Fiona Desland
@fionadesland.bsky.social
MD-PhD, IM Resident | Immunology and Oncology enthusiast | Pekingese lover
Reposted by Fiona Desland
NEW: President Biden commuted the death sentences of most people on the federal death row before exiting office.
President Trump is now effectively looking to retaliate, and to detain those people in the most brutal conditions in the federal system. Bolts reports:
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
President Trump is now effectively looking to retaliate, and to detain those people in the most brutal conditions in the federal system. Bolts reports:
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
This story was produced by Bolts and published in partnership with The Nation. Inside the federal supermax tucked away in Colorado’s high desert, prisoners spend 22 to 24 hours a day... Read More
boltsmag.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
NEW: President Biden commuted the death sentences of most people on the federal death row before exiting office.
President Trump is now effectively looking to retaliate, and to detain those people in the most brutal conditions in the federal system. Bolts reports:
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
President Trump is now effectively looking to retaliate, and to detain those people in the most brutal conditions in the federal system. Bolts reports:
boltsmag.org/death-row-cl...
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Reposted by Fiona Desland
What we know, 10:20pm
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
What we know, 10:20pm
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, *and* AG
—BIG Dem gains in VA House
—Dems win NJ-Gov
—Mamdani wins
—Dems keep PA supreme court
—Larry Krasner & Bragg win
— GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
—JD Vance’s half-brother loses Cincy
—Dems sweep Orlando council
—ME anti-mail vote measure loses
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Gaza has reached IPC Phase 5, which is the worst level of food insecurity & is associated with high amounts of death & permanent disability. For people experiencing this level of malnutrition, even if it ended today, many of the consequences (eg personal outcomes like disabilities) are irreversible.
IPC is projecting 22% of Palestinians in Gaza (495,000+ people) face a Phase 5 Catastrophe level of food insecurity (extreme food shortage, starvation & high death rates) June-Sept if food aid is not forthcoming & 33% (745K) at the Emergency level (high malnutrition).
www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-...
www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-...
Gaza Strip: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for 1 May - 15 June and Projection for 16 June - 30 September 2024 | IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
www.ipcinfo.org
July 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Gaza has reached IPC Phase 5, which is the worst level of food insecurity & is associated with high amounts of death & permanent disability. For people experiencing this level of malnutrition, even if it ended today, many of the consequences (eg personal outcomes like disabilities) are irreversible.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
A hospital in rural Nebraska has announced its closing. The CEO faults the "anticipated federal budget cuts to Medicaid:" www.klkntv.com/rural-southw...
July 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
A hospital in rural Nebraska has announced its closing. The CEO faults the "anticipated federal budget cuts to Medicaid:" www.klkntv.com/rural-southw...
Reposted by Fiona Desland
justice for Jamaal Bowman
A member of Taiwan's parliament stole a bill and ran off with it to prevent it from being passed
June 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
justice for Jamaal Bowman
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Budzinski: Families making over $700,000 a year will see a boost of $12,000 almost entirely from tax cuts. Shockingly, households making $23,000 a year or less are set to lose about $1600 a year, mostly due to deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance
June 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Budzinski: Families making over $700,000 a year will see a boost of $12,000 almost entirely from tax cuts. Shockingly, households making $23,000 a year or less are set to lose about $1600 a year, mostly due to deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance
Reposted by Fiona Desland
—Jumaane Williams easily won.
And to go outside of New York: a Dem candidate won a seat in New Hampshire, beating back transphobic attacks.
And to go outside of New York: a Dem candidate won a seat in New Hampshire, beating back transphobic attacks.
June 25, 2025 at 2:22 AM
—Jumaane Williams easily won.
And to go outside of New York: a Dem candidate won a seat in New Hampshire, beating back transphobic attacks.
And to go outside of New York: a Dem candidate won a seat in New Hampshire, beating back transphobic attacks.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Strong night for left:
—Mamdani will finish well ahead in 1st round.
—All challenged NYC Progressive Caucus councilors will win, that's 10 of them.
—Left may add new councilors (e.g. some AOC- or WFP-endorsed non-incumbents up)
—The more liberal (WFP-endorsed) candidates up in Syracuse and Buffalo
—Mamdani will finish well ahead in 1st round.
—All challenged NYC Progressive Caucus councilors will win, that's 10 of them.
—Left may add new councilors (e.g. some AOC- or WFP-endorsed non-incumbents up)
—The more liberal (WFP-endorsed) candidates up in Syracuse and Buffalo
June 25, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Strong night for left:
—Mamdani will finish well ahead in 1st round.
—All challenged NYC Progressive Caucus councilors will win, that's 10 of them.
—Left may add new councilors (e.g. some AOC- or WFP-endorsed non-incumbents up)
—The more liberal (WFP-endorsed) candidates up in Syracuse and Buffalo
—Mamdani will finish well ahead in 1st round.
—All challenged NYC Progressive Caucus councilors will win, that's 10 of them.
—Left may add new councilors (e.g. some AOC- or WFP-endorsed non-incumbents up)
—The more liberal (WFP-endorsed) candidates up in Syracuse and Buffalo
Reposted by Fiona Desland
DHS CONTRACTORS FOR KIDNAPPING: These job adverts confirm that DHS-ICE is hiring people off the streets with as little as 2 years military service.
Plus CBP is hiring former War on Terror analysts to hunt Americans and migrants alike.
Straight up Secret Police shit.
These were on LinkedIn.
Plus CBP is hiring former War on Terror analysts to hunt Americans and migrants alike.
Straight up Secret Police shit.
These were on LinkedIn.
June 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
DHS CONTRACTORS FOR KIDNAPPING: These job adverts confirm that DHS-ICE is hiring people off the streets with as little as 2 years military service.
