Sam Schulz
@sam-schulz.bsky.social
Watchdog & government editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune. New Yorker in California (now Sacramento). Priors: LA Times, Bloomberg, Politico, NBC, Forbes. Talk to me about transit, transparency & topographical maps.
“Cuomo began renting the Sunnyside apartment in 1982 while working as a campaign manager for his father’s run for governor… After his father became governor in 1983, he worked as one of his aides, taking a salary of $1 a year.”
How did the son of the then-governor pay his stabilized rent on that?
How did the son of the then-governor pay his stabilized rent on that?
"Cuomo Blasts Mamdani for His Rent-Stabilized Unit. But He Had One, Too: Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo lived in what he once described as “a dump, just one long hallway.'" www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/n...
Cuomo Blasts Mamdani for His Rent-Stabilized Unit. But He Had One, Too.
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
“Cuomo began renting the Sunnyside apartment in 1982 while working as a campaign manager for his father’s run for governor… After his father became governor in 1983, he worked as one of his aides, taking a salary of $1 a year.”
How did the son of the then-governor pay his stabilized rent on that?
How did the son of the then-governor pay his stabilized rent on that?
Reposted by Sam Schulz
Trans rights and the internet itself are in a moment of crisis. What happens next?
Our special series, The Future of Being Trans on the Internet, is now live in its entirety. You can check out each piece in our beautiful hub, or join us on a quick scroll 🧵
Our special series, The Future of Being Trans on the Internet, is now live in its entirety. You can check out each piece in our beautiful hub, or join us on a quick scroll 🧵
The future of being trans on the internet
The internet has long been a source of information and support for transgender people. Now, trans rights and the internet itself are in a moment of crisis. What happens next?
www.theverge.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Trans rights and the internet itself are in a moment of crisis. What happens next?
Our special series, The Future of Being Trans on the Internet, is now live in its entirety. You can check out each piece in our beautiful hub, or join us on a quick scroll 🧵
Our special series, The Future of Being Trans on the Internet, is now live in its entirety. You can check out each piece in our beautiful hub, or join us on a quick scroll 🧵
The Learn4Life charter school network enrolls 20k of CA's most vulnerable teens.
But its stated mission of helping students succeed may be at odds with what teachers suggest it's best at: steering public money to an obscure nonprofit.
I'll explain. 1/x
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/05/t...
But its stated mission of helping students succeed may be at odds with what teachers suggest it's best at: steering public money to an obscure nonprofit.
I'll explain. 1/x
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/05/t...
‘This isn’t right’: Teachers question priorities, track record of Learn4Life charter schools
The network’s model has drawn criticism of its effectiveness, and some teachers described its schools as more focused on funding than on results.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The Learn4Life charter school network enrolls 20k of CA's most vulnerable teens.
But its stated mission of helping students succeed may be at odds with what teachers suggest it's best at: steering public money to an obscure nonprofit.
I'll explain. 1/x
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/05/t...
But its stated mission of helping students succeed may be at odds with what teachers suggest it's best at: steering public money to an obscure nonprofit.
I'll explain. 1/x
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/05/t...
Reposted by Sam Schulz
Got a tip recently about how Trump's tariffs are preventing libraries from sharing books, and causing their loaned books to get stuck or lost in other countries: www.404media.co/libraries-ca...
Libraries Can’t Get Their Loaned Books Back Because of Trump’s Tariffs
Libraries have shared their collections internationally for decades. Trump’s tariffs are throwing that system into chaos and can ‘hinder academic progress.’
www.404media.co
October 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Got a tip recently about how Trump's tariffs are preventing libraries from sharing books, and causing their loaned books to get stuck or lost in other countries: www.404media.co/libraries-ca...
It’s true. I still recall fondly perhaps my favorite headline I’ve ever written, one from probably a decade ago that resembled this lede, after a truck full of butter got wedged beneath an underpass on the Hutch: “Crashed butter truck clogs major NY artery.” Is there anything more satisfying?
August 2, 2025 at 4:56 AM
It’s true. I still recall fondly perhaps my favorite headline I’ve ever written, one from probably a decade ago that resembled this lede, after a truck full of butter got wedged beneath an underpass on the Hutch: “Crashed butter truck clogs major NY artery.” Is there anything more satisfying?
As Trump's ban on trans people in the military took effect, we spoke with some San Diego-area members about their lives, plans and uncertainty, and whether they'll leave the service quietly.
