Chris Kromm
@chriskromm.bsky.social
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Director, Institute for Southern Studies | Publisher, Facing South
reposted by
Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies
9 days ago
Who is making big money on ICE and Border Patrol contracts? In the 2nd installment in our series at Facing South,
@chriskromm.bsky.social
details 58 companies in Georgia that stand to receive $10 billion from 2025-2026 fiscal year contracts alone.
www.facingsouth.org/2026/01/geor...
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Georgia companies poised to bring in $10 billion from ICE and Border Patrol contracts
As public outrage mounts over federal immigration operations, new analysis shows a key Southern state is home to companies that could bring in more than $10 billion to assist Border Patrol and ICE.
https://www.facingsouth.org/2026/01/georgia-companies-poised-bring-10-billion-ice-and-border-patrol-contracts
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Chris Kromm
Adam Serwer
21 days ago
Imagine how much theyâd be lying about what happened without all the videos showing it from multiple angles.
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Canât wait to see how many right-wingers get fired for making hideous comments about the people killed in Minneapolis.
21 days ago
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Chris Kromm
Mueller, She Wrote
21 days ago
NEW VIDEO: this appears to be the footage from the woman in the pink coat.
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Chris Kromm
Mark Harris
21 days ago
"Just stay cool and don't make trouble until the midterms" is not going to cut it as an opposition response to a murderous regime whose masked thugs are killing people in the streets and then attempting to round up witnesses and destroy evidence.
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Who's making big money off ICE and Border Patrol contracts? After recent operations in Charlotte and New Orleans, I looked at the top contractors in Louisiana and North Carolina for
@southernstudies.bsky.social
:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
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Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos-making-big-money-border-patrol-and-ice-contracts
about 1 month ago
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I recently talked to Tram Nguyen of
@newvamajority.bsky.social
about lessons from last November's elections in Virginia and what progressives are planning for 2026. See my interview for
@southernstudies.bsky.social
here:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
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Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram-nguyen-whats-next-progressives-virginia
about 1 month ago
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Chris Kromm
Mueller, She Wrote
about 2 months ago
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed.
www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
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WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-60-minutes-cecot-segment
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy:
facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont...
@southernstudies.bsky.social
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
https://facingsouth.org/1981/03/montgomery-bus-boycott
2 months ago
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What's next for progressives in Virginia after their big wins in the 2025 elections? I talked with Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority for
@southernstudies.bsky.social
about key lessons from 2025, and their plans for moving a bold agenda in 2026:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram...
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Tram Nguyen on what's next for progressives in Virginia
Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority talks about her takeaways from the 2025 elections, lessons they learned the last time progressives held power in the state, and their plans for moving a bold agend...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/tram-nguyen-whats-next-progressives-virginia
about 2 months ago
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New at
@southernstudies.bsky.social
: Who's making money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts in Louisiana and North Carolina? A look at $340 million worth of contracts in the wake of Border Patrol's immigration actions in LA and NC:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos...
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Who's making big money off Border Patrol and ICE contracts?
In the wake of high-profile immigration operations in Louisiana and North Carolina, a Facing South/Institute analysis looks at more than 50 businesses in both states receiving money from U.S. Border P...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/12/whos-making-big-money-border-patrol-and-ice-contracts
about 2 months ago
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70 years ago, the Montgomery Bus Boycott launched, energizing the Southern freedom movement. In 1981, Southern Exposure featured oral histories with people connected to the boycott to discuss its origins and legacy:
facingsouth.org/1981/03/mont...
