Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Shawn Micallef

@shawnmicallef.bsky.social

18K followers 910 following 8.6K posts

Local tosser Books author (New: Stroll!) Toronto Star column writer Spacing Magazine co-founder U of T instructor Trying to do it a bit different here than the last place. Links to books, etc: https://linktr.ee/shawnmicallef 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🤘🏼

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · Dec 6

Hi new folks. Last year I rewrote my book Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto. Added like 30000 more words too. My (Toronto) life's work. A very good present to give! Bookstores or direct from Coach House or...

chbooks.com/Books/S/Stro...

Stroll, updated edition

THE TORONTO STAR'S "30 BOOKS WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS SPRING"The updated edition of a Toronto favourite meanders around some of the city’s unique neighborhoods and considers what makes a city walka...

chbooks.com

15 29 200

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 4h

daylight savings time should happen weekly. keep chasing the sun

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 4h

Speerific!

Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 7h

Press pool: “On Trump’s desk in the Oval Office today was a plan for a triumphal arch on the other side of the river from the Lincoln Memorial”

2 2 14

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 5h

Norway's sovereign wealth fund is nearly $2 trillion. Did well with all that oil money. Canada, facing similar threats from Trump, has ... Alberta threatening to separate.

Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 8h

The Guardian- The US president may impose tariffs, demand higher NATO contributions or even declare Norway an enemy, analyst says, if on Friday he is not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. www.theguardian.com/world/202...

Norway braces for Trump’s reaction if he does not win Nobel peace prize

US president may impose tariffs, demand higher Nato contributions or even declare Norway an enemy, analyst says

www.theguardian.com

1 23

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 5h

The Trillium is hammering this story.

"Months before he was put in charge of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, cabinet minister David Piccini was at a Toronto Maple Leafs game in front-row seats with a director of a company his office would later give $7.5 million in taxpayer-funded grants to. #OnPoli

Labour minister was in Leafs glass seats with director of company he granted funding to

The ‘lower-scoring’ company got $7.5M of tax dollars through David Piccini’s office and is a client of the lobbyist whose Parisian wedding the minister recently attended

www.thetrillium.ca

2 32 54

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 5h

When you see scary things in the news, look for the helpers.

Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 5h

www.wweek.com/culture/2025...

Can you put into words what that purpose is? You and the frog have really become icons of this protest.

There’s been a nice overall whimsy that has shown up. The frog is amazing. We had a bunch of other inflatable people here last night, too. I saw people playing Twister the other day.

What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it speaks to them, to some extent, that we’re actually not that afraid.

It also dismantles their narrative a little bit. When they try to describe this situation as “war-torn,” it becomes much harder to take them seriously when they have to post a video saying [U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and it’s, like, eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.

4 81 410

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 5h

Weekly panorama this afternoon. Leaves just starting to turn.

2 1 31

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 5h

Former US ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman (Obama appointee) was there & spoke a bit. Said (not verbatim) Canada needs to stay true to our values and can lead right now as US spirals.

4 15

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 6h

After his talk Abella said she's "depressed but inspired"

1 5

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 6h

Tonight I saw Philippe Sands lecture at @masseycollege.bsky.social about his work & new book 38 Londres Street. I read East West Street earlier this year & very much looking fed to this one. “Timely” as they say. He chatted w former Supreme Court judge Rosalie Abella.

1 16

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Kieran Healy @kjhealy.co · 9h

Yeah let’s return to that simpler, better time when the Church wasn’t political [puts two fingers to earpiece] Sorry I’m just getting an update

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 13h

As Pope Leo begins to reveal some of his views on divisive issues, some conservative critics of his predecessor are rejecting the possible rise of another “liberal pope.”

As Pope Leo riles conservatives, some say ‘just focus on the church’

Conservatives who hoped that Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, would be more of a traditionalist instead hear echoes of his predecessor, Francis, in his public statements.

www.washingtonpost.com

10 35 290

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 6h

“Vote Windsock for Mayor in 26”

Friends and Families for Safe Streets @ffsafestreets.bsky.social · 1d

Well, well, well. 👀

3 2 46

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Friends and Families for Safe Streets @ffsafestreets.bsky.social · 1d

Well, well, well. 👀

5 30 130

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 10h

The UN is trying to transfer 18 babies from NICUs in north Gaza, to be with their parents in south Gaza. They had to abandon attempts to save two babies due to gunfire and quadcopters, and one baby has already died www.reuters.com/world/middle...

www.reuters.com

9 5

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Armine Yalnizyan @armineyalnizyan.bsky.social · 11h

I am so in love with the foundation that gives me purpose.

