Dusty Christensen
@dustyc123.bsky.social
Indy journalist | Investigations editor at The Shoestring | Contributor
at New England Public Media | Teaching future muckrakers
at UMass Amherst and Smith College
first dot last @ protonmail dot com
at New England Public Media | Teaching future muckrakers
at UMass Amherst and Smith College
first dot last @ protonmail dot com
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
LISTEN: Last Friday, our editor-in-chief @mszafranski.bsky.social joined Paul Tuthill and @dustyc123.bsky.social for the Rundown with Carrie Saldo on @nepublicmedia.bsky.social for some local post-election analysis. #mapoli www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
WMass election analysis
Today on The Rundown, panelists breakdown Tuesday’s elections throughout western Massachusetts, which largely favored incumbents in contested races.
www.nepm.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:35 AM
LISTEN: Last Friday, our editor-in-chief @mszafranski.bsky.social joined Paul Tuthill and @dustyc123.bsky.social for the Rundown with Carrie Saldo on @nepublicmedia.bsky.social for some local post-election analysis. #mapoli www.nepm.org/therundown/2...
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Springfield residents are once again facing the revival of a proposed wood-burning "zombie plant" that has been stalled for over a decade by community opposition. Irina Costache and Regine Spector report: theshoestring.org/2025/10/22/s...
Springfield’s “zombie plant” is reanimated once again
A proposal for a wood-burning power plant may now move forward despite over a decade of community opposition, thanks to what activists are calling a “Frankenpermit”
theshoestring.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Springfield residents are once again facing the revival of a proposed wood-burning "zombie plant" that has been stalled for over a decade by community opposition. Irina Costache and Regine Spector report: theshoestring.org/2025/10/22/s...
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Earlier this year, the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts decided to “open up” its communications to the broader community by launching a Facebook page. A post intended to promote "open mosque day," accumulated a sudden spark of harmful and threatening comments.
By Joe Douglass.
By Joe Douglass.
Facebook boost sparks torrent of hate towards West Springfield mosque
The social media giant promoted Open Mosque Day to bigoted site users as local experts warn Islamophobia is on the rise in Massachusetts.
theshoestring.org
October 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Earlier this year, the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts decided to “open up” its communications to the broader community by launching a Facebook page. A post intended to promote "open mosque day," accumulated a sudden spark of harmful and threatening comments.
By Joe Douglass.
By Joe Douglass.
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
One private equity-backed firm recently bought more than 10% of funeral homes in western Mass, where corporate consolidators now own a quarter of mortuaries — part of a nationwide trend in the death care industry. Reporter @jongerhardson.bsky.social investigates: theshoestring.org/2025/10/28/t...
“There’s a lot of money in death”: Funeral home consolidation hits western Mass
One private equity-backed firm recently bought more than 10% of funeral homes in western Mass, where corporate consolidators now own a quarter of mortuaries — part of a nationwide trend in the death c...
theshoestring.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
One private equity-backed firm recently bought more than 10% of funeral homes in western Mass, where corporate consolidators now own a quarter of mortuaries — part of a nationwide trend in the death care industry. Reporter @jongerhardson.bsky.social investigates: theshoestring.org/2025/10/28/t...
We won an award!🥳🗞️🎙️Last week, @nenpa.bsky.social honored Greta Jochem and me with their top yearly honor, a Publick Occurrences award, for our reporting with @nepublicmedia.bsky.social and The Springfield Republican on how easy it is for Massachusetts police to seize, and keep, people's property.
October 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
We won an award!🥳🗞️🎙️Last week, @nenpa.bsky.social honored Greta Jochem and me with their top yearly honor, a Publick Occurrences award, for our reporting with @nepublicmedia.bsky.social and The Springfield Republican on how easy it is for Massachusetts police to seize, and keep, people's property.
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Unionized nurses at Northampton's Cooley Dickinson Hospital say they will hold a strike authorization vote next month — the first step toward possibly walking off the job.
Our latest from the labor beat, by @dustyc123.bsky.social:
Our latest from the labor beat, by @dustyc123.bsky.social:
Cooley Dickinson nurses to hold strike authorization vote
Nurses at the Northampton hospital say they're facing “unsafe staffing conditions, uncompetitive wages, and potential hikes to health insurance costs.”
theshoestring.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Unionized nurses at Northampton's Cooley Dickinson Hospital say they will hold a strike authorization vote next month — the first step toward possibly walking off the job.
Our latest from the labor beat, by @dustyc123.bsky.social:
Our latest from the labor beat, by @dustyc123.bsky.social:
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
David Sullivan has spent more than $13,000 and counting of taxpayer money on a private law firm to fight against police transparency in #Massachusetts after I sued him over his refusal to release the names of police officers who were charged with crimes.
#mapoli
#mapoli
August 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
David Sullivan has spent more than $13,000 and counting of taxpayer money on a private law firm to fight against police transparency in #Massachusetts after I sued him over his refusal to release the names of police officers who were charged with crimes.
