Elisha Brown
@elishabrown.bsky.social
I write a newsletter called Reproductive Rights Today for States Newsroom.
Subscribe: https://t.co/MhXxW1pLfr
Contact: ebrown@statesnewsroom.com
Signal: ElishaBrown.95
Subscribe: https://t.co/MhXxW1pLfr
Contact: ebrown@statesnewsroom.com
Signal: ElishaBrown.95
Pinned
Elisha Brown
@elishabrown.bsky.social
· Feb 1
Lord have mercy, lot of new followers! About me:
• I write a repro newsletter for @statesnewsroom.com + I report
• Based in Durham, NC and raised in the Sandhills of SC
• Essential beat read: Killing The Black Body by Dorothy Roberts
• Open to feedback, tips, etc:
ebrown@statesnewsroom.com
• I write a repro newsletter for @statesnewsroom.com + I report
• Based in Durham, NC and raised in the Sandhills of SC
• Essential beat read: Killing The Black Body by Dorothy Roberts
• Open to feedback, tips, etc:
ebrown@statesnewsroom.com
Reposted by Elisha Brown
If you are a federal employee returning to work today and are willing to share your experience, please contact amurray[@]statesnewsroom[.]com
November 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
If you are a federal employee returning to work today and are willing to share your experience, please contact amurray[@]statesnewsroom[.]com
Reposted by Elisha Brown
An update on one of the items in today's roundup: Ron Wyden says the final Senate deal no longer includes a ban on abortion coverage in ACA marketplace plans, something anti-abortion grops have been lobbying hard for: bsky.app/profile/wyde...
In this week's roundup: A big FDA announcement on menopause, what the recent elections mean for reproductive freedom, Kim Davis flops but efforts to undermine marriage equality continue, and fetal personhood laws continue apace.
FDA Drops Barriers to Menopause Treatment, Supreme Court Denies Kim Davis: November 10 News Roundup
Plus, what you missed on Autonomy News last week.
www.autonomynews.co
November 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
An update on one of the items in today's roundup: Ron Wyden says the final Senate deal no longer includes a ban on abortion coverage in ACA marketplace plans, something anti-abortion grops have been lobbying hard for: bsky.app/profile/wyde...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
For those confused by state of play on SNAP right now: You're not alone
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
November 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
For those confused by state of play on SNAP right now: You're not alone
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
Reposted by Elisha Brown
OutKast is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
November 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
OutKast is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
“We started in a little room. Great things start in little rooms”
Reposted by Elisha Brown
BREAKING: Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown. @statesnewsroom.com story:
Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries, complying wit...
www.newsfromthestates.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
BREAKING: Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown. @statesnewsroom.com story:
Reposted by Elisha Brown
@usdagov.bsky.social confirms it has provided this guidance to all states.
November 7, 2025 at 7:34 PM
@usdagov.bsky.social confirms it has provided this guidance to all states.
Reposted by Elisha Brown
FYI. Buses have been free in Chapel Hill and Carrboro North Carolina for over 20 years. See: chapelboro.com/news/news-tr...
Chapel Hill Transit Marks 20th Anniversary of Fare-Free Service - Chapelboro.com
Chapel Hill Transit moved to its fare-free model 20 years ago and continues to explore ways to make transit more accessible and resourceful.
chapelboro.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
FYI. Buses have been free in Chapel Hill and Carrboro North Carolina for over 20 years. See: chapelboro.com/news/news-tr...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
Arizona abortion providers urged a Maricopa Superior Court judge this week to block a series of anti-abortion laws they claim unreasonably burden patients and violate the Arizona Constitution, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com
buff.ly/p76W07y
buff.ly/p76W07y
Doctors challenge Arizona abortion laws as unconstitutional burden on patients
Arizona abortion law challenge targets restrictions after Prop 139 as doctors testify laws burden patients and care
azmirror.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Arizona abortion providers urged a Maricopa Superior Court judge this week to block a series of anti-abortion laws they claim unreasonably burden patients and violate the Arizona Constitution, report @azmirror.com and @statesnewsroom.com
buff.ly/p76W07y
buff.ly/p76W07y
New from me: Voters in NJ and VA elected Democratic women governors who vowed to protect abortion access. Dems swept the VA races, too, basically ensuring a repro ballot measure in 2026. And PA retained 3 judges bound to take up abortion-related cases. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/demo...
Democrats who back reproductive rights win key races
Despite less focus on abortion in the 2025 election, voters Tuesday supported Democratic candidates who back reproductive rights in New Jersey and Virginia, and retained Democratic justices in Pennsyl...
www.newsfromthestates.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
New from me: Voters in NJ and VA elected Democratic women governors who vowed to protect abortion access. Dems swept the VA races, too, basically ensuring a repro ballot measure in 2026. And PA retained 3 judges bound to take up abortion-related cases. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/demo...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
A federal judge on Saturday issued a written order saying there is “no question” that U.S. Department of Agriculture contingency funds must be used to provide food assistance for 42 million Americans during the government shutdown. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/01/r... By @janenorman.bsky.social #ncpol
Trump administration must restart SNAP benefits by Wednesday, judge rules • NC Newsline
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Saturday issued a written order saying there is “no question” that U.S. Department of Agriculture contingency funds must be used to provide food assistance for 42 milli...
ncnewsline.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A federal judge on Saturday issued a written order saying there is “no question” that U.S. Department of Agriculture contingency funds must be used to provide food assistance for 42 million Americans during the government shutdown. ncnewsline.com/2025/11/01/r... By @janenorman.bsky.social #ncpol
Reposted by Elisha Brown
Mothers demand TSA follow its own breast milk and formula rules
@sofiaresnick.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/30/r...
