Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
@jderobertis.bsky.social
Journalist. Arts & entertainment editor at Country Roads Magazine. Formerly at The Advocate.
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Thanks to Kristen Hare at @poynterinstitute.bsky.social for digging deeper into the new @deepsouthtoday.org Investigative Reporting Center launched in partnership with @nytimes.com and Big Local News.
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
Why the New York Times is sticking around the South - Poynter
A new reporting center launches in 2026
www.poynter.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Thanks to Kristen Hare at @poynterinstitute.bsky.social for digging deeper into the new @deepsouthtoday.org Investigative Reporting Center launched in partnership with @nytimes.com and Big Local News.
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
www.poynter.org/reporting-ed...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
“The studies imply estimated [Gaza] life expectancy has fallen by more than 35 years, to ~ half the pre-war figure. In percentage terms…bigger than…during China’s Great Leap Forward; in absolute terms it is similar to the one in the Rwanda genocide” www.economist.com/interactive/...
How much of Gaza is left standing?
Analysis by independent researchers reveals the scale of the destruction
www.economist.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:42 AM
“The studies imply estimated [Gaza] life expectancy has fallen by more than 35 years, to ~ half the pre-war figure. In percentage terms…bigger than…during China’s Great Leap Forward; in absolute terms it is similar to the one in the Rwanda genocide” www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Just putting it out there that if you're a food worker of any immigration status who wants to talk about how ICE raids are affecting your work/life, I'm all ears, jaya@eater.com. Here's an example of the kind of writing I've done around this www.eater.com/24359357/und...
For Undocumented Restaurant Workers, Everything Is in Question
President Trump’s threats against undocumented immigrants put America’s entire food chain at risk.
www.eater.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Just putting it out there that if you're a food worker of any immigration status who wants to talk about how ICE raids are affecting your work/life, I'm all ears, jaya@eater.com. Here's an example of the kind of writing I've done around this www.eater.com/24359357/und...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Federal agents arrested an Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for more than four decades outside her Lakeview home Sunday.
Iranian immigrant who has lived in New Orleans nearly 50 years arrested outside Lakeview home
Federal agents arrested an Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for more than four decades outside her Lakeview home Sunday.
bit.ly
June 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Federal agents arrested an Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for more than four decades outside her Lakeview home Sunday.
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
The em dash supposedly being a “tell” for AI generated text does sort of give away the game on the enormous amount of work stolen from journalists and news organizations that these things were trained on
For my first @salonnewsroom.bsky.social piece, I wrote about how freaks for the em dash (me, and possibly you) will not stand by and cede our precious punctuation to AI www.salon.com/2025/06/11/a...
AI can’t have my em dash
Gen Z and AI have pulled a divisive punctuation mark into the spotlight.
www.salon.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The em dash supposedly being a “tell” for AI generated text does sort of give away the game on the enormous amount of work stolen from journalists and news organizations that these things were trained on
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Inside the Dollar General workers’ fight for safety and fair pay
These Louisianians are organizing to transform the dollar stores their communities rely on.
These Louisianians are organizing to transform the dollar stores their communities rely on.
Inside the Dollar General workers’ fight for safety and fair pay
These Louisianians are organizing to transform the dollar stores their communities rely on.
veritenews.org
June 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Inside the Dollar General workers’ fight for safety and fair pay
These Louisianians are organizing to transform the dollar stores their communities rely on.
These Louisianians are organizing to transform the dollar stores their communities rely on.
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Incredible map of private/public ICE prisons by size and location. The cluster of enormous private immigration prisons in Louisiana is really something.
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
May 13, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Incredible map of private/public ICE prisons by size and location. The cluster of enormous private immigration prisons in Louisiana is really something.
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
An absolutely incredible interview and a rollercoaster of a conversation. The audio version is even better, and includes more -- including thoughts at the end about the importance of writing "alongside" people, rather than "about" them: "That feels truer."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/m...
‘The Interview’: Ocean Vuong was Ready to Kill. A Moment of Grace Changed His Life. (Gift Article)
The poet and novelist on the real reason he became a writer.
www.nytimes.com
May 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
An absolutely incredible interview and a rollercoaster of a conversation. The audio version is even better, and includes more -- including thoughts at the end about the importance of writing "alongside" people, rather than "about" them: "That feels truer."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/m...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
The Trump administration has rescinded two grants previously awarded to the Whitney Plantation for Black history projects, one of which is about how enslaved people performed acts of resistance on plantations.
We've got more on it @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/04/16/t...
We've got more on it @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/04/16/t...