#mapoli
#mapoli
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
I'm thinking of 9-year-old Aliah Reyes as the AQI near where she lives is over 150 today.
We need climate action to reduce the risk of wildfires & associated smoke, and action to filter indoor air.
Read this by @dustyc123.bsky.social to learn about the health impacts of air pollution
#WesternMa
We need climate action to reduce the risk of wildfires & associated smoke, and action to filter indoor air.
Read this by @dustyc123.bsky.social to learn about the health impacts of air pollution
#WesternMa
July 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I'm thinking of 9-year-old Aliah Reyes as the AQI near where she lives is over 150 today.
We need climate action to reduce the risk of wildfires & associated smoke, and action to filter indoor air.
Read this by @dustyc123.bsky.social to learn about the health impacts of air pollution
#WesternMa
We need climate action to reduce the risk of wildfires & associated smoke, and action to filter indoor air.
Read this by @dustyc123.bsky.social to learn about the health impacts of air pollution
#WesternMa
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
"try to keep her inside, but even then it’s hard — I run 2 dehumidifiers and 3 air purifiers just to keep the air somewhat clean” Rivera said. “It makes me anxious because any bad air day can send us to the ER. It impacts our whole family. We feel trapped inside, constantly worried about her health”
From many miles away, wildfire smoke is traveling to New England and hitting already-polluted areas hardest. "Watching your child struggle to breathe is terrifying," one parent of a child with asthma said. Our latest on the continuing local impacts of climate change from @dustyc123.bsky.social:
“Struggling to breathe”: Wildfire smoke becoming a regular danger in western Mass
From thousands of miles away, air pollution is traveling to New England and hitting already-polluted areas hardest.
theshoestring.org
July 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
"try to keep her inside, but even then it’s hard — I run 2 dehumidifiers and 3 air purifiers just to keep the air somewhat clean” Rivera said. “It makes me anxious because any bad air day can send us to the ER. It impacts our whole family. We feel trapped inside, constantly worried about her health”
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
From many miles away, wildfire smoke is traveling to New England and hitting already-polluted areas hardest. "Watching your child struggle to breathe is terrifying," one parent of a child with asthma said. Our latest on the continuing local impacts of climate change from @dustyc123.bsky.social:
“Struggling to breathe”: Wildfire smoke becoming a regular danger in western Mass
From thousands of miles away, air pollution is traveling to New England and hitting already-polluted areas hardest.
theshoestring.org
July 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
From many miles away, wildfire smoke is traveling to New England and hitting already-polluted areas hardest. "Watching your child struggle to breathe is terrifying," one parent of a child with asthma said. Our latest on the continuing local impacts of climate change from @dustyc123.bsky.social:
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Last month, a judge said the militant group Betar “triggered” the ICE arrest of a Hampshire College student. Palestine-solidarity activists at UMass say similar groups have come after them, too. Our latest from Dan McGlynn and @jongerhardson.bsky.social. Original art by illustrator Melissa Mendes.
Doxing, death threats, deportation: How the far right stifled campus activism and sent ICE after a local student
Last month, a judge said the militant group Betar
theshoestring.org
June 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Last month, a judge said the militant group Betar “triggered” the ICE arrest of a Hampshire College student. Palestine-solidarity activists at UMass say similar groups have come after them, too. Our latest from Dan McGlynn and @jongerhardson.bsky.social. Original art by illustrator Melissa Mendes.
Some @theshoestring.bsky.social-related news: @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social and Donovan Lee are fighting for greater transparency in our region!
June 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Some @theshoestring.bsky.social-related news: @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social and Donovan Lee are fighting for greater transparency in our region!
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
These are the police departments the lawsuits were lodged against:
• Boston
• Worcester
• Springfield
• New Bedford
• Massachusetts State Police
The Globe’s suit against the Boston Police Department is the broadest.
• Boston
• Worcester
• Springfield
• New Bedford
• Massachusetts State Police
The Globe’s suit against the Boston Police Department is the broadest.
Globe sues 5 Mass. police departments in effort to shine light on shadowy world of confidential informants - The Boston Globe
The newspaper sought information from each of Massachusetts' 400-plus police departments about how they handle confidential informants.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
These are the police departments the lawsuits were lodged against:
• Boston
• Worcester
• Springfield
• New Bedford
• Massachusetts State Police
The Globe’s suit against the Boston Police Department is the broadest.
• Boston
• Worcester
• Springfield
• New Bedford
• Massachusetts State Police
The Globe’s suit against the Boston Police Department is the broadest.
