I grew up in Georgia. I went back home to cover two trans candidates making history, and it brought me a lot of joy. I drove from Atlanta, where Bentley Hudgins is running, to Cartersville, where Bella Bautista is making her bid, to get a sense of the difference between their two districts.

In Georgia, two trans candidates believe voters are ready for them

For Bentley Hudgins, running could mean a historic first in the Georgia House. For Bella Bautista, it starts with giving voters a choice they haven’t had in 16 years.

19thnews.org

I spent time with two trans candidates running for office in two very different Georgias: Atlanta, a Dem stronghold, and Cartersville, in a district that hasn't elected a Democrat since 1996. Neither wants to discuss identity politics — they are focused on data centers, groceries and healthcare.

In Georgia, two trans candidates believe voters are ready for them

For Bentley Hudgins, running could mean a historic first in the Georgia House. For Bella Bautista, it starts with giving voters a choice they haven’t had in 16 years.

19thnews.org

My latest story, published with @unclosetedmedia.bsky.social — I went to Georgia to talk with two trans candidates making history right now. Their paths to the statehouse couldn't be more different, but they want the same things for voters: better healthcare, lower costs, and no data centers.

In Georgia, 2 Trans Candidates Believe Voters Are Ready for Them

For Bentley Hudgins, winning could mean a historic first in the Georgia House. For Bella Bautista, it starts with giving voters a choice they haven’t had in 16 years.

unclosetedmedia.com

So VERY excited to bring you our newsletter: The Mom Guilt Economy. Over 5 weeks, we'll walk you through the billion dollar industry behind your mom guilt. Plus, we'll take you a little bit inside the reporting process! Sign up ✨FOR FREE✨ or send it to a friend! 19thnews.org/newsletters/...

The Mom Guilt Economy

A five-week newsletter series on how social media algorithms pressure new moms into buying baby products — and who ends up profiting from it.

19thnews.org

From losing Medicaid and SNAP to family separations and ICE in schools, children are among the most affected by the administration's immigration policies.

How Trump's immigration crackdown is harming children — including U.S. citizens

From losing Medicaid and SNAP to family separations and ICE in schools, children are among the most affected by the administration's immigration policies.

bit.ly

Our latest example, up today, is about Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance, which won a huge lawsuit this week requiring Texas to air condition all of its prisons by the end of 2029. Got to co-byline with our amazing climate reporter @jkutzie.bsky.social:

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

19thnews.org

I've written a few stories for @19thnews.org recently about currently or formerly incarcerated women who described the harms they faced in U.S. jails and prisons, and have fought for new laws, policies and resources to improve conditions for others. I want to share their stories with you 🧵

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won. Story via 19th News.

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

19thnews.org

Since 2022, the Lioness Justice Impacted Women’s Alliance has worked to empower communities to challenge harmful practices in the criminal legal system. This week they got a major win, after a judge ruled that Texas must air-condition all prisons by the end of 2029.

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

19thnews.org

A tenacious group of formerly incarcerated women sued the state of Texas over its lack of AC in prisons. This week a federal judge ruled in their favor. Co-bylined with justice reporter @candicenorwood.bsky.social 19thnews.org/2026/09/wome...

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

19thnews.org

I've written a few stories for @19thnews.org recently about currently or formerly incarcerated women who described the harms they faced in U.S. jails and prisons, and have fought for new laws, policies and resources to improve conditions for others. I want to share their stories with you 🧵

Kwaneta Harris’ crash course in menopause came in her late 40s, while she was incarcerated at a Texas state prison. She quickly understood that menopause care in prison is mired in a lack of resources and timely treatment options. This reality set her to find her own solutions.

In a Texas prison, Kwaneta cultivated a menopause support network from scraps of paper

The incarcerated population is getting older, but correctional facilities lag in menopause care. Kwaneta Harris is working to fill the gaps in women's prisons.

bit.ly

[A] legacy of silence meant that Harris’ crash course in menopause came in her late 40s, while she was incarcerated at a Texas state prison. For 3 years, Harris experienced a litany of confusing ailments: shoulder pain, memory loss, heart palpitations, thinning hair and mood swings. @19thnews.org

In a Texas prison, Kwaneta cultivated a menopause support network from scraps of paper

The incarcerated population is getting older, but correctional facilities lag in menopause care. Kwaneta Harris is working to fill the gaps in women's prisons.

19thnews.org

From a Texas prison, she built a menopause support network from scraps of paper. Please read the story of Kwaneta Harris and the women behind bars coming together to support each other, by the unparalleled @candicenorwood.bsky.social

In a Texas prison, Kwaneta cultivated a menopause support network from scraps of paper

The incarcerated population is getting older, but correctional facilities lag in menopause care. Kwaneta Harris is working to fill the gaps in women's prisons.

19thnews.org

The algorithm is good at showering new moms with ads & influencer videos, making them believe that the gadget that will solve all their parenting puzzles is just a click away. Of course they hit 'add to cart.' This is the billion dollar industry behind your mom-guilt: 19thnews.org/2026/09/moth...

You’ll do anything for your baby. The algorithm knows how to exploit that.

In the mega-consumption era of parenthood, the internet tells new moms that products can solve the hardest parts of having a newborn. All they have to do is add to cart.

19thnews.org

Muslim women have spent 25 years navigating the effects of 9/11 — and a growing perception that their faith and visibility pose a cultural threat.

