Caitlin Gilbert

wapo.stU.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.

31 Dec 2025

EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected. Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

Rachel Roubein

@rachelroubein.bsky.social

11h

New: The FDA has rarely inspected the foreign facilities exporting the vast majority of fresh fruits & vegetables to the U.S., per WaPo investigation. Only 7.6% of the facilities have been inspected by the agency since 2009. With @caitlingilbert.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comThe FDA rarely inspects much of the produce Americans eatAmericans are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, but less than 10 percent of facilities that account for 90 percent of shipments have been inspected since 2009.

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

15h

Since 2009 the FDA has inspected only about 2% of the facilities in Mexico that ship produce to the U.S., a Post investigation found. "That’s a big concern for anybody who eats food in America." By @caitlingilbert.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

wapo.stThe FDA rarely inspects much of the produce Americans eatAmericans are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, but less than 10 percent of facilities that account for 90 percent of shipments have been inspected since 2009.

NEW: Americans are eating more imported fruit and vegetables than ever before, but only 7.6% of major produce exporters have been inspected by the agency since 2009–and that rate is only about ~2%~ for Mexican fresh produce exporters with @rachelroubein.bsky.social wapo.st/4BoiOz3

19h

If nothing changes for the FDA’s ability to conduct inspections, the problem will only get worse as the denominator of facilities exporting fruits + vegetables to the US continues to grow year after year.

19h

Products like berries, lettuce/cabbage, fresh herbs and peppers are commonly recalled for a range of bacterial and parasitic contaminants. And the foreign facilities (many of which are in Mexico) exporting them are so rarely inspected by the FDA.

Mexico is far and away the top exporter of produce to the United States, but it’s also one of the least inspected by the FDA with respect to the produce facilities in the country.

Low foreign produce facility inspections raises the risk that regulators are not catching issues that could cause a foodborne outbreak, a dozen former FDA officials, food safety experts, consumer advocates and farming groups told us. It creates a major blind spot for food safety.

After covering the cyclosporiasis outbreak, I combined FDA imports data with inspections data to see how common it was for foreign produce manufacturers to be inspected…when I saw the rate for the first time, I thought, surely it can’t be this low.

The number was not shocking to experts we spoke to. The FDA has long struggled with a lack of funding, chronic understaffing, and difficulty recruiting and retaining investigators for these highly technical roles. Each foreign inspection costs, on average, $38,700.

Absolutely horrified by this. Heidi is an incredible photojournalist and I’m so glad she’s currently safe. In 2026 alone, CPJ has documented at least 16 similar settler attack incidents involving 35 journalists.

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com

Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers on Friday, setting olive groves on fire and slinging rocks. Caught in the attack was Post photographer Heidi Levine. “They just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times,” Levine said. https://wapo.st/4yt6dHY

cpj.orgJournalist casualties during the Israel–Gaza war and related regional conflicts - Committee to Protect JournalistsEditor’s note: In keeping with CPJ’s methodology, data will be updated as new information becomes available. See CPJ’s database for the most current data on killed journalists. As of September 24, 202...

More broadly, “as of September 24, 2026, CPJ’s preliminary investigations show that at least 247 journalists and media workers are among the more than tens of thousands killed across Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel and Iran since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, 2023” cpj.org/2023/10/jour...

washingtonpost.comIsraeli settlers attack Palestinians and Washington Post photographer in West BankThe settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives and beat Heidi Levine, a veteran photojournalist. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers did nothing to halt the violence.

“Between January and August, the United Nations documented more than 1,600 settler attacks causing injury or property damage. At least 76 Palestinians in the West Bank have been shot dead by Israeli forces or settlers since Feb. 28, according to the United Nations.“ wapo.st/4B6E8Jb

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

The Washington Post

@washingtonpost.com

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

Four people including 3 kids were shot and killed in Bend, Oregon yesterday. There have now been 21 mass killings with guns in 2026. @jdharden.bsky.social and @chrishacker.io have updated our tracker, which has now documented 2,733 people who have died in mass shootings since 2006. wapo.st/4yhEB8x

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

washingtonpost.comSocial Security emerges as a key issue in midterm battleground districtsDemocrats are trying to unseat Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) in one of several competitive races to focus on Social Security concerns, a Post analysis shows.

NEW: @lydiasidhom.bsky.social analyzed over 8,000 ads to find that Social Security is one of the most frequently mentioned economic issues by Republicans in competitive races, with the GOP spending about *seven* times more than Democrats on the topic www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

washingtonpost.comElon Musk’s megaphone propels conspiracy theory about James TalaricoThe billionaire has a history of elevating false claims like the one about the Democratic Senate nominee, but his control of X gives him outsize influence ahead of the midterms.