@southernstudies.bsky.social
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
https://facingsouth.org/1981/03/montgomery-bus-boycott
2 months ago
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From Georgia to Virginia, the 2025 elections revealed a data center backlash. 40% of centers are in the South, with many more on the way, straining land, water & energy resources. My by-the-numbers look for
@southernstudies.bsky.social
at the growing opposition:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
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Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/institute-index-data-center-backlash
2 months ago
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Chris Kromm
The Downballot
2 months ago
BREAKING: Democrats have flipped a conservative state House seat in Georgia in yet another upset. It's a 14-point overperformance *and* the 25th legislative flip of the year for Dems. Republicans? Zero. Read our complete writeup here -->
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Breaking: Georgia Democrats flip conservative seat in yet another upset
That's 25 pickups for Democrats nationwide this yearâand zero for Republicans
https://www.the-downballot.com/p/breaking-georgia-democrats-flip-conservative
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
Marisa Kabas
2 months ago
SCOOP â Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary â2000 Mulesâ with Dinesh DâSouza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMAâs Office of Response and Recovery. My story:
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Conspiracy theorist election denier given FEMAâs second-most important role
Gregg Phillips will lead the Office of Response and Recovery, âthe heart of what FEMA does.â
https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/conspiracy-theorist-election-denier-fema-gregg-phillips
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Democrats flip Miami mayorâs office, winning control for first time in nearly 30 years
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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5641420-democrats-gain-momentum-miami/
2 months ago
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Chris Kromm
Steve Vladeck
2 months ago
#BREAKING
: Over dissents from the three democratic appointees,
#SCOTUS
puts Texas's new House maps back into effect for (and, presumably, through) the 2026 midterms. The three Democratic appointees, in an opinion by Justice Kagan, dissent. I'll post the ruling shortly.
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It's that time of year: Support an independent voice for change in the South!
#GivingTuesday2025
www.facingsouth.org/defend-democ...
2 months ago
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The data center backlash, by the numbers. The 2025 elections in Georgia and Virginia revealed growing push-back to data centers, especially due to rising energy demands. Via
@southernstudies.bsky.social
:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/inst...
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Institute Index: Data center backlash
Number of data centers that have been built across the U.S.: 4,225* Percent of data centers nationally that are in Southern states: 4o%
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/11/institute-index-data-center-backlash
2 months ago
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My latest, about
@siembranc.bsky.social
and how they organized in North Carolina to counter Operation Charlotte's Web and Border Patrol's latest anti-immigrant crackdown, co-published in
@thenation.com
and
@southernstudies.bsky.social
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
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How North Carolina Rose Up Against Trumpâs Latest Anti-Immigrant Crackdown
âOperation Charlotteâs Webâ may mobilize North Carolinaâs working-class Latino members and allies to shift the political balance of power at the local, state, and national levels.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/ice-immigration-border-patrol-latino-workers/
3 months ago
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In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security's "Charlotte's Web" operation in North Carolina, a look at the top contracts being carried out in the state for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
@southernstudies.bsky.social
3 months ago
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Press conference this evening in Durham, NC led by
@siembranc.bsky.social
in response to arrival of ICE in the city. Strong showing of elected officials and faith leaders condemning ICEâs secretive attacks on schools and businesses in the area.
3 months ago
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A key issue animating the 2025 elections in the South: data centers, and their growing pressures on land, water, and especially energy. Virginia has the most centers in the country, and Georgia ranks 7th.
3 months ago
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North Carolina has been pulled into the national redistricting wars. Watch/read our
@southernstudies.bsky.social
interview with Tyler Daye at
@commoncausenc.bsky.social
breaking down how we got here, and where we go from here
#ncpol
#ncga
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-a...
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NC and the redistricting wars: An interview with Tyler Daye
As North Carolina gets dragged into the national congressional redistricting wars, Facing South talked with democracy advocate Tyler Daye about how we got here, and the road ahead for redistricting re...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/nc-and-redistricting-wars-interview-tyler-daye
3 months ago
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Key elections to watch in the South this week - my latest at
facingsouth.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-...
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Key Southern elections to watch in 2025
This election season, voters will decide the political direction of Virginia, elect key members of a Georgia commission shaping energy policy, and elect mayors in many of the South's biggest cities.
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/key-southern-elections-watch-2025
3 months ago
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Chris Kromm
jamelle
4 months ago
one of the things i think is that policies answer the question of âwhat will you doâ but they donât answer the question of âwhy should i vote for youâ and i think there is a tendency in this broad conversation to equate the two
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies
4 months ago
NEW VIDEO: What does Duke owe Durham? Historian and urbanist
@davarianbaldwin.bsky.social
breaks down the role of universities like Duke and why they should invest more to support workers and communities.
www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/watc...
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WATCH: What does Duke owe Durham?
At a recent Institute forum, urbanist and historian Prof. Davarian Baldwin looked at the role of universities in their communities, and why institutions like Duke University should do more to invest i...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/10/watch-what-does-duke-owe-durham
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies
4 months ago
Southern states are being disproportionately hard-hit by the government shutdown. Analysis finds 8 of 20 states most affected are in the South, based on indicators including share of federal jobs and contract dollars per capita. More:
wallethub.com/edu/governme...
