Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 6h

Thanks, KGB!! We’re tryin!

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 20h

Some cool news: I got to do a fun side project. I’ll be co-hosting a limited series called “Books We’ve Loved.” It’s where we revisit some of our fave books or read classics for the first time. I’m stoked. It starts Saturday, October 18th in the Books We Love feed from NPR. The said books are below:

Books stacked atop each other:

Interview with the Vampire by Ann Rice
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
True Grit by Charles Portis
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Dune by Frank Herbert
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan

NPR’s announcement of “Books We’ve Loved.” A new limited series from Book Of The Day. Hosted by Book of the Day’s Andrew Limbong and Code Switch’s B.A. Parker.

1 4 21

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 1d

Losing Robert Redford, David Lynch and Diane Keaton in the same calendar year might break me.

22

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 3d

See? Audio can be inadvertently funny sometimes.

Michel Martin, NPR @michelmartinnpr.bsky.social · 3d

@baparker.bsky.social just pointed this out: why is the cough button next to the mono button?

3

Reposted by B.A. Parker

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 5d

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal cuts

Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations

abcnews.go.com

42 830 2.5K

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 10d

He learned that he could do that and a lot of his viewers would be ok with it, and there would be no real ramifications. So sadly, we were the ones to learn a hard lesson.

1 3

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 10d

A new Code Switch ep is out that I’m really proud of. My colleague Mariya tries to reconcile Pakistan’s relationship with Malala with the West’s. And how maybe the western stamp of approval puts her in a different light back home. open.spotify.com/episode/6N72...

Why Malala Yousafzai is a hero in the West but not back home

open.spotify.com

6

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 10d

For better or worse, he is maintaining Jay Leno’s legacy in this way specifically.

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 11d

Jimmy Fallon plans to “keep my head down” and avoid politics on “The Tonight Show”: “We hit both sides equally”

Jimmy Fallon Plans to ‘Keep My Head Down’ and Avoid Politics on ‘The Tonight Show’: ‘We Hit Both Sides Equally’

Jimmy Fallon says he plans to "keep my head down" and avoid politics on "The Tonight Show."

variety.com

2 14

Reposted by B.A. Parker

NPR @npr.org · 11d

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

690 9.7K 31K

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 15d

Update: Every time someone was shot at a puff of air blew against my cheek. And that’s when I realized this might’ve been an insensitive way to experience this movie.

3

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 16d

I’m going to a 4DX showing of One Battle After Another tonight. I have no idea what in that movie would require that… I assume when there is gunfire, water will spray on me.

1 8

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 23d

I’ve watched Beatty’s Reds and Pakula’s All the President’s Men both in the past 19 hours. I’m ready. AMA.

6

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 26d

This remains my favorite Twilight Zone ep. Oddly enough helped me process the loss of a relative when I was a kid. I had “what you thought would go out like an explosion is like a whisper" written on my bedroom wall for a long time. I hope this ep still helps people process.

Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 26d

Robert Redford playing a gentle incarnation of death, coming for a frightened old woman in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark" (1962). An extraordinary performance then, terribly bittersweet today

3 8

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 26d

💔

Original one-sheet for the 1972 satire The Candidate starring Robert Redford. He’s blowing a bubblegum bubble while standing in front of an American flag.

1 4

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · 29d

My cousins would like me to warn people that Baltimorons is not a nomenclature created by black people in the city. Call them that and you will catch hands.

1 3

Reposted by B.A. Parker

NPR @npr.org · Sep 10

Yes, the first-ever stage dive at the Tiny Desk occurs during Turnstile's set, but not before a wild reimagination of the hardcore band's wide-ranging sound.

Turnstile: Tiny Desk Concert

Yes, the first-ever stage dive at the Tiny Desk occurs during Turnstile's set, but not before a wild reimagination of the hardcore band's wide-ranging sound.

n.pr

5 36 150

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · Sep 2

Statistically how much online social media content is just job auditions?

1

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · Aug 22

I have an event coming up in DC that I’m so excited about and absolutely none of my family wants to attend because they validly don’t feel safe… because of this. And that’s sadly this administration’s intention.

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · Aug 22

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., to be armed

National Guard Members On DC Streets Will Be Armed, Military Says

The Pentagon and the Army said last week that troops would not carry guns.

www.huffpost.com

11

Reposted by B.A. Parker

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · Aug 1

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shutting down operations after loss of federal funding:

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced today that it will begin an orderly wind-down of its operations following the passage of a federal rescissions package and the release of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) appropriations bill, which excludes funding for CPB for the first time in more than five decades.

For nearly 60 years, CPB has carried out its Congressional mission to build and sustain a trusted public media system that informs, educates, and serves communities across the country. Through partnerships with local stations and producers, CPB has supported educational content, locally relevant journalism, emergency communications, cultural programming, and essential services for Americans in every community.

“Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations,” said CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison. “CPB remains committed to fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities and supporting our partners through this transition with transparency and care.”

260 1.9K 3.5K

Reposted by B.A. Parker

Baltimore Beat @baltimorebeat.bsky.social · Jul 30

Issue 66 of Baltimore Beat is live. Our cover photo is of James Mosher League baseball players on their opening day. It was taken by Christian Thomas.

This image is of the cover of Baltimore Beat. It shows a group of young baseball players all in their navy blue and white Yankees uniforms.

4 35 130

Reposted by B.A. Parker

Danielle Kurtzleben @titonka.bsky.social · Jul 30

Ok here’s something cool. Adopt a station — donate to the public media stations that rely the most on federal funds. >>> adoptastation.org

Adopt A Station - Rescue Public Media

Help preserve independent journalism and community programming across America by adopting a public media station. Congress has voted to rescind public media's funding.

adoptastation.org

1 57 99

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · Jul 30

Why is every girl in NYC wearing adidas gym shorts and a blouse right now? Did I miss a meeting?

1 2

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · Jul 28

Kenny, repent oh my gosh!

Pop Crave @popcrave.com · Jul 27

Love Island USA’s JaNa and Kenny have split, TMZ reports.

2

B.A. Parker @baparker.bsky.social · Jul 28

I’ll never begrudge Pedro Pascal employment. It’s just a bummer that he’s so prolific, because then he’s only in like 1/4th of the actual run times?? (Except for F4). But big in the promo. That may be the only way he can agree to do so many things. But it feels like a disservice to him and his fans.

2

Reposted by B.A. Parker

Jill Lawrence @jilldlawrence.bsky.social · Jul 27

The Washington Post has a wonderful obit of Tom Lehrer. I laughed out loud many times. Here's a gift link, and here's this piece (or its traffic) will convince whoever is running that place to replenish and respect the obit section. 1/2 🎁https://wapo.st/3J6GVeA

Tom Lehrer, master satirist of Cold War era, dies at 97

In song, he brilliantly skewered clichés about romance, patriotism and small-town life.

wapo.st

27 170 580