Rebecca Davis O'Brien
@rebeccadobrien
Followers
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Following
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Reporter for The New York Times, covering labor.
New York, NY
Joined April 2010
Unfortunate punctuation in these "Baseball For All" ads. Can the girls at least sit in Economy Plus?#sports
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Amazon agrees to lease 335,000 square feet in NYC's Hudson Yards neighborhood, in a deal without any financial incentives from the city or state. via @KeikoMorris -
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Barron Trump was born in March 2006.
Former porn star Stephanie Clifford has privately alleged the encounter with Mr. Trump took place after they met at a July 2006 celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Mr. Trump married Melania Trump in 2005.
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I predict a baby boom in Brooklyn in approx 9-10 months, given the general energy (and weather) out here right now.
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The great @Simone_Biles, by the great @louiseradnofsky — who took care of me in Rio and then graciously let me tag along on gymnastics coverage for years. ❤️.
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Morning C train: Evidently drunk man boards, tells a woman she has a “tight body,” is cheerfully challenged to fisticuffs by a middle-aged dude wearing a backpack. Down to the floor — bam! — they go. Seats clear. Older woman shouts: “IT’S TOO EARLY FOR THIS.” I love NYC.
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This is something I think about a lot.
An ongoing shame in American newsrooms is that so much great journalism is buried in absolutely sadistic web design.
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Raisman was 15 years old when she was first treated by Larry Nassar.
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Shkreli sentenced to 7 years in prison, with credit for time served in detention since September.
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"Get it done": Donald Trump's central role in the hush payments to women. w/ @nicole_hong @joe_palazzolo @mrothfeld @rebeccaballhaus -
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I rewatched this clip in early April, when things in NYC were so bleak, and it made me weep with dumb joy and nostalgia. Regis was singular in his ability to pull off this kind of moment, without irony.
RIP Regis Philbin, who gave us one of the greatest moments in television history
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The subpoena, seen by @WSJ, asks for documents/communications related to “donations or payments made by donors directly to contractors and/or vendors," and for communications with LA financier Imaad Zuberi and his firm.
NEWS: Lawyers for Trump's inaugural committee received a subpoena for documents today from the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office. The subpoena seeks documents related to the fund's donors and spending, according to a copy viewed by @WSJ. w/@rebeccadobrien
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It’s not every day an email I write is quoted by OIG….
Much of the FBI's cover up of the Nassar bungling appears to have been prompted by intrepid reporting in early 2017 from local hero @rebeccadobrien and @louiseradnofsky. Their story:
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In a tearful address to the court, Shkreli apologizes and says: "There is no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli, with my disgraceful and shameful actions. This is my fault. I am not a victim here.".
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Our pup couldn’t make her Twitter debut until this gift from @vbauerlein arrived. World: meet LuAnn.
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This is simply an incredible piece of journalism.
In FL, a man sits on death row. He could be executed as early as Jan. 2020. The key witness in his case is a con artist, convicted child predator and “jailhouse snitch” named Paul Skalnik — who’s offered info on 40+ defendants. Would you believe him?. Let’s review the evidence:.
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I’d bet there’s significant overlap between supporters of the”kiddo” column and the readers who angrily accuse me of disrespect for writing “Mr. Trump” on second reference to the president. (It’s @wsj style.).
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I love the ironic defiance of the "NYC is a desolate, crime-riddled hellscape" memes. But cycling the city at night – at this mournful time of September – reminds me of how much quiet pain our city is in, even when it is at its most beautiful.
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“Load up and go.” Incredible story about how Minneapolis officials decided — at least a day in advance — to abandon the Third Precinct building to flames. @ailworth @AndrewTangel @jbarrchicago @Shayndi @BruceOrwall
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It’s hard to shock me these days. “After resorting to a porta-potty, as well as bathrooms at the nearby home of former president Barack Obama and the not-so-nearby residence of Vice President Pence, the agents finally found a toilet to call their own” — a $3,000/month rental.
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Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein, speaking now at the ABA white-collar conference in San Diego: Sometimes, "it is good for the soul to get out of Washington DC." Laughter.
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Well, we made the front! @sgurman @davidamichaels. See y’all tomorrow. The news keeps coming.
Here's an early look at the front page of The Wall Street Journal's weekend edition
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In its 11-year existence, WSJ’s Greater New York section and its team of scrappy, resourceful reporters consistently delivered scoops, news, and originality. More eloquent tributes will surely follow, but a quick shoutout to the current @WSJNY team (a short thread):.
