Sam Fortier

Sam Fortier

@sam4tr.bsky.social

DC people and power @notus.com. Formerly WaPo, Athletic, Ringer.

7.2K followers195 following89 posts

Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

Exclusive: Sen. Chris Murphy is demanding "transparency" from the Dept of Education regarding the disputed results of a national civics contest for HS kids. "Opaque rules and scoring have cast serious doubts about basic standards of fairness and left a family reeling.” www.notus.org/senate/chris...

notus.orgChris Murphy Demands Answers From Education Department Over Disputed Civics CompetitionThe contest’s results left the family of Aangad Singh “reeling,” Murphy wrote to Secretary Linda McMahon, calling for a detailed explanation of the scoring.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

Update: the Dept. of Education told the Singh family that the judges exercised "independent good faith judgement” and the scores were correct. The family said DoE didn't engage with the substance of its questions. Full update, now included at the end of the article:

Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

News: Six states plan to sit out the Great American State Fair. At least two others remain uncommitted two weeks before the fair opens on the National Mall. Organizers say "all states and territories will be represented" but who will be repping them isn't final. www.notus.org/donald-trump...

notus.orgAt Least Six States Have RSVP'd ‘No’ to Trump’s State FairSome states say the Freedom 250 birthday bash is too expensive, too rushed and too politicized. The organizers say every state will be represented at the "once in a generation event."
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

For some Republicans, there’s only one Boss. I wrote about the Bruce Springsteen fans who are struggling with his “No Kings” tour, a defiant, three-hour salvo against Donald Trump and his administration. My first story @notus.com: www.notus.org/republicans/...

notus.orgRepublican Springsteen Fans Are Torn About Which Boss to ServeBruce Springsteen’s latest tour has been unofficially dubbed the “No Kings Tour,” putting his diehard GOP fans in a tough spot.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

I am part of the mass layoffs at the Washington Post. I am sad and angry. We all want to keep doing the work. But for now I want to document a reality of being in journalism today.

Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

News: The FBI is investigating the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, as well as the doctor who provided him with pills and ketamine in the final months of his life. Reporting w/ Will Hobson and @samaha.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...

washingtonpost.comFBI is investigating the death of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim IrsayIrsay, who struggled with addiction, was receiving opioids and ketamine from a California recovery doctor, The Post reported over the summer.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

News: As LSU pursued Lane Kiffin, Gov. Jeff Landry backchanneled w/ school officials to request — in writing — a contractual provision that put someone other than the school on the hook for any potential buyout. Inside LSU's plan w @jessedougherty.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comLSU, a governor and a $91 million lesson in college football’s powerLouisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has long used sports as a political cudgel, but nothing riles up his state like Tigers football.

Sam Fortier reposted

Jesse Dougherty
@jessedougherty.bsky.social

I profiled Azzi Fudd. After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was — mentally, physically — then becoming even better: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comAzzi Fudd was a can’t-miss basketball star. Then she had to prove it again.Injuries and self-doubt nearly derailed a prodigy. Now in her final college season, she has rediscovered just how good she can be.

Sam Fortier reposted

Jesse Dougherty
@jessedougherty.bsky.social

You know those university ads? The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope? A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives. And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country. An example:

Sam Fortier reposted

Albert Samaha
@samaha.bsky.social

Kawhi Leonard’s uncle Dennis Robertson has left a trail of conflict through the NBA.  @sam4tr.bsky.social & I spoke w dozens of ppl & got biz filings, property records, texts, voicemails & court docs, including a Steve Ballmer deposition. Our story in @postsports.bsky.social: wapo.st/4oNuTXM

wapo.stThe rise of ‘Uncle Dennis,’ the adviser at the center of an NBA scandalKawhi Leonard’s uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

New: How Kawhi’s "Uncle Dennis" helped spark the sports scandal of the year. ▶️ Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions ▶️ Private texts, Magic voicemails ▶️ An equity fight involving a Knicks star ▶️ Kawhi's private airport Investigation w/ @samaha.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comThe rise of ‘Uncle Dennis,’ the adviser at the center of an NBA scandalKawhi Leonard’s uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

In early 2017, Kawhi Leonard’s agency asked him to reach out to a promising college prospect named OG Anunoby. Uncle Dennis refused on his behalf bc the agency refused to give them equity stakes in the company. Read the full story: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comThe rise of ‘Uncle Dennis,’ the adviser at the center of an NBA scandalKawhi Leonard’s uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.

Sam Fortier reposted

Tom Schad
@tomschad.bsky.social

Replying to @tomschad.bsky.social

And lastly: If you missed it last winter, be sure to check out this @sam4tr.bsky.social story on today's starter Marcus Mariota. The QB went deep on injury anxiety, perfectionism and his time here in ATL: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/...

washingtonpost.comMarcus Mariota confronted his anxiety, then found peace in WashingtonNo longer a perfectionist, the Commanders’ veteran quarterback is offering true life experience as Jayden Daniels’s backup.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

When the WNBA playoffs tip off today, the future of women’s hoops will shine bright. But off the court, tension between the players and team owners threatens to derail their progress. I dug into the league’s labor negotiations w/ @kareemcopeland.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comHow much are WNBA players worth? The league’s future lies in the answer.Players want half of league revenue. The WNBA is preaching “sustainability.” With the current deal set to expire next month, who will blink?
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

Breaking: NFL owner Jim Irsay secretly relapsed, got ketamine from 'luxury' doctor before death. ➡️ Irsay and Colts execs misled the public ➡️ Irsay overdosed three times between 2020 and May death ➡️ Serious concerns raised about his doctor’s care www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comNFL owner secretly relapsed, got ketamine from private doctor before deathAs a recovery doctor provided ketamine and opioids, Colts owner Jim Irsay spent his final years suffering through a relapse that he and executives hid from the public.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

I dug into the world of modern NFL stadium event planning to parse a heated debate: How much are NFL stadiums used? I found the gap between numbers used by critics (eight) and boosters (200) comes down to mostly private events — like an epic bar mitzvah. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comD.C. wants 200 events a year at its new stadium. Should bar mitzvahs count?From bar mitzvahs and weddings to board meetings and conferences, private events increasingly shape the debate over NFL stadiums.

Sam Fortier reposted

Post Sports
@postsports.bsky.social

✅ OL Josh Conerly Jr. ✅ CB Trey Amos ✅ WR Jaylin Lane ✅ LB Kain Medrano ✅ RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt The Commanders made five picks in this year’s NFL draft. Here’s how they’ll fit. (via @sam4tr.bsky.social)

washingtonpost.comAnalysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fitsWashington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

I analyzed how all five of the Washington Commanders draft picks fit in … … and explained the complicated eligibility issue that cost 7th-rd RB Jacory Crowley-Merritt nearly all of last season: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comAnalysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fitsWashington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

I wrote about why we’re obsessed with NFL mock drafts. It’s a story about hope and identity, and it’s told through the eyes of three people — the forgotten godfather, the modern analyst and the little-known king of the hill. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comHow hope and obsession drive America’s mock draft maniaFrom the basement to the big board, the NFL’s mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.
Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social

What we learned from Commanders GM Adam Peters today: 🏈 McLaurin new deal talks 🏈 Deebo, Tunsil thoughts 🏈 Javon Kinlaw on the rise 🏈 Marketing rights for UAE 🏈 John Bates growth as a pass catcher? @nickijhabvala.bsky.social & @postsports.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

washingtonpost.comCommanders hold preliminary talks on new deal for Terry McLaurinWashington Commanders GM Adam Peters has high expectations for new additions Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil and Javon Kinlaw.