NEW: @lukejconnors.bsky.social analyzed X posts to trace the origins of a viral conspiracy theory about Talarico and found that right wing political influencers posted about him more than ever so far this year www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

opened docs I just was emailed from a FOIA while on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is this a unique experience

And then of course I was literally thrown into hell on the ride, felt apt

Ence is a legend, ask her anything re campaign finance!!!!

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

Hi y’all! I’m Ence, and I cover political data at the Post. I've spent this year tracking megadonors & dark money. Let's do an AMA! Want to know what's up with all that AI money? What Elon Musk's super PAC is doing? How to find a candidate's donors yourself? Reply here & I'll answer til 4 PM ET.

*taps sign* you do not have to support man city!!! this chart sent me into orbit, throw their medals in the bin (from: www.skysports.com/football/new...)

Caitlin Gilbert@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

to all the americans newly obsessed with haaland you do NOT have to pick man city as the PL team to back

the angst I still feel about leaving out summer heights high 🥲

washingtonpost.comStates can soon order covid vaccines for low-income children, after delayThe Vaccines for Children program, which serves nearly half the nation’s youths, had been in limbo for almost a month, with doctors unable to obtain the shots.

exclusive from @lenasun.bsky.social and @rachelroubein.bsky.social: states will be able to order Covid vax for kids as soon as next week, through the CDC program that serves half of American children www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

youtu.beSpring Awakening Demo - 13. Don't Do Sadness/Blue WindYouTube video by BwayDemosWorkshops

18 Sept

duncan 💔 youtu.be/XWa5RemIfpM one of the best musical demos ever, and his newest score was also magnificent

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

washpost.wd5.myworkdayjobs.comNewsroom Summer Internship Program 2027: Data JournalistApplication Instructions Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links...

14 Sept

The Washington Post's data reporting team is looking for next summer's intern. If you're a journalist who codes and has a knack for telling compelling stories through data analysis, apply! The deadline is Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. washpost.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/washin...

wapo.stRFK Jr. says Americans worried about vaccines have a ‘friend at the White House’Since being confirmed as health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made clear he wants to overhaul the nation’s immunization system.

NEW: in a speech to the antivax organization he founded, RFK Jr. amplified vaccine risks, falsely claiming vaccines are not safety-tested and linking them to chronic diseases, and vowed to fight for those who say they are vaccine-injured w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social + Daniel Wu wapo.st/4xuuInG

18 Sept

Kennedy’s remarks were preceded by MAHA Institute president Mark Gorton, who advocated for ending the country’s “mass vaccination program.” “The time has come to stop caveating every introduction with, ‘I’m not an anti-vaxxer, but,” Gorton said. “Vaccines are a nightmare.”

18 Sept

Near the end of his speech, Kennedy recalled past remarks he’d given to an early group of Children’s Health Defense officials. “I told Lyn [Redwood] and my early group of CHD that I would be in this fight and that I would die with my boots on,” he said. “And that’s what I intend to do.”

“Even if they are rare,” he said of adverse effects from vax, “in our country we care about rare illnesses and deaths. We care about every child who dies from measles. They get headlines … shouldn’t we, I ask you, care about children who are dying or suffering or being injured by vaccine injuries?”

“The secretary’s presence at the meeting implies an endorsement,” said Deb Houry, the former chief medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who resigned a year ago to protest what she called Kennedy’s politicization of science.

“Over the past 19 months, we have fundamentally changed how the federal government responds to parents who question what they’ve been told about vaccines,” Kennedy said. “President Trump will not allow the government to treat parents who question vaccine orthodoxies as lepers.”

15 Sept

@christinezhang.bsky.social KILLING IT as a keynote speaker for #positconf

wired.comA College Girl Was Exploited on Camera. A Network of Anonymous Men Got to WorkMaddie Kowalski is one of countless young women who’ve had their lives destroyed by the burnerverse, a loosely connected online community of sports fans. Now she’s fighting back.

14 Sept

incredible reporting by @ejdickson.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/burner...

from @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

13 Sept

washingtonpost.comPennsylvania woman dies of measles-related complications, local coroner saysThe 40-year-old woman, who was from Jefferson County was unvaccinated, according to the coroner.

13 Sept

my god Bruno got away with one there but he fully ragebaited foden into that red

washingtonpost.comThe largely hidden force helping drive America’s craze for weight-loss drugsFirms are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to convince doctors to prescribe GLP-1 drugs.

12 Sept

icymi this banger of a story from Lydia Sidhom found that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have paid over $270 million to more than 270k doctors and other prescribers to promote their GLP-1 products since 2018!! That’s more docs than *every* other drug!!!

