Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Pam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 17h

RFK fired the CDC official (w/decades of experience) leading the measles outbreak response. It's been decades since we've had such a large outbreak. And just to ensure they they can spread the measles outbreak even farther, they also fired the leadership for the center focused on immunization.

Figure showing the largest measles outbreak in the US in decades. There are over 1500 cases as of October 7 2025

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 16h

I pointed this out to multiple news outlets when the video first went viral, but I have not seen any news of it. It is really shocking. Is this legal?? (I know, I know...)

@ericswalwell.bsky.social @chrislhayes.bsky.social @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social @lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Please do something about it. Please also note that this video includes clips from a "detainment" in Maryland during which, if you watch the full vid closely, you see an "agent" in a white t-shirt sedate the man they are trying to detain with an injection via syringe to the arm. Please investigate.

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 16h

Idk, there is definitely a bar in Portland serving these to guys in frog costumes. 😊😉

Nessa Carson @supersciencegrl.co.uk · 16h

These are the new fungi I saw using Seek today. It reads just like a goth cocktail menu 🍹

Images and names of fungi
Parasol
Deathcap
Hoof fungus
Bovine jack
The flirt
Purple-veiled slippery jack
Cloudy clitobite
Fly agaric
Common stinkhorn

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 16h

Uhhhhh...you must have a high powered SEM over there

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 18h

A classic case of irresponsible both-sidesism from the NYT. The story is that Trump and MAGA propagandists are lying about Portland to incite a conflict, not that there are different views of the matter.

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Hi, friends. Next week, I'll be walking with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention @afspnational.bsky.social in Washington, DC. If you'd like to donate to support my walk and to save lives, please click. My goal is just $250. Thank you! #StopSuicide afspwalks.donordrive.com/participants...

Please support the Washington DC Walk this fall to help #stopsuicide

Please support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Donate or register to walk!

afspwalks.donordrive.com

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 1d

Agree, great piece from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social

Jayanta Bhattacharya accepted the power of his position, but not the responsibility. He is at the helm overseeing the destruction of American science - with devastating impacts on early career scientists.

And ultimately everyone.

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 1d

Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social

Definitely worth a read!

www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...

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NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers

Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.

www.the-scientist.com

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

(It's the same incident when the bald "agent" drops his clip and points his weapon at the crowd.)

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Please do something about it. Please also note that this video includes clips from a "detainment" in Maryland during which, if you watch the full vid closely, you see an "agent" in a white t-shirt sedate the man they are trying to detain with an injection via syringe to the arm. Please investigate.

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

@grinspoon.bsky.social

Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

AGU Science Policy @aguscipolicy.bsky.social · 2d

Applications for Local Science Partners are open! Interested in building relationships with your members of Congress in DC and learning how to navigate federal funding uncertainty (like a shutdown)? Apply by Oct 15: lite.spr.ly/6006zyZw #scipol #scienceadvocacy

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

FASEB @faseborg.bsky.social · 2d

📰 The latest issue of the Washington Update is out! Stay informed about updates from Capitol Hill, science policy news, advocacy, and news from federal agencies here: buff.ly/3r3cc1u #SciNews #SciPol #Researchers

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Science Policy Group at UCSF @spgatucsf.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you to @mildobserver.bsky.social from SF Public Press for highlighting the challenges facing researchers in today’s uncertain funding environment. Check out the piece featuring SPG at UCSF leader @sneharao.bsky.social and our colleague @erinmorrow.bsky.social from @scipolucla.bsky.social!

San Francisco Public Press @sfpublicpress.bsky.social · 2d

What happens when science funding disappears?
At UCSF and the SF VA, labs are laying off staff, trials are paused, and patients are left waiting.
Our new Civic episode breaks down how federal cuts — and now a shutdown — are reshaping science in the Bay Area.
🎧

Effects of Research Funding Cuts Ripple Through San Francisco Labs, Clinics and Lives - San Francisco Public Press

Federal funding cuts to medical research and new rules for grants are dismantling projects at the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical…

www.sfpublicpress.org

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) @ccst.us · 1d

Scientists and policy experts came together at #ScienceDay2025 to build partnerships that strengthen California’s resilience.
See highlights from our 3rd annual event with @canaturalresources.bsky.social
& Sec. @wadecrowfoot.bsky.social ccst.us/scientists-a...

#SciencePolicy #ccst-alumni

ccst.us

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

"On Friday night, a senior administration official told NBC News "those RIFs are a snapshot in time and represent only where things were at the time of the court filing," suggesting the situation remains fluid."
www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/s...

Trump administration begins laying off more than 4,000 federal workers amid government shutdown, court filing shows

The Trump administration on Friday began laying off more than 4,000 federal workers, according to a court filing, as the government remains shut down due to the inability of Congress to reach a fundin...

www.nbcwashington.com

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

On Friday night, a senior administration official told NBC News "those RIFs are a snapshot in time and represent only where things were at the time of the court filing..."

via @nbcwashington.com

www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/s...

Trump administration begins laying off more than 4,000 federal workers amid government shutdown, court filing shows

The Trump administration on Friday began laying off more than 4,000 federal workers, according to a court filing, as the government remains shut down due to the inability of Congress to reach a fundin...

www.nbcwashington.com

Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 3d

FIGHT FOR SCIENCE RALLY ✊🌏
⏰ WHEN: October 17th, 2025
📍WHERE: 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC!
RSVP to JOIN THE FIGHT IRL: zurl.co/LayiM ‼️

📲 Join us Virtually!: zurl.co/Um47l

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 1d

HHS confirms to @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social that it will be impacted by the RIFS promised earlier today by Russel Vought

If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out

www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...

HHS employees to be fired as White House enacts mass terminations it blames on shutdown

Federal health employees are being fired as the White House makes good on a promise to terminate federal employees en masse because of the shutdown.

www.statnews.com

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 1d

Russell Vought, OMB Director, is using this shutdown to further the aims of Project 2025. He is slashing the federal workforce, and dismantling our agencies.

This is not just a shutdown standoff — it's finishing the job of DOGE. Take action for federal workers here! zurl.co/up9de

Poster graphic reading: This isn’t just a shutdown standoff. Project 2025 aims to critically slash our federal workforce and dismantle our agencies. Doge already laid off 300k. Project 2025’s real goal? At least 1 Million federal employees laid off. In bold red highlighted text: Vought wants to finish the job.

Highlighted text at top of graphic reads: Solidarity with federal workers! In red text below: Take Action!
Two blue bubbles read: Call Congress and let them know: Stop Vought! and Stand with Federal Workers! Links in our Bio to sign:
A list of petitions: Solidarity with NASA, EPA, FEMA, NIH

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Horrible. #CDC

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 1d

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:

Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Dear federal employees,
Thank you and I'm sorry.

a woman is holding a bottle of baby lotion and says i hate it .

ALT: a woman is holding a bottle of baby lotion and says i hate it .

media.tenor.com

Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Dominique Baker @bakerdphd.bsky.social · 1d

Going back to ignoring the government in a moment but this is why I spent so much time pushing on the condition of education. It's so important that it's explicitly required by law. And yet...

Sam Halpert @samhalpert.bsky.social · 1d

It’s impt enough to be explicitly required by law: The Secretary of Health and Human Services “shall publish weekly reports of health conditions in the United States…and other pertinent health information for the use of persons and institutions concerned with health services.” (42 U.S.C. §242o(b)

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Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 1d

Russell Vought has announced that "mass firings [RIFs] have begun."

Lawless. The RIFs in the spring were illegal, as Judge Illston outlined. Yes, the conservative SCOTUS supermajority lawlessly signed off. But the Calvinball Court is not doing law.

Congress can stop this. A thread: 1/

'RIFs have begun.' Vought announces start of mass firings during government shutdown

The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues.

www.pbs.org

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Caitlin S., PhD @paleophile.bsky.social · 1d

Hi, friends. Next week, I'll be walking with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention @afspnational.bsky.social in Washington, DC. If you'd like to donate to support my walk and to save lives, please click. My goal is just $250. Thank you! #StopSuicide afspwalks.donordrive.com/participants...

Please support the Washington DC Walk this fall to help #stopsuicide

Please support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Donate or register to walk!

afspwalks.donordrive.com

1 1

Reposted by Caitlin S., PhD

Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 1d

New: Judge Murphy vacates DoD's 15% indirect cost plan, adding to court losses for DOE, NSF, and NIH.

www.courtlistener.com/docket/70552...

Memorandum & Order – #90 in Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-11740) – CourtListener.com

Memorandum & Order

www.courtlistener.com

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