Ben Saunders
@bensaunders.bsky.social
Neuroscientist and gardener
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Pinned
Ben Saunders
@bensaunders.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons integrate positive and negative valence - Nature Communications
The role of ventral tegmental area GABA neurons in behavior is unclear. Here, authors show that VTA GABA but not dopamine neurons integrate positive and negative valence to encode motivational conflic...
www.nature.com
So excited to see our latest paper out today in @natcomms.nature.com! Studies led by the amazing @margestelzner.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41.... VTA GABA neurons have a unique role in economic decision making - they integrate reward seeking motivation and the current cost of seeking
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
January 30, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Reposted by Ben Saunders
ICE activity has not noticeably tapered off yet here and in fact this week they seem to be focused on terrorizing kids at bus stops and schools.
yes, there are no real signs of any big change in DHS activity here yet. In Chicago there really was after Bovino left and they basically ended "Midway Blitz" not so here so far.
I don’t know, declaring victory in MN seems premature. They’re still arresting people and brutalizing the community. The changes appear—so far—to be cosmetic
January 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM
ICE activity has not noticeably tapered off yet here and in fact this week they seem to be focused on terrorizing kids at bus stops and schools.
This is obvious but - cutting some funds from their huge budget won't fix this. Abolish and prosecute ICE or there is no bottom.
A 2-year-old’s detention is part of an accelerating trend of what an attorney describes as ICE agents sending children and adults with legal immigration status out of state to avoid dealing with accountability from the federal court system.
‘ICE conveyor belt’ illegally detaining, moving Minnesota children to Texas faster than courts can respond
ICE is pulling Minnesota immigrant families with legal status out of their driveways, homes and school commutes and sending them to Texas within hours — in at least two cases against a judge’s order. ...
www.mprnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:31 PM
This is obvious but - cutting some funds from their huge budget won't fix this. Abolish and prosecute ICE or there is no bottom.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
January 27, 2026 at 7:57 PM
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
People outside of Minnesota, in
case you are wondering how to help the current situation, this website has many current opportunities to donate and support people who need help in Minnesota. Help pay rent, get groceries, and provide other support for people in hiding.
www.standwithminnesota.com
case you are wondering how to help the current situation, this website has many current opportunities to donate and support people who need help in Minnesota. Help pay rent, get groceries, and provide other support for people in hiding.
www.standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:10 PM
People outside of Minnesota, in
case you are wondering how to help the current situation, this website has many current opportunities to donate and support people who need help in Minnesota. Help pay rent, get groceries, and provide other support for people in hiding.
www.standwithminnesota.com
case you are wondering how to help the current situation, this website has many current opportunities to donate and support people who need help in Minnesota. Help pay rent, get groceries, and provide other support for people in hiding.
www.standwithminnesota.com
Reposted by Ben Saunders
This is such a disturbing idea. Setting aside that you can't do immigration work in someone else's country, the government using them as private protection is wild. The implications are staggering.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
US to send ICE agents to Winter Olympics, prompting Italian anger
The US federal agency says it will not play an immigration role at February's event in Milan-Cortina.
www.bbc.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:57 PM
This is such a disturbing idea. Setting aside that you can't do immigration work in someone else's country, the government using them as private protection is wild. The implications are staggering.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
i have just gotten off a productive call with sauron where i laid out our requests
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
- nazgul bodycams
- morgul knife must remain sheathed unless suspect is determined to be carrying the one ring
- shelob will be the new point of contact
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Bovino's gone but it's not over: they're ramping up. They're going to use Fort Snelling for "parking approximately 300-500 vehicles . . . a ready room space for 500-800 CBP personnel . . . access to a magazine to store munitions."
Exclusive: Hegseth boosts Minneapolis immigration siege, approving use of military base
In an email obtained by the Chronicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection asked for use of Fort Snelling to house federal immigration agents, weapons, vehicles and aircraft.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Bovino's gone but it's not over: they're ramping up. They're going to use Fort Snelling for "parking approximately 300-500 vehicles . . . a ready room space for 500-800 CBP personnel . . . access to a magazine to store munitions."
Reposted by Ben Saunders
“We are starting to build a huge ICE OUT sign on Lake Nokomis [in Mpls.] 100 foot letters for MSP flights to see. By day snow letters, by night we’ll light w/ candles in white paper bags
Send this widely.
Tonight will get it outlined. Tomorrow night we’ll light it up and keep it going all week.“
Send this widely.
Tonight will get it outlined. Tomorrow night we’ll light it up and keep it going all week.“
January 25, 2026 at 9:07 PM
“We are starting to build a huge ICE OUT sign on Lake Nokomis [in Mpls.] 100 foot letters for MSP flights to see. By day snow letters, by night we’ll light w/ candles in white paper bags
Send this widely.
Tonight will get it outlined. Tomorrow night we’ll light it up and keep it going all week.“
Send this widely.
Tonight will get it outlined. Tomorrow night we’ll light it up and keep it going all week.“
Reposted by Ben Saunders
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
January 26, 2026 at 6:28 PM
"ICE OUT" on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, as seen from my flight leaving MSP airport
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Reposted by Ben Saunders
"Trump today is attempting something unprecedented that stands in contravention of all historical tradition in the United States: the brutal application of federal forces against a state and region with no apparent reason beyond it being led by members of the political opposition.”
