Lucia Walinchus
@walinchus.bsky.social
Managing Data Editor, NBC owned stations. Public records attorney, journalist, ice hockey player/coach. Former bylines: NY Times , Washington Post, Eye on Ohio, etc.
Hearts= likes OR bookmarks
Hearts= likes OR bookmarks
Pinned
Lucia Walinchus
@walinchus.bsky.social
· Nov 20
According datajournalism.com, 60% of data journalists in their last survey were male. And a recent @pewresearch.org paper showed about 2/3 of "news influencers" are men.
So please share this with anyone who might be interested in broader horizons.
Representation matters!
go.bsky.app/8gob51T
So please share this with anyone who might be interested in broader horizons.
Representation matters!
go.bsky.app/8gob51T
1/12 Really interesting book on the foundations of our federal fiscal fiasco.
I get that reading a book on tax policy sounds boring. But actually, this was really well-written and eye-opening.
I suggest reading the whole thing but a few highlights:
📚💙 🧵👇
I get that reading a book on tax policy sounds boring. But actually, this was really well-written and eye-opening.
I suggest reading the whole thing but a few highlights:
📚💙 🧵👇
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
1/12 Really interesting book on the foundations of our federal fiscal fiasco.
I get that reading a book on tax policy sounds boring. But actually, this was really well-written and eye-opening.
I suggest reading the whole thing but a few highlights:
📚💙 🧵👇
I get that reading a book on tax policy sounds boring. But actually, this was really well-written and eye-opening.
I suggest reading the whole thing but a few highlights:
📚💙 🧵👇
There are a lot of great posts out there that aren't very highly ranked.
Don't rely on bluesky to find you great content; you can find it on your own! Here's how:
#Rstats via @northeasternu.bsky.social's Storybench
www.storybench.org/how-to-analy...
Don't rely on bluesky to find you great content; you can find it on your own! Here's how:
#Rstats via @northeasternu.bsky.social's Storybench
www.storybench.org/how-to-analy...
How to Analyze bluesky Posts and Trends with R - Storybench
If all you're doing on bluesky is scrolling, liking and posting, then you're riding a bike with training wheels. Here are simple tools using its open-source skeleton.
www.storybench.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
There are a lot of great posts out there that aren't very highly ranked.
Don't rely on bluesky to find you great content; you can find it on your own! Here's how:
#Rstats via @northeasternu.bsky.social's Storybench
www.storybench.org/how-to-analy...
Don't rely on bluesky to find you great content; you can find it on your own! Here's how:
#Rstats via @northeasternu.bsky.social's Storybench
www.storybench.org/how-to-analy...
Shout out to this librarian who had the perfect Halloween costume for spotting among the stacks.
@columbuslibrary.bsky.social
@columbuslibrary.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Shout out to this librarian who had the perfect Halloween costume for spotting among the stacks.
@columbuslibrary.bsky.social
@columbuslibrary.bsky.social
Some really great journalism out of @nbcchicago.com's investigative team: www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/n...
October 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Some really great journalism out of @nbcchicago.com's investigative team: www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/n...
As a kid, I saved up my "Book It!" certificates for 5 months so I could treat my whole family to pizza. I was devastated when I learned each was only valid for a month.
Ironically, this did encourage me to read—specifically fine print.
Not sure if this is my villain or lawyer origin story.
Ironically, this did encourage me to read—specifically fine print.
Not sure if this is my villain or lawyer origin story.
October 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
As a kid, I saved up my "Book It!" certificates for 5 months so I could treat my whole family to pizza. I was devastated when I learned each was only valid for a month.
Ironically, this did encourage me to read—specifically fine print.
Not sure if this is my villain or lawyer origin story.
Ironically, this did encourage me to read—specifically fine print.
Not sure if this is my villain or lawyer origin story.
Found the cutest little indie bookstore/ brunch bar this weekend.
And so neat: they give you a passport if you want to visit them all.
@twodollarradio.bsky.social 📚💙
And so neat: they give you a passport if you want to visit them all.
@twodollarradio.bsky.social 📚💙
October 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Found the cutest little indie bookstore/ brunch bar this weekend.
And so neat: they give you a passport if you want to visit them all.
@twodollarradio.bsky.social 📚💙
And so neat: they give you a passport if you want to visit them all.
@twodollarradio.bsky.social 📚💙
1/ I have to admit when I first heard they made Hamilton's life into a play that it sounded boring. The first Treasury Secretary? Are they going to do a song & dance about compound interest?!
But actually I highly recommend this book that the musical draws from.
A few key highlights:
💙📚
But actually I highly recommend this book that the musical draws from.
A few key highlights:
💙📚
October 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
1/ I have to admit when I first heard they made Hamilton's life into a play that it sounded boring. The first Treasury Secretary? Are they going to do a song & dance about compound interest?!
But actually I highly recommend this book that the musical draws from.
A few key highlights:
💙📚
But actually I highly recommend this book that the musical draws from.
A few key highlights:
💙📚
Didn't know I'd be featured in this newsletter but I do love to learn something new!