@sofiaresnick.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/30/r...
Mothers demand TSA follow its own breast milk and formula rules • Kentucky Lantern
Despite a law allowing breast-feeding supplies on planes, moms continue to report issues with TSA security in airports.
kentuckylantern.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Mothers demand TSA follow its own breast milk and formula rules
@sofiaresnick.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/30/r...
@sofiaresnick.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/30/r...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
The people who need SNAP assistance come from varying circumstances. I spoke with a woman in rural Idaho who needed food stamps after her partner died by suicide when she was 11 weeks pregnant.
And some have pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes — which requires a strict diet to control.
And some have pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes — which requires a strict diet to control.
Losing SNAP could mean more pregnancy complications as food insecurity grows
Without action from Congress before Saturday, millions nationwide will be cut off from access to government food assistance, including those who are pregnant or have babies and young children.That pos...
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The people who need SNAP assistance come from varying circumstances. I spoke with a woman in rural Idaho who needed food stamps after her partner died by suicide when she was 11 weeks pregnant.
And some have pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes — which requires a strict diet to control.
And some have pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes — which requires a strict diet to control.
Reposted by Elisha Brown
🚨New Roanoke College poll:
• Spanberger (D) leads Earle-Sears (R) for governor 51–41%
• Hashmi (D) and Reid (R) are neck-and-neck 42–40%
• Miyares (R) holds an 8-point edge over Jones (D) for AG
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/p...
• Spanberger (D) leads Earle-Sears (R) for governor 51–41%
• Hashmi (D) and Reid (R) are neck-and-neck 42–40%
• Miyares (R) holds an 8-point edge over Jones (D) for AG
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/p...
Poll: Spanberger extends 10-point lead; Miyares up 8 as Hashmi-Reid contest stays close • Virginia Mercury
With less than a week to go before Election Day, Democrat Abigail Spanberger holds a commanding 10-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s race for governor, according to a new Ro...
virginiamercury.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
🚨New Roanoke College poll:
• Spanberger (D) leads Earle-Sears (R) for governor 51–41%
• Hashmi (D) and Reid (R) are neck-and-neck 42–40%
• Miyares (R) holds an 8-point edge over Jones (D) for AG
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/p...
• Spanberger (D) leads Earle-Sears (R) for governor 51–41%
• Hashmi (D) and Reid (R) are neck-and-neck 42–40%
• Miyares (R) holds an 8-point edge over Jones (D) for AG
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/30/p...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
As a pediatrician, she helped elevate breastfeeding from a medical afterthought to a specialty of its own. As a mother of nine, she practiced what she preached www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/h...
Ruth A. Lawrence, Doctor Who Championed Breastfeeding, Is Dead at 101
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
As a pediatrician, she helped elevate breastfeeding from a medical afterthought to a specialty of its own. As a mother of nine, she practiced what she preached www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/h...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
NEW: A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica sets up new roadblocks to care for male veterans with breast cancer.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
www.propublica.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
NEW: A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica sets up new roadblocks to care for male veterans with breast cancer.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
Reposted by Elisha Brown
CALLOUT: I'm working on a piece about pregnant people or those with newborns/infants who rely on SNAP/WIC, and I'd like to add personal stories to it. If you or someone you know is experiencing this right now or has relied on this program in the past with children, can you send me a DM? Thanks!
October 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
CALLOUT: I'm working on a piece about pregnant people or those with newborns/infants who rely on SNAP/WIC, and I'd like to add personal stories to it. If you or someone you know is experiencing this right now or has relied on this program in the past with children, can you send me a DM? Thanks!
Reposted by Elisha Brown
NEW w/ @meganmesserly.bsky.social: Trump's IVF policies came nowhere close to fulfilling his campaign trail pledge to make fertility treatments free. Anti-abortion activists, who lobbied the admin for more than a year, are claiming credit for that.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
‘The pro-life movement still has some real juice’: How Trump’s promise of free IVF fizzled
A lobbying blitz by social and religious conservatives paid off last week when Trump announced policies that fell short of his promise to make fertility treatments, which they oppose, free.
www.politico.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:23 PM
NEW w/ @meganmesserly.bsky.social: Trump's IVF policies came nowhere close to fulfilling his campaign trail pledge to make fertility treatments free. Anti-abortion activists, who lobbied the admin for more than a year, are claiming credit for that.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
The Hebrew Israelites and Nation of Islam uncs are on the corner outside at Central’s homecoming game. I feel like I’m in Harlem again!
