Judge rules in Mark Kelly’s favor, saying Sec. Pete Hegseth “trampled on [Kelly’s] First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees," for response to a video with fellow lawmakers last year. #1A ⬇️ Ruling: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

President Trump is suing the BBC in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit. A US judge has scheduled the trail for next year. Here's a helpful First Amendment analysis of what's up with the case + what Trump would have to show to win #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-bbc-la...

Much has been and will be said about Green Day's Super Bowl set (and whether there was or was not "censorship"), but let's not overlook that the NFL knowingly trotted out all these retired quarterbacks, led by Peyton Manning + Tom Brady, to take the stage during...American Idiot. *chef's kiss*

"The OPB on your coffee mug, or on your window sticker, might not be the exact place you think it is." This week, we're telling you why we started the @thewesternedge.bsky.social. Today read @ryanjhaas.bsky.social's devastating essay about local media: www.thewesternedge.media/p/i-had-a-dr...

Journalist @joon.bsky.social found a new path after being laid off from ESPN. My colleague writes about Joon's upbringing in Boston and his path from youth athlete to covering athletes, and how a high school journalism conference helped. Worth a read! ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/joon-lee-spo...

In the news of late: people recording law enforcement (especially in Minnesota) and sometimes being arrested/detained in the process. So the question: Is it always a First Amendment right to record police? What are the legal limits? Some answers #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/recording-la...

From the Washington Post's recently laid off books critic: "Honestly, the worst aspect of this impoverishing, family-wrecking, confidence-crushing ordeal is that it will inspire David Brooks to write an essay about the hubris of American media." ⬇️⬇️⬇️ roncharles.substack.com/p/ive-been-l...

An article and question that's been quite relevant the past year: Does the First Amendment protect non-citizens? Answer: Sort of depends. Not a clear-cut yes/no cleanly answered by Supreme Court. #1A MORE ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

Lots of First Amendment news of late from Minnesota! Here's more: Can you protest inside or outside a church? What are the limits? What if you're a journalist covering protests? Where might freedoms of religion, speech, press + assembly conflict? #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/protesting-a...

This is from more than a year ago but relevant now given the Don Lemon arrest today stemming from a church protest in Minneapolis: When arresting journalists may or may not violate the First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/arresting-jo...

With the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents, there's been much talk about the First Amendment + Second Amendment overlap. So, here's the legal facts about protesting while armed #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

Before the most recent shooting news from Minneapolis, the state and Twin Cities sued DHS officials over what they claimed was retaliation + viewpoint discrimination in the federal immigration operation. Here's more the First Amendment claims in the suit #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/minnesota-dh...

Worth a read about Hush podcast, "true crime," journalism ethics and the forthcoming news publication The Western Edge from @leahsottile.bsky.social + @ryanjhaas.bsky.social. Kudos and good luck on the next chapter. Will read (and subscribe) with great interest. ⬇️

Not even a month into 2026 and there's already plenty of news on the First Amendment front with lots more to come. Some big stories and trends in religion, speech, press, assembly + petition to watch this year #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

My embarrassing but true Indiana University football story: In 2006 the team had a big, unexpected win. On campus the next day I see the coach, and I instinctively say, "Great game yesterday, coach!" Only it was the basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson, understandably confused. Anyway, go Hoosiers!

15 years ago, a white supremacist tried to bomb the Martin Luther King Day unity march in Spokane, WA. City workers found the bomb before it exploded. The march continues today. The shock waves still ripple. From @inlander.com circa 2011 ⬇️ www.inlander.com/news/shock-w...

MLK Jr, 4/3/68: "Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right." He was murdered the next day. www.freedomforum.org/freedom-of-s...

Minnesota is suing the Department of Homeland Security + Sec. Kristi Noem over federal immigration enforcement. The state + Twin Cities claim unlawful retaliation and viewpoint discrimination. Here's a breakdown of the First Amendment claims involved #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/minnesota-dh...

Relevant in the news lately (and always): Is recording law enforcement a First Amendment right? Can you be arrested or detained for it? Can police force you to delete pictures + video? Can they take your phone without a warrant? Answers #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/recording-la...

Today, the FBI searched the home of a Washington Post reporter in classified documents case. Here are good insight + reactions on First Amendment issues involved, including @1stforall.bsky.social's Gene Policinski #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/fbi-search-w...

InvestigateWest has received a $450,000 multi-year grant from the Inatai Foundation, marking one of the largest institutional grants in our newsroom’s history. Read more about how the grant will support our work in Washington communities - www.investigatewest.org/investigatew...

Relevant to news of late (and always) given ICE-related protests in Minneapolis, Seattle + other places: When does protesting lose First Amendment protections and become "illegal"? (i.e. When can government arrest or use force to stop protesters?) #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/when-does-pr...

Time for the semi-regular pedantry reminder that there is no "t" in Walz, but there is in "Tim," so please proceed accordingly with Tim Walz pronunciations. @mprnews.org can help: www.youtube.com/shorts/Q291v...

An article I wrote that was, I'm told, Freedom Forum's most read last year: Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? (Answer: It depends) ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

COOL JOURNALISM JOB: Work with me and people WAY cooler than me at @1stforall.bsky.social reporting on pressing First Amendment issues. Remote friendly. Apply by 1/12. Application + salary info ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/contact-us/c...