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

“I’m a lot like an evangelical preacher man,” Campos said. “They hire me to sell the science.” Pharma companies spent more than $270 million on payments to doctors and other prescribers to boost sales of GLP-1s, according to a Post analysis. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

Caitlin McGlade

@caitmcglade.bsky.social

11 Sept

Replying to @caitmcglade.bsky.social

Please consider helping us out a little if you're able. Thank you so much for your support. www.gofundme.com/f/help-charl...

gofundme.comDonate to Help Charlotte Observer Journalists Through Job Loss, organized by Caitlin McGladeNearly 10 talented Charlotte Observer journalists committed to br… Caitlin McGlade needs your support for Help Charlotte Observer Journalists Through Job Loss

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

kate conger

@kateconger.com

11 Sept

Replying to @kateconger.com

We also partnered with the Canadian Center for Child Protection to analyze Grok images produced during the nudification episode in Jan. It found images of known CSAM victims that were modified by Grok, and new CSAM that it created in response to requests from users. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/t...

nytimes.comElon Musk Has Pledged to Rid His Platform, X, of Child Sexual Abuse, but It Persists (Gift Article)Reviews by the Canadian Center for Child Protection and The New York Times found that explicit images of children remain on the social media site owned by Elon Musk.

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

Caitlin McGlade

@caitmcglade.bsky.social

10 Sept

I, the only data reporter at the Charlotte Observer, am among the McClatchy layoffs in the bloodbath today. The HR person asked me not to talk about it! AMA. Anyway, here’s a link to one of my most important stories this year. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

charlotteobserver.comA Black teen found hanged near Charlotte church was a suicide, police say. Questions remainIn May, 16-year-old Juliana Nzita was found dead in a Charlotte churchyard. CMPD called it a suicide. Her family isn’t so sure.

6 Sept

I take it back, they’re looking solid as hell rn. Also rashy is on fire!!!

Caitlin Gilbert@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

the mainoo tielemans pairing ain’t it right now, hoping baleba can cook once he’s fit

Caitlin Gilbert reposted

4 Sept

ICYMI we reported on how TikTok captures users’ attention last year…and we just won a National Press Club award for it! now, Meta’s legally mandated screen time limits for kids could be adopted by TikTok too. @ence.bsky.social @caitlingilbert.bsky.social

3 Sept

a very cool/technically tough analysis on data center legislation across the country:

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

NEW: @chrishacker.me analyzed more than 1,300 bills to find that the majority of data center bills introduced in statehouses this year seek to restrict them in some way—read the story for a detailed breakdown of the legislation in IL, VA, WV and PA! wapo.st/4qV0Tev

2 Sept

a third of the users who use AI in this way call it "a friend" and another 15% say their relationship with the chatbot is "more complicated" 💀

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

NEW: @jeremybmerrill.com analyzed results from a new Elon University poll to show that 27% of US adults use AI chatbots for personal, emotional or social queries (including seeking relationship advice, romantic chats, entertainment, or connection when lonely) wapo.st/4y6BW1K

wapo.stJudge rebukes HHS over AI use in cutting teen pregnancy prevention grantsHe wrote that grant solicitations for changes to funding reference public health studies that appear not to exist or do not support what they are cited for.

1 Sept

Scooplet from me: the federal judge that blocked HHS’ new teen pregnancy prevention policy this month specifically criticized HHS for citing non-existent scientific evidence and potentially AI-generated citations to support their “body literacy” concept wapo.st/4gKELyw

wapo.stTrump lauded low prices at Freedom Fuel. A supplier says some gas wasn’t paid for.Mansfield Oil Company of Gainesville claimed in a federal lawsuit this month that it was never paid for more than a million gallons of fuel from a terminal in Pennsylvania between late May and early J...

1 Sept

follow @wpdatateam.bsky.social for more updates like this one on the “Freedom Fuel” gas stations

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

ICYMI ⛽ @federicacocco.bsky.social with the latest on how the Freedom Fuel Network could lower prices after Trump's call for cheaper fuel...in a new lawsuit, a fuel supplier alleges that it was not paid for gas that was ultimately delivered to these stations. wapo.st/4xuaHye

31 Aug

I’m running our team account this week!!! follow this account to get all the latest updates from our mighty data team across politics, health, climate, tech, biz, investigations and so much more

Washington Post Data Team@wpdatateam.bsky.social

NEW: @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social analyzed the data to show how an insurance policy with fewer homeowner protections + less oversight is booming in CA, FL, TX, and SC wapo.st/3UuZKOr

theatlantic.comThe Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn SonThe family at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles controversy tells their story.

31 Aug

Absolutely devastating reporting on the family who just lost their newborn in Lancaster PA from @tombartlett.bsky.social “They assumed that Anna’s severe case of measles contributed to their loss. That’s what the midwife told them as well.” www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...

30 Aug

the mainoo tielemans pairing ain’t it right now, hoping baleba can cook once he’s fit

30 Aug

the one week I go without Bruno in FPL he gets a hatty….