Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Catalina Fernandes @catalinafernandes.bsky.social · 8d

Protests and road blockades erupt in several European countries, including Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Belgium, condemning the attack on the Sumud Flotilla, with expectations of wider demonstrations.

2 19 28

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Raj Patel @rajpatel.org · 9d

AI Data Centers Are Sending Power Bills Soaring. The reliably good Bloomberg Green connects the dots between AI and the war on the poor www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

2 2

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

LPE Blog @lpeblog.bsky.social · 9d

Today, Darryl Li examines the alarming rise in campus antisemitism investigations—inquests that are often sparked by outside complaints, lack concrete evidence, and lay the groundwork for future crackdowns and grievances.

The Rising Threat of Antisemitism Investigations

In the fall of 2023, the Department of Education launched more antisemitism investigations into colleges and universities than in all previous years combined. This record was surpassed in 2024 and is…

lpeproject.org

8 9

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Truthout @truthout.org · 9d

Multiple states are jointly suing the Department of Health and Human Services and its Secretary, RFK Jr., over new rules restricting what can be taught in sexual education classes, after the administration threatened to cut funding to states that acknowledge trans people in their sex ed classes.

16 States Sue HHS After It Threatens to Cut Funds Over Trans Inclusion in Sex Ed

Last month, HHS warned dozens of states to drop lessons on transgender health or face millions in funding cuts.

truthout.org

3 79 210

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Gabriel Winant @gabrielwinant.bsky.social · 9d

@aaup.org won its case against the State Department's attempt to terrorize non-citizens and deprive them of their First Amendment rights

UChicago AAUP @uchicagoaaup.bsky.social · 9d

Huge victory for @aaup.org in AAUP v. Rubio:

18 69

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Maximillian Alvarez @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social · 13d

When I say working people are being sacrificed at the altar of profit, this is what it looks like...

"EPA withholds list of chemicals in Smitty's Supply fire, citing 'confidential business information'"
www.wbrz.com/news/epa-wit...

EPA withholds list of chemicals in Smitty's Supply fire, citing 'confidential business information'

Federal officials have not yet made public the list of hazardous materials present at a Tangipahoa Parish petroleum products plant that caught fire and exploded last month, saying that doing so might ...

www.wbrz.com

1 19 36

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Truthout @truthout.org · 13d

Trump's memo supposedly defines what constitutes “antifa” beliefs, listing “anti-American,” “anti-capitalist,” and “anti-Christian” views. However, it doesn’t specify whether it will target groups based on actual incidents of violence or simply for professing a certain ideology.

Trump “Domestic Terrorism” Memo Focuses on the Left, Ignores Right-Wing Violence

The memo contains ambiguous definitions for what qualifies a person or group as “antifa.”…

buff.ly

7 29 53

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

High Country News @highcountrynews.org · 13d

After oil companies go bust, the state is left paying to clean up abandoned wells, tanks, machinery and sludge pits.

New Mexico’s billion-dollar orphaned oilfield problem - High Country News

After oil companies go bust, the state is left paying to clean up abandoned wells, tanks, machinery and sludge pits.

buff.ly

3 25 37

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · 17d

"history is also going to remember the cowards who definitely knew better but still let things happen—whether it was for money, convenience, or just comfort. Use ... the only phrase that can genuinely make a weak bully go away: F**k you. Make me.”" www.pajiba.com/news/john-ol...

John Oliver Offers Four Defiant Words of Advice to Disney Over the Kimmel Situation

It works. Try it out, Bob Iger.

www.pajiba.com

110 2.3K 8.6K

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Benjamin Balthaser @blbalthaser.bsky.social · 17d

One might think the only Jewish head of state in North America - and also the most popular Jewish head of state in the world - recognizing a Palestinian embassador and calling on Israel to end its genocide might you know, be news

5 74 210

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

AAUP @aaup.org · 23d

BREAKING:

A historic coalition of national & California labor unions led by the AAUP filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging the illegal & coercive use of civil rights laws to attack the University of California system & the rights of their members.