Why Minnesota Can't Do More to Stop ICE
Democratic lawmakers have few options that wouldn't trigger something like civil war.
www.wired.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:52 PM
"Trump today is attempting something unprecedented that stands in contravention of all historical tradition in the United States: the brutal application of federal forces against a state and region with no apparent reason beyond it being led by members of the political opposition.”
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Saying there must be trials isn't just an emotive aspiration.
Congress can:
- Create a new court (complying w/ 6A jury vicinage)
- Give it jurisdiction over defined category of crimes
- Also create dedicated prosecutors for the same
- Strip SCOTUS of appellate jurisdiction
It can be done.
Congress can:
- Create a new court (complying w/ 6A jury vicinage)
- Give it jurisdiction over defined category of crimes
- Also create dedicated prosecutors for the same
- Strip SCOTUS of appellate jurisdiction
It can be done.
January 25, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Saying there must be trials isn't just an emotive aspiration.
Congress can:
- Create a new court (complying w/ 6A jury vicinage)
- Give it jurisdiction over defined category of crimes
- Also create dedicated prosecutors for the same
- Strip SCOTUS of appellate jurisdiction
It can be done.
Congress can:
- Create a new court (complying w/ 6A jury vicinage)
- Give it jurisdiction over defined category of crimes
- Also create dedicated prosecutors for the same
- Strip SCOTUS of appellate jurisdiction
It can be done.
Solidarity and shared grief standing with a couple hundred neighbors out in the -10 weather holding candles and singing tonight
January 25, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Solidarity and shared grief standing with a couple hundred neighbors out in the -10 weather holding candles and singing tonight
Reposted by Ben Saunders
🚨BREAKING: Hours after federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, Pam Bondi seized upon the incident to demand access to voter rolls, directly tying the Trump administration’s quest for voters’ unredacted personal data to its aggressive immigration raids across the state.
AG Bondi demands access to Minnesota voter rolls after fatal Border Patrol shooting
Her demand came as Minneapolis was reeling from a second fatal shooting by a federal agent this month.
www.democracydocket.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:30 PM
🚨BREAKING: Hours after federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, Pam Bondi seized upon the incident to demand access to voter rolls, directly tying the Trump administration’s quest for voters’ unredacted personal data to its aggressive immigration raids across the state.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The Strib has identified him. Alex Pretti. Another 37-year-old executed for standing up for our immigrant neighbors. For shame.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 24, 2026 at 6:49 PM
The Strib has identified him. Alex Pretti. Another 37-year-old executed for standing up for our immigrant neighbors. For shame.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Hundreds of people are walking towards the federal paramilitary who *just murdered a guy this morning* with their hands raised. The courage of people who live here is stunning.
January 24, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Hundreds of people are walking towards the federal paramilitary who *just murdered a guy this morning* with their hands raised. The courage of people who live here is stunning.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation say federal agents shot a man multiple times in south Minneapolis this morning.
A video taken from inside Glam Doll Donuts shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
A video taken from inside Glam Doll Donuts shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Man shot by federal agent in south Minneapolis this morning, witnesses say
A video appears to shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation say federal agents shot a man multiple times in south Minneapolis this morning.
A video taken from inside Glam Doll Donuts shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
A video taken from inside Glam Doll Donuts shows agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him multiple times.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today
January 24, 2026 at 12:38 AM
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
January 23, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
Reposted by Ben Saunders
NIH needs statutory protections against partisan politicized decision-making - especially around grant terminations. This bill is a solid start to achieving those aims.
degette.house.gov/media-center...
degette.house.gov/media-center...
DeGette Introduces Bill to Protect NIH From Political Interference
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes...
degette.house.gov
January 21, 2026 at 6:29 PM
NIH needs statutory protections against partisan politicized decision-making - especially around grant terminations. This bill is a solid start to achieving those aims.
degette.house.gov/media-center...
degette.house.gov/media-center...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Thousands of Minnesotans marched in downtown Minneapolis to protest ICE. The wind chill was 30 below during the march.
Hundreds of businesses closed their doors Friday in support of the protest as activists urged Minnesotans to abstain from economic activity.
Hundreds of businesses closed their doors Friday in support of the protest as activists urged Minnesotans to abstain from economic activity.
January 23, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Thousands of Minnesotans marched in downtown Minneapolis to protest ICE. The wind chill was 30 below during the march.
Hundreds of businesses closed their doors Friday in support of the protest as activists urged Minnesotans to abstain from economic activity.
Hundreds of businesses closed their doors Friday in support of the protest as activists urged Minnesotans to abstain from economic activity.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Demonstrators as far as the eye can see. Current status of the march in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota for Ice Out of Minnesota. They are turning onto 3rd Street from 5th Avenue.
January 23, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Demonstrators as far as the eye can see. Current status of the march in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota for Ice Out of Minnesota. They are turning onto 3rd Street from 5th Avenue.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