October 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The Hebrew Israelites and Nation of Islam uncs are on the corner outside at Central’s homecoming game. I feel like I’m in Harlem again!
Reposted by Elisha Brown
SIX DAYS UNTIL SNAP RUNS OUT FOR 42 MILLION PEOPLE: And just 25 days ago USDA said it would pay out food benefits during the shutdown. That memo has now been deleted from its website and a new memo out Friday says the opposite. Read our story 👇
SCOOP: USDA says it can’t shuffle funds to extend food assistance during shutdown--but its own plan dated Sept. 30 and since deleted -- says the department would use its multi-year contingency fund to continue paying SNAP during the shutdown www.newsfromthestates.com/article/usda...
USDA says it can’t shuffle funds to extend food assistance during shutdown
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a memo Friday the agency’s contingency fund cannot legally be used to provide food assistance benefits for more than 42 million people in Novemb...
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
SIX DAYS UNTIL SNAP RUNS OUT FOR 42 MILLION PEOPLE: And just 25 days ago USDA said it would pay out food benefits during the shutdown. That memo has now been deleted from its website and a new memo out Friday says the opposite. Read our story 👇
Reposted by Elisha Brown
"Journalism is about building relationships and if you go silent or only reach out when you need something it might be difficult to get ahead or stay in the industry long term." yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/my-first-b...
My First Byline: Tat Bellamy-Walker
Board member, Trans Journalists Association
yourfirstbyline.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"Journalism is about building relationships and if you go silent or only reach out when you need something it might be difficult to get ahead or stay in the industry long term." yourfirstbyline.substack.com/p/my-first-b...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
On December 2, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in First Choice v. Platkin, a case stemming from a crisis pregnancy center's attempt to fight a subpoena from the NJ Attorney General. Technically, the question is simple: Is federal or state court the right venue for this fight? But...
October 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
On December 2, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in First Choice v. Platkin, a case stemming from a crisis pregnancy center's attempt to fight a subpoena from the NJ Attorney General. Technically, the question is simple: Is federal or state court the right venue for this fight? But...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
Just in from @anitawadhwani.bsky.social: In a defeat for Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, a three-judge panel ruled against the state’s effort to end a longstanding lawsuit challenging the vagueness and inadequacy of exceptions to Tennessee’s near-total abortion ban.
Signaling skepticism that exceptions to TN abortion ban are adequate, judges rule against state • Tennessee Lookout
A three-judge panel ruled against Tennessee's effort to end a lawsuit challenging the inadequacy of exceptions to the state's abortion ban.
tennesseelookout.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Just in from @anitawadhwani.bsky.social: In a defeat for Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, a three-judge panel ruled against the state’s effort to end a longstanding lawsuit challenging the vagueness and inadequacy of exceptions to Tennessee’s near-total abortion ban.
A majority of Black adults in 10 states say Medicaid is important to them or their families, per a new poll shared exclusively with @statesnewsroom.com. The findings come as Planned Parenthood clinics in Black communities have closed due to Medicaid cuts. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more...
More than 90% of Black people polled say Medicaid is crucial as cuts loom
At least 90% of Black people surveyed for a new poll said Medicaid is important to them or their families, and more than half either have public insurance or a family member who relies on the program....
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
A majority of Black adults in 10 states say Medicaid is important to them or their families, per a new poll shared exclusively with @statesnewsroom.com. The findings come as Planned Parenthood clinics in Black communities have closed due to Medicaid cuts. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more...
Reposted by Elisha Brown
Miraya Gran is the kind of person Trump and his administration say they are going to help. But unless the cost of IVF goes down a lot, she can’t afford to give her daughter a sibling.
“I’ve got two embryos waiting for me, and I’m not accessing them due to lack of insurance coverage."
New from me:
“I’ve got two embryos waiting for me, and I’m not accessing them due to lack of insurance coverage."
New from me:
Trump's IVF announcement disappoints patients, raises concerns for doctor
Miraya Gran is the kind of person who Republican President Donald Trump and his administration say they are going to help with new policies on in vitro fertilization.
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Miraya Gran is the kind of person Trump and his administration say they are going to help. But unless the cost of IVF goes down a lot, she can’t afford to give her daughter a sibling.
“I’ve got two embryos waiting for me, and I’m not accessing them due to lack of insurance coverage."
New from me:
“I’ve got two embryos waiting for me, and I’m not accessing them due to lack of insurance coverage."
New from me:
Kind of obsessed with this colorful lede-all from @ashleymurray.bsky.social featuring reporting from the great big @statesnewsroom.com family www.newsfromthestates.com/article/no-k...
No Kings day brings millions into US streets in anti-Trump protests
WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans packed streets, parks and town squares across the United States Saturday for No Kings day, according to the organizers of the massive day of demonstrations protestin...
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Kind of obsessed with this colorful lede-all from @ashleymurray.bsky.social featuring reporting from the great big @statesnewsroom.com family www.newsfromthestates.com/article/no-k...