Melody Joy Kramer
@mkramer.bsky.social
engagement + crowdsourcing products, ProPublica; librarian, journalist, hyperlocal information ecosystems, public(s) and participation, digital archives, dogs, civic joy, mom, mummer, board games, philly, carrboro north carolina
🌈 melodykramer.github.io
🌈 melodykramer.github.io
Pinned
Intro: Hello! I’m a librarian and journalist who has also spent time with demographers, Wikipedia, and 18F. I care about hyperlocal information ecosystems, new models of information sharing, the South, digital archiving practices, hound dogs, and walking in the woods without headphones.
Absolutely fascinating to follow @altwatcher.bsky.social which is adding sourcing info to the information that Alt Nat Parks posts.
November 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Absolutely fascinating to follow @altwatcher.bsky.social which is adding sourcing info to the information that Alt Nat Parks posts.
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
NEW: A Fort Worth church is offering a $100 online academy that aims to train conservative Christians to run for office.
At the core of the program is the idea that there's no separation between what happens within the church and in the government.
w/ @fortworthreport.bsky.social @texastribune.org
At the core of the program is the idea that there's no separation between what happens within the church and in the government.
w/ @fortworthreport.bsky.social @texastribune.org
“No Separation Between Church and State”: Inside a Texas Church’s Training Academy for Christians Running for Office
A Fort Worth church’s candidate training program is the “next stage” of a religion-driven political movement, which has more latitude now that the IRS has allowed religious leaders to endorse candidat...
www.propublica.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: A Fort Worth church is offering a $100 online academy that aims to train conservative Christians to run for office.
At the core of the program is the idea that there's no separation between what happens within the church and in the government.
w/ @fortworthreport.bsky.social @texastribune.org
At the core of the program is the idea that there's no separation between what happens within the church and in the government.
w/ @fortworthreport.bsky.social @texastribune.org
There are so many hyperlocal AI slop journalism sites popping up in news deserts and there are few, if any, local media reporters helping people make sense of them.
November 9, 2025 at 9:37 PM
There are so many hyperlocal AI slop journalism sites popping up in news deserts and there are few, if any, local media reporters helping people make sense of them.
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
"The Trump administration’s gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been good for venture capitalists like Andreessen, who previously accused the agency of “terrorizing” fintech startups and crypto companies." www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It’s Paying Off for Silicon Valley.
The Trump administration’s gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been good for venture capitalists like Andreessen, who previously accused the agency of “terrorizing” fintech startup...
www.propublica.org
November 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"The Trump administration’s gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been good for venture capitalists like Andreessen, who previously accused the agency of “terrorizing” fintech startups and crypto companies." www.propublica.org/article/trum...
spending 1:1 with each goofball today because I was away all of last week. they chose the activity
8 year old: go to Indian restaurant for lunch.
6: go on a walk in the woods with a bag of spaghetti. eat the spaghetti. continue the walk.
8 year old: go to Indian restaurant for lunch.
6: go on a walk in the woods with a bag of spaghetti. eat the spaghetti. continue the walk.
November 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
spending 1:1 with each goofball today because I was away all of last week. they chose the activity
8 year old: go to Indian restaurant for lunch.
6: go on a walk in the woods with a bag of spaghetti. eat the spaghetti. continue the walk.
8 year old: go to Indian restaurant for lunch.
6: go on a walk in the woods with a bag of spaghetti. eat the spaghetti. continue the walk.
Art teacher explained that she loved Rocky Horror and this was the way to bring the ethos forward. This is brilliant.
Elementary school is hosting an interactive performance of The Wizard of Oz today - not sure what that means but we’re going.
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Art teacher explained that she loved Rocky Horror and this was the way to bring the ethos forward. This is brilliant.
Good to be back in Carrboro
November 8, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Good to be back in Carrboro
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
Happy almost weekend. Someone you know or someone you know might know someone who might know something! 👋
propublica.org/tips
propublica.org/tips
How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely — ProPublica
Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.
propublica.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Happy almost weekend. Someone you know or someone you know might know someone who might know something! 👋
propublica.org/tips
propublica.org/tips
Elementary school is hosting an interactive performance of The Wizard of Oz today - not sure what that means but we’re going.
November 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Elementary school is hosting an interactive performance of The Wizard of Oz today - not sure what that means but we’re going.
This makes me extremely happy even though it’s quite hard for lots of reasons! Tips is fueling reporting nationwide!
November 8, 2025 at 12:19 AM
This makes me extremely happy even though it’s quite hard for lots of reasons! Tips is fueling reporting nationwide!
watching the tar heels take on the jayhawks with my 8-year-old who wore not one, but two tar heels baseball hats to school today (one forward, one backwards).
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
watching the tar heels take on the jayhawks with my 8-year-old who wore not one, but two tar heels baseball hats to school today (one forward, one backwards).
after a lengthy travel adventure home, coconut pumpernickel and I are practicing the art of not moving one inch.
November 7, 2025 at 10:09 PM
after a lengthy travel adventure home, coconut pumpernickel and I are practicing the art of not moving one inch.
🥰🥳 you love to see it www.sltrib.com/news/environ...
November 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
🥰🥳 you love to see it www.sltrib.com/news/environ...