Plus CBP is hiring former War on Terror analysts to hunt Americans and migrants alike.
Straight up Secret Police shit.
These were on LinkedIn.
Plus CBP is hiring former War on Terror analysts to hunt Americans and migrants alike.
Straight up Secret Police shit.
These were on LinkedIn.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
June 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Fiona Desland
The day started with tragedy with political violence in MN and instead of being scared, neighbors SHOWED UP to stand together at No Kings Twin Cities. We packed the Capitol Mall all the way to the Cathedral. Estimate 80,000+ right now. So proud of our state. #nokings #indivisible
June 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The day started with tragedy with political violence in MN and instead of being scared, neighbors SHOWED UP to stand together at No Kings Twin Cities. We packed the Capitol Mall all the way to the Cathedral. Estimate 80,000+ right now. So proud of our state. #nokings #indivisible
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Los Angeles. Just wow.
June 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Los Angeles. Just wow.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last night, was the Speaker of the Minnesota House in the 2023-2024 session, when Democrats ran the state government.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
June 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last night, was the Speaker of the Minnesota House in the 2023-2024 session, when Democrats ran the state government.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
That means she had a leading role in shepherding the many landmark reforms that Dems adopted in that period—an important legacy. Brief 🧵.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
NYT: “The episode was recorded by someone who was sitting in Mr. Nadler’s office. In the video, an officer with the Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is shown demanding access to a private area inside the office.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/n...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/n...
May 31, 2025 at 10:48 PM
NYT: “The episode was recorded by someone who was sitting in Mr. Nadler’s office. In the video, an officer with the Federal Protective Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is shown demanding access to a private area inside the office.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/n...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/n...
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Bluesky is really dunking on popularism right now (cool). But let me offer a corollary challenge to primary election voters: endorse and support candidates who inspire you, not who you think will inspire a theorized median voter
May 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Bluesky is really dunking on popularism right now (cool). But let me offer a corollary challenge to primary election voters: endorse and support candidates who inspire you, not who you think will inspire a theorized median voter
Reposted by Fiona Desland
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Moderna withdraws application for COVID-flu combination vaccine
Moderna said on Wednesday it has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its flu and COVID combination vaccine candidate after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
www.reuters.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Reposted by Fiona Desland
None of the 278 men sent to CECOT have been returned. Meanwhile their lawyer has been arrested and "disappeared" in El Salvador.
Lawyer for Venezuelans deported to El Salvador prison arrested
Ruth López held without access to lawyers at secret location accused of ‘embezzlement’ a decade ago
www.theguardian.com
May 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
None of the 278 men sent to CECOT have been returned. Meanwhile their lawyer has been arrested and "disappeared" in El Salvador.
Reposted by Fiona Desland
I received a surprising and disturbing request from NIH on Friday. They wrote to cancel a subaward to Hong Kong on one of my grants. (This was disturbing but not surprising.) They also ordered us not to interact with our collaborators in Hong Kong on any work under the award:
April 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I received a surprising and disturbing request from NIH on Friday. They wrote to cancel a subaward to Hong Kong on one of my grants. (This was disturbing but not surprising.) They also ordered us not to interact with our collaborators in Hong Kong on any work under the award:
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Monica Isham is the 1st woman & 1st minority to serve as a circuit court judge in Sawyer County.
In an email to all Wisconsin state judges she said: “If there is no support for us, l will refuse to hold court. If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing.”
In an email to all Wisconsin state judges she said: “If there is no support for us, l will refuse to hold court. If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing.”
Wisconsin Judge Monica Isham Threatens Not To Hold Court Over Hannah Dugan Arrest
Wisconsin Circuit Judge Monica Isham is threatening to refuse to hold court and even raise bail on defendants because of the arrest of Milwaukee Judge Hannah
www.wisconsinrightnow.com
April 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Monica Isham is the 1st woman & 1st minority to serve as a circuit court judge in Sawyer County.
In an email to all Wisconsin state judges she said: “If there is no support for us, l will refuse to hold court. If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing.”
In an email to all Wisconsin state judges she said: “If there is no support for us, l will refuse to hold court. If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing.”
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Bad news for the Novavax COVID vaccine: FDA wants Novavax "...to show its vaccine is effective w/ another randomized study after appointees under (HHS Sec. RFK Jr.) intervened in the approval process... The additional step goes beyond what other Covid-19 vaccine makers had to do to win approval..."🛟
Exclusive | FDA Asks Vaccine Maker to Complete New Clinical Trial for Delayed Covid-19 Shot
A new randomized study could cost Novavax tens of millions of dollars, vaccine experts say
www.wsj.com
April 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Bad news for the Novavax COVID vaccine: FDA wants Novavax "...to show its vaccine is effective w/ another randomized study after appointees under (HHS Sec. RFK Jr.) intervened in the approval process... The additional step goes beyond what other Covid-19 vaccine makers had to do to win approval..."🛟
Reposted by Fiona Desland
Andrew Cuomo is functionally a Republican. He was a terrible governor and would be a terrible mayor. He is a serial sexual harasser. He fought against every progressive achievement during his tenure.
Politics is complicated, but this endorsement is nothing to be proud of.
Politics is complicated, but this endorsement is nothing to be proud of.
The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU proudly endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.
#linkinbio for our full statement: digital.1199seiu.org/3YOW89f
#linkinbio for our full statement: digital.1199seiu.org/3YOW89f
April 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Andrew Cuomo is functionally a Republican. He was a terrible governor and would be a terrible mayor. He is a serial sexual harasser. He fought against every progressive achievement during his tenure.
Politics is complicated, but this endorsement is nothing to be proud of.
Politics is complicated, but this endorsement is nothing to be proud of.