on my union for calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. If elected in this swing district, he'd have Dem leadership's ear & drag the caucus to the right.
As an appellate public defender, I hate that I have to worry that, if I succeed in winning my clients a new trial, they may be transferred from state prison to the dangerous NYC jails, in which 15 people have died this year. The city should be able to keep people in its custody safe & alive.
Inbox: Kyron Randall, 33, died after apparently suffering an allergic reaction on Rikers Island early this morning. He’s the 15th death this year so far. A federal judge overseeing the department has agreed to appoint a “remediation manager” to takeover. But has spent 6 months deciding who to name.
December 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
As an appellate public defender, I hate that I have to worry that, if I succeed in winning my clients a new trial, they may be transferred from state prison to the dangerous NYC jails, in which 15 people have died this year. The city should be able to keep people in its custody safe & alive.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
somewhat comforting to know that New York was always like this www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
December 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
somewhat comforting to know that New York was always like this www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Sam Feldman
A storied Wall Street law firm that hemorrhaged talent after bending the knee to President Donald Trump has announced plans to merge with a much larger firm in a bid to save its practice.
www.thedailybeast.com/storied-law-...
www.thedailybeast.com/storied-law-...
December 20, 2025 at 2:45 AM
A storied Wall Street law firm that hemorrhaged talent after bending the knee to President Donald Trump has announced plans to merge with a much larger firm in a bid to save its practice.
www.thedailybeast.com/storied-law-...
www.thedailybeast.com/storied-law-...
It's ominous & wrong, IMO, that the appeals court refers to this former police officer as "Detective" Brett Hankison. This isn't a matter of courtesy: they wouldn't use "Dr." or "Esq." for a doctor or lawyer appealing their conviction. This is about treating police as a privileged class.
BREAKING: Federal appeals court grants bail pending appeal to Brett Hankison, the former officer convicted and serving his sentence in connection with the deadly Breonna Taylor raid.
The three-judge Sixth Circuit panel is all GOP appointees: Gibbons (GWB) and Thapar and Readler (both Trump).
The three-judge Sixth Circuit panel is all GOP appointees: Gibbons (GWB) and Thapar and Readler (both Trump).
December 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM
It's ominous & wrong, IMO, that the appeals court refers to this former police officer as "Detective" Brett Hankison. This isn't a matter of courtesy: they wouldn't use "Dr." or "Esq." for a doctor or lawyer appealing their conviction. This is about treating police as a privileged class.
It's true that, in some metaphysical legal sense, the Defense Department & the Kennedy Center are still called that because the laws naming them haven't changed. But the law doesn't control language; the speaker community does. Ultimately it's up to all of us what these things are called.
Like renaming the Defense Department the "War Department," the name of the Kennedy Center has not been legally changed, because Congress has not changed it-->
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday.com
Kennedy Center renamed the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' White House says
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is now called the the "Trump-Kennedy Center," according to the White House.
www.usatoday.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
It's true that, in some metaphysical legal sense, the Defense Department & the Kennedy Center are still called that because the laws naming them haven't changed. But the law doesn't control language; the speaker community does. Ultimately it's up to all of us what these things are called.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
The Brown shooter seems to have defeated the surveillance state by simply wearing a mask and not carrying a phone. This is what I have called the "security paradox": Most of us don't go out of our way to avoid omnipresent surveillance, but it's not impossible for someone dedicated to do so.
December 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Brown shooter seems to have defeated the surveillance state by simply wearing a mask and not carrying a phone. This is what I have called the "security paradox": Most of us don't go out of our way to avoid omnipresent surveillance, but it's not impossible for someone dedicated to do so.
How can it be legal for the @nytimes.com to mention this without even including a link? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/c...
December 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
How can it be legal for the @nytimes.com to mention this without even including a link? www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/c...
Reposted by Sam Feldman
Just learned the videos of Durham City Council meetings start with hype music over a montage of the city council members as if they are cast members on Saturday Night Live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv7w...
Durham City Council December 15, 2025
YouTube video by City of Durham NC
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Just learned the videos of Durham City Council meetings start with hype music over a montage of the city council members as if they are cast members on Saturday Night Live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv7w...