Particularly fascinating: that the number of cars has declined but is still relatively steady in Madison, WI despite the steep rise in their price.
Particularly fascinating: that the number of cars has declined but is still relatively steady in Madison, WI despite the steep rise in their price.
October 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Didn't know I'd be featured in this newsletter but I do love to learn something new!
Particularly fascinating: that the number of cars has declined but is still relatively steady in Madison, WI despite the steep rise in their price.
Particularly fascinating: that the number of cars has declined but is still relatively steady in Madison, WI despite the steep rise in their price.
1/5 Really fascinating talk by @dingdingpeng.the100.ci today on causal inference.
Can money buy happiness?
Rohrer argues that often Researchers don‘t even realize or acknowledge that their research question requires causal reasoning.
Can money buy happiness?
Rohrer argues that often Researchers don‘t even realize or acknowledge that their research question requires causal reasoning.
October 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
1/5 Really fascinating talk by @dingdingpeng.the100.ci today on causal inference.
Can money buy happiness?
Rohrer argues that often Researchers don‘t even realize or acknowledge that their research question requires causal reasoning.
Can money buy happiness?
Rohrer argues that often Researchers don‘t even realize or acknowledge that their research question requires causal reasoning.
Quick and rather unscientific poll: when you think about public transportation are your feelings positive, negative, or neutral?
October 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Quick and rather unscientific poll: when you think about public transportation are your feelings positive, negative, or neutral?
Feels appropriate that I should come across this passage today.
Happy anniversary to those of you who are brave.
Happy anniversary to those of you who are brave.
October 13, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Feels appropriate that I should come across this passage today.
Happy anniversary to those of you who are brave.
Happy anniversary to those of you who are brave.
1/13 If the only things you're doing on @bsky.app are scrolling, liking, & posting, then you are still riding a bike with training wheels. Hear me out.
There are several simple and free tools out there which let you take advantage of bluesky's secret weapon: its open-source skeleton.
A how-to🧵:
There are several simple and free tools out there which let you take advantage of bluesky's secret weapon: its open-source skeleton.
A how-to🧵:
October 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
1/13 If the only things you're doing on @bsky.app are scrolling, liking, & posting, then you are still riding a bike with training wheels. Hear me out.
There are several simple and free tools out there which let you take advantage of bluesky's secret weapon: its open-source skeleton.
A how-to🧵:
There are several simple and free tools out there which let you take advantage of bluesky's secret weapon: its open-source skeleton.
A how-to🧵:
I really appreciate that the @columbuslibrary.bsky.social converted their attendance stats to Ohioan.
October 8, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I really appreciate that the @columbuslibrary.bsky.social converted their attendance stats to Ohioan.
Behind the story: in theory the US is targeting criminals, but the data tells a different story.
@nbcsandiego.com's Shelby Bremer has more:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
@nbcsandiego.com's Shelby Bremer has more:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
October 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Behind the story: in theory the US is targeting criminals, but the data tells a different story.
@nbcsandiego.com's Shelby Bremer has more:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
@nbcsandiego.com's Shelby Bremer has more:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
Reposted by Lucia Walinchus
Please - stop doing the screenshot no link thing on Bluesky. This platform does not punish you for posting a URL. You picked up the habit from Meta apps? Stop doing Mark Z's bidding. Link ESPECIALLY to authors, reporters, bloggers, etc. where you quote the work.
September 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Please - stop doing the screenshot no link thing on Bluesky. This platform does not punish you for posting a URL. You picked up the habit from Meta apps? Stop doing Mark Z's bidding. Link ESPECIALLY to authors, reporters, bloggers, etc. where you quote the work.
Oh I love this. It drives me nuts when I see the chart on the left when I know it should be the chart on the right.
September 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Oh I love this. It drives me nuts when I see the chart on the left when I know it should be the chart on the right.
1/6 Behind the story: in theory, the current deportation push prioritizes criminals. Yet the gov recently reopened thousands of old cases, the vast majority of whom are non-offenders who've been here for years.
This required sorting through >7 million motions:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/s...
This required sorting through >7 million motions:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/s...
September 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
1/6 Behind the story: in theory, the current deportation push prioritizes criminals. Yet the gov recently reopened thousands of old cases, the vast majority of whom are non-offenders who've been here for years.
This required sorting through >7 million motions:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/s...
This required sorting through >7 million motions:
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/s...
Witnessed the most magnificent rainbow at a cross country meet last night.
The evening started out dreary but then a beautiful bright arch graced the background, as if beckoning runners to a fantastic finish line.
The evening started out dreary but then a beautiful bright arch graced the background, as if beckoning runners to a fantastic finish line.
September 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Witnessed the most magnificent rainbow at a cross country meet last night.
The evening started out dreary but then a beautiful bright arch graced the background, as if beckoning runners to a fantastic finish line.
The evening started out dreary but then a beautiful bright arch graced the background, as if beckoning runners to a fantastic finish line.
