JT Cestkowski

@jtcestkowski.bsky.social

Reporter for Status Coup News covering corruption, workers’ struggles, corporate power, grassroots movements. Independent, on-the-ground accountability journalism.

"We're talking about 18 year olds that just want to graduate. People that are being fed curdled milk & worms." We're LIVE from NJ statehouse as anti-ICE protesters DEMAND Governor Mikie Sherrill stop stalling and act to shut down Delaney Hall ICE prison

HAPPENING NOW Federal agents are arresting protesters near Lochiel, Arizona, who were protecting ancient cottonwood trees from being felled to make way for the border wall. 📹 tierralibre_noborders on Instagram

After a weeks-long investigation, Status Coup can confirm a second ICE prisoner at Delaney Hall in New Jersey has died in just a month—and the Department of Homeland Security and ICE attempted to cover it up. Reporting via Jordan Chariton Video by Phillip Hawkins

In June, I asked David Crowley how much data center tax incentive money was too much. He didn't answer the question directly. After I pushed him, he pivoted to briefly talking about small businesses rather than giving me a hard limit on data center giveaways.

"We all need good roads. That's socialist." Alex Lux is a former Republican and Trump voter. Now he's backing Francesca Hong, the socialist running for governor in Wisconsin. He says he is far more concerned about politicians pushing for real change than labels like "socialist."

Do you know anyone who voted for Donald Trump and is now considering supporting Francesca Hong for governor in Wisconsin? I am working on a story and want to hear from you. DM me here or reach out to me on Signal: JTCestkowski.14

I was at a polling place in northwest Detroit where Haley Stevens was supposed to appear. She canceled after running late. Her staff says she is not doing anymore public appearances today. “Yeah because she’s cooked.” was the diagnosis of a campaign volunteer standing near me.

" They need to remember they work for us!" Warren, Michigan, resident Susie admitted she doesn't pay daily attention to politics, but she knows that her politicians bow to big money donors over backing people like her.

Susie is 68 years old with 23 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she can't afford to ignore politics or policies like Medicare for All because, otherwise, healthcare costs in the face of Medicare cuts will drive her and other seniors to bankruptcy.

"I feel caged." Susie is a 68-year-old Warren, Michigan, resident who needs knee and hip surgeries. She doubts she can afford it because of cuts to Medicare. That's why Abdul El-Sayed's support of Medicare for All resonates with her. She showed up tonight at an El-Sayed canvas.

Tonight, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, running for Senate in Michigan, told press he wished the media reported reality rather than narratives. The next question: a media narrative about a "battle for the soul of the Democratic Party" rather than struggles facing working-class Michiganders.

“They want you to feel that!” A protester against Corey Ruiz’s execution says voting is not a useless tactic change, but also that voting alone will not deliver the future they want to see.