Laura Santhanam
@laurasanthanam.bsky.social
Health reporter and coordinating polling producer @pbsnews.bsky.social | 2024-2025 Knight-Wallace Fellow at University of Michigan | Mississippi expat
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
“Striking down Mississippi’s law would mandate massive nationwide overhauls of essential post-election activities and destabilize election administration,” Joshua Tom, the legal director of the ACLU of Mississippi, told Capital B.
Supreme Court Case Threatens Mail-in Ballots for Black Voters
Various historical barriers to casting ballots in person make having a mail-in option crucial.
capitalbnews.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
“Striking down Mississippi’s law would mandate massive nationwide overhauls of essential post-election activities and destabilize election administration,” Joshua Tom, the legal director of the ACLU of Mississippi, told Capital B.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Mississippi needs policies to help moms, advocates tell lawmakers
Advocates for moms say Mississippi lawmakers should expand Medicaid, protect food aid, create paid parental leave and invest in child care and early education.
Advocates for moms say Mississippi lawmakers should expand Medicaid, protect food aid, create paid parental leave and invest in child care and early education.
Mississippi needs policies to help moms, advocates tell lawmakers
Advocates for moms say Mississippi lawmakers should expand Medicaid, protect food aid, create paid parental leave and invest in child care and early education.
mississippitoday.org
November 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Mississippi needs policies to help moms, advocates tell lawmakers
Advocates for moms say Mississippi lawmakers should expand Medicaid, protect food aid, create paid parental leave and invest in child care and early education.
Advocates for moms say Mississippi lawmakers should expand Medicaid, protect food aid, create paid parental leave and invest in child care and early education.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Uncertainty over federal food aid deepens as the shutdown fight reaches a crisis point
Crises at the heart of the government shutdown were in focus as the federal food assistance program faced delays and millions of Americans were set to see a dramatic rise in their health insurance bills.
Crises at the heart of the government shutdown were in focus as the federal food assistance program faced delays and millions of Americans were set to see a dramatic rise in their health insurance bills.
Uncertainty over federal food aid deepens as the shutdown fight reaches a crisis point
Crises at the heart of the government shutdown were in focus as the federal food assistance program faced delays and millions of Americans were set to see a dramatic rise in their health insurance bills.
mississippitoday.org
November 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Uncertainty over federal food aid deepens as the shutdown fight reaches a crisis point
Crises at the heart of the government shutdown were in focus as the federal food assistance program faced delays and millions of Americans were set to see a dramatic rise in their health insurance bills.
Crises at the heart of the government shutdown were in focus as the federal food assistance program faced delays and millions of Americans were set to see a dramatic rise in their health insurance bills.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger’s long-standing claims of liberal bias and mismanagement at the world’s dominant online encyclopedia are being enthusiastically embraced on the right. https://wapo.st/48FELO2
October 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger’s long-standing claims of liberal bias and mismanagement at the world’s dominant online encyclopedia are being enthusiastically embraced on the right. https://wapo.st/48FELO2
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Twenty-one states and D.C. have adopted vaccine recommendations that are broader than those of the federal government, according to KFF. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Despite the Hoopla, Vaccines Should Be in Reach This Cough-and-Cold Season - KFF Health News
Recommendations surrounding covid vaccinations and other such shots have been confusing. Ultimately, though, little has changed. Here’s what you need to know.
kffhealthnews.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Twenty-one states and D.C. have adopted vaccine recommendations that are broader than those of the federal government, according to KFF. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food stamp benefits before the end of this month if the government shutdown continues, officials in several states have warned.
Millions may lose food stamp benefits if shutdown continues, states warn
Texas, New York, California and other states say lower-income families risk losing access to SNAP assistance if the government shutdown continues into November.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food stamp benefits before the end of this month if the government shutdown continues, officials in several states have warned.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
On Friday, Trump re-upped his claim that critical television coverage of him is “illegal” and pushed back on criticisms that his administration was taking actions that limit free speech.