UC employees, not waiting on leaders, sue Trump for 'financial coercion' over UCLA cuts

University of California faculty, students and staff on Tuesday sued President Trump over a $1.2-million penalty against UCLA and federal demands over campus changes. They argued that the actions camp...

www.latimes.com

9 300 760

Alyosha Goldstein @alyoshagoldstein.bsky.social · 21d

Important graph from the Cato Institute of all places

1

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Raj Patel @rajpatel.org · 22d

What's the opposite of MAHA? Mamadani. Here are some thoughts in the Boston Review on the fight for food as a public good. www.bostonreview.net/articles/mah...

1 5 10

Alyosha Goldstein @alyoshagoldstein.bsky.social · 21d

Today in @thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...

A Statement From US Jews Opposing Trump’s Attacks on Colleges and Students

The statement condemns Trump’s “disingenuous” weaponization of antisemitism to target universities and deport campus activists.

www.thenation.com

1

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

History is What's Happening @historyiswhat.bsky.social · 21d

On this day in history the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is signed into law, meant to reinforce the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and the Fugitive Slave Clause of the Constitution of 1789, since the Supreme Court in 1842 had ruled that states weren't required to aid in the hunting or recapture of slaves.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: Annotated - JSTOR Daily

The Fugitive Slave Act erased the most basic of constitutional rights for enslaved people and incentivized US Commissioners to support kidnappers.

daily.jstor.org

2 2 6

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 29d

Israel has launched strikes in six countries over the past 72 hours, targeting Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar, and Yemen aje.io/gx7iu7x

14 240 290

Alyosha Goldstein @alyoshagoldstein.bsky.social · Aug 21

Jodi Byrd's introduction🔥 to their forthcoming book Indigenomicon now available to download!!! (Full book available in November!) www.dukeupress.edu/indigenomicon

Indigenomicon

www.dukeupress.edu

6 11

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

The Intercept @theintercept.com · Aug 15

The Trump administration is pushing a rule change that would speed up the eviction process by providing tenants less notice.

Trump Is Trying to Make It Easier to Evict People From Public Housing

The Trump administration is pushing a rule change that would speed up the eviction process by providing tenants less notice.

interc.pt

27 49 78

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Nick Turse @nickturse.bsky.social · Aug 15

“Overseas military strikes certainly won’t solve drug overdose deaths in the U.S., which are far better addressed through public health measures,” said Stephanie Brewer of @wola-org.bsky.social

theintercept.com/2025/08/15/t...

Can Congress Stop Trump From Starting a War in Mexico?

More than 30 human rights groups urge congressional leaders to block Trump’s attempt to target Mexican cartels.

theintercept.com

6 13 58

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · Aug 15

What we are not going to do is pretend that we should be listening to Jillian Michael’s (a lesbian btw) airing lazy and incorrect talking points that shape her pathetic world view. Fuck her and the exercise mat she rode in on.

32 110 900

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Denise Oliver-Velez @deniseoliver-velez.bsky.social · Aug 1

In Rural Puerto Rico, Water Systems Depend on Volunteers—and Threatened Federal Grants
insideclimatenews.org/news/0108202...

In Rural Puerto Rico, Water Systems Depend on Volunteers—and Threatened Federal Grants - Inside Climate News

Across the archipelago, community leaders and academic partners are collaborating to bridge funding gaps and ensure disconnected residents maintain water access as storms grow stronger.

insideclimatenews.org

1 26 60

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · Aug 1

NEW: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funds.

Then the harassment began.

Pizzas sent to his home in the name of Judge Esther Salas’s murdered son, Daniel.

Six credible threats to his life.

More than 400 “vile” calls to his chambers—including this voicemail:

400 3.2K 6.5K

Reposted by Alyosha Goldstein

Nick Turse @nickturse.bsky.social · Aug 1

“This is yet another attempt to circumvent the Posse Comitatus Act, which normally prohibits the military from engaging in civilian law enforcement activities," @lizagoitein.bsky.social of @brennancenter.org told @theintercept.com

The Intercept @theintercept.com · Jul 31

Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to immigration facilities further blurs the line between military and law enforcement.