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
“No one is watching, no one will hold them accountable, so they can just do what they want,” said one HUD attorney. “The civil rights laws that people marched for and fought for, ... it’s not happening. And people are really being harmed by it.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
How the Trump Administration Is Weakening the Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws
Starting with cases involving sexual orientation and identity, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is hobbling enforcement of the Fair Housing Act. Said one HUD attorney: “People are…
www.propublica.org
May 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“No one is watching, no one will hold them accountable, so they can just do what they want,” said one HUD attorney. “The civil rights laws that people marched for and fought for, ... it’s not happening. And people are really being harmed by it.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
After seizing 30+ luxury cars from an alleged cannabis trafficker in 2020, the Northwestern DA auctioned many of them. Since then, police & prosecutors have been busy spending the $2 million in proceeds. Our latest from @dustyc123.bsky.social on the controversial process of “civil asset forfeiture”:
Police, DA made millions from a cannabis bust. Here’s how they’re spending it.
Police seized over 30 luxury cars from an alleged drug trafficker in New Salem. After auctioning many of the cars, they’ve been busy spending the more than $2 million in proceeds.
theshoestring.org
May 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
After seizing 30+ luxury cars from an alleged cannabis trafficker in 2020, the Northwestern DA auctioned many of them. Since then, police & prosecutors have been busy spending the $2 million in proceeds. Our latest from @dustyc123.bsky.social on the controversial process of “civil asset forfeiture”:
It was a case police billed as one of the region’s biggest-ever drug bust. After seizing 30+ luxury cars from an alleged cannabis trafficker, the DA’s office auctioned many of them in 2022. Since then, police and prosecutors have been busy spending more than $2 million in proceeds. My latest:
Police, DA made millions from a cannabis bust. Here’s how they’re spending it.
Police seized over 30 luxury cars from an alleged drug trafficker in New Salem. After auctioning many of the cars, they’ve been busy spending the more than $2 million in proceeds.
theshoestring.org
May 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
It was a case police billed as one of the region’s biggest-ever drug bust. After seizing 30+ luxury cars from an alleged cannabis trafficker, the DA’s office auctioned many of them in 2022. Since then, police and prosecutors have been busy spending more than $2 million in proceeds. My latest:
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
“They took my life away for nothing.”
James Carver spent 36 years in prison for allegedly setting one of the deadliest fires in Massachusetts history.
theappeal.org
May 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My latest for @theappeal.org:
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
James Carver spent 36 years in prison after he was convicted of setting one of the deadliest fires in #Massachusetts history. But after reviewing new scientific evidence, a judge set him free.
“They took my life away for nothing,” Carver said.
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
On May Day, teachers staged “walk-ins,” nurses picketed in front of Baystate Medical Center, peace activists protested, and hundreds took to the streets of Springfield.
Reporting by @dustyc123.bsky.social and photos by @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social
Reporting by @dustyc123.bsky.social and photos by @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social
Photos: International Workers’ Day rally in Springfield draws hundreds
On May Day, teachers staged “walk-ins,
theshoestring.org
May 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On May Day, teachers staged “walk-ins,” nurses picketed in front of Baystate Medical Center, peace activists protested, and hundreds took to the streets of Springfield.
Reporting by @dustyc123.bsky.social and photos by @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social
Reporting by @dustyc123.bsky.social and photos by @shelbyyy-xo.bsky.social
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
“Are you worth only 3%?” Springfield teachers’ union organizing for better conditions. The Springfield Education Association is asking for pay raises, more sick days, and parental leave. They say they’re organizing so educators feel they have a future in the district.
Reporting by Sam Spratford
Reporting by Sam Spratford
“Are you worth only 3%?” Springfield teachers’ union organizing for better conditions
The Springfield Education Association is asking for pay raises, more sick days, and parental leave. They say they’re organizing so educators feel they have a future in the district.
theshoestring.org
April 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Are you worth only 3%?” Springfield teachers’ union organizing for better conditions. The Springfield Education Association is asking for pay raises, more sick days, and parental leave. They say they’re organizing so educators feel they have a future in the district.
Reporting by Sam Spratford
Reporting by Sam Spratford
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Despite recent attempts to boost the state’s education funding, some western Mass cities and towns are facing big school-budget crunches. Local activists have started to fight for stronger local funding. Reporter divina cordeiro brings us a dispatch from some of those growing movements.
Long division: The growing battle over public school budgets in western Mass
Despite attempts to boost the state’s education funding, some cities and towns are facing big budget crunches. Local activists have started to fight for stronger local funding.
theshoestring.org
May 1, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Despite recent attempts to boost the state’s education funding, some western Mass cities and towns are facing big school-budget crunches. Local activists have started to fight for stronger local funding. Reporter divina cordeiro brings us a dispatch from some of those growing movements.
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
Dumb journalists think being a tough interviewer requires writing down gotcha questions in advance.
Smart journalists know that the trick is just listening and sometimes going, ‘how so?’
Smart journalists know that the trick is just listening and sometimes going, ‘how so?’
Chotiner is a legitimately good journalist but it’s wild that people think he’s some sort of evil wizard because he says “what do you mean by that”
April 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Dumb journalists think being a tough interviewer requires writing down gotcha questions in advance.
Smart journalists know that the trick is just listening and sometimes going, ‘how so?’
Smart journalists know that the trick is just listening and sometimes going, ‘how so?’
Reposted by Dusty Christensen
April 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM