Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 21h

The CDC’s Poxvirus & Rabies Branch—key to monitoring the only disease ever eradicated, #smallpox was reportedly RIF’d in the recent “Friday Massacre.”

Two labs in the world retain live variola virus (U.S. & Russia) and raises serious questions for global health security and oversight.

6 60 120

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 21h

From last night.... chaos is a management strategy to undermine and demoralize health experts and the federal workforce.

We should call it out and reject it.

These are not 'errors'.

More here:
open.substack.com/pub/joshuasw...

7 13

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 1d

For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.

Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.

rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...

17 310 520

Reposted by Jill Burcum

NPR @npr.org · 2d

Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full range of their policy positions and suggesting that the country's immigration policy is "inhuman."

Pope Leo XIV says 'inhuman treatment of immigrants' in the U.S. isn't 'pro-life'

Pope Leo XIV weighed in on U.S. politics, saying that Catholic politicians must be judged on the full range of their policy positions and suggesting that the country's immigration policy is "inhuman."

n.pr

240 2.5K 9.2K

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 1d

One of my go-to recipes!

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 2d

"For me, a chocolate cake is the basic unit of celebration," Nigella Lawson writes. Try her five-star chocolate Guinness cake recipe: nyti.ms/4355for

A slice of chocolate cake with white frosting with the headline: Five-Star Chocolate Guinness Cake

4

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 2d

Trump proposing 100% tariffs on China

140 150 560

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.

520 6.2K 14K

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 2d

This is breathtakingly reckless.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 2d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

2 7 10

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 2d

I thought that math was required for the MCATs

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Dr Oz: "Drugs for lung diseases are discounted massively. The president highlighted 650%. Significant discounts ... "

16 42 210

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 2d

Speaker Johnson just declared the House will remain in recess all next week. This will mark a full month off; the chamber has not been in session since September 19.

280 740 1.8K

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 2d

Statement from American Soybean Association as trade tensions ramp up, not down, with China.

Screenshot of statement from American Soybeans Association.

2 1

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 2d

Probably not helpful in getting China to buy more American soybeans. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Trump threatens tariffs on China, says he may cancel meeting with Xi

President Donald Trump said he is unhappy about China’s “hostile” move to limit access to rare minerals used in manufacturing.

www.washingtonpost.com

1 2 7

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 2d

Probably not the best strategy to get China to buy more American soybeans this year or years to come. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Trump threatens tariffs on China, says he may cancel meeting with Xi

President Donald Trump said he is unhappy about China’s “hostile” move to limit access to rare minerals used in manufacturing.

www.washingtonpost.com

1 2

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 3d

White House will release the plan in two weeks, right?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d

Thune: "The president would like to overhaul Obamacare and give people health insurance that is higher quality and more affordable."

1 1 5

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 3d

Immigrants have been awarded 40% of the Nobel Prizes won by Americans in chemistry, medicine and physics since 2000. nfap.com/research/new...

25 220 680

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 3d

BREAKING: Federal judge issues a TRO in the Northern District of Illinois (including Chicago and the Broadview ICE facility), providing protections for protesters and journalists covering the protests.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Some of the key elements:

1. It is hereby ORDERED that Defendants,' their officers, agents, assigns, and all
persons acting in concert with them (hereafter referred to as "Federal Agents"), are temporarily ENJOINED in this judicial district from:
Dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, threatening or using physical
force against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a Journalist, unless
Defendants have probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime.
Defendants may order a Journalist to change location to avoid disrupting law enforcement,
' President Trump, one of the named Defendants, is not included in this Order.
1
Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 2 of 6 PagelD #:836
as long as the Journalist has an objectively reasonable time to comply and an objectively
reasonable opportunity to report and observe;

b. Issuing a crowd dispersal order requiring any person to leave a public place
that they lawfully have a right to be, unless dispersal is justified by exigent circumstances as defined by Department of Homeland Security Use of Force Policy (updated Feb. 6,
2023), Sections III.F and XII.E;
С.
For purposes of this Order, a crowd dispersal order is a lawful command
given by a Federal Agent for all persons to leave a designated area when three or more persons are committing acts of disorderly conduct that are likely to cause substantial harm in the immediate vicinity;
d. Using riot control weapons including kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs), Compressed Air Launchers (e.g., PIS and FN303), Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray, CS gas, CN gas, or other chemical irritants, 40 mm Munitions Launchers, less-lethal shotguns,
Less-Lethal Specialty Impact-Chemical Munitions (LLSI-CM), Controlled Noise and Light Distraction Devices (CNLDDs), Electronic Control Weapons (ECWs) - on members of the press, protesters, or religious practitioners who are not posing an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer or others;