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Chris Kromm
Schooley
4 months ago
Trying to imagine the furor if Democratic leadership had called the Tea Party protests "Hate America" protests. Every day a new lesson in how different the rules really are.
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đ TODAY đ What Does Duke Owe Durham? Forum with author
@davarianbaldwin.bsky.social
about why universities should support workers and communities. 2pm, Asbury United Methodist, Durham. Sponsored by
@southernstudies.bsky.social
+
@durhamrising.bsky.social
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
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What Does Duke Owe Durham?
The Institute for Southern Studies and Durham Rising invite you to a talk and discussion with award-winning author DAVARIAN BALDWIN Friday, Sept. 26 | 2-3pm Asbury United Methodist Church |Â 806 Claren...
https://www.southernstudies.org/davarianbaldwin
5 months ago
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Institute Index: One year after Helene, western N.C. is seeing progress â but a weak FEMA under Trump has slowed recovery
www.facingsouth.org/2025/09/inst...
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Institute Index: One year after Helene
A year after the deadly storm ravaged Appalachia, the region has made progress, but federal cuts and delays have slowed recovery.
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/09/institute-index-one-year-after-helene
5 months ago
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What Does Duke Owe Durham? Free talk with
@davarianbaldwin.bsky.social
on Friday, Sept. 26, 2-3pm at Asbury United Methodist in Durham. Sponsored by
@southernstudies.bsky.social
and
@durhamrising.bsky.social
. More information and RSVP:
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
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What Does Duke Owe Durham?
The Institute for Southern Studies and Durham Rising invite you to a talk and discussion with award-winning author DAVARIAN BALDWIN Friday, Sept. 26 | 2-3pm Asbury United Methodist Church |Â 806 Claren...
https://www.southernstudies.org/davarianbaldwin
5 months ago
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NC advocates unveil 'Blueprint for a Stronger Democracy' in North Carolina, with 40 proposals on issues ranging from improving voting access to combating corruption, protecting court independence, and defending the right to protest.
@southernstudies.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/09/nc-a...
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Bluesky
https://facingsouth.bsky.social
5 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies
5 months ago
What Does Duke Owe Durham? Join us Friday 9/26 at 2pm for a forum featuring
@davarianbaldwin.bsky.social
about how Duke University can support workers and the community. Visit here for more info and to RSVP:
www.southernstudies.org/davarianbald...
@durhamrising.bsky.social
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What Does Duke Owe Durham?
The Institute for Southern Studies and Durham Rising invite you to a talk and discussion with award-winning author DAVARIAN BALDWIN Friday, Sept. 26 | 2-3pm Asbury United Methodist Church |Â 806 Claren...
https://www.southernstudies.org/davarianbaldwin
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Chris Kromm
Southern states will feel brunt of attacks on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 49% of complaints filed with CFPB since 2011 have come from 13 states in the South
@ddayen.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@southernstudies.bsky.social
@crlonline.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/inst...
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Institute Index: The assault on consumer protection
As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Institute analysis finds that half of the complaints filed by consumers asking for the Bureau's he...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/institute-index-assault-consumer-protection
5 months ago
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A Georgia judge said this week he will toss racketeering charges against 61 "Cop City" protesters. For Facing South I interviewed attorney Devin Franklin at
@thesoutherncenter.bsky.social
about the flimsy state RICO charges when they were first brought two years ago
@southernstudies.bsky.social
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'The stakes are incredibly high': An interview with Devin Franklin on RICO charges against 'Cop City' activists
In late August, Georgiaâs attorney general issued indictments under the stateâs RICO statute targeting protesters against a planned new police and fire training center. An attorney with the Southern C...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2023/09/stakes-are-incredibly-high-interview-devin-franklin-rico-charges-against-cop-city-activists
5 months ago
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Southern states will feel brunt of attacks on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 49% of complaints filed with CFPB since 2011 have come from 13 states in the South
@ddayen.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@southernstudies.bsky.social
@crlonline.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/inst...
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Institute Index: The assault on consumer protection
As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Institute analysis finds that half of the complaints filed by consumers asking for the Bureau's he...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/08/institute-index-assault-consumer-protection
5 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
Institute for Southern Studies
9 months ago
New at Facing South: New NC election board chair Francis De Luca, a key operative in Art Pope's network, has long peddled election denial and unsubstantiated claims of "voter fraud" to push for voter restrictions - by
chriskromm.bsky.social
www.facingsouth.org/2025/05/nc-e...