Happy almost weekend. Someone you know or someone you know might know someone who might know something! 👋
propublica.org/tips
propublica.org/tips
How to Contact ProPublica or Send a Tip Securely — ProPublica
Our job is to hold people and institutions accountable. To do that, we need evidence.
propublica.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Happy almost weekend. Someone you know or someone you know might know someone who might know something! 👋
propublica.org/tips
propublica.org/tips
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
Diaper Bank of NC is a nonprofit that serves residents in need across the state. The organization has received requests for products like formula for babies, including diapers due to recent furloughs and layoffs from the federal government.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
Durham-based Diaper Bank sees huge surge in requests amid federal government shutdown
Diaper Bank of NC is a nonprofit that serves residents in need across the state. The organization has received requests for products like formula for babies, including diapers due to recent furloughs ...
www.wunc.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Diaper Bank of NC is a nonprofit that serves residents in need across the state. The organization has received requests for products like formula for babies, including diapers due to recent furloughs and layoffs from the federal government.
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
www.wunc.org/term/news/20...
I agree with this.
One of my underlying working models for non-profit news is that nobody is in competition with each other. We should all be co-operative. We should be open sourcing code, sharing wins and losses, and doing as much as possible to lift each other up - out in the open so newcomers can benefit too.
November 7, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I agree with this.
It is great to be back in the place with the second largest lemur population after Madagascar.
Yes, I have returned to North Carolina.
Yes, I have returned to North Carolina.
a monkey is riding on the back of another monkey
ALT: a monkey is riding on the back of another monkey
media.tenor.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 AM
It is great to be back in the place with the second largest lemur population after Madagascar.
Yes, I have returned to North Carolina.
Yes, I have returned to North Carolina.
I know I miss my children because the gate agent just called out rows 6 and 7 and I did the thing.
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I know I miss my children because the gate agent just called out rows 6 and 7 and I did the thing.
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
A reminder that in 2018 Elon Musk, when he was a mere babe in the billionaire woods, paid $0 federal income tax.
Obviously that'll change as he goes from obscenely rich to unfathomably wealthy, right?
Obviously that'll change as he goes from obscenely rich to unfathomably wealthy, right?
The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, ev...
www.propublica.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 AM
A reminder that in 2018 Elon Musk, when he was a mere babe in the billionaire woods, paid $0 federal income tax.
Obviously that'll change as he goes from obscenely rich to unfathomably wealthy, right?
Obviously that'll change as he goes from obscenely rich to unfathomably wealthy, right?
Heading back to NC a day early to avoid the flying mess. Was able to acquire Brooklyn and NYPL library cards but not Queens. Next time!!
November 6, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Heading back to NC a day early to avoid the flying mess. Was able to acquire Brooklyn and NYPL library cards but not Queens. Next time!!
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
Under Trump 2.0, three CFPB probes into Andreessen-backed companies have been halted, including inquiries into the popular cash advance app EarnIn and Point Digital Finance, a provider of so-called alternative mortgages.
Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It’s Paying Off for Silicon Valley.
The Trump administration’s gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been good for venture capitalists like Andreessen, who previously accused the agency of “terrorizing” fintech startup...
www.propublica.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Under Trump 2.0, three CFPB probes into Andreessen-backed companies have been halted, including inquiries into the popular cash advance app EarnIn and Point Digital Finance, a provider of so-called alternative mortgages.
It is my last day in New York City for a few months. I’m giving a presentation on data retention, deletion, and lifecycle management!
a cartoon of a girl with the words delete delete written on the bottom
ALT: a cartoon of a girl with the words delete delete written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
It is my last day in New York City for a few months. I’m giving a presentation on data retention, deletion, and lifecycle management!
This is horrible news. Jessica was a wonderful collaborator and friend. mediaimpactfunders.org/remembering-...
Remembering Jessica Clark, Founder of Dot Connector Studio | Media Impact Funders
We are so heartbroken by the sudden passing of Jessica Clark, a longtime consultant, collaborator and friend to Media Impact Funders, and the founder and director of Dot Connector Studio. Jessica pass...
mediaimpactfunders.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:20 AM
This is horrible news. Jessica was a wonderful collaborator and friend. mediaimpactfunders.org/remembering-...
Reposted by Melody Joy Kramer
First rule of NC journalism: Cook Out will never return your calls
RUMOURS SWIRLING ON COOK OUT KILL DEVIL HILLS OPENING DATE! A reminder from @ncrabbithole.com that they remain VERY tight lipped about anything until it actually happens.
www.ncrabbithole.com/p/the-enduri...
www.ncrabbithole.com/p/the-enduri...
The Enduring Mystery of Cook Out
People across the South publicly and creatively show their love for a company that's remarkably private. Is it possible to get to know a fast food chain that doesn't want to talk about itself?
www.ncrabbithole.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
First rule of NC journalism: Cook Out will never return your calls
I’m not as involved with @triangleblogblog.bsky.social as I used to be - but I think it’s one of the best examples of creating and spreading civic joy. A really fun model that can be replicated.
November 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I’m not as involved with @triangleblogblog.bsky.social as I used to be - but I think it’s one of the best examples of creating and spreading civic joy. A really fun model that can be replicated.