I met my BFF 33 years ago. We met in HS, went to the same college, been through everything together. She now has Stage 4 cancer. Amid this, her job of 20 years laid her off. I’m raising money for her living expenses, bills and treatment. Please consider donating. www.gofundme.com/f/help-natas...

Donate to Help Natasha Bhalla Fight Stage 4 Cancer, organized by Shaheen Pasha

I first met Natasha Bhalla in high school over 30 years ago. We became insepara… Shaheen Pasha needs your support for Help Natasha Bhalla Fight Stage 4 Cancer

gofundme.com

The final article of our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social @pennlive.com 8-part series uncovers a second lawsuit for sexual abuse against the same chaplain at ICE’s Moshannon detention facility by 2 separate detained women. He still works there. An enraging must read. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...

Women claim sexual abuse by chaplain at Pa. ICE facility

Two incarcerated women at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center say Chaplain Mark Melhorn used his position to sexually assault them.

pennlive.com

The 7th story in our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social & @pennlive.com 8-part series on Moshannon Detention Facility by me and @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social looks at how visitation can be weaponized for immigrant detainees and their families. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...

Husband of Pa. ICE facility detainee struggles with separation, visiting rules: ‘We just have to wait’

It takes all day for Justin Jones to get to see his husband through a piece of plexiglass at Moshannon Valley Processing Center, illustrating the challenges loved ones face.

pennlive.com

The U.S. and Iran have reached a tentative agreement to end their months-long war in the Middle East, senior officials on both sides said, but it requires approval from President Trump and his counterparts in Tehran.

U.S., Iran nearing deal to end war and reopen Strait of Hormuz

Negotiators have reached an agreement to end the conflict, but it requires approval from President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership.

washingtonpost.com

Female detainees shared stories of medical negligence, mistreatment & sexual assault at Moshannon Detention Center with Congress members at an unannounced oversight visit. Mine and @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social latest for @pennlive.com @pennstateuniv.bsky.social www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

Women in Pa. ICE detention facility call out for help from lawmakers, who were ushered away

The Congress members got inside the Moshannon Valley Processing Center for an unannounced visit for the first time after previously being shut out.

pennlive.com

This is a must read and must watch by my friend @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social. Take a long walk in the shoes of a man protesting the conditions of detainees at ICE facility Moshannon. The sixth in our 8 part series for @pennlive.com and @pennstateuniv.bsky.social www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

‘Pilgrimage of Dignity’: Man walks 130 miles to highlight conditions at Pa. ICE facility

Jaime Martinez spent eight days in April trekking from Pittsburgh to Moshannon Valley Processing Center. PennLive videoed some of the journey.

pennlive.com

Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson repeatedly shouted over Rony’s attorney and ultimately stormed out of the courtroom. “Yes, running away is a great idea. That’s very professional, your honor,” the lawyer said. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

Mom separated from teen son in ICE detainment: ‘I would trade places with him’

Adelia Mejia came to the United States in hopes of a better education for her children. Now, her son Rony is facing deportation in a Pa. detention facility.

pennlive.com

This was a hard one for all of us watching this 18-year-old kid in ICE detention and his mother’s pain. I went and hugged my kids after returning from our reporting trip to WV. The fourth story in our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social @pennlive.com series on Moshannon: www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

Mom separated from teen son in ICE detainment: ‘I would trade places with him’

Adelia Mejia came to the United States in hopes of a better education for her children. Now, her son Rony is facing deportation in a Pa. detention facility.

pennlive.com

The third story in our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social and @pennlive.com series tackles how this small coal mining town wound up housing the biggest ICE center in the Northeast. So proud of our students. Check it out! www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

How a small Pa. coal town became home to one of ICE’s largest detention centers

Advocates point to hundreds of jobs and the tax revenue, but opponents of the ICE facility say it's not worth it.

pennlive.com

Alligator Alcatraz could shut down soon, following the resistance of the Miccosukee Tribe and environmental orgs, who condemned the construction in traditional villages and ceremonial areas. nativenewsonline.net/currents/all...

“Alligator Alcatraz” May Close After Months of Tribal Resistance in the Everglades

The controversial immigration detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” could soon shut down — a dramatic reversal following months of resistance led by the Miccosukee Tribe, Native advocates, and…

nativenewsonline.net

Breaking News: The Supreme Court ruled that a widely used abortion medication, mifepristone, could continue to be prescribed by telehealth and sent to patients by mail.

Supreme Court Allows Abortion Pill Access by Mail to Continue

A federal appeals court ruling against the Food and Drug Administration would have restricted access by mail to mifepristone.

nyti.ms

The second article in our 8-part series for @pennlive.com went live today. Our @pennstateuniv.bsky.social students profiled a beautiful young couple whose dreams in the U.S. shattered after the husband was detained by ICE for 3 months. Please meet Juan & Nicole. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

Immigrant to Pa. followed the law, but then a lawyer’s error changed everything

He spent roughly three months in ICE custody at the Moshannon center. It cost him and his wife thousands of dollars and their trust in the U.S. justice system.

pennlive.com

The disabled people raising concerns are outlining fears of being left without care. IMO there would be more home aides if the pay went up, and breaking up the shifts wouldn't be as much of a problem. But that's not going to happen with Medicaid cuts. www.thecity.nyc/2026/05/06/d...

