Francesca D'Annunzio
@francescadnunz.bsky.social
investigative reporter covering immigration enforcement for @propublica.org cat mom, multilingual, outdoorsy, nosy, very into FOIAs + touching grass 📩 francesca.dannunzio@proton.me Signal: FrancescaDnunz.08 https://linktr.ee/FrancescaDnunz
was out of cell service last week so couldn't share my gratitude for this recognition of @propublica.org reporting on DHS/ICE arrests of U.S. citizens This type of work is only possible because 100s of ordinary people were brave enough to film the arrests of their family, neighbors & even strangers
Wallace House Center for Journalists@umwallacehouse.bsky.social · 4mo agoAnnouncing the 2026 Livingston Award Finalists for National Reporting 👏 These exceptional journalists under 35 are telling stories that challenge assumptions and deepen our understanding of the nation. Read their work here: https://bit.ly/4vJt8ib
important and comprehensive report out from @citizenlab.ca about ad-based geolocation surveillance tech thank you for citing our @texasobserver.org investigation, which was made possible by support from the @pulitzercenter.org AI Accountability Network
The Citizen Lab@citizenlab.ca · 4mo agoNEW REPORT: “Uncovering Webloc: An Analysis of Penlink’s Ad-based Geolocation Surveillance Tech” Our research confirms that ad-based surveillance tech Webloc is used by military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies across the globe. citizenlab.ca/research/ana...
NEW REPORT: “Uncovering Webloc: An Analysis of Penlink’s Ad-based Geolocation Surveillance Tech” Our research confirms that ad-based surveillance tech Webloc is used by military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies across the globe. citizenlab.ca/research/ana...
Uncovering Webloc: An Analysis of Penlink’s Ad-based Geolocation Surveillance Tech - The Citizen Lab
Location data collected from mobile apps and digital advertising can reveal habits, interests and almost any other aspect of someone's life. In this report, we uncover how a geolocation surveillance system called Webloc uses ad-based data to monitor hundreds of millions of people across the globe.
citizenlab.ca
I hate that contract negotiations are not going better, but this is where we are. Today my colleagues and I @propublica.org are walking out. We need management to come to the table with more serious contract proposals that address our real concerns about discipline, job protections and fair wages.
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild.org · 4mo agoWe’re on strike today! Support our fight for a fair contract by NOT visiting the @propublica.org website or engaging with ProPublica stories today. Tell ProPublica’s management you won’t cross the picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
We’re on strike today! Support our fight for a fair contract by NOT visiting the @propublica.org website or engaging with ProPublica stories today. Tell ProPublica’s management you won’t cross the picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
@mprnews.org has been consistently knocking it out of the park, along with outfits like @sahanjournal.bsky.social and @minnesotareformer.com. So grateful for their great work under terrible circumstances. Indie and non-profit news are critical rn: www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/ice-...
ICE activity is pushing readers to nonprofit news sites that cover immigrant communities
From Somalis in Minneapolis to Nepalis in New York City, immigrant communities turn to trusted local news sources. Here's our regular ranking of the top 25 nonprofit news sites in the United States.
niemanlab.org
Elizabeth Shockman@eshockmanwrites.bsky.social · 6mo agoThe person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
1/ BREAKING: Government documents reviewed by ProPublica identify Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa, 43, and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, 35, as the two who fired their weapons during the deadly encounter with Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
propublica.org
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
propublica.org
WARNING, fellow journalists: As @nicoschmidt.io explains, attackers are trying to hijack reporters' Signal accounts by tricking people into handing over their 2FA codes. www.linkedin.com/posts/nicosc...
Post-publication, one subject of this story who did not respond to requests for comment, has stated on video: "Basically North Texas Patriot Front guys have like a network of businesses—it’s like five or so—of businesses we own." Update at bottom: www.texasobserver.org/revealed-fou...
Revealed: Four Businesses with Ties to Patriot Front Operating in North Texas
The neo-Nazi group is engaged in a strategy to establish an independent economic ecosystem. Through publicly available information, interviews, and in-person observation, the Observer has identified c...
texasobserver.org
some professional news: today is my first day at @propublica.org I'm joining the powerhouse national immigration team as fellow for two years. if you have tips about ICE, Border Patrol, or immigration detention: FrancescaDnunz.08 on Signal 📩 francesca.dannunzio@propublica.org
Feds have created a drone no fly zone that will stop people from filming ICE. It's not just above stationary facilities, but convoys of vehicles too. www.404media.co/feds-create-...
Feds Create Drone No Fly Zone That Would Stop People Filming ICE
The FAA has altered a no fly zone designation that was originally created for US military bases to apply to DHS units.
404media.co
some professional news: Monday is my last day at the Texas Observer. I'll be able to say more soon about where I'm going next. I'm staying on the immigration enforcement beat. 🧵
Thanks @democracynow.org for giving me a chance to share a new @propublica.org investigation from @mckenziefunk.com & me Here's the story: www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Democracy Now!@democracynow.org · 7mo agoA new investigation by @propublica.org has found over 40 cases of immigration agents using chokeholds and other potentially fatal breathing restrictions, including during the ICE arrest of 16-year-old U.S. citizen Arnoldo Bazan in Texas.
New: meet ELITE, the Palantir app ICE is using to find neighborhoods to raid. Map interface; officers search for immigrants; click person to bring up individual dossier. This is clearest link between what Palantir is building and ICE's activities on the ground yet www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
404media.co
NEW: Police—sheriffs, Texas state cops, and even ICE—can follow the location of your smart phone without a warrant. Yet, we know little about how this software has been used. via @texasobserver.org + @pulitzercenter.org www.texasobserver.org/texas-police...