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You know, this look makes a lot more sense to me now that I’m 7 months pregnant and trying to get a seat on the subway in a puffy coat.
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Worth a careful read, everybody – this response to the @NewYorker story from the Fox News editor who killed the Stormy Daniels story in 2016.
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Hi from Whole Foods 365 in Brooklyn, where @alisoneroman has single-handedly reshaped the anchovy market.
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A brief @WSJ style thread. Readers may have noticed a change in our story this weekend on McKayla Maroney and gymnastics sex abuse: Larry Nassar lost his honorific. He is no longer "Dr. Nassar," but "Nassar," on second reference.
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As it turns out, there was, in fact, a yacht worth nearly $20 million. A Santos story w/ @WRashbaum
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The statement from Biles' parents is striking: “We continue to struggle with how and why this happened, and every time we hear something new like this, it feels like the harshest of betrayals and it is just too painful for our family to talk about openly." @louiseradnofsky.
On the day USA Gymnastics contacted the FBI about Larry Nassar, Simone Biles was in Indianapolis doing promotional appearances for the federation. Nobody told her. Stunning news about the sport's biggest star, by @louiseradnofsky:.
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Breaking from @rebeccaballhaus: SDNY has subpoenaed former Rep. Pete Sessions, seeking docs about his dealings with Rudy Giuliani and those campaign-finance charges from last week.
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Remember those reports about a huge spike in egg prices during Covid? The Texas AG has sued Cal-Maine Foods, accusing the egg conglomerate of price-gouging by selling eggs at over 300% their normal cost during the pandemic.
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Many of President Trump’s advisers and lawyers said they doubt the effort would succeed and say it is aimed largely at appeasing Mr. Trump. W/ @rebeccaballhaus.
New: Advisers are increasingly telling Trump they don’t see a path to victory, even if some lawsuits pan out. Trump understands the fight isn’t winnable, but an official characterized his feelings as: “Let me have the fight.” W/@rebeccadobrien
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That’s funny, because I keep filing stories teeming with adjectives, in hopes that Mark Twain will send me an email.
We are still overusing adjectives, and Mark Twain would be emailing us about it. The WSJ's latest copy-editing bulletin via @WSJ 🔓.
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Very exciting news for @WSJ and for @BruceOrwall, today from WSJ editor in chief Emma Tucker. I admit, I’m extremely biased, but he is the best.
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What a story. Credit to @stephcliff and @ChristieSmythe for telling it. (This is the kind of love story that includes the quote: “These are incremental decisions, where you’re, like, slowly boiling yourself to death in the bathtub.”)
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Have discovered a (very, very minimal) ant problem in our Brooklyn apartment. I am resolving the matter with “gentle” means — vinegar, cinnamon — but with the gusto of a true sociopath.
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Also: Ms. Winston Wolkoff was subpoenaed by an SDNY grand jury in October 2018, and a sealed letter from a judge prevented her from discussing the interest from federal prosecutors.
NEW: The House Intelligence Committee is seeking an interview with and documents from Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a top organizer on Trump’s inaugural committee, a sign Congress is expanding its probe of the fund. w/@rebeccadobrien
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Governor Hochul’s pick to lead NY’s top court is rejected by a State Senate panel in a 10-9 vote. @luisferre @jessemckinley
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Cannot wait to learn what happened here. Have at it, media sleuths!.
Teen Vogue pulls curiously obsequious article about Facebook’s election interference team.
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Wordle 225 3/6.Okay I’m tweeting this one. ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜.⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜.🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩.
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Of all the reasons I am so proud to work @WSJ this year, the title “Astoria Borealis” may be a late-entry contender for #1.
One of the best kickers of the year in this @WSJ video on the Blue Light In The Sky: "Ohhhhhh sh**" . Astoria Borealis? New York Sky Turns Blue After Explosion at ConEd
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The great @michaelsiconolf takes the mic, and a bow, @WSJ. cc: @mrothfeld @joe_palazzolo @nicole_hong @rebeccaballhaus @lalpert1 @AlexandraBerzon
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“The city knows you better than any living person because it has seen you when you are alone.”.
What’s amazing about this essay is that every year a different line in it really strikes me, like I’d never read it before.
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Gymnast Simone Biles is leaving Nike for a partnership with Gap Inc.'s Athleta, which she says more closely reflects her values. The great @louiseradnofsky with the scoop.
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Alex Trebek was a treasure and a real pro. At an August 2010 Jeopardy! taping, he warmed up the audience — including this panic-stricken contestant — with talk of home repairs. He fudged a pun on “beer goggles” during an episode and laughed at himself. He will be so missed.
