Kyle Swenson
@kyletalking
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staff writer @washingtonpost covering inequality // author GOOD KIDS, BAD CITY, available now. @PicadorUSA // kyle.swenson @washpost .com
Washington, DC via Cleveland
Joined July 2010
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Pinned Tweet
NYTimes book review. Surreal. By 25, I had been laid off twice. Rejected from every job/internship/j school. Lesson here: keep grinding away
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Don’t usually do *this* but, thread: Monday, SCOTUS debates the criminalization of homelessness. That means many folks are sounding off on the topic. I’ve spent 4 yrs covering this for
@washingtonpost
, and need to reality-check assumptions getting thrown around this week (1/x)
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"My homelessness is not b/c of my drug use, my drug use is because of my homelessness," guy told me in downtown DC last month. In 2023, I was in Missouri. The state had passed a law criminalizing outdoor camping, same kind of law being debated Monday at SCOTUS (10/x)
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On today's
@washingtonpost
A1, you'll find my latest story: an inside look at a well-funded effort on the political right to target, vilify, and defund a key piece of the social safety net, the "housing first" approach to homelessness 1/x
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No one wants to be homeless. Full stop. It's terrible. Never really sleeping. Always on guard against attack and rape and harassment. The huge loneliness of having nowhere to go all day. The shame of asking for change and seeing most people walk by without looking at you (8/x).
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Claiming "most" unsheltered people are mentally ill or have drug issues (no data cited) has to be unpacked. US official homeless pop is 650k. Casually claiming anything about more than 1/2 million people falls apart logically and rhetorically. Really? "Most"? (3/x)
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I struggle to think of another public policy debate that so uniformly rests on broad assumptions and then refuses to see that the homeless are . . . complex people? Adults? Fully functioning human beings in a terrible situation? (5/x)
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If anyone made a broad claim about any other group like that, we wouldn't take it seriously. But that's how we treat the homeless: dismissively, or at best like they are helpless children lacking a strong paternalist guiding hand (4/x)
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So no, drug users don't choose to be homeless so they can keep using drugs and have a good time. Mental illness is often the result, not the reason, of homelessness. (12/x)
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We're having this debate now in the highest court. But I just believe as a country, when we talk about homelessness, we're not really talking about what is happening, we're not seeing the whole picture. Okay, that's it from me (15/15).
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Mental illness doesn't always drive people to the streets. Life on the streets tears down mental health very quickly. And drugs: all those empty hours, all those feelings about the situation-it could be seen as an easy and available fix for that. (9/x)
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But when you assume it's all about drugs and mental health, many take the next step that the unsheltered have chosen this life so they can do drugs or let their mental health go untreated, that there is some personal irresponsibility at play. That's just not widely true. (7/x).
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When the country debates homelessness, empathy and logic seem to get drowned out by easy stereotypes and assumptions. But I'm also not an expert, just sharing some thoughts that have come from listening to what people on the streets tell me. (14/x)
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Criminalization and forced encampment are grounded in the idea that you have force the unhoused to get treatment--as if it's easy for anyone to get a mental health treatment or a recovery bed even if they are housed and have a job (It's not). (13/x)
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Folks were using speed so they could stay up at night walking around-the only thing they legally COULD do, low-quality crap copped in a Sheetz parking lot, half the time puking it up or then hearing it was cut with fentanyl, worrying it wasn't cut with TOO much fentanyl. (11/x)
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Here let me say this: I've been in these encampments all over the country. There IS rampant mental illness and drug use (but also, people sleeping the street or a tent in your downtown are not making up the majority of that 650k). (6/x)
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"His bank account was overdrawn. He had $10 in his wallet. A week from now, he could be homeless." 1000s need the social safety net now due to the pandemic, but it's failing them. I spent time with some.
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Specifically, my issue is an idea that underpins a lot of the convo, articulated here in a Post column by George Will. The piece makes a lot of points about the legal debate, appeals court reversals. Not a lawyer, not my wheelhouse, points could be valid? No idea. But this: (2/x)
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THREAD: At midnight CDC’s eviction moratorium dies. For + year, I’ve been reporting on the CDC order's impact and failings, on the difference it made for folks. Here’s a rundown of the takeaways, and why the country will be very different tmrw, w/links. (1/?)
