Michael Squires
@mgsquires.bsky.social
ProPublica’s Southwest editor. Investigative journalism in #Arizona, #Colorado, #Nevada, #NewMexico and #Utah.
Signal: mgsquires.87
Signal: mgsquires.87
Pinned
This County Was the “Model” for Local Police Carrying Out Immigration Raids. It Ended in Civil Rights Violations.
Under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County was one of the first testing grounds for ICE’s 287(g) program, which lets local police enforce immigration laws. Many Arizonans say those abuses parallel what...
www.propublica.org
More than a decade ago Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies carried out immigration raids. Now hundreds of departments are partnering with ICE. AZ Latinos see Arpaio as the beginning of what playing out nationally. “They did the experiment, and basically now they’re implementing it at the national level.”
“The Department of Homeland Security spent $220M but has kept at least one beneficiary of the nine-figure ad deal a secret, records and interviews show: a Republican consulting firm with long-standing personal and business ties to Kristi Noem and her senior aides at DHS.”
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“The Department of Homeland Security spent $220M but has kept at least one beneficiary of the nine-figure ad deal a secret, records and interviews show: a Republican consulting firm with long-standing personal and business ties to Kristi Noem and her senior aides at DHS.”
Amazing kicker on @robwdavis.bsky.social’s story about Fox News’ misleading coverage of Portland before Trump sent in troops.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
www.propublica.org/article/port...
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Amazing kicker on @robwdavis.bsky.social’s story about Fox News’ misleading coverage of Portland before Trump sent in troops.
www.propublica.org/article/port...
www.propublica.org/article/port...
Reposted by Michael Squires
Every oil state disposes of toxic wastewater underground. But in Oklahoma, it hasn't been staying there, creating large, ongoing pollution events known as "purges."
An investigation a year in the making for @readfrontier.bsky.social and @propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/toxi...
An investigation a year in the making for @readfrontier.bsky.social and @propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/toxi...
Toxic wastewater from oil fields keeps pouring out of the ground. Oklahoma regulators failed to stop it.
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drin...
www.readfrontier.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Every oil state disposes of toxic wastewater underground. But in Oklahoma, it hasn't been staying there, creating large, ongoing pollution events known as "purges."
An investigation a year in the making for @readfrontier.bsky.social and @propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/toxi...
An investigation a year in the making for @readfrontier.bsky.social and @propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/toxi...
Reposted by Michael Squires
More than a decade ago Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies carried out immigration raids. Now hundreds of departments are partnering with ICE. AZ Latinos see Arpaio as the beginning of what playing out nationally. “They did the experiment, and basically now they’re implementing it at the national level.”
This County Was the “Model” for Local Police Carrying Out Immigration Raids. It Ended in Civil Rights Violations.
Under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County was one of the first testing grounds for ICE’s 287(g) program, which lets local police enforce immigration laws. Many Arizonans say those abuses parallel what...
www.propublica.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
More than a decade ago Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies carried out immigration raids. Now hundreds of departments are partnering with ICE. AZ Latinos see Arpaio as the beginning of what playing out nationally. “They did the experiment, and basically now they’re implementing it at the national level.”
More than a decade ago Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies carried out immigration raids. Now hundreds of departments are partnering with ICE. AZ Latinos see Arpaio as the beginning of what playing out nationally. “They did the experiment, and basically now they’re implementing it at the national level.”
This County Was the “Model” for Local Police Carrying Out Immigration Raids. It Ended in Civil Rights Violations.
Under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County was one of the first testing grounds for ICE’s 287(g) program, which lets local police enforce immigration laws. Many Arizonans say those abuses parallel what...
www.propublica.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
More than a decade ago Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies carried out immigration raids. Now hundreds of departments are partnering with ICE. AZ Latinos see Arpaio as the beginning of what playing out nationally. “They did the experiment, and basically now they’re implementing it at the national level.”
Reposted by Michael Squires
I have always loved @propublica.org's mission statement. It speaks to method as much as mission, and does not shrink from describling their journalism as a moral undertaking. www.propublica.org/about/
October 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I have always loved @propublica.org's mission statement. It speaks to method as much as mission, and does not shrink from describling their journalism as a moral undertaking. www.propublica.org/about/
Reposted by Michael Squires
Said it a thousand times, but the fact that the general public does not understand the difference between an opinion writer and a reporter is a real fucking problem.
October 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Said it a thousand times, but the fact that the general public does not understand the difference between an opinion writer and a reporter is a real fucking problem.
Our latest on Boring Co.’s alleged flouting of environmental regulations as it builds a tunnel-transportation system beneath Las Vegas. www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Elon Musk’s Boring Co. Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas Project
Nevada could’ve fined the company more than $3 million, but regulators are seeking a reduced penalty of $242,800, citing an “extraordinary number of violations.”
www.propublica.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Our latest on Boring Co.’s alleged flouting of environmental regulations as it builds a tunnel-transportation system beneath Las Vegas. www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Reposted by Michael Squires
There are 600,000 of you who now follow us on Bluesky 🦋
As journalists ourselves, we understand that regularly reading stories about broken systems can take a toll, and we never take the community here for granted.