Click below to read the full story 👇
ow.ly/c9go50WZO8b
Click below to read the full story 👇
ow.ly/c9go50WZO8b
September 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
On Friday, Trump re-upped his claim that critical television coverage of him is “illegal” and pushed back on criticisms that his administration was taking actions that limit free speech.
Click below to read the full story 👇
ow.ly/c9go50WZO8b
Click below to read the full story 👇
ow.ly/c9go50WZO8b
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Calling out the (tiny) DC National Guard is one of the *only* things President Trump can do to DC without new legislation.
Today’s “One First” goes deep into the history of the federal government’s relationship with the nation’s capital—and the significance of the 1973 Home Rule Act—to explain why:
Today’s “One First” goes deep into the history of the federal government’s relationship with the nation’s capital—and the significance of the 1973 Home Rule Act—to explain why:
172. "Federalizing" D.C.
Like any federal enclave, the federal government has plenary power over the District of Columbia. But Congress has delegated most of that power to local officials; it would take new laws to undo that.
www.stevevladeck.com
August 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Calling out the (tiny) DC National Guard is one of the *only* things President Trump can do to DC without new legislation.
Today’s “One First” goes deep into the history of the federal government’s relationship with the nation’s capital—and the significance of the 1973 Home Rule Act—to explain why:
Today’s “One First” goes deep into the history of the federal government’s relationship with the nation’s capital—and the significance of the 1973 Home Rule Act—to explain why:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.
August 5, 2025 at 10:34 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
A North Carolina emergency manager said he has resorted to searching for clues about the future of federal funding — and FEMA itself.
“We’re all having to be like, hey, what have you heard? What do you know? What’s going on? Nobody knows,” he said.
By @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
“We’re all having to be like, hey, what have you heard? What do you know? What’s going on? Nobody knows,” he said.
By @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
States Fear Uncertain Future of FEMA Grants Under Trump
Many states rely on the federal government for the vast majority of their emergency management funding. Now, local leaders are looking for clues about the money — and the future of FEMA itself.
www.propublica.org
July 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
A North Carolina emergency manager said he has resorted to searching for clues about the future of federal funding — and FEMA itself.
“We’re all having to be like, hey, what have you heard? What do you know? What’s going on? Nobody knows,” he said.
By @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
“We’re all having to be like, hey, what have you heard? What do you know? What’s going on? Nobody knows,” he said.
By @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans haul Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage after a turbulent all-night session.
July 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans haul Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage after a turbulent all-night session.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
BREAKING: Kilmar Abrego Garcia will face trial in U.S. on smuggling charges before being deported, Justice Department says.
Prosecutors tell judge government plans to deport Abrego Garcia to a country that's not El Salvador
Federal prosecutors have told a judge in Maryland the government plans to initiate deportation proceedings against Kilmar Abrego Garcia and to deport him to a country that is not El Salvador upon his release from a Tennessee jail.
bit.ly
June 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
BREAKING: Kilmar Abrego Garcia will face trial in U.S. on smuggling charges before being deported, Justice Department says.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
It's the last day of our #NationalFellowship! Today our #USCNationalFellows will hear from Senior Fellow
@laurasanthanam.bsky.social of @newshour.bsky.social & @joshpasek.com, Professor at @umich.edu
The session will focus on 'Disappearing Data: What's Missing and How Reporters Can Respond.'
@laurasanthanam.bsky.social of @newshour.bsky.social & @joshpasek.com, Professor at @umich.edu
The session will focus on 'Disappearing Data: What's Missing and How Reporters Can Respond.'
June 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
It's the last day of our #NationalFellowship! Today our #USCNationalFellows will hear from Senior Fellow
@laurasanthanam.bsky.social of @newshour.bsky.social & @joshpasek.com, Professor at @umich.edu
The session will focus on 'Disappearing Data: What's Missing and How Reporters Can Respond.'