For many Muslim women, the racism and suspicion after 9/11 still hasn’t lifted

Muslim women have spent 25 years navigating the effects of 9/11 — and a growing perception that their faith and visibility pose a cultural threat.

bit.ly

I, the only data reporter at the Charlotte Observer, am among the McClatchy layoffs in the bloodbath today. The HR person asked me not to talk about it! AMA. Anyway, here’s a link to one of my most important stories this year. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

A Black teen found hanged near Charlotte church was a suicide, police say. Questions remain

In May, 16-year-old Juliana Nzita was found dead in a Charlotte churchyard. CMPD called it a suicide. Her family isn’t so sure.

charlotteobserver.com

I spoke to three moms who lost all of the food in their fridge and freezer during the blackout in Gary Indiana. They all had their replacement SNAP benefits denied. Experts told me they are concerned about how the state is operating the program after the disaster. 19thnews.org/2026/09/gary...

Families lost weeks of food they couldn't afford to replace. Then their SNAP claims were denied.

As the city of Gary recovers from a devastating power outage, advocates say Indiana has a simple fix at its fingertips that could get parents the help they need.

19thnews.org

What she did not know at the time was that her strip search was recorded by the officer’s body-worn camera. Last year, she received a call with a shocking revelation: Her video was one of dozens of that had been improperly viewed by La Plata County Jail’s commander. 19thnews.org/2026/08/wome...

117 women learned their jail strip searches were recorded. Their outrage changed the law.

Survivors hope their advocacy for a bill passed in Colorado can be a model for other states after a jail official was accused of viewing strip-search videos more than 3,000 times.

19thnews.org

Suzanne Garcia remembers her jail intake inspection: Remove Clothing. Bend over. Cough. But she didn't know that her search was recorded. She found out years later, when a jail official was accused of watching the videos of 117 women. Outraged, Garcia and other alleged victims changed the law.

117 women learned their jail strip searches were recorded. Their outrage changed the law.

Survivors hope their advocacy for a bill passed in Colorado can be a model for other states after a jail official was accused of viewing strip-search videos more than 3,000 times.

bit.ly

Last year, dozens of women in La Plata County, Colorado learned a jail commander had viewed videos of them being strip searched more than 3,000 times. For @19thnews.org, I spoke with a few women about how they channeled their anger to push for a new state law to protect more people in the future.

117 women learned their jail strip searches were recorded. Their outrage changed the law.

Survivors hope their advocacy for a bill passed in Colorado can be a model for other states after a jail official was accused of viewing strip-search videos more than 3,000 times.

19thnews.org

Last year, dozens of women in La Plata County, Colorado learned a jail commander had viewed videos of them being strip searched more than 3,000 times. For @19thnews.org, I spoke with a few women about how they channeled their anger to push for a new state law to protect more people in the future.

117 women learned their jail strip searches were recorded. Their outrage changed the law.

Survivors hope their advocacy for a bill passed in Colorado can be a model for other states after a jail official was accused of viewing strip-search videos more than 3,000 times.

19thnews.org

Nome, a town on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula, is so remote, supplies need to be shipped or flown in. The living is expensive. Gas often tops $6 a gallon. Milk is $10 a gallon. There, 6 young women are collecting signatures to get a $25 min wage on the ballot in November. 19thnews.org/2026/08/nome...

The teenage girls behind a $25 minimum wage fight in rural Alaska

Nome is one of the most expensive towns in America. Six young women there are hoping to get a $25 minimum wage initiative on the November ballot.

19thnews.org

the great @abbyjohnston.bsky.social grew up with Dolly, and explores her legacy through her songs:

Dolly Parton told us who she was, one song at a time

Parton shared her life story through music. We explore five songs that help us understand her and the values she held closest.

19thnews.org

In a system stacked against both survivors of domestic violence and Black women, Keshia Golden hopes to be acquitted. But, organizers are rallying for prosecutors to drop all charges instead of what they see as a decision to punish a Black mother for trying to save her own life.

Keshia said it was self defense. She goes on trial for murder next week.

In a system stacked against both survivors of domestic violence and Black women, Keshia Golden hopes to be acquitted. Advocates want the case dropped entirely.

bit.ly

The Ohio Immigrant Alliance has compiled a list of 152 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection who have either faced administrative disciplinary action or criminal penalties for allegations of violent crimes.

ICE violence against women is largely untracked. One advocacy group is working to change that.

Immigration agents with prior records of sexual and gender-based violence have drawn attention in Trump’s second term amid questions about training and vetting.

19thnews.org

ICE violence against women is largely untracked. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is working to change that. 19thnews.org/2026/08/ice-...

ICE violence against women is largely untracked. One advocacy group is working to change that.

Immigration agents with prior records of sexual and gender-based violence have drawn attention in Trump’s second term amid questions about training and vetting.

19thnews.org

National park signs on women and LGBTQ+ history are disappearing. Librarians are preserving the record 19thnews.org/2026/08/nati... via @19thnews.org

National park signs on women and LGBTQ+ history are disappearing. Librarians are preserving the record

The revisions have scrubbed or softened accounts of violence, slavery, activism and lived experiences, raising questions about whose stories the government considers worth telling.

19thnews.org

Flock Safety claims over 5,000 law enforcement agencies use its license plate readers to help locate missing persons, catch thieves and identify suspicious vehicles. But there’s been another persistent, unsanctioned use: officers stalking women.

Flock is just the latest example of using surveillance to stalk women

The technology is under fire for how police officers have abused it. But it’s only the symptom of a larger problem.

19thnews.org

Clergy & Catholic sisters were out in full force this morning to witness Haitian TPS holders arriving at a Cincinnati-area ICE facility where they will be outfitted with ankle bracelets. Communion was offered at the entrance as people prayed for their humanity to be recognized by the Trump admin.