Thank you to all of you who care deeply about the work we do.
As journalists ourselves, we understand that regularly reading stories about broken systems can take a toll, and we never take the community here for granted.
Thank you to all of you who care deeply about the work we do.
September 16, 2025 at 1:15 AM
There are 600,000 of you who now follow us on Bluesky 🦋
As journalists ourselves, we understand that regularly reading stories about broken systems can take a toll, and we never take the community here for granted.
Thank you to all of you who care deeply about the work we do.
As journalists ourselves, we understand that regularly reading stories about broken systems can take a toll, and we never take the community here for granted.
Thank you to all of you who care deeply about the work we do.
Reposted by Michael Squires
NEW: Ignoring urgently needed reforms in favor of fruitlessly trying to find evidence of fraud, DOGE descended on the Social Security Administration “thinking it should work like a McDonald’s,” the agency’s former acting chief reveals to ProPublica.
The Untold Saga of What Happened When DOGE Stormed Social Security
DOGE has ignored urgently needed reforms and upgrades at the Social Security Administration, according to dozens of insiders and 15 hours of candid interviews with the former acting chief of the agenc...
www.propublica.org
September 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
NEW: Ignoring urgently needed reforms in favor of fruitlessly trying to find evidence of fraud, DOGE descended on the Social Security Administration “thinking it should work like a McDonald’s,” the agency’s former acting chief reveals to ProPublica.
Department of Gore
September 5, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Department of Gore
Reposted by Michael Squires
NEW: The oil industry touts Texas as a success story in controlling climate-warming methane emissions.
The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
Trump Says America’s Oil Industry Is Cleaner Than Other Countries’. New Data Shows Massive Emissions From Texas Wells.
The oil industry touts Texas as a success story in controlling climate-warming methane emissions. The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
www.propublica.org
September 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
NEW: The oil industry touts Texas as a success story in controlling climate-warming methane emissions.
The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.
Reposted by Michael Squires
I'm going to publish the entirety of an exchange I just had with the press office of the DOJ. I want you to see how they are talking about truth.
August 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I'm going to publish the entirety of an exchange I just had with the press office of the DOJ. I want you to see how they are talking about truth.
Reposted by Michael Squires
Spend some time with the handwritten notes on what people lost in sweeps. Heart-wrenching and infuriating.
August 15, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Spend some time with the handwritten notes on what people lost in sweeps. Heart-wrenching and infuriating.
Reposted by Michael Squires
Seizure medication, wheelchairs, Social Security cards, dentures, urns of ashes, work uniforms — just some of what's been thrown away during cruel, degrading, utterly counterproductive homeless sweeps.
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
August 15, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Seizure medication, wheelchairs, Social Security cards, dentures, urns of ashes, work uniforms — just some of what's been thrown away during cruel, degrading, utterly counterproductive homeless sweeps.
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
In June, the Forest Service claimed it had reached 99% of its hiring goal for its wildland firefighting workforce. But ProPublica’s reporting indicated that the agency was selectively counting firefighters, presenting an optimistic assessment to the public.
Top Democrat on Oversight Committee Demands Trump Administration Account for Wildland Firefighter Vacancies
The request follows ProPublica reporting that DOGE cuts and voluntary resignations left thousands of vacant jobs at the Forest Service, severely hampering its ability to fight wildfires.
www.propublica.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:05 AM
In June, the Forest Service claimed it had reached 99% of its hiring goal for its wildland firefighting workforce. But ProPublica’s reporting indicated that the agency was selectively counting firefighters, presenting an optimistic assessment to the public.
Reposted by Michael Squires
NEW from me: The CFPB's consumer complaint system is more popular than ever, fielding over 2.7M complaints last year.
But Republican lawmakers still voted to slash the CFPB's budget, even after referring thousands of their own constituents' issues to the agency.
www.propublica.org/article/cfpb...
But Republican lawmakers still voted to slash the CFPB's budget, even after referring thousands of their own constituents' issues to the agency.
www.propublica.org/article/cfpb...
These GOP Lawmakers Referred Constituents to the CFPB for Help. Then They Voted to Gut the Agency.
Many of the same Republican lawmakers who have targeted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for cuts have collectively directed thousands of constituents’ complaints about banks, credit cards, lo...
www.propublica.org
August 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
NEW from me: The CFPB's consumer complaint system is more popular than ever, fielding over 2.7M complaints last year.
But Republican lawmakers still voted to slash the CFPB's budget, even after referring thousands of their own constituents' issues to the agency.
www.propublica.org/article/cfpb...
But Republican lawmakers still voted to slash the CFPB's budget, even after referring thousands of their own constituents' issues to the agency.
www.propublica.org/article/cfpb...
The doctor doesn’t believe peptides were the cause of the patients’ severe illness after receiving injections at a Las Vegas casino. He asked AI and it responded with a report that “basically says that it is impossible it was the peptides.”
A Las Vegas Festival Promised Ways to Cheat Death. Two Attendees Left Fighting for Their Lives.
