Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 2d

Premier Ford argues in his Oct. 7 letter to Mayors Brown & Meed Ward that speed cameras are "failing miserably" at slowing down drivers...

Not in Ottawa. Check out this memo:

Glen Gower @glengower.ca · 8d

Here's a memo from Ottawa's General Manager of Public Works about Automated Speed Enforcement (speed cameras)

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 2d

"Operation Warp Speed, initiated under President Donald Trump, brought lifesaving mRNA vaccines to the world in record time."

See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Warp_Speed

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 5d

Laurie Eckman: "We are a nation of immigrants and that’s what makes our country great. So this ICE overreach is anathema to us"

Not to mention the right to peaceful protest and the importance of community-based policing (check out the responsible intervention by Portland police officers)

The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 5d

An 84-year-old said she sustained a concussion and was hit with a projectile after she and her husband, a Vietnam vet, were knocked down by federal officers.

Federal agents knock down elderly couple during Portland protest

An 84-year-old said she sustained a concussion and was hit with a projectile after she and her husband, a Vietnam vet, were knocked down by federal officers.

www.oregonlive.com

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 5d

"I don't know about you, but I don't carry around papers that say I'm a US citizen" (0:30)

I guess that moment is upon us

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 5d

My message to Kristi Noem is clear: Get out of Chicago.

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 5d

Operation Midway Blitz: "federal agents supported by helicopters and armored vehicles raided a multi-story apartment building in the city last week. Federal officers pulled men, women and children from their apartments and detained them for hours overnight. U.S. citizens were among those detained"

Democracy Docket @democracydocket.com · 5d

President Trump authorized hundreds of National Guard troops for deployment to Chicago, the White House announced. The deployment comes over the objections of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and marks the latest escalation in Trump’s effort to use the U.S. military as a domestic police force.

Trump Authorizes 300 Guard Troops for Deployment in Chicago Over Governor’s Objections

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 8d

'14 out of 94' doesn't really capture the work that has been done to implement TRC

Check out www.indigenouswatchdog.org/2025/03/05/t...

TRC had a huge impact, with all kinds of people working on new approaches, even if there is more to be done

TRC Calls To Action Status: September 1, 2025 - Indigenous Watchdog

www.indigenouswatchdog.org

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 9d

“No more politically correct & overbearing rules of engagement. Just common sense, maximum lethality & authority for war fighters”

Fighting hard is one thing; fighting without honour is another

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/30/pete-hegseth-war-diversity-efforts-military

Trump defends troops in US cities after Hegseth decries military DEI efforts

President and defense chief delivered pair of incendiary speeches to a crowd of hundreds of generals and admirals

www.theguardian.com

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 9d

Trump's military targets:

American left: “bad people”

Political opponents: “vicious people"

American journalists: “sleazebags”

Residents of American inner cities: “animals”

www.thebulwark.com/p/its-a-war-from-within?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=The%2BBulwark&utm_campaign=publer

“It’s a war from within.”

Trump prepares the generals for what comes next.

www.thebulwark.com

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 9d

"The entire senior leadership of America’s military has been put on notice. They now understand how Trump intends to use their forces. He told them, explicitly. He wants to deploy them to American cities where they will be used to 'quell' disfavored groups, using force."

The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 9d

"The generals understand that Trump sees their fellow Americans as his enemies. And they must now realize that at some point, they are likely to be forced to choose between Trump and their oaths to defend the Constitution." www.thebulwark.com/p/its-a-war-...

“It’s a war from within.”

Trump prepares the generals for what comes next.

www.thebulwark.com

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · 19d

Let’s give the PM time to at least attempt the impossible—eg to balance green & other economic initiatives & deal with a very difficult neighbour. He’s working with the right mix of criteria, including affordability, Indigenous rights, climate urgency, democratic process & global responsibility

Winnipeg Free Press @winnipegfreepress.com · 19d

TORONTO – Protesters gathered at Sankofa Square on Saturday afternoon, which included a coalition of progressive civil society groups organizing against elements of the new Liberal government’s agenda.

Progressive rally in Toronto challenges elements of Carney's agenda

TORONTO – Protesters gathered at Sankofa Square on Saturday afternoon, which included a coalition of progressive civil society groups organizing against elements of the new Liberal government’s agenda.

www.winnipegfreepress.com

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Sep 10

... & just wait until he realizes how cheap solar and wind are...

Secretary Burgum refers to "expensive sources like wind and solar." He should check out the @carbonbrief.org brief below: www.carbonbrief.org/un-five-reas...

Reposted by Craig McNaughton

Office of Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 @mayorwu.boston.gov · Sep 5

We will not yield.

STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAWSUIT AGAINST BOSTON

This unconstitutional attack on our city is not a surprise. Boston is a thriving community, the economic and cultural hub of New England, and the safest major city in the country — but this administration is intent on attacking our community to advance their own authoritarian agenda. This is our City, and we will vigorously defend our laws and the constitutional rights of cities, which have been repeatedly upheld in courts across the country. We will not yield.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Sep 3

"Fossil fuel pollution is overheating Canadian forests, spawning an out-of-control wildfire crisis"

& yet, in another part of our collective mind, all we can think about is burning more & more oil & gas...for those lovely paycheques...which we will then spend to deal with #extremeweather

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Sep 1

Canadian & US businesses need to take a serious look at the 'Business for 75%' initiative of Australian businesses: www.businessfor75.com.au

www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/31/former-un-climate-chief-urges-australia-to-set-prosperity-target-of-cutting-emissions-by-75-by-2035

Former UN climate chief urges Australia to set ‘prosperity’ target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2035

Exclusive: Ambitious target would increase the country’s chance of winning rights to host Cop31 in 2026, Christiana Figueres says

www.theguardian.com

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 29

We need Doug Ford, Prabmeet Sarkaria & Todd McCarthy to champion a conservation-focused transportation plan that avoids sacrificing vital habitat--like areas essential to the endangered Monarch butterfly

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Proposed Highway 413 would pave over precious nature reserve in Vaughan, biologist says | CBC News

A University of Guelph biologist is warning a proposed highway through the greenbelt would destroy wetlands, forests and threaten many species of animals, birds and insects. Ryan Norris is calling on ...

www.cbc.ca

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 29

"The iconic butterfly’s population has decreased by around 80% in the past two decades, says the paper published in the journal Current Biology, with the loss of breeding habitat cited as the main reason behind the sharp decline"

We need Environment Canada to rally us

@juliedabrusin.bsky.social

Winnipeg Free Press @winnipegfreepress.com · Aug 29

Researchers are urging Canada, United States and Mexico to take immediate action to save the monarch butterfly as the migratory insect faces a growing risk of extinction amid habitat loss.

Co-ordinated plan needed to save 'alarmingly low' monarch butterfly population: study

Researchers are urging Canada, United States and Mexico to take immediate action to save the monarch butterfly as the migratory insect faces a growing risk of extinction amid habitat loss.

www.winnipegfreepress.com

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 29

Excellent. Thanks for your good work! I saw one lonely Monarch today trying to navigate a busy street in Ottawa. Not sure how many others are in the area, but I hope they are able to find chem-free flowers here & on the way south (& get past speeding cars). We do have a few coneflowers at our place

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 28

"NatCon 5...is organized around a right-wing ideology called 'National Conservativism,' which emphasizes isolationism, xenophobia, theocracy, anti-LGBTQIA+ bigotry, right-wing populism, heavy handed law enforcement, & a crackdown on academic freedom at universities"

Walker Bragman @walkerbragman.bsky.social · Aug 28

NEW: In a few days is the National Conservatism conference, which will bring Trump officials and GOP lawmakers together with far-right extremists.

Participants include OMB Dir. Russell Vought, NIH Dir. Jay Bhattacharya, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Josh Hawley, Steve Bannon, Jack Posobiec, & more.

Trump Officials, GOP Lawmakers Join Far-Right Extremists At “National Conservatism” Conference

Next month, NatCon 5 kicks off with a colorful crowd.

www.importantcontext.news

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 28

The economic hit in Quebec in 2023 from wildfires: $8 billion

One province/territory, one year

www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weat...

Record-breaking wildfire season in 2023 cost Quebec more than $8B: New study - The Weather Network

Province's 2023 wildfire season was the worst in over 100 years, with 4.3 million hectares burned

www.theweathernetwork.com

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 28

"The additional climate change impacts between 2015 and 2025 alone will cost the average household $700 per year, & will continue to increase moving forward"

Check June 2025 fact sheet from @climateinstitute.bsky.social on the cost of climate-driven wildfires:

climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/u...

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 28

Poilievre wants to block efforts to reduce GHG emissions as one way of coping with the cost of living (clean fuel regs, pipelines, EVs...)

But #climatecosts are a major driver of the cost of living

Ask Canadians who have lost homes & businesses to wildfires & floods

x.com/i/broadcasts...

Pierre Poilievre

LIVE: Axe Carbon Tax 2.0

x.com

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Reposted by Craig McNaughton

Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · Aug 25

"Honey, I don't have much time. I've been arrested by ICE and they are sending me to a detainment center. I love you and the kids, I will be OK, please call our attorney"

-- John Shin, DACA resident, speaking to his wife last week. She hasn't heard from him since www.fox13now.com/news/local-n...

Loved ones shocked, worried after beloved Utah violinist detained by ICE

Friends and family are reacting after Utah violinist John Shin was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday.

www.fox13now.com

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Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 24

Dealing with 6 threats to American democracy:

• Pardons to License Lawbreaking
• Investigations Against Critics and Rivals
• Regulatory Retaliation
• Federal Law Enforcement Overreach
• Domestic Deployment of the Military
• Refusal to leave office

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · Aug 23

To learn more about the Authoritarian Playbook for 2025, and what to do about it, visit:
🔗 authoritarianplaybook2025.org

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 22

Devastating portrait of how massive ideologically-driven cuts have compromised America's awesome strengths in scientific research—including medical research

This is where political targetting of 'government inefficiency', taxes & bureaucratic 'gatekeepers' leads...

Cicumspection is vital

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 22

More than 3,000 scientists and public health specialists have been let go from the Department of Health and Human Services, per a new study from @propublica.org, based on that agency’s employee directory.

Gutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health Agencies

More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...

projects.propublica.org

Craig McNaughton @jcraigmcn.bsky.social · Aug 22

Expect a continuing increase in US refugees seeking asylum in Canada: dailyhive.com/canada/americans-refugee-status-canada

America's loss, our gain

More and more Americans are applying for refugee status in Canada | National

An increasing number of Americans are applying for refugee status in Canada, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

dailyhive.com