To facilitate the Defendants' identification of Journalists protected under
this Order, the following are examples of indicia of being a Journalist: visual identification as a member of the press, such as by carrying a professional press pass, badge or credentials; wearing distinctive clothing or patches that identify the wearer as a member of the press; or carrying professional gear such as professional photographic or videography
equipment. Other indicia of being a Journalist under this Order include that the person is standing off to the side of a protest, not engaging in chanting, sign holding, shouting slogans, or otherwise protesting, and documenting protest activities, although these are not
requirements. These indicia are illustrative, and a person need not exhibit every indicium
to be considered a Journalist under this Order. Defendants shall not be liable for unintentional violations of this Order in the case of an individual who does not wear a press pass, badge, or other official press credential, professional gear, or distinctive clothing that identifies the person as a member of the press.

It is further ORDERED that all Federal Agents, excepting those who do not wear a
uniform or other distinguishing clothing or equipment in the regular performance of their official
4
Case: 1:25-cv-12173 Document #: 42 Filed: 10/09/25 Page 5 of 6 PagelD #:839
duties or are engaged in undercover operations in the regular performance of their official duties, must have visible identification (for which a unique recognizable alphanumeric identifier sequence
will suffice) affixed to their uniforms or helmets and prominently displayed, including when
wearing riot gear.

20 710 2.1K

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 3d

Important read: www.startribune.com/trump-threat...

Olson: If Trump comes for Pritzker, he comes for all of us

"Republicans, we’re begging: Stand up for our governors," Rochelle Olson writes.

www.startribune.com

1 1

Reposted by Jill Burcum

The Lincoln Project @lincolnproject.us · 4d

Navarro: 'we are just in the most beautiful place we've been I think ever with respect to trade'

*In Q2 2024, China bought over $3 billion in soybeans from U.S. farmers. This year, they’ve bought $0.

240 580 1.6K

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 5d

One big difference ... is that local reporters seem to be more focused on the work than on raising their career profile. "They’re less nervous about blowing the book deal or not getting the MSNBC hit or the CNN hit and just doing the job."

Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 5d

If you think today's news media picture is grim, take stock of how Chicago's local journalists are getting at the truth despite Homeland Security's campaign of lies and intimidation.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.

The press steps up as Trump targets Chicago

Local journalism is under siege, but still makes itself indispensable

www.stopthepresses.news

3 4

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 6d

Even in countries that chose *not* to impose retaliatory tariffs on US spirits, our spirits exports have plummeted. Exports to UK and Japan declined >23% YoY, while exports to the EU were down 12%.
Canada did retaliate - and US exports there fell 85%.
www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/u...

48 150 540

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 6d

CDC has finally adopted the recommendations its vaccine panel made Sept. 19. This should increase access to Covid vaccines somewhat — CVS and Walgreens had said once the recs were official, they'd offer the shots w/o Rx nationwide, and Vaccines for Children program also needed the official approval

11 150 370

Jill Burcum @jburcum.bsky.social · 5d

NDSU expert puts bailout sum needed at $45 billion. Trump to Unveil Farmer Aid as China Shuns U.S. Crops www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/u...

Trump to Unveil Farmer Aid as China Shuns U.S. Crops

www.nytimes.com

1 3

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 6d

👀 Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks with Republicans on Obamacare funding, saying she’s not a fan of the law but demands action to prevent a premium hike. “I’m absolutely disgusted that health insurance premiums will DOUBLE if the tax credits expire this year.” She says GOP leaders don’t have a plan.

190 470 1.8K

Reposted by Jill Burcum

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 6d

JUST IN: Chicago journalistsa re suing DHS and ICE over force used against reporters:

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

340 5.3K 19K