Most of them won't. As one Marine said: "Come and find me."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/13/s...
Most of them won't. As one Marine said: "Come and find me."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/13/s...
Stay or go? For some transgender San Diego sailors and Marines, Trump’s ban leaves one option: ‘Come and find me’
Some who spoke with The San Diego Union-Tribune wonder how their own military community will be impacted, especially if people leave the region once they’re forced out of the service.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
As Trump's ban on trans people in the military took effect, we spoke with some San Diego-area members about their lives, plans and uncertainty, and whether they'll leave the service quietly.
Most of them won't. As one Marine said: "Come and find me."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/13/s...
Most of them won't. As one Marine said: "Come and find me."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/13/s...
Who's ICE arresting in San Diego? Mainly people with no criminal records, our analysis found.
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
What the data say about who ICE is arresting in San Diego
More than half the arrests locally this year were of people with no criminal record
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
July 8, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Who's ICE arresting in San Diego? Mainly people with no criminal records, our analysis found.
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
This is exactly what the data in San Diego bear out, per @sandiegouniontribune.com reporting.
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
July 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This is exactly what the data in San Diego bear out, per @sandiegouniontribune.com reporting.
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
"While 20% of arrests in April were of individuals without criminal convictions or charges, it rose to 62% in May and 76% in early June, according to the data."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/07/06/w...
“Palestinians arriving at the sites say they are caught between Israeli & American fire, said the contractor who shared videos with the AP.
‘We have come here to get food for our families. We have nothing,’ he recounted Palestinians telling him. ‘Why do you shoot at us?’”
apnews.com/article/pale...
‘We have come here to get food for our families. We have nothing,’ he recounted Palestinians telling him. ‘Why do you shoot at us?’”
apnews.com/article/pale...
US contractors say their colleagues are firing live ammo as Palestinians seek food in Gaza
American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Asso...
apnews.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:09 PM
“Palestinians arriving at the sites say they are caught between Israeli & American fire, said the contractor who shared videos with the AP.
‘We have come here to get food for our families. We have nothing,’ he recounted Palestinians telling him. ‘Why do you shoot at us?’”
apnews.com/article/pale...
‘We have come here to get food for our families. We have nothing,’ he recounted Palestinians telling him. ‘Why do you shoot at us?’”
apnews.com/article/pale...
It’s true!
As for the immigration stances of the candidates in the race that will decide which party controls San Diego County?
Lucas Robinson recently dug into what they’ve said — and refused to say — about ICE, legal aid & more. Check it out: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/10/w...
As for the immigration stances of the candidates in the race that will decide which party controls San Diego County?
Lucas Robinson recently dug into what they’ve said — and refused to say — about ICE, legal aid & more. Check it out: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/10/w...
June 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
It’s true!
As for the immigration stances of the candidates in the race that will decide which party controls San Diego County?
Lucas Robinson recently dug into what they’ve said — and refused to say — about ICE, legal aid & more. Check it out: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/10/w...
As for the immigration stances of the candidates in the race that will decide which party controls San Diego County?
Lucas Robinson recently dug into what they’ve said — and refused to say — about ICE, legal aid & more. Check it out: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/10/w...
Kristen Taketa investigated a small charter school network with huge executive pay—& cozy ties with its top vendor.
The CEO quit 2 days after our story ran. But public records reveal how she & her predecessor built a lavish lifestyle running the network.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/22/e...
The CEO quit 2 days after our story ran. But public records reveal how she & her predecessor built a lavish lifestyle running the network.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/22/e...
Elite charter schools CEO resigns just after Union-Tribune investigation
Records show just-departed CEO Meghan Freeman and founder Brent Woodard built a wealthy lifestyle while running the small charter school network.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Kristen Taketa investigated a small charter school network with huge executive pay—& cozy ties with its top vendor.
The CEO quit 2 days after our story ran. But public records reveal how she & her predecessor built a lavish lifestyle running the network.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/22/e...
The CEO quit 2 days after our story ran. But public records reveal how she & her predecessor built a lavish lifestyle running the network.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/22/e...
"For at least the part of the day that the religious leaders were inside courtrooms, there were no arrests outside. Pham and others said they witnessed ICE agents in the hallway as they entered the courtrooms, but said they then left."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/20/f...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/20/f...