🚨 #rstats folks- I learned this the hard way and I'm hoping to spare you frustration:
I thought my file loaded correctly because I DID get some data, not realizing that some rows were missing!
If nrow(your_data) ≠ R.utils::countLines("file_you_got_your_data_from.csv"), here's how to fix it:
I thought my file loaded correctly because I DID get some data, not realizing that some rows were missing!
If nrow(your_data) ≠ R.utils::countLines("file_you_got_your_data_from.csv"), here's how to fix it:
September 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🚨 #rstats folks- I learned this the hard way and I'm hoping to spare you frustration:
I thought my file loaded correctly because I DID get some data, not realizing that some rows were missing!
If nrow(your_data) ≠ R.utils::countLines("file_you_got_your_data_from.csv"), here's how to fix it:
I thought my file loaded correctly because I DID get some data, not realizing that some rows were missing!
If nrow(your_data) ≠ R.utils::countLines("file_you_got_your_data_from.csv"), here's how to fix it:
Really neat formation: the last star visible at dawn just happens to be right next to the crescent moon, as if dotting a celestial “i”.
September 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Really neat formation: the last star visible at dawn just happens to be right next to the crescent moon, as if dotting a celestial “i”.
How to fuzzy match with #Rstats.
I would suggest bookmarking this if you don't have a similar code snippet saved already as I guarantee it will come in handy at some point.
www.storybench.org/easily-clean...
I would suggest bookmarking this if you don't have a similar code snippet saved already as I guarantee it will come in handy at some point.
www.storybench.org/easily-clean...
Easily clean up messy databases with fuzzy matching in R - Storybench
One of the biggest challenges working with text data is the many different ways that people can enter the exact same information. A human knows that “St. Lucie, Florida,” “Saint Lucie, FL,” and “St Lu...
www.storybench.org
September 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
How to fuzzy match with #Rstats.
I would suggest bookmarking this if you don't have a similar code snippet saved already as I guarantee it will come in handy at some point.
www.storybench.org/easily-clean...
I would suggest bookmarking this if you don't have a similar code snippet saved already as I guarantee it will come in handy at some point.
www.storybench.org/easily-clean...
Behind the story: no national dataset exists for this!
Props to my NBC colleagues who spent a long time gathering records in all 50 states to bring this into the national conversation.
Props to my NBC colleagues who spent a long time gathering records in all 50 states to bring this into the national conversation.
SPECIAL REPORT: A large swath of the U.S. currently does not have the basic, ground-level immunity necessary to stop the spread of viruses that had once receded into the past, a six-month NBC News investigation in collaboration with scientists at Stanford University finds.
Data investigation: Childhood vaccination rates are backsliding across the U.S.
A monthslong NBC News data investigation finds that much of the U.S. doesn't have the protection needed to stop the spread of deadly diseases. St. Louis is a window into the problem communities face n...
www.nbcnews.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Behind the story: no national dataset exists for this!
Props to my NBC colleagues who spent a long time gathering records in all 50 states to bring this into the national conversation.
Props to my NBC colleagues who spent a long time gathering records in all 50 states to bring this into the national conversation.
1/4 Incredible moment in American history: in 1781, Hamilton’s pregnant wife & her family were nearly captured by British raiders at their home in upstate NY.
They manage to escape upstairs but then realize… THE BABY IS STILL DOWNSTAIRS.
Peggy Schuyler volunteers for a very dangerous mission…
📚💙
They manage to escape upstairs but then realize… THE BABY IS STILL DOWNSTAIRS.
Peggy Schuyler volunteers for a very dangerous mission…
📚💙
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
1/4 Incredible moment in American history: in 1781, Hamilton’s pregnant wife & her family were nearly captured by British raiders at their home in upstate NY.
They manage to escape upstairs but then realize… THE BABY IS STILL DOWNSTAIRS.
Peggy Schuyler volunteers for a very dangerous mission…
📚💙
They manage to escape upstairs but then realize… THE BABY IS STILL DOWNSTAIRS.
Peggy Schuyler volunteers for a very dangerous mission…
📚💙
TFW you get back a FOIA from two years ago
a close up of a cartoon sloth looking at a tablet .
Alt: a slow sloth smile
media.tenor.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
TFW you get back a FOIA from two years ago
This thread is such a great example about critical thinking with data. You found a weird correlation you can't explain. Interesting. Now what?
A great illustration of Ben Franklin's maxim: To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.
A great illustration of Ben Franklin's maxim: To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.
"Sweeteners can harm cognitive health equivalent to 1.6 years of ageing, study finds"
Or does it? Let's take a look at this "study"...
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/se...
Or does it? Let's take a look at this "study"...
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/se...
Sweeteners can harm cognitive health equivalent to 1.6 years of ageing, study finds
Researchers say low- and no-calorie sweeteners appear to affect thinking and memory in middle age
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This thread is such a great example about critical thinking with data. You found a weird correlation you can't explain. Interesting. Now what?
A great illustration of Ben Franklin's maxim: To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.
A great illustration of Ben Franklin's maxim: To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.