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We didn’t hear much from Epstein during his brief term in custody. Here are some of his words:.
“I have no interest in killing myself,” Jeffrey Epstein told a jailhouse psychologist, according to Bureau of Prisons documents that had not previously been made public. @danielle_ivory @MattGoldstein26 @SteveEder & I report on Epstein's final days
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At Shkreli's sentencing, defense lawyer Ben Brafman says of his client: "There are times I want to hug him. There are times when I want to punch him in the face.".
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Great story. Hard not to wince at lines like “…a modern day feudal system, gussied up for Instagram.”
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W’s scarf flying off in the wind really made me chuckle.
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This is an incredible story with a real NYC hero, and a really gross rat.
Before you adopt a dog you might want to consider whether it is the kind of dog who might DIVE ON THE BIGGEST RAT YOU'VE EVER SEEN AND REFUSE TO DROP IT FOR FIVE MINUTES WHILE YOU SCREAM ON PROSPECT PARK WEST
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@katie_honan The moment when the streetlights turn off at dawn and the city is still vibrating with energy from the day before but ready for the one that’s just starting. And the pizza.
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For journalism, @nicole_hong and I tried The Nixon this a.m. — cinnamon raisin bagel with plain cream cheese, lox, onions, capers, tomatoes, with an everything chaser (left).
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What a fantastic honor! Thank you, @NYPressClub, and thanks to @louiseradnofsky @BruceOrwall @WSJ for all the hard work and support.
@louiseradnofsky @rebeccadobrien recognized for their extraordinary coverage of the scandal in Olympic gymnastics
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This will be fun.
So. a LOT has happened in the past 90 minutes. With us to get through it all tonight: @nytmike @costareports @rebeccadobrien @WisenbergSol @JonLemire @colvinj and @gabegutierrez. #11MSNBC
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Good morning from federal court in lower Manhattan, where we expect opening arguments in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial to begin within the hour. I'm here with @BenWeiserNYT @ColinRMoynihan and @chelsiamarcius. You can follow us live here:
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Scoop here: Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and former MN Gov. Jesse Ventura top RFK Jr's list for running mate. Both have welcomed the overtures.
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Facing DOJ heat, fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low assembled a legal team that includes Chris Christie and Marc Kasowitz. Now, the U.S. is investigating whether he paid them with laundered money. w/ @bradleyhope @TomWrightAsia.
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Second day of jury deliberations in Tom Barrack trial in Brooklyn federal court. The jury has just asked if they can “take a break — outside.” To be fair, as @shaynajacobs points out, it’s a class-outdoors kind of day.
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Nothing says "Upstate New York Vacation" quite like a 20-mile bike ride in flip-flops followed by a Labatt Blue tall boy.
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A good moment to flag this fantastic (and enviably datelined) 2001 @BruceOrwall story on Sony’s efforts to transform Shakira, then a 24-year-old Colombian phenom, into a U.S. superstar.
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New: The @nytimes has spoken with a second juror on the Maxwell trial who said they discussed their own experience of sexual abuse with fellow jurors. This (coupled w/ another juror’s interviews on the subject) could complicate last week’s verdict.
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Belatedly: I am beyond proud to share this award with my wonderful colleagues @WSJ, and honored to be in the company of so many tremendous journalists recognized this year. @PulitzerPrizes @nicole_hong @rebeccaballhaus @mrothfeld @joe_palazzolo @AlexandraBerzon @lalpert1.
A team of Journal reporters won for “uncovering President Trump’s secret payoffs to two women during his campaign who claimed to have had affairs with him
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Rex Tillerson set to take the witness stand for the government today in the trial of Tom Barrack.
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A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the president’s trip. and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name. (Unbelievable story by @rebeccaballhaus and @glubold)
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Great story —>.
Fantastic look at how Elon Musk's Boring Co has promised tunnels to Chicago, Maryland, LA, Ontario CA; then "went underground." . The faster-tunneling-machine company that hasn't dug faster tunnels, yet has raised >$700 M . from aces @thetrough @bykowicz .
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Prosecutors have a recorded conversation — seized in the April raids of Michael Cohen’s home/office/hotel — between Cohen and former Melania Trump adviser Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, in which she expresses concerns about the committee’s spending.
NEWS: Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating whether Trump's 2017 inaugural committee misspent some of the record $107 million it raised, and whether some of its top donors gave money in exchange for access. w/@rebeccadobrien @aviswanatha
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Thread below from WSJ's @bkesling, who wasn't able to get a covid test in Chicago last month, despite coughing up blood and having a fever of 102.