If you need last-minute gift ideas for the book worm in your life, try one of these famous "banned" books, along with smarty pants explanations about the legality of book bans + First Amendment issues involved. Perfect! #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/famous-banne...

Thing about Rick Steves is that while he's famous for his travels in other lands (mostly Europe), he's a very thoughtful and impactful citizen of his home here in WA. Embodiment of "think globally, act locally." Cool dude.

It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans. 🧵 1 of 9

Since the First Amendment prevents the government from favoring any one religion, why and how is Christmas a federal holiday? Technically it's not. But December 25th is. More legal context and history #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/why-is-chris...

President Trump is suing the BBC for $10 billion. Defamation cases against media are common but very difficult to win. There are big First Amendment issues at play. Here's a helpful explainer + legal analysis (with plenty of "actual malice" fun) #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/trump-bbc-la...

Not another year-in-review list! Wrote about key First Amendment stories/themes of 2025. - Charlie Kirk / Jimmy Kimmel fallout - Govt funding as free speech/press issue - 1A rights of non-citizens - Big protests - SCOTUS rulings MORE #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

Mariners fans owning Alaska is an underused strategic geographic strength. Also really interested to hear more on the Bay Area expats apparently living in ... Wyoming?

SNL parodied the fact that former Rep. Matt Gaetz is credentialed to cover the Pentagon. So, is he a "journalist" now? And for that matter, who gets to decide? Does the First Amendment protection for "the press" cover him or only certain people? MORE #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/who-is-a-jou...

Former WSU quarterback Luke Falk, one of the team's best QBs thanks to Mike Leach, is making his case to be their next head coach. And he makes a good argument: He actually wants the job for more than a year and likes Pullman. Low bar, but... www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

Are non-citizens protected by the First Amendment? A question asked a lot, and a @1stforall.bsky.social article that keeps getting shared (and updated) the past year+. So, here we go again. #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

Now that we're in December, we can officially talk about Christmas decorations. So...under the First Amendment, how can publicly-funded displays use Christ + Nativity scenes if they're not supposed to favor a religion? Learn about "The Reindeer Rule" #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/reindeer-rule

How does the First Amendment clock in when you're on the clock? If 1A is all about the government, what does your free speech look like when your employer is the government? What about getting fired for posting on social? A #1A guide ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/first-amendm...

Some folks like pump-up jams on their long runs. I've been jamming to Hush S2 and loving it (I mean, discussions of Truman Capote, forensics AND journalism ethics?!?!). Kudos to @leahsottile.bsky.social + @ryanjhaas.bsky.social and all OPB crew for an outstanding series. www.opb.org/show/hush/

Speech is often thought of as, well, spoken. But it's more, and sometimes more powerful when silent or symbolic. Raising a middle finger, raising a flag or burning one in protest - all are forms of speech. And all are protected by the First Amendment. #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/symbolic-spe...

The only "bad" part of the Mariners locking in Josh Naylor (WOO HOO!) is we in the peanut gallery have become accustomed to complaining about front office not spending on free agents in off season, and if there's one thing we love in the Northwest, it's the comforting routine of winter doldrums.

What all folks (not just Mariners fans) know: Cal Raleigh gets MVP one billion percent if the award had any kind of popular fan component. Lots about baseball to love. Its insistence on pegging awards to opinions of primarily good ol' boy "writers" is not one. #tridentsup #goms

Kudos to John Oliver for referencing Rachel Dolezal and giving credit (as so many do not) that this is a Spokane story. Sure, it's an unfortunate and at this point tired pop culture blemish for Our Fair City, but at least he pronounces it correctly! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y93l...

The First Amendment right of the press is for everyone who publishes or shares their work - including podcasters + independent newsletter folks. But are they all journalists? What, exactly, makes a journalist in this day and age? Some points to consider #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/who-is-a-jou...

I get the urge of news to say what president appointed a federal judge in stories, but for consistency they should name all 77 million+ people and/or electoral college voters on first reference for presidents

Book banning is a 2-way First Amendment issue: People have a free speech right to write + read. And people have a right to petition school + library boards to remove books. Strange 1A bedfellows. Anyway, here's more on banned books + First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/famous-banne...

Does the First Amendment protect ballot selfies? What about wearing campaign buttons while voting? There are limits to how you can express yourself at the polls. Here's what you can and can't say and do while voting on Election Day. #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/free-speech-...

If you caught Brandi Carlile on SNL this weekend, you heard her "Church & State" song with a reference to Thomas Jefferson. So here's much more on the legal concept of "separation of church and state" and what it means with the First Amendment #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/separation-o...

Spooky season is well underway, and here's a frightening thought: Your yard decorations or costume may or may not be protected by the First Amendment depending on [GASP] the "context"! [*maniacal laugh*] MORE ⬇️ #1A www.freedomforum.org/halloween-de...

A question being asked a lot these days: Are non-citizens in the US protected by the First Amendment? Does legal status matter? The answer is...not entirely clear in all cases. Background #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens...

Wrote about "famous" political cartoons + First Amendment / press freedom. I'll give you 11 guesses which one of these Pete Hegseth has tattooed on his arm. (Kidding. Of course it's The Bechdel Test from "Dykes to Watch Out For"!) #1A ⬇️ www.freedomforum.org/famous-polit...