The @atkinsonfoundation.bsky.social is launching a new annual "Good Fight Prize".

This video is why we fight for decent work for all.
youtu.be/K5IeTAXbMgw

Nominations for the prize are open until noon Oct 27. goodfightprize.ca/the-prize/

2025 Good Fight Prize - "When I Grow Up"

YouTube video by Atkinson Foundation

youtu.be

1 3 13

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Don Hood @dbhidi.bsky.social · 12h

There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch.*

Red Wind ~ Raymond Chandler

1 3

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Juno Rylee Schultz @junoryleejournalism.com · 1d

David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)

SHAPIRO: OK, so you've spent your career creating television without Al, and I could imagine today you thinking, boy, I wish I had had that tool to solve those thorny problems...
SIMON: What?
SHAPIRO: ...Or saying...
SIMON: You imagine that?
SHAPIRO: ...Boy, if that had existed, it would have screwed me over.
SIMON: I don't think Al can remotely challenge what writers do at a fundamentally creative level.
SHAPIRO: But if you're trying to transition from scene five to scene six, and you're stuck with that transition, you could imagine plugging that portion of the script into an Al and say, give me 10 ideas for how to transition this.
SIMON: I'd rather put a gun in my mouth.

280 6.9K 22K

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 12h

*laying awake

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 13h

When I was reporting in Sudan several years ago, a driver warned me not to tell government officials when I was leaving because the airport is where they stop and detain writers.

So, yeah, this is a very bad sign. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport

Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled

www.theguardian.com

100 170

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 13h

Their masculinity is already janky given they joined ICE. Shooting pepper at an inflatable frog must work on their fragility late in the night when laying away on their sweaty mattresses. Like the hot Santa Ana winds in a Raymond Carver story.

Danny K @dannykpolitics.bsky.social · 4d

WATCH: ‘Portland Frog’ pepper balled by ICE agents

2 8 39

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 1d

repost this if an editor has ever saved you from yourself

violent alien @blipstress.bsky.social · 1d

An actual hot take: Too many authors are afraid of editors watering down their voice or whatever and not afraid enough of editors letting you put any old slop on the page.

57 1.1K 3.6K

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 13h

The local councillor (guess who) is giving in to loud NIMFs

John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 17h

Today in Toronto East York Community Council: the Craven Road NIMBYs (I suppose NIMFYs?) are being thrown a bone in terms of street-specific garden suite zoning rules. Doesn't look fatal to ADUs but I'm irritated by this entire process. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Agenda Item History 2025.TE26.6

secure.toronto.ca

2 1 17

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 13h

I should have said "New York City"

Jordyn Marcellus @jordynmarcellus.ca · 13h

respectful counterpoint about the yankees.

donald trump in the yankees clubhouse shaking a player's hand while numerous players around them smile.

a shot from the yankees stadium where they're having a moment of silence for charlie kirk

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 15h

This is insane. #USA 🤬

US anti-fascism expert blocked from leaving the US to fly to Spain at airport
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport

Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled

www.theguardian.com

12 28 54

Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 13h

I think in the current climate, this applies to Jays playing any Blue city. Detroit. LA. Philadelphia. Chicago. Milwaukee. ✊🏼 Heck even the Yankees.

Dave of the Dead @aferaldavid.bsky.social · 4d

if the Blue Jays have to take on the Mariners it will be like that moment in the anime where the two heroes have to fight each other but they are crying the whole time

1 16

Reposted by Shawn Micallef

themeaningofliff.bsky.social @themeaningofliff.bsky.social · 1d

Was driving eastbound on Bremner Blvd. summer 1990 and almost got hit head on by a car travelling WEST in the eastbound lane. The guy passed us and he had his head out the window staring in awe at The SkyDome.

1 6