Trump admin pulls Black history grants to Whitney Plantation
The federal government has terminated two grants for African American history and culture awarded to the Whitney Plantation, a museum aimed at memorializing slavery, as the Trump administration works ...
veritenews.org
April 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Trump administration has rescinded two grants previously awarded to the Whitney Plantation for Black history projects, one of which is about how enslaved people performed acts of resistance on plantations.
We've got more on it @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/04/16/t...
We've got more on it @veritenews.org.
veritenews.org/2025/04/16/t...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Don’t miss @richardawebster.bsky.social’s previous coverage about Landry’s resumption of executions in Louisiana and a man on death row convicted in part on allegedly fabricated forensic evidence.
He Was Convicted Based on Allegedly Fabricated Bite Mark Analysis. Louisiana Wants to Execute Him Anyway.
Nine prisoners have walked free after evidence presented by members of a forensics team turned out to be wrong — yet one man still awaits execution based on their testimony.
www.propublica.org
April 10, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Don’t miss @richardawebster.bsky.social’s previous coverage about Landry’s resumption of executions in Louisiana and a man on death row convicted in part on allegedly fabricated forensic evidence.
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Under Gov. Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda, La. has eliminated parole for nearly everyone imprisoned for crimes committed after Aug. 1. For those already behind bars, an algorithm is now deciding if they have a shot at release.
By @richardawebster.bsky.social for @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
By @richardawebster.bsky.social for @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
Two months before Calvin Alexander’s parole hearing date, he was told he was no longer eligible.
Why? An algorithm had deemed the nearly blind 70-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, a “moderate risk." And under a new law, he was barred from speaking to the parole board
veritenews.org/2025/04/10/t...
Why? An algorithm had deemed the nearly blind 70-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, a “moderate risk." And under a new law, he was barred from speaking to the parole board
veritenews.org/2025/04/10/t...
TIGER, the algorithm banning Louisiana prisoners from parole
A Louisiana law cedes much of the power of the parole board to an algorithm that bars thousands of prisoners from a shot at early release. Civil rights attorneys say it could disproportionately harm B...
veritenews.org
April 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Under Gov. Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda, La. has eliminated parole for nearly everyone imprisoned for crimes committed after Aug. 1. For those already behind bars, an algorithm is now deciding if they have a shot at release.
By @richardawebster.bsky.social for @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
By @richardawebster.bsky.social for @veritenews.org and @propublica.org
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Did you know dozens of Black women transformed public housing in New Orleans?
They "challenged dominant stereotypes purported by the media, elected officials, and others that criminalized their poverty, neighborhoods, family size and composition."
They "challenged dominant stereotypes purported by the media, elected officials, and others that criminalized their poverty, neighborhoods, family size and composition."
Women reshaped housing institutions in New Orleans - Verite News New Orleans
Dozens of Black women transformed public housing in New Orleans.
buff.ly
April 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Did you know dozens of Black women transformed public housing in New Orleans?
They "challenged dominant stereotypes purported by the media, elected officials, and others that criminalized their poverty, neighborhoods, family size and composition."
They "challenged dominant stereotypes purported by the media, elected officials, and others that criminalized their poverty, neighborhoods, family size and composition."
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
In Oregon, 4,000+ defendants facing criminal charges have no attorneys due to a public defender shortage, incl 400+ ppl who've waited 3+ months for a lawyer.
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
Oregon abandoned its radical drug law. Then came the mass arrests
Last year, the state ended a trailblazing law decriminalizing possession. Drug users in some counties are now in and out of jail, without lawyers, struggling to get treatment
www.theguardian.com
April 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In Oregon, 4,000+ defendants facing criminal charges have no attorneys due to a public defender shortage, incl 400+ ppl who've waited 3+ months for a lawyer.
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
On Monday night, Louisiana health officials were told the federal government was abruptly ending grants that pay for substance abuse/mental health services.
It's hard to know the impact because the feds' notice was "difficult to interpret." #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/03/26/m...
It's hard to know the impact because the feds' notice was "difficult to interpret." #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/03/26/m...
Louisiana may have lost federal funding for substance abuse, mental health programs • Louisiana Illuminator
The federal government might have abruptly ended funding for Louisiana mental health and substance abuse services that was expected to last through the end of 2025.
lailluminator.com
March 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On Monday night, Louisiana health officials were told the federal government was abruptly ending grants that pay for substance abuse/mental health services.
It's hard to know the impact because the feds' notice was "difficult to interpret." #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/03/26/m...
It's hard to know the impact because the feds' notice was "difficult to interpret." #lalege
lailluminator.com/2025/03/26/m...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the NASA astronauts who spent 278 extra days on the International Space Station after their spacecraft malfunctioned, do not get overtime pay for their unexpectedly long stay. But they do get $5 a day for “incidentals.”
