Bridget Smith Pieschel
@bpieschel.bsky.social
Professor Emerita of English and Women’s Studies. Graduate of Mississippi University for Women. Mississippi Democrat. Mother of five; grandmother of five. Fan of history based on primary documents.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
December 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a stern warning to his officers on Thursday: Intervene when you see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using unlawful force or lose your job.
Minneapolis police chief warns officers: Stop unlawful force by ICE or lose your job
Chief Brian O’Hara says he’ll fire city police officers if they don’t intervene when immigration agents use unlawful force.
www.ms.now
December 6, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara issued a stern warning to his officers on Thursday: Intervene when you see Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents using unlawful force or lose your job.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
You have to be a villain to commit the first strike on the boat. You have to be an absolute irredeemable monster to carry out the second one.
December 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
You have to be a villain to commit the first strike on the boat. You have to be an absolute irredeemable monster to carry out the second one.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
@npr it’s not a principle. It is a constitutional guarantee.
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
@npr it’s not a principle. It is a constitutional guarantee.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Friends, Kimberly Griffin—one of the two women who co-founded the Mississippi Free Press in 2020—is leaving her role as publisher.
We will miss her tremendously, but we understand her decision and we are eternally grateful for what @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social built here.
We will miss her tremendously, but we understand her decision and we are eternally grateful for what @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social built here.
Publisher’s Note | ‘A Wild Ride’: The Story of Starting, Growing and Passing the MFP Torch
MFP Publisher Kimberly Griffin announces her planned departure from her role next year and looks back with pride on what she helped build.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Friends, Kimberly Griffin—one of the two women who co-founded the Mississippi Free Press in 2020—is leaving her role as publisher.
We will miss her tremendously, but we understand her decision and we are eternally grateful for what @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social built here.
We will miss her tremendously, but we understand her decision and we are eternally grateful for what @kimberlygriffin.bsky.social built here.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
Bookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.
Bookshop.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
Join us tomorrow on December 5th at noon until 1 pm to support Ukraine, our ally, and to support our Senator Roger Wicker in his efforts to examine the lawfullness of the bombing of foreign boats on the high seas. Support public education. Support a cause you believe in. We have a voice. Speak up.
December 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Join us tomorrow on December 5th at noon until 1 pm to support Ukraine, our ally, and to support our Senator Roger Wicker in his efforts to examine the lawfullness of the bombing of foreign boats on the high seas. Support public education. Support a cause you believe in. We have a voice. Speak up.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Today’s soup made from the turkey stock frozen on Thanksgiving Day. A++
December 3, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Today’s soup made from the turkey stock frozen on Thanksgiving Day. A++
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Thank you for an amazing #GivingNewsDay with a steady roll of doubled donations all day yesterday! The next $5,000 in donations starting today are TRIPLED! 💜🎄🥂
Our next match is unlocked! Your support goes 3X as far. That means your $100 gift becomes $300. Thanks to B.R. Hawkins, Beverley Coleman and the Philanthropic Access Partner Fund, we have a fresh $5,000 triple match. Will you consider donating to our 501(c)(3) today? givebutter.com/mfpdonate
December 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Thank you for an amazing #GivingNewsDay with a steady roll of doubled donations all day yesterday! The next $5,000 in donations starting today are TRIPLED! 💜🎄🥂
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
📚 🦸🏻♀️RUTHERFORD COUNTY — “Go and thank your librarian. Absolute heroes.”
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
December 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
📚 🦸🏻♀️RUTHERFORD COUNTY — “Go and thank your librarian. Absolute heroes.”
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee.
Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...
Y’all, this thread melts my retired English teacher heart. 😂😂😂
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Y’all, this thread melts my retired English teacher heart. 😂😂😂
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
The Greenwood 2 Solutions Circle last night in Mississippi Delta was intense, honest and solutions-driven. Gun violence, in particular, is a very serious issue there, even by Mississippi’s low gun-loving standards, with few real organized solutions. The community wants to organize to change that.
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The Greenwood 2 Solutions Circle last night in Mississippi Delta was intense, honest and solutions-driven. Gun violence, in particular, is a very serious issue there, even by Mississippi’s low gun-loving standards, with few real organized solutions. The community wants to organize to change that.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Tonight, we did something everyone counted out. We proved to a nation that states like Tennessee are still worth fighting for. The margin was close, and that can only be attributed to the thousands of volunteers who showed out. This is just the beginning.
December 3, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Tonight, we did something everyone counted out. We proved to a nation that states like Tennessee are still worth fighting for. The margin was close, and that can only be attributed to the thousands of volunteers who showed out. This is just the beginning.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Alabama officials cut off funding for a public library that refused to bar access to the "The Handmaid's Tale" and other books they deemed sexually explicit to anyone under 18.
Thankfully, @everylibrary.bsky.social has stepped up to provide funding to allow the library to remain open for now.
Thankfully, @everylibrary.bsky.social has stepped up to provide funding to allow the library to remain open for now.