@laurasanthanam.bsky.social of @newshour.bsky.social & @joshpasek.com, Professor at @umich.edu
The session will focus on 'Disappearing Data: What's Missing and How Reporters Can Respond.'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities after large protests have erupted in Los Angeles and other major cities against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
June 16, 2025 at 1:40 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Sunday directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities after large protests have erupted in Los Angeles and other major cities against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
“American institutions and the innovators within them have succeeded based on a contract between the federal government and U.S. research universities. The result of major funding for research created the country we know today”
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
We set out to quantify U.S. academic contributions to medicines. The results stunned even us
From 2020 to 2024, universities contributed patents underpinning 50% of FDA-approved drugs. 87% of those academic breakthroughs came from American institutions.
www.statnews.com
June 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
“American institutions and the innovators within them have succeeded based on a contract between the federal government and U.S. research universities. The result of major funding for research created the country we know today”
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scores of NIH scientists go public to declare their dissent from Trump's deep program cuts and upheaval at their agency.
June 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scores of NIH scientists go public to declare their dissent from Trump's deep program cuts and upheaval at their agency.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — National Guard troops have begun arriving in Los Angeles on orders from President Donald Trump to stamp out protests that have broken out in recent days against federal immigration authorities seeking to carry out deportations in the region.
June 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — National Guard troops have begun arriving in Los Angeles on orders from President Donald Trump to stamp out protests that have broken out in recent days against federal immigration authorities seeking to carry out deportations in the region.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, charged in US with transporting illegal immigrants.
June 6, 2025 at 8:07 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, charged in US with transporting illegal immigrants.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
President Trump formally asked Congress to rescind $9.4 billion in already approved funding for foreign aid and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
Trump asks Congress to pull $9.4 billion in funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid
It's an attempt to codify DOGE-driven cuts while targeting news outlets Trump officials regard as biased against Republicans.
www.axios.com
June 4, 2025 at 2:25 AM
President Trump formally asked Congress to rescind $9.4 billion in already approved funding for foreign aid and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
“…he was impressed to find that his coworkers at the Department of Veterans Affairs "love their jobs" and worked hard at them — an honest admission that seems to have cost him his job.”
futurism.com/doge-fires-o...
futurism.com/doge-fires-o...
DOGE Fires Operative After He Admits the Government Was Already Pretty Efficient
One of Elon Musk's DOGE operatives discovered that the government has less glut than he'd banked on — and admitting so publicly got him fired.
futurism.com
June 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
“…he was impressed to find that his coworkers at the Department of Veterans Affairs "love their jobs" and worked hard at them — an honest admission that seems to have cost him his job.”
futurism.com/doge-fires-o...
futurism.com/doge-fires-o...
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
A pledge to restore “gold-standard science” accompanies much of Trump’s health policies challenging mainstream science.
Many scientists say the opposite is happening, @carolynyjohnson.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Many scientists say the opposite is happening, @carolynyjohnson.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Why Trump’s push for ‘gold-standard science’ has researchers alarmed
Many scientists fear the Trump administration’s new standard means putting political appointees in charge, which could undercut independent research.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 31, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A pledge to restore “gold-standard science” accompanies much of Trump’s health policies challenging mainstream science.
Many scientists say the opposite is happening, @carolynyjohnson.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Many scientists say the opposite is happening, @carolynyjohnson.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Laura Santhanam
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been called "Trump before there was a Trump." Here's why his reshaping of Hungary's political institutions inspires U.S. conservatives.
Hungary inspires U.S. conservatives. Its leader is seen as running a 'dictatorship'
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been called "Trump before there was a Trump." Here's why his reshaping of Hungary's political institutions inspires U.S. conservatives.
n.pr
May 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been called "Trump before there was a Trump." Here's why his reshaping of Hungary's political institutions inspires U.S. conservatives.