Amelia Benavides-Colón
@ameliacolon.bsky.social
Journalist | formerly @NOTUS.com @chronicle.com @detroitnews.com @crainsdetroit.bsky.social @freep.com | Signal: ameliabc.44
Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa www.tampabay.com/news/2026/08...
Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa
ICE sent them away under a controversial policy without knowing where they were going or what would happen next.
tampabay.com
A whistleblower said in a disclosure to Congress that the USPS began working on a new set of untested information technology systems, including the “Federal Ballot Mail Portal,” in June 2026 despite court-ordered injunctions to halt its work.
Whistleblower Says Secret USPS Plan May Endanger Millions of Mail-in Ballots
A new portal will “almost certainly have significant operating problems” due to rushed development, the whistleblower said.
notus.org
Detroit City Council is back from August recess! Tune in to my live coverage of this morning's formal session at 10 a.m. on behalf of @detdocumenters.bsky.social
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers study on SE Michigan flood mitigation lost half of its budget & timeline. The study will no longer conclude with Congressional recommendations and will instead suggest projects under existing laws. My latest for @planetdetroit.org planetdetroit.org/2026/08/army...
Army Corps cuts funding, shortens timeline for Southeast Michigan flood study
Army Corps cuts Southeast Michigan flood study budget in half, eliminates Congressional report, focuses on urban flooding solutions.
planetdetroit.org
“Stars And Stripes” played a major role in breaking stories about living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this summer.
‘Stars And Stripes’ Editor Says He’s Worried About Military Censorship After Fires Him For ‘Insubordination’
“Stars And Stripes” played a major role in breaking stories about living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this summer.
forbes.com
For the second week in a row, Hawaii is in the crosshairs of an intensifying tropical storm. As of 5 a.m. ET, Tropical Storm Moke was located 545 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. https://cnn.it/4wG3n1u
A Democratic congresswoman filed an emergency motion Thursday night asking a federal judge to block the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees from putting President Trump’s name back on the front of the building.
Lawmaker files to block Kennedy Center from restoring Trump’s name on building
Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio submitted the emergency motion a week after the center’s Trump-allied board of trustees voted for a second time to add the president’s name to the building.
washingtonpost.com
Mike Rogers lost his Senate race in 2024 by fewer than 20,000 votes. Now, the Republican is ramping up efforts to pick off portions of historically Democratic coalitions in Michigan — including Jewish voters who draw a hard line on support for Israel.
Mike Rogers’ Pitch to Jewish Democrats May Be Falling Flat
The Republican has been trying to poach Jewish voters who are hesitant to support Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, but local leaders say they don’t see the pitch sticking.
notus.org
Women dressed in pink gathered outside the Plymouth, MA courthouse to show their support for Lindsay Clancy. They shared their reasons for showing up with CNN.
A sustained sell-off in the bond market sent long-term Treasury yields to their highest levels in nearly 20 years this week, rattling both Wall Street and Washington. https://to.pbs.org/4zvDjIO
Why Treasury yields are at 20-year highs – and why it matters
A sustained sell-off in the bond market sent long-term Treasury yields to their highest levels in nearly 20 years this week, rattling both Wall Street and Washington. Higher yields, essentially the in...
pbs.org
The US Navy is working to rename an aircraft carrier under construction that was set to honor a Black sailor hailed for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and there have been internal conversations about renaming it to honor President Trump, sources say. https://cnn.it/4hFq6a6
President Trump’s threat to bomb Oman and other incendiary statements this week are a symptom of growing frustration, analysts said, as he does not appear to see a way out of the war that he started with only 75 days before midterms.
Trump increasingly lashing out at allies as victory in Iran war proves elusive
Unable to force Tehran’s surrender, President Donald Trump appears to be taking his frustration out on Oman and other U.S. partners in greater measure.
washingtonpost.com
ICE says electric shock gloves will curb use of deadly force. Its record casts doubt, critics say.
ICE says electric shock gloves will curb use of deadly force. Its record casts doubt, critics say.