Fairhope Public Library accepts donations to cover withheld state…
The Fairhope Public Library was presented with over $42,000 in donations from EveryLibrary during its regular meeting Monday. The funds were raised after…
1819news.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Alabama officials cut off funding for a public library that refused to bar access to the "The Handmaid's Tale" and other books they deemed sexually explicit to anyone under 18.
Thankfully, @everylibrary.bsky.social has stepped up to provide funding to allow the library to remain open for now.
Thankfully, @everylibrary.bsky.social has stepped up to provide funding to allow the library to remain open for now.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
An incredible takedown of AMERICAN CANTO by @scaachi.bsky.social slate.com/culture/2025...
Olivia Nuzzi’s Much-Hyped Book Was Always Going to Be Self-Serving. It’s So Much Worse Than That.
God, everyone sucks so much in American Canto.
slate.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
An incredible takedown of AMERICAN CANTO by @scaachi.bsky.social slate.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Kamesha Mumford will be the new senator for Mississippi Senate District 26 after a special election runoff on Tuesday. Though the special election was nonpartisan, she is expected to serve as a Democrat in the Senate.
John Horhn, who is now the mayor of Jackson, had held the seat for 32 years.
John Horhn, who is now the mayor of Jackson, had held the seat for 32 years.
Kamesha Mumford Wins Mississippi Senate District 26 Runoff, Filling Seat John Horhn Vacated
Kamesha Mumford, a municipal court judge, won the Mississippi Senate District 26 special runoff election in Hinds and Madison counties.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Kamesha Mumford will be the new senator for Mississippi Senate District 26 after a special election runoff on Tuesday. Though the special election was nonpartisan, she is expected to serve as a Democrat in the Senate.
John Horhn, who is now the mayor of Jackson, had held the seat for 32 years.
John Horhn, who is now the mayor of Jackson, had held the seat for 32 years.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
The Guatemalan brothers — both longtime Memphians — are known in national Pentecostal Christian circles as well-traveled worship singers, performing at churches from New York to Florida. Read more here👇
Christian singers caught in deportation net, one branded ‘worst of worst’
Delmar Gomez (left) and Eber Gomez. (Courtesy of Gomez family) This story was originally published by The Institute for Public Service Reporting. On the night of Oct. 8, a man named Delmar Go…
mlk50.co
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The Guatemalan brothers — both longtime Memphians — are known in national Pentecostal Christian circles as well-traveled worship singers, performing at churches from New York to Florida. Read more here👇
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
True. Van Epps has shifted his event tomorrow from Pucketts to a right wing billionaire’s mansion in Franklin to avoid any protests on the eve of the election.
Says it all, really. #TN7
Says it all, really. #TN7
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 AM
True. Van Epps has shifted his event tomorrow from Pucketts to a right wing billionaire’s mansion in Franklin to avoid any protests on the eve of the election.
Says it all, really. #TN7
Says it all, really. #TN7
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL WORK TO EARN YOUR VOTE
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
December 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM
VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL WORK TO EARN YOUR VOTE
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!
In Columbus, Mississippi, our group protested at noon on Black Friday. Of course, we protest every Friday at noon.
December 2, 2025 at 2:15 AM
In Columbus, Mississippi, our group protested at noon on Black Friday. Of course, we protest every Friday at noon.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
This World AIDS Day, we remember the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers lost to HIV and AIDS, and those living with HIV today. We must remind ourselves and each other that the fight isn’t over until the epidemic is over for everyone.
December 2, 2025 at 12:55 AM
This World AIDS Day, we remember the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers lost to HIV and AIDS, and those living with HIV today. We must remind ourselves and each other that the fight isn’t over until the epidemic is over for everyone.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Jay Lee, a gay University of Mississippi student who went missing in 2022.
Timothy Herrington pleaded guilty to second degree murder just as he was sent to go on trial a second time.
Prosecutors alleged he murdered Lee to conceal a sexual relationship.
Timothy Herrington pleaded guilty to second degree murder just as he was sent to go on trial a second time.
Prosecutors alleged he murdered Lee to conceal a sexual relationship.
Herrington Pleads Guilty to Murder of Jay Lee, UM Student Who Went Missing in 2022
Timothy Herrington, Jr., pleaded guilty to the murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Jay Lee, a gay University of Mississippi student who went missing in 2022.
Timothy Herrington pleaded guilty to second degree murder just as he was sent to go on trial a second time.
Prosecutors alleged he murdered Lee to conceal a sexual relationship.
Timothy Herrington pleaded guilty to second degree murder just as he was sent to go on trial a second time.
Prosecutors alleged he murdered Lee to conceal a sexual relationship.
Reposted by Bridget Smith Pieschel
Reserve your seat for 6 pm Tuesday Dec. 2 at the Mississippi Public Broadcasting auditorium for an early screening of Eyes on Mississippi, tracking the state’s civil rights timeline through the experience of journalist Bill Minor. Broadcast 7:30 Thursday Dec. 4 on MPB
December 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Reserve your seat for 6 pm Tuesday Dec. 2 at the Mississippi Public Broadcasting auditorium for an early screening of Eyes on Mississippi, tracking the state’s civil rights timeline through the experience of journalist Bill Minor. Broadcast 7:30 Thursday Dec. 4 on MPB