Disabled New Yorkers Oppose Bill to End 24-Hour Shifts for Home Aides

The battle over the “No More 24” bill has pit workers’ rights against the needs of people who rely on round-the-clock care.

thecity.nyc

Today, the first of an 8-part series on Moshannon Valley Processing Center and ICE produced by my students at Penn State went live. I’m so incredibly proud of their work. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

Abuse claims, protests, surround Moshannon Valley’s ICE prison

Tucked away in Clearfield County, Moshannon Valley Processing Center is the largest ICE facility in the entire northeast.

pennlive.com

This entire series was reported and written by our amazing journalism students @pennstateuniv.bsky.social. As their professors for this indepth reporting class, @joshuapvaughn.bsky.social and I are over the moon. Next story out on Wednesday!

Rachel Maddow@maddow.bsky.social · 5mo ago

PennLive starts eight-part series on largest ICE facility in the Northeast, the "Moshannon Valley Processing Center" in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania: www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

My friend @JoshuaPVaughn.bsky.social & I led an indepth reporting class this semester @pennstateuniv.bsky.social. Our students tackled ICE & its largest detention facility in the Northeast. Today the first of an 8-part series was published in @PennLive.com So proud! www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05...

A Pa. county hosts one of ICE’s largest detention centers, a site of controversy and complaints

Despite protests, county officials say they have little authority over Moshannon and cannot dictate how the prison is run, or how ICE operates it.

pennlive.com

Come learn more about the amazing work we do @prisonjournalism.bsky.social on Sept. 17 at our "Meeting the Moment" virtual Event. It's free to attend and you'll get a glimpse into our world & what's to come! RSVP now! www.eventbrite.com/e/prison-jou...

President Trump on Wednesday followed through on his threat to impose a 50% tariff on nearly all goods arriving from India, punishing the country for buying Russian oil. Follow live updates.

So unbelievably proud of our team!

Prison Journalism Project@prisonjournalism.bsky.social · last yr.

We’re a finalist for the LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers #LIONAwards25 (@lionpubs.bsky.social) Community Engagement Award! We’re honored to have been chosen and look forward to meeting fellow finalists in St. Louis! Congratulations to the other finalists. Meet the 51 Finalists ⤵️

For these incarcerated students, online school has been a disaster. Story via The Associated Press.

For these incarcerated students, online school has been a disaster

Florida shifted to virtual learning for youth in juvenile detention — and parents and students say it's been a disaster.

apnews.com

CONGRATS to faculty @profpasha.bsky.social and grad alum @yhuang.bsky.social on being named Jennifer McGill Fellows in @aejmc.bsky.social's Institute for Diverse Leadership in Journalism and Communication!

More than 150 university presidents have signed a letter decrying the Trump administration. The statement — signed by Harvard, Princeton, Brown and other leading universities — denounces the White House’s ‘undue government intrusion.’

Over 150 US university presidents sign letter decrying Trump administration — Guardian US

Statement signed by Harvard, Princeton and Brown leaders denounces White House’s ‘undue government intrusion’

apple.news

People will not get their kids diagnosed for fear of being put on a registry and that will result in kids not getting appropriate services. And with the psychos afraid of autism being passed to future generations, this will be a first step towards eugenics. www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/rfk...

RFK Jr.'s autism study to amass medical records of many Americans

The autism study is planning to link confidential data "with broad coverage in the U.S. population" in one place for the first time.

cbsnews.com

The order calls for the removal of "divisive race-centered ideology" from the Smithsonian's museums and research centers. It also calls on the Secretary of the Interior to restore public monuments, statues and other markers that have been removed or changed since 2020.

Trump wants to restore statues and monuments. Will that happen?

The President's executive order on "restoring truth and sanity to American history" calls on the Department of the Interior to ensure that any monuments, statues or memorials under its jurisdiction "d...

npr.org

Hundreds of international students have just received an email telling them their visas have been revoked. The ‘justification’ is campus activism or social media posts. timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/hun...

I would have signed this in a heartbeat as a Columbia alumnus. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We call on Columbia to stand up to authoritarianism | Open letter

How Columbia responds to this attack will determine whether universities remain independent or end up serving as extensions of an authoritarian state

theguardian.com

I remember how proud I was the day I got into Columbia. I will never forget how ashamed I am today of my alma mater.

Timothy McBride@mcbridetd.bsky.social · 2y ago

Decades Ago, Columbia Refused to Pay Trump $400 Million. Note That Number. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/n...

This piece has got to be one of the best expressions I've ever read on what prison trauma feels like and the struggle to keep one's empathy from a writer who has been in prison since he was 15 yrs old. It will be required reading for us at PJP @prisonjournalism.bsky.social.

Will There Be Anything Left of Me When I Leave This New Mexico Prison?

If you let it, the system will scrape away all that’s left of your empathy.

prisonjournalismproject.org

WASHINGTON (AP) - Trump administration plans to cut over 80,000 employees from Veterans Affairs, according to internal memo.

"All those hard cases doing hard time melt like butter on a summer sidewalk when they visit the felines, feed them, watch them chase the birds and bees, and when they make toys to entice the cats to play with them."

When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years

I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.

prisonjournalismproject.org