The company that makes the devices warns against using them on sensitive populations such as small children, the elderly, pregnant women and “severely handicapped” people.
nbcnews.to
Hey Bluesky! I'm back to bring you live coverage of another fun meeting: the Detroit Human Rights Commission's monthly meeting at 5 p.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
According to CNN, Natalie Harp once jumped into the trunk of an SUV after getting into a screaming match with other Trump staffers after being denied a seat in the motorcade heading to a Trump trial appearance. www.cnn.com/2026/08/18/p...
Meet Natalie Harp, the aide so close to Trump she once rode in an SUV trunk to accompany him | CNN Politics
Natalie Harp has become a main conduit between President Donald Trump and the outside world, sources say.
cnn.com
Tarps have obscured the Kennedy Center’s sign for more than two months, and the venue continues to give little indication as to when they will come down.
Kennedy Center Claims Tarps Are Necessary For ‘Ongoing Construction’—But Offers No Timeline For Removal
Tarps have obscured the Kennedy Center’s sign for more than two months, and the venue continues to give little indication as to when they will come down.
forbes.com
In Gaza, trash+sewage is so unbearable Palestinians can't safely breathe. Gains from more food supplies are likely being immediately lost. And a US focus on Board of Peace plans is obscuring smaller steps re Israel that are key to progress. W @ahmadihamed.bsky.social: www.notus.org/foreign-poli...
Garbage Contaminating Camps In Gaza Renews Calls For U.S. Pressure On Israel
Lawmakers and the United Nations are warning of the spread of disease because of the unsanitary conditions in which most Palestinians are living.
notus.org
Breaking news: Rep. Cory Mills was defeated by a Republican challenger in a Florida primary that tested voters’ tolerance of several serious controversies the lawmaker faces, including claims involving sexual misconduct and domestic violence.
Rep. Cory Mills loses GOP primary after allegations of sexual misconduct
The Florida Republican lost to Ryan Elijah after facing allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse, on top of campaign finance violations.
washingtonpost.com
What's up, Detroit! This week, I am excited to bring you live coverage of the Detroit Planning & Development Department's first Community Benefits meeting for the Renaissance Center and East Riverfront Development Project this evening at 6 p.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
Happy Wednesday, Bluesky! I am in Detroit this week and pumped to provide you with live coverage of the Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
Army Undersecretary Michael Obadal purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of SpaceX stock. https://www.notus.org/money/spacex-stock-army-undersecretary-ethics-disclosure
An Army Under Secretary Purchased Stock in a Major Defense Contractor
A spokesperson says Michael Obadal’s purchase of SpaceX shares doesn’t conflict with his public duties.
notus.org
Who missed me?! Today I am covering a series of committee meetings for the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners at 1 p.m for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
Rise and shine ⛅️ I am back to cover this morning’s Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Ad Hoc Committee for the Review of Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures at 8:30 a.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
What up doe! I am covering today's Detroit City Council formal session at 10 a.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social 🩵 This will be the final formal session before the Council takes its summer break!
Happy Wednesday! Today's assignment for @detdocumenters.bsky.social is a fun one: I am covering this evening's Southeast Michigan Flood Risk Management Study meeting scheduled for 5 p.m.
Rise and shine! 🌞🌞 I am back with @detdocumenters.bsky.social to cover this morning's Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority meeting scheduled for 9 a.m.
Happy Wednesday! I am back with @detdocumenters.bsky.social to cover this afternoon's Detroit Board of Ethics meeting at 1 p.m.
What up Detroit! It is Wednesday and I am covering this morning's Detroit City Council Internal Operations Standing Committee meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. for @detdocumenters.bsky.social
Found! www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Officer fires shots, striking armed person in downtown Detroit, police say
Subject in police chase struck several times by officer, who police say feared for his safety and that of public ahead of fireworks display downtown.
detroitnews.com
Amelia Benavides-Colón@ameliacolon.bsky.social · 2mo agoWoods added that an AR-15 and glock with an extended clip were the weapons uncovered. Everyone is referencing an article that I cannot find!