Michael Derby
@michaelsderby.bsky.social
Fed and economy reporter with @reuters.com, ex-Wall Street Journal. Failed musician, guitar holdout, I really like pedals.
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Reposted by Michael Derby
After a bipartisan backlash, Republican senators are distancing themselves from a provision tucked inside the CR/minibus allowing 8 of them to sue for $500K in taxpayer-funded payments for each "instance" where their data was accessed in the Jan. 6 probe. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
GOP senators distance themselves from provision allowing them to sue over phone record searches
The senators’ comments came after House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would hold a vote on the House floor to repeal the provision inserted by his Senate counterparts.
www.nbcnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
After a bipartisan backlash, Republican senators are distancing themselves from a provision tucked inside the CR/minibus allowing 8 of them to sue for $500K in taxpayer-funded payments for each "instance" where their data was accessed in the Jan. 6 probe. www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Reposted by Michael Derby
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Derby
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Kristi Noem-Tied Firm Secretly Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Campaign
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 rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefited from the deal.
Reposted by Michael Derby
Worth 1,000 words. This picture is so revealing about so much about this “administration.”
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
November 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Worth 1,000 words. This picture is so revealing about so much about this “administration.”
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
How much of a supply chain shock might this represent?
California plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver's licenses given to immigrants after discovering the expiration dates went past when the drivers were legally allowed to be in the U.S., state officials say.
California revokes 17,000 commercial driver's licenses for immigrants
The announcement follows harsh criticism from the Trump administration about California and other states granting licenses to people in the country illegally.
nbcnews.to
November 14, 2025 at 3:02 AM
How much of a supply chain shock might this represent?
Reposted by Michael Derby
Rome is going to excommunicate someone as an example.
Catholic bishops collectively taking to Tik Tok to decry the war on immigrants is very notable: www.tiktok.com/@usbishops/v...
“We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignit...
TikTok video by usbishops
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Rome is going to excommunicate someone as an example.
Reposted by Michael Derby
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
“James’ lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said that such a ruling would mean that private citizens like ‘Steve Bannon or Elon Musk’ could secure a grand jury indictment only to have it blessed later by the Justice Department.” Via Politico
Judge appears skeptical of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as interim US attorney
A ruling against Halligan could threaten the cases she brought against James Comey and Letitia James.
www.politico.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
“James’ lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said that such a ruling would mean that private citizens like ‘Steve Bannon or Elon Musk’ could secure a grand jury indictment only to have it blessed later by the Justice Department.” Via Politico
AP: Bill Pulte associate “provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials of the government-backed lending giant who warned it could expose the company to claims that it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates.”
Top Fannie Mae officials ousted after sounding alarm on sharing confidential housing data
A confidant of Bill Pulte, the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM
AP: Bill Pulte associate “provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials of the government-backed lending giant who warned it could expose the company to claims that it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates.”
I’m enjoying the Lowdown but I gotta say the journalistic ethics of the Ethan Hawke character are pretty messed up.
November 14, 2025 at 1:56 AM
I’m enjoying the Lowdown but I gotta say the journalistic ethics of the Ethan Hawke character are pretty messed up.
Reposted by Michael Derby
Michael Wolff tried to buy New York Mag — with money from Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.
So Wolff didn't just have a reporter-source relationship with Epstein. Nor was Wolff his informal PR adviser. They saw each other as potential business partners.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
So Wolff didn't just have a reporter-source relationship with Epstein. Nor was Wolff his informal PR adviser. They saw each other as potential business partners.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Blurred lines: how Michael Wolff aspired to be part of elite circles he wrote about
The writer who features prominently in newly released Jeffrey Epstein emails has achieved extraordinary access but faced questions about his journalistic ethics
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Michael Wolff tried to buy New York Mag — with money from Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.
So Wolff didn't just have a reporter-source relationship with Epstein. Nor was Wolff his informal PR adviser. They saw each other as potential business partners.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
So Wolff didn't just have a reporter-source relationship with Epstein. Nor was Wolff his informal PR adviser. They saw each other as potential business partners.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Michael Derby
President Sharaa of Syria gifted Trump replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts including the first written musical composition and the first ancient alphabetic writing.
President Trump gave him Trump cologne him and his wife (and then asked how many wives he has).
President Trump gave him Trump cologne him and his wife (and then asked how many wives he has).
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
President Sharaa of Syria gifted Trump replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts including the first written musical composition and the first ancient alphabetic writing.
President Trump gave him Trump cologne him and his wife (and then asked how many wives he has).
President Trump gave him Trump cologne him and his wife (and then asked how many wives he has).
Housing official Pulte’s mortgage fraud investigations keep going after Democrats.
Trump official refers Rep. Eric Swalwell for a federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud
Swalwell is the latest Democrat to face mortgage fraud allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who sent a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday.
www.nbcnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Housing official Pulte’s mortgage fraud investigations keep going after Democrats.
Reposted by Michael Derby
This case was the test of whether a past Brooklyn DA would pursue child sexual abuse in Orthodox Jewish communities. Years later, a new DA is advocating for a reduced sentence. Story from @reuvenblau.bsky.social.
