Wendi C. Thomas
@wendicthomas.bsky.social
Journalist. Disrupter. Dreamer. Dog mom. MLK50.com founder. ProPublica fellow. Memphis is home. 💚💕💚💕
Care about our unhoused brothers and sisters? You’ll want to read this.
Following a fatal shooting at a Memphis homeless encampment, residents’ belongings were confiscated and thrown away. Now, they’ve been forced to start over. mlk50.co/48LemhL
Their friend was killed, then their home was demolished: Inside a Memphis homeless encampment sweep
One of the last residents to clear their belongings from an encampment in a patch of woods near Fletcher Creek pulls a shopping cart away while Memphis police officers watch heavy equipment clear a…
mlk50.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Care about our unhoused brothers and sisters? You’ll want to read this.
Signs from the No Kings demonstration in Memphis. I’ve seen a crowd estimate of 7,000.
October 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Signs from the No Kings demonstration in Memphis. I’ve seen a crowd estimate of 7,000.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
MLK50: Justice Through Journalism obtained a report on one day’s worth of activities of the ‘Memphis Safe Task Force.’ It contradicts claims made by the governor about how the task force is focused on violent criminals. mlk50.co/4qkfz6b
Bill Lee said people arrested by task force are “violent criminals and known gang members.” Data show that’s not true.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks during a Tuesday morning press conference with Memphis Mayor Paul Young at the temporary command center for the Memphis Safe Task Force. Photo by Andrea Morales / MLK…
mlk50.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
MLK50: Justice Through Journalism obtained a report on one day’s worth of activities of the ‘Memphis Safe Task Force.’ It contradicts claims made by the governor about how the task force is focused on violent criminals. mlk50.co/4qkfz6b
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
The @chicago.suntimes.com photographer who risked their personal health and safety to take this photograph is Anthony Vazquez. Please credit photographers and media outlets. In this age of misinformation, a photo with no context could be anything at all.
Please remind us who the domestic terrorists are again.
October 15, 2025 at 12:16 AM
The @chicago.suntimes.com photographer who risked their personal health and safety to take this photograph is Anthony Vazquez. Please credit photographers and media outlets. In this age of misinformation, a photo with no context could be anything at all.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to illegal immigrants.
FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to 'illegal immigrants'
This is false. Democrats say they are pushing for the inclusion of key health care provisions in the next congressional spending package.
bit.ly
October 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to illegal immigrants.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Do you work at the Office of Management and Budget? Do you know someone who does? Are you a current or former federal worker with information that you can share about Russell Vought?
If the answer to any of these is "yes," please contact @andykroll.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/tips/
If the answer to any of these is "yes," please contact @andykroll.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/tips/
August 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Do you work at the Office of Management and Budget? Do you know someone who does? Are you a current or former federal worker with information that you can share about Russell Vought?
If the answer to any of these is "yes," please contact @andykroll.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/tips/
If the answer to any of these is "yes," please contact @andykroll.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/tips/
In the face of intense public opposition, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
My latest on @mlk50.com and @propublica.org Local Reporting Network.
My latest on @mlk50.com and @propublica.org Local Reporting Network.
August 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In the face of intense public opposition, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
My latest on @mlk50.com and @propublica.org Local Reporting Network.
My latest on @mlk50.com and @propublica.org Local Reporting Network.
Including Memphis.
Records obtained by ProPublica show the Trump administration is preparing to shut down seven major investigations of alleged housing discrimination and segregation, including some where HUD already found civil rights violations had occurred.
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Trump Administration Prepares to Drop Seven Major Housing Discrimination Cases
Federal housing officials spent years investigating cities from Chicago to Memphis to Corpus Christi for putting industrial plants and unwanted facilities in poor, nonwhite neighborhoods. Now, under…
www.propublica.org
July 21, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Including Memphis.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Imagine learning more about nonprofit journalism world and editing pieces that world reads and Mississippians need while training with the brilliant @ashtonpittman.bsky.social and other @mississippifreepress.org editors in a wonderful newsroom. This is a dream job for right candidate. Pass it on.
The Mississippi Free Press is hiring a full-time Assistant Editor. Learn more at buff.ly/pGldPNg.
June 7, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Imagine learning more about nonprofit journalism world and editing pieces that world reads and Mississippians need while training with the brilliant @ashtonpittman.bsky.social and other @mississippifreepress.org editors in a wonderful newsroom. This is a dream job for right candidate. Pass it on.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
NEW: A nearly 90% funding cut proposed by the Trump administration would likely shut down and devastate the 37 tribal colleges and universities created to serve the students disadvantaged by the nation’s historic mistreatment of Indigenous communities.