My state assemblymember, @joannesimonbk52.bsky.social, has watched over the past decade as her district shifted left & 3/4 neighboring Brooklyn districts elected DSA members. She's scrambled unsuccessfully for other offices, & now it looks like her progressive primary challenger has finally arrived.
My name is Lydia Green. I’m a leftist organizer, Democratic District Leader, & queer Jewish NYer. And I’m running to represent district 52 in the NYS Assembly. Brooklyn is my home, and I believe it should be a livable home for all.
Be a Day 1 supporter 👉 secure.actblue.com/donate/lydia...
Be a Day 1 supporter 👉 secure.actblue.com/donate/lydia...
December 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
My state assemblymember, @joannesimonbk52.bsky.social, has watched over the past decade as her district shifted left & 3/4 neighboring Brooklyn districts elected DSA members. She's scrambled unsuccessfully for other offices, & now it looks like her progressive primary challenger has finally arrived.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
Reposted by Sam Feldman
We have $ for a dozen ICE agents to hang around for hours trying to arrest 2 roofers working in MN.
Meanwhile, the agency that investigates and prosecutes violations of Americans' right to organize is shedding staff again. Now down to like 1 agency staff per 145,000 workers.
Meanwhile, the agency that investigates and prosecutes violations of Americans' right to organize is shedding staff again. Now down to like 1 agency staff per 145,000 workers.
December 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
We have $ for a dozen ICE agents to hang around for hours trying to arrest 2 roofers working in MN.
Meanwhile, the agency that investigates and prosecutes violations of Americans' right to organize is shedding staff again. Now down to like 1 agency staff per 145,000 workers.
Meanwhile, the agency that investigates and prosecutes violations of Americans' right to organize is shedding staff again. Now down to like 1 agency staff per 145,000 workers.
What a great example of poor institutional design. If you're an Indiana state senator who wants the gerrymandering scheme to fail, you have a better chance of defeating it by withholding your vote than by voting no.
Weird quick of how the Indiana Senate votes:
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
December 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
What a great example of poor institutional design. If you're an Indiana state senator who wants the gerrymandering scheme to fail, you have a better chance of defeating it by withholding your vote than by voting no.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
This morning, in the largest expansion yet, hundreds of new union baristas are walking off the job in 34 cities.
That means there are now:
🗣️ 3,800 baristas
☕️ across 180 stores
📍 in over 130 cities
on an open-ended ULP strike!
We’re 👏 only 👏 getting 👏 stronger
That means there are now:
🗣️ 3,800 baristas
☕️ across 180 stores
📍 in over 130 cities
on an open-ended ULP strike!
We’re 👏 only 👏 getting 👏 stronger
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
December 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This morning, in the largest expansion yet, hundreds of new union baristas are walking off the job in 34 cities.
That means there are now:
🗣️ 3,800 baristas
☕️ across 180 stores
📍 in over 130 cities
on an open-ended ULP strike!
We’re 👏 only 👏 getting 👏 stronger
That means there are now:
🗣️ 3,800 baristas
☕️ across 180 stores
📍 in over 130 cities
on an open-ended ULP strike!
We’re 👏 only 👏 getting 👏 stronger
Reposted by Sam Feldman
It's been truly remarkable to see the grand jury system actually act as a real line of defense.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
JUST IN: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell just confirmed, at the prodding of U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri Holleb Hotaling, that this motion for dismissal followed a "no bill" from a grand jury.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
That means the grand jury refused to indict.
U.S. prosecutors in Chicago are dropping another case tied to Operation Midway Blitz, "without prejudice."
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
It's USA v. Nathan Griffin. Below is the motion, followed by excerpts from the complaint.
The feds don't say why they're dropping it, but they had until today to secure an indictment.
December 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It's been truly remarkable to see the grand jury system actually act as a real line of defense.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Especially since--as I bet most non-lawyers don't know--the only legal person in the GJ room is the prosecutor: no defense, no judge.
There is NO place more favorable to the state. And they keep losing.
Reposted by Sam Feldman
If we just did an up-down referendum on whether to take a mulligan on the past 10 years as a whole, what percentage of world nations do you think would go for it at this point
I found this today (from Peter Kellner/YouGov) which answers part of your query.
December 9, 2025 at 9:49 PM
If we just did an up-down referendum on whether to take a mulligan on the past 10 years as a whole, what percentage of world nations do you think would go for it at this point