NASA Astronauts Don’t Receive Overtime Pay for Space Mission But Get $5 a Day
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore do not get overtime for their unexpectedly long stay on the International Space Station, according to NASA rules. But they do get $5 a day for “incidentals.”
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the NASA astronauts who spent 278 extra days on the International Space Station after their spacecraft malfunctioned, do not get overtime pay for their unexpectedly long stay. But they do get $5 a day for “incidentals.”
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Two German tourists thrown into U.S. immigration detention for weeks before being deported, in cases that are raising alarm in Europe. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/w...
German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U.S.
Amid President Trump’s border crackdown, German news media have closely followed the treatment of two tourists who say they tried to enter the United States legally.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Two German tourists thrown into U.S. immigration detention for weeks before being deported, in cases that are raising alarm in Europe. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/w...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Mahmoud Khalil still detained in notorious Louisiana detention center as case is moved to New Jersey
Mahmoud Khalil still detained in notorious La. immigration lockup
A civil rights advocate said the government was judge shopping when it sent the former Columbia grad student to Louisiana.
veritenews.org
March 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Mahmoud Khalil still detained in notorious Louisiana detention center as case is moved to New Jersey
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
27 years ago, bite marks were critical in convicting Jimmie Duncan for the killing of his girlfriend’s daughter. A newly uncovered tape of a forensic dentist mashing a mold of Duncan’s teeth into the victim’s body raises questions about the verdict.
Jimmie Duncan, convicted on allegedly fabricated bite mark analysis, may be executed by Louisiana anyway
Nine prisoners have walked free after evidence presented by members of a forensics team turned out to be wrong — yet one man still awaits execution based on their testimony.
veritenews.org
March 19, 2025 at 10:35 PM
27 years ago, bite marks were critical in convicting Jimmie Duncan for the killing of his girlfriend’s daughter. A newly uncovered tape of a forensic dentist mashing a mold of Duncan’s teeth into the victim’s body raises questions about the verdict.
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Today’s Times-Picayune | @nolanews.bsky.social
March 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Today’s Times-Picayune | @nolanews.bsky.social
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
The great John Simerman witnessed Louisiana’s first nitrogen gas execution last night. Here’s his account of how Louisiana put Jessie Hoffman to death.
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
Jessie Hoffman's final moments inside Louisiana's execution chamber at Angola
A few seconds before 6:27 p.m., Jessie Hoffman jerked slightly.
It would be the last significant movement Hoffman would make, in a life he’d mostly spent on death row.
www.nola.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The great John Simerman witnessed Louisiana’s first nitrogen gas execution last night. Here’s his account of how Louisiana put Jessie Hoffman to death.
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
I was stuck in a freezing cell without explanation despite eventually having lawyers and media attention. Yet, compared with others, I was lucky
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
Louisiana has officially executed Jessie Hoffman, carrying out the state's first nitrogen gas execution, his attorneys confirm for us. Still awaiting details about how long it it took, his official time of death:
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
Live updates: Louisiana begins nitrogen gas execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman
The execution is set to take place between 6 and 9 p.m. Follow along for updates throughout the day.
www.nola.com
March 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Louisiana has officially executed Jessie Hoffman, carrying out the state's first nitrogen gas execution, his attorneys confirm for us. Still awaiting details about how long it it took, his official time of death:
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
New laws in Louisiana shroud much of the death penalty in secret. Companies that supply execution materials, members of execution squads, people indirectly involved are no longer made public. And they can pursue civil penalties against those who name them
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
A new law keeps much of Louisiana's executions secret. Here's what the public can, can't know.
Some details, like the names of businesses that supply execution materials, are blocked from public view.
www.nola.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
New laws in Louisiana shroud much of the death penalty in secret. Companies that supply execution materials, members of execution squads, people indirectly involved are no longer made public. And they can pursue civil penalties against those who name them
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
www.nola.com/news/courts/...
Reposted by Jackie DeRobertis-Braun
2/2 Even as his attorneys have raised very serious questions about his guilt and the forensic evidence prosecutors presented at his trial, which was (1) allegedly fabricated and (2) based on what many experts now say is junk science.
Jimmie Duncan, convicted on allegedly fabricated bite mark analysis, may be executed by Louisiana anyway
Nine prisoners have walked free after evidence presented by members of a forensics team turned out to be wrong — yet one man still awaits execution based on their testimony.
veritenews.org
March 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
2/2 Even as his attorneys have raised very serious questions about his guilt and the forensic evidence prosecutors presented at his trial, which was (1) allegedly fabricated and (2) based on what many experts now say is junk science.