By @mattkrupnick.bsky.social
By @mattkrupnick.bsky.social
Trump Wants to Cut Tribal College Funding by Nearly 90%, Putting Them at Risk of Closing
ProPublica found that Congress was underfunding tribal colleges by a quarter-billion dollars per year. Rather than fixing the problem, proposed federal funding cuts unveiled this week would devastate ...
www.propublica.org
June 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
NEW: A nearly 90% funding cut proposed by the Trump administration would likely shut down and devastate the 37 tribal colleges and universities created to serve the students disadvantaged by the nation’s historic mistreatment of Indigenous communities.
By @mattkrupnick.bsky.social
By @mattkrupnick.bsky.social
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Such fantastic impact!! Illinois Bans Police From Ticketing, Fining Students for Minor Infractions in School @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Illinois Lawmakers Ban Police From Ticketing and Fining Students for Minor Infractions in School
The legislation comes after a ProPublica-Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that even though state law bans schools from fining students directly, districts skirt the law by calling on police to i...
www.propublica.org
May 29, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Such fantastic impact!! Illinois Bans Police From Ticketing, Fining Students for Minor Infractions in School @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
Under his eye.
As the Trump administration shrinks child care programs, Republicans are backing policies they hope will allow more parents to scale back at work. Senator Jim Banks of Indiana introduced a bill that would effectively pay stay-at-home parents. Other Republicans want to expand the child tax credit.
Not Just More Babies: These Republicans Want More Parents at Home
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Under his eye.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
NEW: Columbia University has agreed to a $750M settlement with nearly 600 patients of Robert Hadden, a former doctor who sexually abused them while working at the school.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
Columbia Will Pay Survivors of Abusive Doctor $750 Million After ProPublica Revealed University’s Failures
The sweeping deal means the Ivy League school’s settlements will total more than $1 billion for over 1,000 claims of sexual abuse by former patients of OB-GYN Robert Hadden, who worked at the universi...
www.propublica.org
May 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
NEW: Columbia University has agreed to a $750M settlement with nearly 600 patients of Robert Hadden, a former doctor who sexually abused them while working at the school.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
NEW: A Tennessee lender told legislators its new product, the Flex Loan, would help residents.
In the 10 years since getting approval for it, the company has sued over 110,000 borrowers.
With @tennesseelookout.com
In the 10 years since getting approval for it, the company has sued over 110,000 borrowers.
With @tennesseelookout.com
This Lender Said Its Loans Would Help Tennesseans. It Has Sued More Than 110,000 of Them.
The Flex Loan, a type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial, has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders. Tennessee lawmakers declined to rein in the lending…
www.propublica.org
May 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
NEW: A Tennessee lender told legislators its new product, the Flex Loan, would help residents.
In the 10 years since getting approval for it, the company has sued over 110,000 borrowers.
With @tennesseelookout.com
In the 10 years since getting approval for it, the company has sued over 110,000 borrowers.
With @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
This seems like a huge deal. F.B.I. Director Kash Patel said on Friday that agents had arrested a county judge in Milwaukee on charges of obstructing immigration enforcement.
F.B.I. Arrests Wisconsin Judge, Patel Says
Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on suspicion that she “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from” an immigrant being pursued by the authorities, the F.B.I. director said.
www.nytimes.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This seems like a huge deal. F.B.I. Director Kash Patel said on Friday that agents had arrested a county judge in Milwaukee on charges of obstructing immigration enforcement.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
DON’T LOOK AWAY! The Trump administration is catapulting us into a data black hole and the consequences could be massive. Halting data collection on drug use, maternal mortality, climate change, more, by @alecmac.bsky.social
Trump’s War on Measurement Means Losing Data on Drug Use, Maternal Mortality, Climate Change and More
By slashing teams that gather critical data, the administration has left the federal government with no way of understanding if policies are working — and created a black hole of information whose con...
www.propublica.org
April 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
DON’T LOOK AWAY! The Trump administration is catapulting us into a data black hole and the consequences could be massive. Halting data collection on drug use, maternal mortality, climate change, more, by @alecmac.bsky.social
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Blue Cross denied payments for thousands of procedures involved in breast reconstruction. But it approved special deals for treatment for executives’ wives. 😳 @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
“Slow Pay, Low Pay or No Pay”
Blue Cross authorized mastectomies and breast reconstructions for women with cancer but refused to pay the full doctors’ bills. A jury called it fraud and awarded the practice $421 million.