Faith leaders stand in solidarity with immigrants at San Diego federal building
San Diego Bishop-Designate Michael Pham called on the federal government to treat migrants with “kindness, compassion, dignity and respect.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
June 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM
"For at least the part of the day that the religious leaders were inside courtrooms, there were no arrests outside. Pham and others said they witnessed ICE agents in the hallway as they entered the courtrooms, but said they then left."
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/20/f...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/20/f...
“Obviously, [the New York Times editorial board] decided they didn’t care enough about New York City to make an editorial endorsement, and then they show up with this wimpy, disingenuous editorial basically justifying why people should vote for someone corrupt in Andrew Cuomo.”
June 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“Obviously, [the New York Times editorial board] decided they didn’t care enough about New York City to make an editorial endorsement, and then they show up with this wimpy, disingenuous editorial basically justifying why people should vote for someone corrupt in Andrew Cuomo.”
“If you go into coverage with the resources of the NYT looking for people to tell you there’s a problem, you’ll find a problem … & if you’re the NYT, more people will flock to you to ask you to tell that story — no matter how contorted the focus of your reporting becomes because of that.” Read this:
NEW: "Where is the outrage over Skrmetti?"
On the far right's campaign to create uncertainty over gender-affirming medical care for minors — and the powerful institutions that helped along the way.
Tonight, at Law Dork, my written equivalent of a direct-to-camera address.
On the far right's campaign to create uncertainty over gender-affirming medical care for minors — and the powerful institutions that helped along the way.
Tonight, at Law Dork, my written equivalent of a direct-to-camera address.
Where is the outrage over Skrmetti?
On the far right's campaign to create uncertainty. And the powerful institutions that helped along the way.
www.lawdork.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM
“If you go into coverage with the resources of the NYT looking for people to tell you there’s a problem, you’ll find a problem … & if you’re the NYT, more people will flock to you to ask you to tell that story — no matter how contorted the focus of your reporting becomes because of that.” Read this:
This essay by @juliaserano.bsky.social — on the parallels between the Covid “lab leak” theory & conspiracy theories about the origins of transness — is so, so, so smart & succinct & necessary. juliaserano.substack.com/p/what-covid...
What Covid “Lab Leak” and “Rushing Kids into Transition” Have in Common
and more general thoughts about conspiracy theories and negativity bias
juliaserano.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 4:33 AM
This essay by @juliaserano.bsky.social — on the parallels between the Covid “lab leak” theory & conspiracy theories about the origins of transness — is so, so, so smart & succinct & necessary. juliaserano.substack.com/p/what-covid...
Reposted by Sam Schulz
If an 11,000-word story has a major, factual error in the fifth graf, it probably should be seen for the biased, hit-piece it is.
June 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
If an 11,000-word story has a major, factual error in the fifth graf, it probably should be seen for the biased, hit-piece it is.
Grossmont trustees regularly talked board business (& griped about perceived political enemies) in private messages, raising questions of open meetings law violations, per records Kristen Taketa & @jemmakstephenson.bsky.social obtained. Hell of a story:
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/13/g...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/13/g...
Grossmont school trustees regularly discussed board business in private texts and emails
The messages portray an insular political circle of select board trustees and administrators that has fought to maintain control of the district by strategizing against employees they regard as opp…
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
June 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Grossmont trustees regularly talked board business (& griped about perceived political enemies) in private messages, raising questions of open meetings law violations, per records Kristen Taketa & @jemmakstephenson.bsky.social obtained. Hell of a story:
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/13/g...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/13/g...
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria & local Jewish groups are backing away from the city’s Pride festival over headliner Kehlani’s remarks on Israel.
Gloria also told the groups that SD Pride revised the singer’s contract to bar “engaging in political speech.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/06/g...
Gloria also told the groups that SD Pride revised the singer’s contract to bar “engaging in political speech.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/06/g...
Gloria, Jewish groups back away from San Diego Pride over headliner Kehlani’s Gaza stance
In a letter to the groups, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria called the event’s headliner ‘disappointing’ and said organizers had revised the singer’s contract to bar them from &#…
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
June 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria & local Jewish groups are backing away from the city’s Pride festival over headliner Kehlani’s remarks on Israel.
Gloria also told the groups that SD Pride revised the singer’s contract to bar “engaging in political speech.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/06/g...
Gloria also told the groups that SD Pride revised the singer’s contract to bar “engaging in political speech.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/06/g...