Brooklyn DA Backs Reduced Sentence for Notorious Child Molester
The office of Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez argues the original 103-year sentence for Nechemya Weberman was excessive. His victim objects.
www.thecity.nyc
November 14, 2025 at 12:57 AM
This case was the test of whether a past Brooklyn DA would pursue child sexual abuse in Orthodox Jewish communities. Years later, a new DA is advocating for a reduced sentence. Story from @reuvenblau.bsky.social.
Reposted by Michael Derby
Pete Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear.
There doesn’t seem to be reporting yet on what this means. But I assume it’s not good.
There doesn’t seem to be reporting yet on what this means. But I assume it’s not good.
November 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Pete Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear.
There doesn’t seem to be reporting yet on what this means. But I assume it’s not good.
There doesn’t seem to be reporting yet on what this means. But I assume it’s not good.
Reposted by Michael Derby
FT report: Russia’s Rubikon unit is upending Ukraine’s drone advantage — locating & killing operators deep behind the lines, training other Russian teams, & seizing control of Ukraine's decisive "electromagnetic spectrum." Ukrainian pilots now face relentless pressure, must adapt tactics to survive.
The elite Russian unit hunting Ukraine’s drone warriors
Moscow’s new Rubikon team upends Kyiv’s control of the electronic battlefield
www.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
FT report: Russia’s Rubikon unit is upending Ukraine’s drone advantage — locating & killing operators deep behind the lines, training other Russian teams, & seizing control of Ukraine's decisive "electromagnetic spectrum." Ukrainian pilots now face relentless pressure, must adapt tactics to survive.
Reposted by Michael Derby
NEW — I spoke to DoorDash about the White House claiming the company's report shows "inflation has been tamed" and whether that's an interpretation one should make. An economist also weighed in, pointing out dictatorships use data obfuscation as a tool, and right now they're "grasping at straws."
WH claims 'inflation tamed,' per DoorDash stats. Company says that's not in its report.
It comes the same week we learned the WH would likely not release key economic reports for October.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
NEW — I spoke to DoorDash about the White House claiming the company's report shows "inflation has been tamed" and whether that's an interpretation one should make. An economist also weighed in, pointing out dictatorships use data obfuscation as a tool, and right now they're "grasping at straws."
Reposted by Michael Derby
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Methodist pastors march into courtroom with 'boring suburban dad' indicted for protesting
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,’ said a Chicago area UMC pastor.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:14 PM
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Massive Attack says it has new music coming after dispute with a label caused them to pull back for a decade and a half. Via Brooklyn Vegan.
Massive Attack promise new music in 2026
This will be Massive Attack's first new music in more than five years
www.brooklynvegan.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Massive Attack says it has new music coming after dispute with a label caused them to pull back for a decade and a half. Via Brooklyn Vegan.
Trump weighing war.
"Senior military officials on Wednesday presented President Trump with updated options for potential operations in Venezuela, including strikes on land, according to multiple sources familiar with the meetings at the White House. "
Top officials present Trump with military options for Venezuela in the coming days
The potential operations for Venezuela presented to Trump included options for strikes on land, multiple sources said.
www.cbsnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Trump weighing war.
Trump wanted to make this man the top law enforcement official in the nation.
In Matt Gaetz Scandal, Circumstances Left Teen Vulnerable to Exploitation
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Trump wanted to make this man the top law enforcement official in the nation.
I always thought that for folks in these kind of jobs, it's less about what they say and more about them saying stuff that gets you outraged, because then you are paying attention to them.
Megyn Kelly: "I know somebody very close to this case…Jeffrey Epstein, in this person's view, was not a pedophile…He was into the barely legal type, like he liked 15 year old girls…He wasn't into like 8 year olds…There's a difference between a 15 year old and a 5 year old."
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I always thought that for folks in these kind of jobs, it's less about what they say and more about them saying stuff that gets you outraged, because then you are paying attention to them.
Reposted by Michael Derby
It's astounding how much CO₂ we put into the atmosphere each year by burning fossil fuels.
For comparison, we all agree that plastic pollution is bad, but the mass of ALL THE PLASTIC humanity has ever produced is only 25% of the CO₂ we emitted into the atmosphere in 2025.
For comparison, we all agree that plastic pollution is bad, but the mass of ALL THE PLASTIC humanity has ever produced is only 25% of the CO₂ we emitted into the atmosphere in 2025.
1) Fossil fuel
Still no peak. Emissions are projected to increase by 1.1% in 2025, reaching 38.1 GtCO2. An all time high.
Still no peak. Emissions are projected to increase by 1.1% in 2025, reaching 38.1 GtCO2. An all time high.
November 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
It's astounding how much CO₂ we put into the atmosphere each year by burning fossil fuels.
For comparison, we all agree that plastic pollution is bad, but the mass of ALL THE PLASTIC humanity has ever produced is only 25% of the CO₂ we emitted into the atmosphere in 2025.
For comparison, we all agree that plastic pollution is bad, but the mass of ALL THE PLASTIC humanity has ever produced is only 25% of the CO₂ we emitted into the atmosphere in 2025.
Reposted by Michael Derby
A day care teacher was released from federal immigration custody just hours after a federal judge ruled her arrest last week “unlawful."
Day care teacher released from federal immigration custody after judge rules arrest 'unlawful'
chicago.suntimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A day care teacher was released from federal immigration custody just hours after a federal judge ruled her arrest last week “unlawful."