www.propublica.org
April 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Blue Cross denied payments for thousands of procedures involved in breast reconstruction. But it approved special deals for treatment for executives’ wives. 😳 @tchristianmiller.bsky.social
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Committed to Justice. Rooted in Truth. Nobody does journalism like us. Support MLK50 with a $15 donation today. mlk50.co/3FrRsNG
April 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Committed to Justice. Rooted in Truth. Nobody does journalism like us. Support MLK50 with a $15 donation today. mlk50.co/3FrRsNG
This was a nice surprise. Thanks, Choose 901! choose901.com/wendi-c-thom...
Wendi C. Thomas Joins ProPublica as a Distinguished Fellow—And That’s Huge for Memphis
A Journalism Powerhouse Returns Memphis’ own Wendi C. Thomas is back in the national spotlight, and this time, she’s rejoining ProPublica’s Distinguished Fellows program. The founder of MLK50: Justice...
choose901.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This was a nice surprise. Thanks, Choose 901! choose901.com/wendi-c-thom...
I’ve been sitting on this good news for a minute. Anyone who knows me knows how badly I’ve wanted to return to reporting and to get to do it with these folks? DREAM. 👏🏽 COME. 👏🏽TRUE. 👏🏽
Best news of the day! YAY @wendicthomas.bsky.social!! 🎉🎉
ProPublica Names Wendi C. Thomas as a Distinguished Fellow @mlk50memphis.bsky.social
ProPublica Names Wendi C. Thomas as a Distinguished Fellow @mlk50memphis.bsky.social
ProPublica Names Wendi C. Thomas as a Distinguished Fellow
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
March 21, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I’ve been sitting on this good news for a minute. Anyone who knows me knows how badly I’ve wanted to return to reporting and to get to do it with these folks? DREAM. 👏🏽 COME. 👏🏽TRUE. 👏🏽
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
NEW: Some U.S. Citizens Have Already Been Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet. More Will Be. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Some Americans Have Already Been Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet. More Will Be.
Federal immigration authorities have a history of wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens. Advocates warn that the Trump administration’s immigration policies mean that more citizens will get caught up in ...
www.propublica.org
March 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
NEW: Some U.S. Citizens Have Already Been Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet. More Will Be. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
If you appreciate an independent press, pay attention.
“The domestic threat to U.S. public media has become even more apparent as the administration chooses to shutter American media abroad,” writes our Executive Director and CEO Jim Friedlich in response to the decision to silence Voice of America. Read his full op-ed for @inquirer.com ⬇️
With Voice of America silenced, could U.S. public media outlets be next? | Opinion
The president's decision to shutter the global news organization portends ever more troubling repression of independent journalism in the United States, Jim Friedlich writes.
share.inquirer.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
If you appreciate an independent press, pay attention.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
1) A couple weeks ago I got a tip: NIH had pulled down a mural of Dr Fauci, this person had heard.
I was able to find NIH sources who confirmed, yes, *something* had been removed from a wall.
But they couldn’t quite agree on what was hanging there before — a masked Fauci? — or when it came down.
I was able to find NIH sources who confirmed, yes, *something* had been removed from a wall.
But they couldn’t quite agree on what was hanging there before — a masked Fauci? — or when it came down.
March 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
1) A couple weeks ago I got a tip: NIH had pulled down a mural of Dr Fauci, this person had heard.
I was able to find NIH sources who confirmed, yes, *something* had been removed from a wall.
But they couldn’t quite agree on what was hanging there before — a masked Fauci? — or when it came down.
I was able to find NIH sources who confirmed, yes, *something* had been removed from a wall.
But they couldn’t quite agree on what was hanging there before — a masked Fauci? — or when it came down.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Yesterday, I published an investigation into a secretive & abusive NYPD unit led by Mayor Eric Adams’ buddies.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
March 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Yesterday, I published an investigation into a secretive & abusive NYPD unit led by Mayor Eric Adams’ buddies.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
Adams has embraced the unit, the Community Response Team, even after NYPD officials raised red flags.
This is what that has wrought.
**All caught on video we obtained.**
THREAD.
Reposted by Wendi C. Thomas
Strategically parked around the corner …
February 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Strategically parked around the corner …