Reposted by Sam Schulz
A huge step from HHS that is at odds with science showing significant risks for young children and pregnant women — and that directly contradicts *the FDA's own publication* from last week listing pregnancy as a high-risk condition that would qualify people for this fall's Covid vaccine
May 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A huge step from HHS that is at odds with science showing significant risks for young children and pregnant women — and that directly contradicts *the FDA's own publication* from last week listing pregnancy as a high-risk condition that would qualify people for this fall's Covid vaccine
“The subtext of this rhetoric is menacing. It suggests that the loyalty of noncitizens should be seen as inherently suspect—and that they should be seen … as a fifth column of potential spies and saboteurs, whose sleeper-cell progeny shouldn’t be given citizenship for the security of the republic.”
This smart & comprehensive commentary on Trump’s attack on and very real threat to birthright citizenship by @originalsp.in is as timely and important as when we first ran it this January.
A really important point he makes is how this not only hurts immigrants but also divides communities of color.
A really important point he makes is how this not only hurts immigrants but also divides communities of color.
Citizenship must remain our birthright
Trump's racist anti-immigration crusade is eroding what it means to be an American
theemancipator.org
May 15, 2025 at 4:42 AM
“The subtext of this rhetoric is menacing. It suggests that the loyalty of noncitizens should be seen as inherently suspect—and that they should be seen … as a fifth column of potential spies and saboteurs, whose sleeper-cell progeny shouldn’t be given citizenship for the security of the republic.”
Reposted by Sam Schulz
“N.W.S. staff will have an impossible task to continue its current level of services,” the NWS leaders write in the letter. “Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”
Five former National Weather Service directors have taken the unusual step of signing onto an open letter warning that cuts to the organization by the Trump administration may soon endanger lives.
Former Weather Service Leaders Warn Staffing Cuts Could Lead to ‘Loss of Life’
The former agency directors say current employees will face an “impossible task” to maintain service just as hurricane season begins.
www.nytimes.com
May 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
“N.W.S. staff will have an impossible task to continue its current level of services,” the NWS leaders write in the letter. “Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”
Reposted by Sam Schulz
Just coming out and saying you want to put Harvard under a federal receivership because they made Bill de Blasio an adjunct puts the lie to all the other attacks they've made on higher ed in the last few months under the guise of combating anti-semitism.
Trump’s sputtering response to Harvard standing up to him is yet another reason why institutions should refuse to bend the knee. He’s a paper tiger, unable to argue his own case.
April 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Just coming out and saying you want to put Harvard under a federal receivership because they made Bill de Blasio an adjunct puts the lie to all the other attacks they've made on higher ed in the last few months under the guise of combating anti-semitism.
HIV prevention. Violence against pregnant women. Autism in children.
Trump's funding cuts are halting research into these issues & more in San Diego.
Kristen Taketa spoke with local scientists about their work & the cuts' impacts. Here're their stories.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/s...
Trump's funding cuts are halting research into these issues & more in San Diego.
Kristen Taketa spoke with local scientists about their work & the cuts' impacts. Here're their stories.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/s...
In research-rich San Diego, Trump cuts hit studies of HIV, domestic violence and more
The Union-Tribune interviewed local researchers who have had funding cut or are at risk of losing funding. Here’s what they had to say.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
HIV prevention. Violence against pregnant women. Autism in children.
Trump's funding cuts are halting research into these issues & more in San Diego.
Kristen Taketa spoke with local scientists about their work & the cuts' impacts. Here're their stories.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/s...
Trump's funding cuts are halting research into these issues & more in San Diego.
Kristen Taketa spoke with local scientists about their work & the cuts' impacts. Here're their stories.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/s...
The two strangers were 18 years & two times zones apart. But a persistent case of mistaken identity by police cost one man his job & landed the other in jail for 7 weeks. This from @kellylynndavis.bsky.social is a Kafkaesque nightmare, & a hell of a read. www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/a...
A case of mistaken identity kept one man in a San Diego jail for 7 weeks, and cost the other his job
They’re 18 years and two time zones apart. But repeat mix-ups by law enforcement in San Diego County have had serious repercussions for both men.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The two strangers were 18 years & two times zones apart. But a persistent case of mistaken identity by police cost one man his job & landed the other in jail for 7 weeks. This from @kellylynndavis.bsky.social is a Kafkaesque nightmare, & a hell of a read. www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/30/a...