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As a reporter, I'm always curious about who is behind big events. Millions roll into DC for cherry blossom festival--so whose job is it to maintain those trees? In my latest
@washingtonpost
story, meet the Mall's tree guy. In your paper today
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"Within weeks of filling out her CDC declaration, Brockman was...waiting for the sheriff’s deputies to knock on her door." I wrote about folks still facing eviction despite the CDC moratorium. The safety net isn't working
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Evictions never fade. Credit scores are the hall pass today to economic mobility. An eviction filing–even if it without merit, just BS—kills credit. A whole industry has popped up for maintaining this real estate blacklist (6)
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"He was homeless, but he technically wasn’t poor." Our definition of poverty is out of date, and we're missing millions struggling in the gulf between pay and the cost of living. An example: meet an educator living in his car
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Missouri, where I went to report this story, fully embraced the criminalization model. Springfield, the small city where I spent time, was unlike anywhere I've seen when reporting on homelessness: criminalization has just created a constant, visible, ever-shuffling population 5/x
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But the scary part is that the unsheltered population is going to keep growing for many reasons. One factor: aging baby boomers who max out their life savings and can no longer afford to live on their own or in care. This anecdote I found chilling: (5/5)
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The latest numbers show homelessness has increased by record levels in the US over the last year. That explosion has sparked a debate: are we trying to fix homelessness the right away if the problem is getting worse? 2/x
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of unsheltered people roaming the streets at all hours with nowhere to go -- shelters couldn't handle the capacity, new housing couldn't be built due to the law, the homeless could not safely camp outside without risking arrest. Most people walked around all night 6/x
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The story shows a moment when a political policy -- here a policy meant to 'disrupt' the current housing first method -- collides reality on the streets. 7/7
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/22/rights-war-housing-first-lands-middle-america/
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Among certain right-wing thinkers, including a Texas based tech entrepreneur who now runs a think tank, the answer is No. They feel instead of housing first, states should implement laws against homelessness and set up sanctioned camps for the unsheltered 3/x
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Btw, Trump has embraced these ideas for his potential second administration. Opponents say housing first has never been fully funded, hence the increase. 4/x
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Iowa to spend millions kicking families off food stamps. More states may follow.
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This sign about sums up the attitude of every Pittsburgh resident I talked to today.
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A sperm donor believed he had 5 donor children. Tech showed him the truth, and it changed everything he knew about family, responsibility, and the value of knowledge. Nineteen children and counting:
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The 3 men I wrote about in my book, "Good Kids, Bad City," have settled their civil suit against Cleveland for police misconduct related to their 1975 conviction for $18 million. Money doesn't give back what was taken, but it helps hold bad actors accountable. A win for justice
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Alright Good Guys, roll up them sleeves, time for the real work to start
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Despite the violence earlier in the week, this has been the overwhelming message out here
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Excited to be joining the Post’s amazing social issues team covering the biggest challenges facing the county- poverty and inequality.
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One of the hardest things in journalism is when our work collides with the misinformed beliefs of close family members. we mostly just don't talk about it. this
@AlbertSamaha
story goes head-on into those feelings in a brave and honest and real way.
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Trump doubles down with Sean Hannity tweet amid new scrutiny of his ties to Fox News
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Hunger is terrifying bc wherever you look in the US, every zip code or street, if you look close, people are struggling to get enough food. That struggle will get worse on 3/1, when SNAP, the most successful hunger relief program in history, is slashed
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Lawyers, x2. Rent relief -- yes. But to really fix the issue? Legal representation for tenants is key. Full stop. There are many actors circling struggling tenants. They need an advocate. (5)
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So that's what I've picked up after a year reporting on the CDC order. For more insight, do check out my colleagues
@Marissa_Jae
@jocwapo
@rachsieg
@anu_narayan
and others, who have been doing stellar work on the moratorium
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Two years ago, I dug into Ru-El Sailor's case. Now after 15 years in prison, the wrongfully convicted Cleveland man is walking free
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Evictions still happened. The order was big for renters. But it had problems. Loopholes. Judges had room to read it how they wanted. “Russian roulette,” an attorney, explaining if it worked. This was not a nationwide halt, as is sometimes suggested. (2)
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Imagine you've been evicted--now what? The problems only continue, including the most basic: finding a new place to live. The mere presence of an eviction filing can make that nearly impossible. My latest for
@washingtonpost
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Lawyer = gamechanger. Difference btw evicted tenant/ tenant who stay? Lawyer. This lady used to evict tenants as a property manager. Then she was facing her own eviction, and turned to the attny she used to fight against in court. (4)
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I wrote a
@Longreads
original about Cleveland's history -- long and detailed history -- of public violence.