Texas Police Invested Millions in a Shadowy Phone-Tracking Software. They Won’t Say How They’ve Used It.
One sheriff who leads an anti-smuggling task force says the software helps “develop leads to eventually obtain probable cause.” Civil liberties experts say its use violates constitutional rights.
texasobserver.org
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social: Police—sheriffs, Texas state cops, and even ICE—can follow the location of your smart phone without a warrant. Yet, we know little about how this software has been used. Presented with support from @pulitzercenter.org
Texas Police Invested Millions in a Shadowy Phone-Tracking Software. They Won’t Say How They’ve Used It.
One sheriff who leads an anti-smuggling task force says the software helps “develop leads to eventually obtain probable cause.” Civil liberties experts say its use violates constitutional rights.
texasobserver.org
This week, 404 Media obtained material that explains how Tangles and Webloc, two surveillance systems ICE recently purchased, work. Webloc can track phones without a warrant and follow their owners home or to their employer. Watch now:
Podcast: The ICE Tool That Tracks Entire Neighborhoods
We talk all about Webloc, ICE's tool for monitoring phone locations; the continuing Grok abuse wave; and how police unwittingly revealed millions of Flock surveillance targets.
404media.co
BREAKING: James Rodden, an ICE prosecutor who the Observer identified last year as the operator of an X account that posted “America is a White nation," “‘Migrants’ are all criminals,” and apparent praise of Adolf Hitler, appeared to be back at work Tuesday. www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecut...
ICE Prosecutor Who Runs Racist X Account Returns to Dallas Immigration Court
James Rodden, who the Observer identified last year as the operator of the account that routinely posted hateful statements, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
texasobserver.org
92% of private schools already enrolled in Texas’ voucher programs serving kids beyond kindergarten are religious. @texasobserver.org found many of these exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids. #TxEd #TxLege #TexasSchools #ProtectPublicSchools #SchoolVouchers www.texasobserver.org/texas-vouche...
Texas Taxpayers Will Fund Dozens of Private Schools that Openly Discriminate
The state has signed off on voucher funds for schools that exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids.
texasobserver.org
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: Civil liberties experts are raising the alarm about "Tangles," a law-enforcement surveillance software that allows police to bypass judicial oversight by spying on smartphone users without a warrant.
Texas Police Invested Millions in a Shadowy Phone-Tracking Software. They Won’t Say How They’ve Used It.
One sheriff who leads an anti-smuggling task force says the software helps “develop leads to eventually obtain probable cause.” Civil liberties experts say its use violates constitutional rights.
texasobserver.org
NEW: Police—sheriffs, Texas state cops, and even ICE—can follow the location of your smart phone without a warrant. Yet, we know little about how this software has been used. via @texasobserver.org + @pulitzercenter.org www.texasobserver.org/texas-police...
Texas Police Invested Millions in a Shadowy Phone-Tracking Software. They Won’t Say How They’ve Used It.
One sheriff who leads an anti-smuggling task force says the software helps “develop leads to eventually obtain probable cause.” Civil liberties experts say its use violates constitutional rights.
texasobserver.org
We're hiring for our David McHam Fellowship for Investigative Reporting! This one-to-two-year full-time fellowship allows experienced journalists to pursue investigative projects and enterprise stories. More details here: www.texasobserver.org/jobs/ Apply by Feb 6!
Work for the Texas Observer
We’re a nonprofit with a strong public service mission; we seek to expose injustice and to produce the kind of impact journalism that makes a difference.
texasobserver.org
404 Media has obtained material that explains how two surveillance systems ICE recently purchased, work. One can track phones without a warrant and follow their owners home or to their employer. @evystadium.bsky.social has more. Scoop by @josephcox.bsky.social: www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
NEW: Texas DPS touts one of the largest drone programs in the country. Since the launch of Operation Lone Star in 2021, DPS has more than doubled its drone inventory. Now, DPS has almost as many drones as the US Border Patrol. www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-dr...
Under Operation Lone Star, Texas State Police More than Doubled Their Drone Fleet
The Department of Public Safety has acquired an army of unmanned aerial vehicles—nearly as large as the U.S. Border Patrol's.
texasobserver.org
Excited to see the Texas Observer's nonprofit board grow at the end of this year, adding @maudbeelman.bsky.social, @blibal.bsky.social, and Gabriela Resto-Montero: www.texasobserver.org/board/
The Texas Democracy Foundation
Parent board of the Texas Observer In 1994, Ronnie Dugger, founding editor and the publisher of the Texas Observer for 40 years, transferred ownership to the Texas Democracy Foundation, which was esta...
texasobserver.org
NEW: Texas DPS touts one of the largest drone programs in the country. Since the launch of Operation Lone Star in 2021, DPS has more than doubled its drone inventory. Now, DPS has almost as many drones as the US Border Patrol. www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-dr...
Under Operation Lone Star, Texas State Police More than Doubled Their Drone Fleet
The Department of Public Safety has acquired an army of unmanned aerial vehicles—nearly as large as the U.S. Border Patrol's.
texasobserver.org
I'm here, I'm queer, I belong in Texas, too. thebarbedwire.com asked me to take a moment to introduce myself, and why our state needs reporters like me, and media where we can see our stories reflected. This one starts when I'm just 13 years old...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
UPDATE: I re-requested a bunch of records about the Hays County multi-agency raid, since the only criminal charges were dropped in October. DPS declined to release more records, citing an ongoing FBI investigation. www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-...
Prosecutors Drop Only Criminal Cases from Hays County Airbnb Raid
Pending drug charges have been abandoned from the multi-agency April operation that supposedly targeted Tren de Aragua and led to multiple deportations.
texasobserver.org