Susanna Granieri is a recent graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her past internships include writing for the Legislative Gazette, an Albany-based newspaper focused on legislation, policy and politics; and working as an Immersion Fellow at the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, where she investigated the use of faulty forensic science in death penalty convictions in Mississippi and nationally.
Susanna Granieri
Researcher and Reporter
DeSantis Didn’t Violate Court Order Blocking ‘Stop WOKE’ Act, Federal Judge Rules
A federal judge ruled Jan. 12 that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration did not violate an order blocking the academic provision of the “Stop WOKE” Act, which restricts race-based discussions in higher education classrooms.
The City of Tallahassee filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit on Jan. 5 filed by a former Citizens Police Review Board member who was voted off the board because of an “abolish police” sticker on her cup.
Former Virginia Tech Athlete Who Refused to Kneel Reportedly to Receive $100K Settlement
A former Virginia Tech women’s soccer player will reportedly receive $100,000, according to her attorney, in a settlement after suing her coach for allegedly retaliating against her for her political views.
A federal appeals court held that a California public high school was within its rights after it disciplined two former students for creating and interacting with an Instagram account that shared posts targeting their Black classmates.
Virginia Tech Soccer Player’s Free Speech Lawsuit Continues to Trial
A former Virginia Tech women’s soccer player who refused to kneel in support of political protest in 2020 sued her coach for allegedly retaliating against her and forcing her off the team. On Dec. 2, a federal district judge denied the coach’s motion for summary judgment, advancing the case to trial.
Julian Assange, the Espionage Act and Dangerous Press Freedom Implications
Julian Assange is the first publisher in history to be charged with the World War I-era Espionage Act, igniting pushback from journalists around the world who say this could threaten press freedoms and endanger First Amendment protections.
U.S. Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Saudi Crown Prince in Journalist’s Killing
A U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Dec. 6 against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and two of his alleged co-conspirators in the murder of journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi. President Biden’s administration insisted that the Saudi prince was immune legally as the head-of-state, and the federal judge heeded its suggestion.
Supreme Court Justices Argue Free Speech Issue in Anti-Discrimination Case
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Dec. 5 in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, a case brought by a Colorado-based website designer who argues that the state’s anti-discrimination law violates her freedom of speech and religion — but her challenge came before the law was enforced against her.