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Bold move when trying to get patrons to forget about an ugly incident related to your biz, haul it into a courtroom. Also bold to challenge the 1st Amendment, and on the eve of Memorial Day no less, in an election year. Attacks on the press are attacks on the USA
Townhall has sued scene and me over report on GM’s bigoted statement to former employee to “go back to the [country] you came from”
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Closing out 2 years on the night shift the exact same way I started. Thank you CVS for your support during this time
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Data has told us the story of the coronavirus. But we might be missing the big picture. New from me
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Small landlords. These owners have been a loud opposition. Their plight (‘just a small biz owner’) has also been craftily deployed by larger biz interest. But sml owners will def flee the US market -- putting more rentals in corporate portfolios. (3)
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Really excited to be heading to Post’s national enterprise team for next 6 months. After 2 years on
@MorningMix
, happy to see light again
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Cle folks: because
@clevelanddotcom
is under disastrous leadership that cares more about busting unions at the expense of their best reporters, consider supporting Scene, which is so effective
@clevelanddotcom
can't stop writing foot-in-mouth columns bashing it
Scene should turn 50 in July as the oldest surviving altweekly in America. We’re not dead yet, but we need your help to rebound, rehire staff and keep telling stories, so we’re launching the Scene Press Club today
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On A1 of today's
@washingtonpost
you'll see a story about how homelessness has increased in the Washington region by 18 percent in the last year. This is big, troubling news not just for the region but the US.
(1/X)
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Honored that my book “Good Kids, Bad City” made this list as best books on Cleveland, or any city, or on anything, ever, right?
But seriously, here are 40 books every Clevelander needs to read
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From a proud
@ClevelandScene
alum: this from the
@clevelanddotcom
editor isn’t just gross and disrespectful, it’s incredibly inaccurate
Chris Quinn, editor of
@clevelanddotcom
everybody!!!!
This morning he penned a column stating that journalism isn’t dying in Cleveland and then he emails me actively shitting on the reporters at
@ClevelandScene
and
@ThePlainDealer
.
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Huge news for the guys I wrote my book about. An appeals court ruled they will be able to sue Cleveland for their wrongful conviction
A federal appeals court said Thursday that Ricky Jackson, Wiley Bridgeman and Kwame Ajamu can can take Cleveland police to trial for a lawsuit they filed over their overturned murder convictions. They spent decades in prison.
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Will the Trump eviction freeze stop the coming eviction crisis? No. WIthout rent relief, it just delays the problem heading for the housing market like a missile. My latest: ‘The clock is ticking’: Eviction crisis still looms without federal rent relief
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If you pick up today's
@washingtonpost
print editor, please check out my latest story on A1 about families struggling in the vacuum creates. By the reduction in pandemic-era programs that lifted millions out of poverty.
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@HKLichterman
Hi Hayley-I'm a reporter with the Washington Post. Would love to talk to you more on this if you are willing. My email is kyle.swenson
@washpost
.com if you can like to discuss more
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On today’s A1, my story on how flawed homeless policy could be hiding the true scope and pain of the US’ unsheltered population
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It's the 2nd anniversary of my book, "Good Kids, Bad City." Back in 2019, we were on The Today Show, the cover of NYT book review, and had so many wonderful events with interested readers. I'm proud of the work still, and the topic is still relevant
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Peaceful — even kinda joyful — march up 17th, as people come out of their houses/apartments to cheer. “Fuck your curfew” is the chant now
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‘You understand that you might have to shoot a student?’: As schools struggle to prevent shootings, some have opted to arm staff. I spent weeks at one district as they prepared for the 1st day of school with guns in the classroom
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I never knew Tom Feran in Cle, but this interview shows he was a true prince of the city, as David Simon would say
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Protestors sitting on the street in Squirrel Hill, chanting “what side are you on”
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The pandemic trigger economic ruin for many Americans, and 40mil could face eviction. But the CDC order was couched in public health: people kicked from their homes face exposure. The order kept folks in their homes until Jan 1.
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In 2011, I met a guy named Kwame Ajamu who told me he and his brother and friend had been wrongfully convicted of murder in 1975. 8 years and a lot of work later, my book on their fight for justice comes out today.
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So these arrived in the mail. Give me a shout if you want a sneak peak
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Roger Stone allegedly tried to shut up a witness by threatening to "“take that dog away from you." Going after a person's dog . . .
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Is it cool to crack a beer yet? Asking for a friend, the United States of America . . .
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This house is exhibit A about why having a lot of $ doesn’t give you good taste!
