Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Emily Conklin

@emzconk.bsky.social

1.1K followers 2.2K following 3.8K posts

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · Jan 26

If you're here to follow along with municipal meetings, you're in the right place. I post about #NewportRI #localpolitics to share what's going on (and some editorializing on events) because paying attention is important. Details of meetings and some community resources in this thread 👇

4 1 23

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 1h

Vaccinate your children. My GOD.

5 66 530

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 4h

Rhode Island: LIHEAP assists eligible low-income households with their heating expenses through federal grants. Please share this information with anyone who may be struggling to pay their energy bills.

dhs.ri.gov/programs-and...

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | RI Department of Human Services

dhs.ri.gov

1 4 7

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

I’m sure I’m not always as gracious as I’m saying right now but like - your baby is crying on a plane? That baby is correct. Do you remember that internet thing pre-Covid of parents giving out baggies with ear plugs/candy because their twins might cry? Unbelievable to feel like you have to do that.

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

Honestly. I think so many people feel that way! The only thing I’m ever going to say to a parent with a loud child is “do you need any help” because I’m sure they’re putting themselves through enough judgment that they don’t need my addition.

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 2d

I'm so proud of everyone from my old neighborhood of Rogers Park in Chicago. I see what you have been and are doing. I am so proud of how organized the community is and how much more so everyone is becoming. It is inspiring. Just one example... And this is something EVERYONE can do. Everyone.

Informational flyer about Rogers Park Whistle Protocols, explaining how to use whistles to alert neighbors of emergencies, with color-coded alerts, steps for use, and encouragement to form a crowd and stay loud for safety.

10 530 1.1K

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Gwendolyn Ann Smith @gwensmith.com · 2d

Fuck, man. This is water in a desert.

Thank you, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. I’m rooting for you.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 2d

UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 4: Sylvia Rivera

In the 1970s, queer New Yorkers had been pushed to the margins of NYC. Our trans neighbors faced immense cruelty. But in Sylvia Rivera, they found a champion.

As we combat Trump’s politics of darkness, her legacy can light the path forward.

5 97 600

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

This looks amazing. And it’s only $18! Preorder, ask your library to order, and buy Let This Radicalize You, while you’re at it.

Preorder Read This When Things Fall Apart @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 2d

My publisher’s been very patient. I’m not doing everything I said I’d do to promote this book (out in a few weeks) because I’m an organizer in a city under federal attack. My days are full and emotionally exhausting. Any help getting the word out means a lot. It's a book people need right now.

Read This When Things Fall Apart by Kelly Hayes | Pilsen Community Books

A bundle of letters to activists and organizers on the frontlines in catastrophic times from Let This Radicalize You co-author Kelly Hayes In social movements, some heartbreaks are all but inevitable.

www.pilsencommunitybooks.com

1 2

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

Omg shut up. All of this is SO CUTE. Obsessed with the “Brooke 2” banner but everything is amazing! Please plan my next birthday, thank you.

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

Correct 🙏

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

This is an excellent baby cat.

1 2

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

I am not going to offer advice or intervention to parents I don’t know on a plane if they haven’t asked for my help. I’m sure you’re right but my approach is empathy and headphones.

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

Honestly. No one wants their baby or small child to stop screaming more than their parents. But they are small children learning emotional regulation. You can’t just - shut them up.

2 1 8

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

You said it. If we can’t trust them to stand firm and strong when it matters most, we can’t trust them. Rise to the moment.

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 1d

“We can give $20 billion to Argentina but we can’t afford the CDC’s measles experts” is a hell of an argument

280 5.4K 19K

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

We are decimating not only our scientific expertise but also our public health and response preparedness.

Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Anjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 2d

muppets are antifascists

Elle @elleisanisland.bsky.social · 2d

I like to think the Muppets would be 100% behind the Portland protests

9 16 130

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Elizabeth Warren @warren.senate.gov · 2d

After Trump got his Covid shot, he chose to fire the scientists protecting the rest of us from diseases.

97 1.4K 3.2K

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t throw trans people under the bus. Don’t give your blessing to troops being deployed domestically. Don’t authorize this act while our federal administration continues to violate the law & terrorize our communities. @whitehouse.senate.gov @reed.senate.gov you should be ashamed of this vote.

Steve Ahlquist @steveahlquist.bsky.social · 1d

Senators Reed and Whitehouse support NDAA that targets transgender rights and allows Trump unlimited domestic troop deployment

"The NDAA vote provides insight into how far most congressional Democrats are willing to go in opposing Trump’s culture war fascism and use of troops on domestic soil..."

Senators Reed and Whitehouse support NDAA that targets transgender rights and allows Trump unlimited domestic troop deployment

"The NDAA vote provides insight into how far most congressional Democrats are willing to go in opposing Trump’s culture war fascism and use of troops on domestic soil..."

steveahlquist.substack.com

1 5 11

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 2d

Evidently, President Trump got all the proof he needs that vaccines are safe and effective. He voted with his arm yesterday and got the highly beneficial Covid and flu shots. Amid the sea of confusion RFKJ has generated about vaccines, all Americans should know that Trump is getting vaccinated.

Renée Graham 🏳️‍🌈 @rygraham.bsky.social · 2d

Last month Trump said he wanted proof that COVID vaccines are effective. Yesterday, during his "semiannual" physical, Trump received a COVID vaccine as well as a flu shot.

That's because vaccines — which Trump's administration have made harder to get — work.

55 130

Reposted by Emily Conklin

WEATHER IS HAPPENING @weatherishappening.com · 2d

COFFEE

2 18

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 2d

Trump can have a Covid shot but you can’t.

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 2d

Trump got a Covid vaccine today.

1 1

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 2d

Three key points:
1) The admin has been planning mass firings to begin in October since February
2) The work necessary to carry out mass firings is illegal during a shutdown, violating the Antideficiency Act, which carries a criminal penalty
3) This harms America, ridding us of talent and expertise

Russ Vought v @russvought
The RIFs have begun.
12:27 PM • 10/10/25 • 15K Views

230 2.4K 6.2K

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 3d

Looking at all his beautiful covers and just thinking … damn, I gotta read me some @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social

Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 3d

Hey, readers, thanks so much! Picador US's trade paperback reprint of City of Saints & Madmen is now in an eighth printing? This was my break-out book back in 2002 and it's amazing to see it still reaching new readers over two decades later!

green cover with red yellow dripping mushroom and title and author in white on black strip along the right edge.

Reposted by Emily Conklin

Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 4d

💉🧵Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season starts soon. Now is the time to get vaccinated if vaccine is recommended for you.

TL;DR: Who should get RSV immunization?

💉Adults 75+ or 50-74 with certain conditions
💉Some pregnant people
💉Babies <8mo (if no vax during pregnancy)
💉Some babies 8-19mo

7 90 190

Emily Conklin @emzconk.bsky.social · 4d

Omg 😭😭😭