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Another investigation into Trump's inaugural committee. .
The D.C. attorney general has subpoenaed Trump’s inaugural committee for documents related to any payments to the Trump Organization and related to Ivanka, Don Jr. and Eric Trump.
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Agents and prosecutors are particularly interested in what some people described as “the money trail” between USA Swimming, the organization’s insurance company and its affiliated foundation.
Federal prosecutors are investigating USA Swimming, including allegations it stifled sexual-abuse claims, people familiar with the matter say
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D-U-M-B. Dumb.
Um, what?.
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USA Gymnastics filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Story developing here:
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I fell asleep last night before complete baseball insanity transpired, so I am particularly grateful today for @jareddiamond, this fantastic lede, and the pure enthusiasm that suffuses this entire story. @WSJSports
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Bank exec Stephen Calk charged with corruptly soliciting a post in the Trump Administration in exchange for approving $16M in loans to Paul Manafort. via @nicole_hong @WSJ
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Tonight in SDNY filings, with @BenWeiserNYT – Prince Andrew says his accuser is after money; pretrial filings offer a hint of what's to come in the federal criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Genesis Healthcare, the biggest US operator of nursing homes, said two of its facilities had received gowns from FEMA that lacked hand holes. (See photos in this great story by @annawmathews).
The federal government sent gloves, masks and gowns to thousands of nursing homes. Executives at the facilities say much of the gear is unusable. via @WSJ.
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I am stupendously biased, but @WSJSports has done some of the best, most original pandemic reporting out there. This gem is from @bzcohen, who — as the best players always do — has pivoted, improvised and delivered.
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I get a real thrill out of drafting -- and then deleting -- responses to hostile reader emails.
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Oh, this story breaks my heart in so many ways. Humanity is beautiful and terrible.
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Astros employees used "Codebreaker" to illegally steal signs. MLB later gathered evidence that Jeff Luhnow was aware of the system's existence and capabilities. Amazing @WSJSports scoop by @jareddiamond.
One of the biggest scandals in baseball history began with an intern's spreadsheet. Inside the "dark arts" of the Houston Astros.
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Shkreli jury has asked for definitions of "assets under management" and "fraudulent intent." Prosecutors, defense working to craft language.
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Anyway, my hope is that most of these people will stay on at @WSJ, where they are loved and needed. I have no doubt that wherever they land, they will continue to serve this city and do incredible work. We are all so grateful for their efforts.
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Looking for a primer on AMI's dealings with Michael Cohen and Donald Trump? Start here with our story from July!
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WSJ Wins Pulitzer for Investigation Into Trump Hush-Money Payments - WSJ
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In my fourth decade of life, I have suddenly, inexplicably, developed a light addiction to Gatorade.
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This was a fascinating story to report: how healthcare workers are writing the playbook for Covid-19 treatment in real time, tapping into a far-reaching network of podcasts, blogs, Twitter accounts for ideas and solutions.
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It’s one of those NYC summer days that feels like you’re walking around in somebody’s mouth.
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Per below: More aspiring journalists today will start their careers as news aggregators in DC/NY, not as reporters for local news outlets around the U.S. I’ll venture that this probably isn’t a good thing.
This. Like SO MUCH THIS. The centralization of entry-level media jobs in DC/NY is having a much larger impact on the industry than I think people realize.
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A top Trump donor agreed to pay Michael Cohen $10 million if he secured funding for a nuclear-power project. This spring, Cohen called officials at the Energy Dept to ask about its loan program, including what could be done to speed it up.
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Just👏got👏carded👏at👏the👏hotel👏bar👏on👏reporting👏trip👏.
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Vaccine chronicles: my 65-y/o mom, who has cancer, now has a 2-week window between treatments to get her first shot. Called NYS hotline and played Zip Code Roulette with a delightful woman until we nabbed a spot. six hours away at SUNY Potsdam. Road trip!.
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@AliciaMenendez "I can read fast," she said earlier, when she was asked to re-read her letter.
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Also, one of the best colleagues. Smart, funny, terrifyingly fast (I swear RB has three brains and eight typing hands), generous, confident, honest.
Just wanna say that @rebeccaballhaus has emerged as one of the finest reporters in the Trump era, racking up scoop after scoop after scoop.
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As @aviswanatha wrote in December – Manafort had agreed to forfeit 3 NY properties worth >$10M, 3 bank accounts + a life-insurance policy. "The pardon would wipe out that requirement. "
👀
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Let's not lose sight of the less visible troubles facing journalism today, i.e., the gutting of local newspapers.
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