This Cleveland-area mansion comes with a near-perfect replica of the Oval Office, and it just hit the market
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Think this means my folks will finally stop suggesting I give up and go to law school . . .
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A true ink prince of the city, reporter's reporter, diligent/thoughtful/creative writer, guy who any newsroom would want but stays 216 cause he cares so much about the town, and knows knows its heart&soul better than 99 percent of local media and politicians
Some very personal professional news: After almost 10 years at the mighty alt-weekly, I've accepted a new gig. I start 11/14 at
@Axios
, where I'll help launch a Cleveland newsletter as part of a major expansion in local reporting nationwide.
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Such an important list. Read the names of innocent people who barely escaped state execution, including my friends Rickey, Kwame, & Wiley
166 innocent people have been exonerated and freed from death row in the United States since 1973. Say their names today on
#WrongfulConvictionDay
.
1. David Keaton
2. Samuel Poole
3. Wilbert Lee
4. Freddie Pitts
5. James Creamer
6. Christopher Spicer
7. Thomas Gladish
(cont.)
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Good to see
@Poynter
calling BS on
@clevelanddotcom
and
@AdvanceLocal
's garbage treatment of the Plain Dealer and the city of Cleveland
via
@Poynter
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This is going to be like 4 pm happy hour on a weekday at the Harbor Inn, so please tune in
Tomorrow morning, we discuss the latest regarding charges and arrest of Larry Householder and others with
@karenkasler
. We also chat about 50 years of
@ClevelandScene
with
@vincethepolack
and
@kyletalking
@NickCastele
is in the host chair! Join us at 9am on
@WCPN
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Today on A1, please take some time with my story on the realities of poverty today, and how debt and eviction could complicate the impact of child tax credit payments
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This is a gut-punch. These people are doing critical work in a community that needs journalism now more than ever . . .
Terrible news:
"On March 23, we will notify 22 newsroom employees — 18 from the bargaining unit represented by Local One of the Newspaper Guild and four unrepresented managers — that we can no longer continue their employment with us."
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Very excited to share this. Galleys for my book coming soon
HEAR YE HEAR YE! GALLEYS ARE HERE!
Check out these nonfiction galleys we got in recently! From crime and the justice system to inflammation and mental health, the Constitution and progressive causes to cultural criticism and black art, there’s something for every reader!
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It took me getting a job at the Washington Post, but I️ finally got that byline in Plain Dealer
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Happy to share the NY Times chose "Good Kids, Bad City" as one of the "7 New Books we Recommend This Week." Amazing to be included with the rest of these important books.
@PicadorUSA
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Like many on
@postlocal
I’ve been out all year at DC protests. Sat’s Trumppolooza was the most violent/tense/angry. No question. Read
Trump told the Proud Boys, "Stand back & stand by, but I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something."
Tonight, hundreds of them are roaming DC, clashing with anti-Trump protesters - punching, kicking, wrestling. When one fight ends, another begins.
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Abuse survivor confronts gymnastics doctor: ‘I have been coming for you for a long time’
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That’s so Broward
I really wonder how someone ends up voting this way. But someone did in Broward County Florida.
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For OH politics nerd only: can't help thinking how the '10 corruption scandal in Cuyahoga Cty, the trad bedrock of OH Dem politics, so seriously disfigured/gutted the state Dem's pipeline, money flow, and therefore effectiveness
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During the pandemic, the gov shoveled trillions of $$$ toward poverty. Suddenly, with a few acts of Congress, the US had a robust social safety net in line with European democracies. Almost as soon those programs went live, they were pulled down 1/x
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Good look, Nashville, harassing Johnny Cash's granddaughter for wearing a mask. Tin Roof country music will always ruin true High Lonesome
My daughter lives in Nashville & wore her mask to buy groceries. Guy yells at her: ‘Liberal pussy!’ Back story: she nearly died of H1N1. She was in the ICU for a week, on a ventilator for 3 days. She CANNOT get covid. The ignorance & hatred is so painful. She’s trying to survive.
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But there are loopholes and interpretations that still leave renters vulnerable.
@evictionlab
data shows more than 20k evictions have been filed since the CDC order. So the machinery continues cranking, forcing people from shelter.
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Police say there is no carnival mafia. But they can’t explain a strange double murder.
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William Finnegan is always a necessary read and this piece on wildfires is doubly so: California Burning via
@nybooks
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Suburban homelessness is a different kind of issue in terms of spotting it. But in base causes it's the same -- rocketing housing costs that are outpacing wages, plus inflation. And it's happening everywhere. (3/x).
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