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NC election board chair peddled election denial and unsubtantiated voter fraud claims
After moving control of North Carolina elections into the GOP-led N.C. State Auditor's office, Republicans have appointed a long-time conservative activist in Art Pope's network to chair the state ele...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/05/nc-election-board-chair-peddled-election-denial-and-unsubtantiated-voter-fraud-claims
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Chris Kromm
More Perfect Union
about 1 year ago
Damon Hininger, CEO of private prison giant Core Civic, just told investors: "âI've worked at CoreCivic for 32 years, and this is truly one of the most exciting periods in my career ... we're anticipating .. the most significant growth in our company's history."
theintercept.com/2025/02/11/c...
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Private Prison CEO on Trump Deportation Surge: âOne of the Most Exciting Periods in My Careerâ
CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger could barely contain his excitement about the Laken Riley Act and Trumpâs anti-immigration executive orders.
https://theintercept.com/2025/02/11/corecivic-private-prison-trump-immigrant-detention/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter
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Chris Kromm
The union election at Amazonâs RDU1 warehouse in Garner, NC begins today. At
@facingsouth.bsky.social
union president Rev. Ryan Brown describes whatâs at stake:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/02/voic...
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VOICES: The stone is in our hands, now we take the shot
As a historic union election gets underway this week at an Amazon warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, the president of Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment describes the importance...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/02/voices-stone-our-hands-now-we-take-shot
about 1 year ago
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The union election at Amazonâs RDU1 warehouse in Garner, NC begins today. At
@facingsouth.bsky.social
union president Rev. Ryan Brown describes whatâs at stake:
www.facingsouth.org/2025/02/voic...
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VOICES: The stone is in our hands, now we take the shot
As a historic union election gets underway this week at an Amazon warehouse in Garner, North Carolina, the president of Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment describes the importance...
https://www.facingsouth.org/2025/02/voices-stone-our-hands-now-we-take-shot
about 1 year ago
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Chris Kromm
Way to Win
about 1 year ago
*A Renewed Case for Funding the South* âWe ignore the South at our own peril. ... It has to be a long-term, at-scale investment in this region,â said Emily Timm, the deputy executive director of Way to Rise. Via
@rebekahbarber.bsky.social
nonprofitquarterly.org/a-renewed-ca..
.
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A Renewed Case for Funding the South - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
The current attacks against DEI initiatives is not new to Southern states. Advocates say this current political moment offers a renewed opportunity to invest in the South.
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/a-renewed-ca..
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On the 65th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins, a pivotal moment in the Southern student movement, sharing oral histories of key figures in the movement from the Southern Exposure archives
www.facingsouth.org/1981/03/gree...
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Greensboro Sit-ins
https://www.facingsouth.org/1981/03/greensboro-sit-ins
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Chris Kromm
A few key takeaways from the 2024 elections in the South, at
@facingsouth.bsky.social
:
www.facingsouth.org/2024/11/key-...
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Key takeaways from the 2024 elections in the South
In the 2024 elections, Southern states largely followed the nation's rightward shift. But a deeper dive reveals that the South was far from a monolithic conservative stronghold.
https://www.facingsouth.org/2024/11/key-takeaways-2024-elections-south
about 1 year ago
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A few key takeaways from the 2024 elections in the South, at
@facingsouth.bsky.social
:
www.facingsouth.org/2024/11/key-...
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Key takeaways from the 2024 elections in the South
In the 2024 elections, Southern states largely followed the nation's rightward shift. But a deeper dive reveals that the South was far from a monolithic conservative stronghold.
https://www.facingsouth.org/2024/11/key-takeaways-2024-elections-south
about 1 year ago
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Chris Kromm
Bolts
over 1 year ago
In August, the Florida Supreme Court, largely filled with judges appointed by Ron DeSantis, upheld his decision to remove Orlando prosecutor Monique Worrell from office by a 6-1 vote. Last week, Worrell won her election to reclaim the position.
boltsmag.org/tampa-o...
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Orlando Prosecutor Ousted by Governor Wins Her Job Back
Monique Worrell defeated the prosecutor Ron DeSantis appointed to replace her last year. In Tampa, however, another prosecutor removed by the governor lost his attempt at a comeback.
https://boltsmag.org/tampa-orlando-proscutor-elections-2024/
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