Michelle R. Smith

The U.S. is the only place we surveyed where more adults describe the morality of others living in the country as bad than good.

Canada is on the opposiite end of the spectrum--they overwhelmingly see their neighbors as morally good
pewrsr.ch/4ubNwaM

The Globe reports the city of Cambridge’s decision to abandon Twitter in favor of Instagram, Bluesky, Nextdoor and others

A large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors amid measles outbreak A lawmaker says a large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors and attorneys due to a measles outbreak. U.S. Rep.

apnews.com/article/camp...

A large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors amid measles outbreak

As measles spreads in South Carolina, RFK Jr’s allies work to gut vaccine laws

Activists who dispute safety of vaccines are pushing to limit immunization requirements in schools

As measles spreads in South Carolina, RFK Jr’s allies work to gut vaccine laws Activists who dispute safety of vaccines are pushing to limit immunization requirements in schools

Groups with ties to Robert F Kennedy Jr are encouraging followers to organize opposition to vaccine mandates in more than 20 states, including six states with current measles outbreaks.

As measles spreads in South Carolina, RFK Jr’s allies work to gut vaccine laws Activists who dispute safety of vaccines are pushing to limit immunization requirements in schools

Please read the latest by @bymichellersmith.com on how RFK Jr's close allies are seeking to gut vaccine mandates across the country www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Grainy, high contrast photo of a shot kitten sitting on a window sill, inside and backlit beautifully by the sun.

Just a tiny moment. Photo from my collection, no date/info.

I do think communication has been better than the last storm, which set maybe the lowest bar for a storm in the 20+ years I have lived here

Igloo coffee shop

r/providence: Our street might not be plowed but we have an igloo coffee shop! A photo of an igloo with a coffee machine and artful latte resting on a carved serving area.

Honestly, this is what I hoped big blizzards would be like for grownups when I was a kid.

The idea that people in Providence do or should expect less than people in other places for basic city services like snow removal in February is wrong. Yes, there was a historic snow. But we also need the city to do its job. They don't all get to work from home like I do. It's not too much to expect

- Several days into this and my street is still not plowed
- Children "virtually learned" - sneaking suspicion they won't be going back this week
- Mother-in-law flew back to Minnesota
- Someone is operating a coffee shop out of an igloo

How Trump’s pick for surgeon general uses her big online following to make money President Donald Trump’s pick to be U.S. surgeon general has said the nation’s medical and food systems are corrupted by special interests and people out to make a profit at the expense of Americans’ ...

Surgeon General nominee Casey Means has gotten a lot of questions today about whether she properly disclosed her business interests when promoting products. @aliswenson.bsky.social and I found she at times failed to disclose in an investigation last year --->

How rightwing rhetoric has risen sharply in the UK parliament – an exclusive visual analysis In the past five years, MPs’ attitudes in the House of Commons towards immigration have swung harder to the right than at almost any other time in the last century

The Guardian has a blockbuster analysis of rhetoric in the UK parliament. A very cool look into language and political debate:

www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...

Anti-vaccine chiropractors rising force of misinformation An investigation by The Associated Press has found that a vocal group of chiropractors has become an influential force in stirring up anti-vaccine misinformation during the pandemic.

There's a long history of chiropractors spreading false information about science, which is tied to interpretations of 19th century chiropractic beliefs that medicine interferes with the body’s natural flow of energy. More here: apnews.com/article/anti...

This story about Epstein's devotion to chiropractic contains a fascinating new-to-me detail: "Elon Musk comes from a line of chiropractors."

Leader of Columbia Brain Institute Quits Over Friendship With Epstein The Nobel laureate Richard Axel is not accused of wrongdoing but called his association with Jeffrey Epstein a “serious error in judgment.”

Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist and professor, announced Tuesday that he was resigning as a co-director of a flagship neuroscience institute at Columbia University because of his friendship with Jeffery Epstein.

Providence Fire Department When the snowstorm hit, our firefighters answered the call, bravely navigating blizzard conditions to rescue and care for those stranded.

Here’s the Facebook post from the Providence Fire Department

This is an amazing photo but has anyone seen a story about what happened here? The original social media post isn’t specific and neither is the story below

Living up to its name

MS NOW EXCLUSIVE: Whistleblower alleges FBI Director Kash Patel’s use of an FBI aircraft delayed response to Brown University shooting.

MS NOW Senior Investigative Reporter Carol Leonnig shares the latest.

She's unfazed

Providence snow update:
- Schools closed for a 3rd day tomorrow
- Skiers, snowshoers and sledders passing by my home but no cars since our street hasn't been plowed (not complaining)
- My Minnesotan mother in law got stuck here on a visit and has shoveled the neighbors' sidewalks

Justice Department withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump An NPR investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump.

An NPR investigation finds the public database of Epstein files is missing dozens of pages related to sexual abuse accusations against President Trump. n.pr/4qTItsU

Salve Regina University student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning after charging cellphone in snow-covered car - The Boston Globe Newport Police said the incident in a Bellevue Avenue parking lot was accidental.

A Salve Regina University student died from carbon monoxide poisoning after charging his cellphone in a vehicle that was covered in snow amid Monday’s blizzard in Newport, R.I., authorities said.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/24/m...

Blizzard prompts Boston Globe to call off printing paper for first time in 153 years Snow and winds prevented staff from safely getting to the Globe printing plant to print Tuesday's paper, the newspaper said in an article on its website.

The record-setting snowstorm has prompted The Boston Globe to call off printing their daily newspaper for the first time in its 153-year-old history.

https://bit.ly/3ZTTa3v

I feel proud for some reason

It is still snowing here in Providence 🌨️❄️☃️

Your snowplow needs snowshoes

Massive nor’easter brings two feet of snow, whiteout conditions to New England. Follow live updates. - The Boston Globe Blizzard conditions are leaving parts of Massachusetts with widespread power outages and making travel dangerous.

"A large tow truck was stuck on Wickenden Street around noon and had to be freed by a city plow and police officer with a shovel."