Authorities are investigating why two women fell ill at the Revolution Against Aging and Death Festival. They both received peptide injections, an alternative therapy promoted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr....
www.propublica.org
July 29, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The doctor doesn’t believe peptides were the cause of the patients’ severe illness after receiving injections at a Las Vegas casino. He asked AI and it responded with a report that “basically says that it is impossible it was the peptides.”
Reposted by Michael Squires
This CEO co-owned a company that pleaded guilty in 2019 to a scheme to hire and conceal undocumented workers.
Now he’s profiting off the construction of an immigrant detention camp.
Such critical reporting from Avi Asher-Schapiro + @jeffernsthausen.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/nath...
Now he’s profiting off the construction of an immigrant detention camp.
Such critical reporting from Avi Asher-Schapiro + @jeffernsthausen.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/nath...
His Former Company Got Caught Employing Undocumented Workers. Now He’s Profiting Off an Immigrant Detention Camp.
Disaster Management Group is one contractor behind the nation’s largest detention camp, to be built at Fort Bliss. It’s run by Nathan Albers, who previously co-owned a company that pleaded guilty to a...
www.propublica.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This CEO co-owned a company that pleaded guilty in 2019 to a scheme to hire and conceal undocumented workers.
Now he’s profiting off the construction of an immigrant detention camp.
Such critical reporting from Avi Asher-Schapiro + @jeffernsthausen.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/nath...
Now he’s profiting off the construction of an immigrant detention camp.
Such critical reporting from Avi Asher-Schapiro + @jeffernsthausen.bsky.social:
www.propublica.org/article/nath...
“I’ve been warned my entire life, ‘The FBI’s watching us.’”
“Under the Microscope”: Activists Opposing a Nevada Lithium Mine Were Surveilled for Years, Records Show
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have collaborated with private security to surveil largely peaceful protesters opposed to the Thacker Pass mine, according to a ProPublica review of thousa...
www.propublica.org
July 24, 2025 at 1:58 AM
“I’ve been warned my entire life, ‘The FBI’s watching us.’”
The Forest Service claims it’s fully staffed for fire season, saying it has reached 99% of its hiring goal. But internal data, which has not been previously reported, shows more than 4,500 Forest Service firefighting jobs — as many as 27% — remained vacant as of July 17. via @abestreep.bsky.social
The Forest Service Claims It’s Fully Staffed for a Worsening Fire Season. Data Shows Thousands of Unfilled Jobs.
DOGE cuts and voluntary resignations have severely hampered the agency as the nation enters the peak of fire season, with more than 1 million acres burning across 10 Western states.
www.propublica.org
July 23, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The Forest Service claims it’s fully staffed for fire season, saying it has reached 99% of its hiring goal. But internal data, which has not been previously reported, shows more than 4,500 Forest Service firefighting jobs — as many as 27% — remained vacant as of July 17. via @abestreep.bsky.social
“On the way to fudging the math necessary to defend the border against marauding produce pickers and securing a multitrillion-dollar tax break for the wealthiest Americans, the…OBBB managed to botch the commonsense tax deduction for personal gambling losses.” Nevada lawmakers are pushing for a fix.
OPINION: Nevada tries to remove the joker from the deck with FAIR BET bill - The Nevada Independent
The reaction to Sen. Mike Crapo’s (R-ID) gambling tax provision has been swift. Trump’s signature had barely dried on his behemoth bill when Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) pounced on it, calling out the gamin...
thenevadaindependent.com
July 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“On the way to fudging the math necessary to defend the border against marauding produce pickers and securing a multitrillion-dollar tax break for the wealthiest Americans, the…OBBB managed to botch the commonsense tax deduction for personal gambling losses.” Nevada lawmakers are pushing for a fix.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee says he’ll continue pursuing a sell-off of public land to address the affordable-housing crisis — an idea that has some support across the political spectrum. But as @abestreep.bsky.social reports, similar efforts have created little attainable housing.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee Says Selling Off Public Lands Will Solve the West’s Housing Crisis. Past Sales Show Otherwise.
Last month, Lee introduced a now-removed amendment to Trump’s policy megabill that mandated the sale of up to 3 million acres. It did little to address the challenges of building affordable housing on...
www.propublica.org
July 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Utah Sen. Mike Lee says he’ll continue pursuing a sell-off of public land to address the affordable-housing crisis — an idea that has some support across the political spectrum. But as @abestreep.bsky.social reports, similar efforts have created little attainable housing.
Have we diagnosed the origin of the bro-who-backs-into-parking-spaces trend?
July 8, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Have we diagnosed the origin of the bro-who-backs-into-parking-spaces trend?
Reposted by Michael Squires
Wowser, this story: Kristi Noem Secretly Took Personal Cut of Political Donations @justinelliott.bsky.social @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Kristi Noem Secretly Took a Cut of Political Donations
A dark money group paid $80,000 to Noem’s personal company when she was governor of South Dakota. She did not include this income on her federal disclosure forms, a likely violation of ethics requirem...
www.propublica.org
June 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Wowser, this story: Kristi Noem Secretly Took Personal Cut of Political Donations @justinelliott.bsky.social @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social