Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 1d

“If you plan on joining #NoKings rallies and have yet to find a slogan for your sign, Paine’s got you covered: “In America, the law is king!” “No King! No Tyranny!” “Monarchy hath poisoned the republic.”
kansasreflector.com/2025/10/11/i...

In 1776, Thomas Paine made the best case for fighting kings — and for being skeptical • Kansas Reflector

Saying “no” — especially to those in power — is an underrated American pastime, and Thomas Paine was its Babe Ruth.

kansasreflector.com

1

Reposted by Kate Manning

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 4d

Book censorship in schools has reached a new apex, becoming a routine and expected part of school operations, particularly in states like Texas, which recorded 1,781 total bans in the 2024-25 school year.

Read more at: pen.org/report/the-n... #bannedbooksweek @txfreedomread.bsky.social

Promotional poster for Banned Books Week 2025, featuring a map of Texas filled with book covers, titled 'State of School Book Bans - Texas '25'. Includes logos for PEN America and Texas Freedom to Read.

An informational graphic about Texas House Bill 900, detailing its introduction, focus on restrictive content around sex-related standards in schools, and the vague definition of "sexually-explicit" leading to many books being removed from school libraries. The background features an image of the Texas State Capitol building. Logos for PEN America and Texas Freedom to Read are present in the upper right corner.

16 15

Reposted by Kate Manning

SEIU_ORG @seiu.org · 4d

Idaho families could see premiums jump from $611 → $2,083 a month — a $1,472 hike for the same plan. That’s what happens if Republicans refuse to act and let ACA tax credits expire. Families will pay the price while the wealthy get more tax breaks.

7 9

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 4d

"Those who oppose authoritarianism have to..create solidarity among an unwieldy coalition--if everyone holds together, they will surely succeed." #NoKings #October18 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...

Opinion | Where Trump Is Vulnerable and How to Act on It

www.nytimes.com

2

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 5d

Who would ban The Complete Book of Cats?
Maybe a lowdown dog. Freedom to Read makes democracy strong. PEN America is defending readers, writers and democracy. Give 'em a few bucks. #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead @penamerica.bsky.social

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 5d

Anyone who's read George Orwell knows #CensorshipIsSo1984.

This #BannedBooksWeek, we're asking you to do more than #ReadBannedBooks.

Could we suggest a $5 donation to PEN America for every one of the books you've read on our "Banned Books Bingo Card"?

Please donate now at: pen.org/2025-support...

3

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI: How Peaceful Protest by Just 3.5 Percent of Americans Could Force Major Policy Changes. Show up for NO KINGS rallies across the USA on October 18 #NoKings www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...

How Peaceful Protest by Just 3.5 Percent of Americans Could Force Major Policy Changes From the Trump Administration

History shows that when just 3.5 percent of a population—about 12 million Americans—engage in peaceful protest, their demands become nearly impossible to ignore. This is particularly relevant today, a...

www.americanprogress.org

1

Reposted by Kate Manning

TrumpsTaxes @trumpstaxes.com · 6d

Pam Bondi is simply no match - intellectually or ethically - for Adam Schiff.

Watch this must-see clip as he dissects and exposes her pathetic performance today.

When she realizes how badly he is rolling her, she tries to interrupt. But it’s to no avail. She knows that he has her dead to rights.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6d

"This is supposed to be an oversight hearing" -- Schiff helpfully ticks through all of the incriminating questions -- and there are many of them -- that Bondi refused to answer during today's hearing

100 830 2.6K

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 5d

4 vaccines linked to a lower risk of dementia

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 6d

“Solo el Pueblo salva al Pueblo.” “Only the people can save the people.” #resist #BlockIce #NoKings #October18

Opinion | They Saw Their Neighbors Taken Away by ICE. Then They Made a Plan.

www.nytimes.com

1

Reposted by Kate Manning

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 7d

Today, 5 years ago, Vietnamese writer and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Pham Doan Trang was arrested for her writings on human rights and democracy. In 2021, she was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Joined by 20 other organizations, we call for her immediate release. pen.org/press-releas...

Graphic for the advocacy campaign by PEN America demanding the release of journalist Pham Doan Trang, who has been detained. The image features Pham Doan Trang seated at a table, looking directly at the camera, with a quote about her commitment to truth-telling despite repression.

1 9 24

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 7d

The courts can’t/won’t stop autocracy. It’s up to us. #NoKings #October18

‘Bow to the Emperor’: We Asked 50 Legal Experts About the Trump Presidency

www.nytimes.com

1

Reposted by Kate Manning

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 10d

"As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace — according to PEN America’s latest report — the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events nationwide during #BannedBooksWeek and beyond..." pen.org/press-releas...

Speak Out Against Censorship and Speak Up for the Banned Authors that Inspire You During Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11

As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace– according to PEN America’s latest report—the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events na...

pen.org

31 54

Reposted by Kate Manning

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11d

MADELEINE DEAN: The president is unhinged. He's unwell

JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too

D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?

J: I didn't see it

D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.

3.6K 11K 36K

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 12d

"Holding a journalist in custody for the content of their reporting is “more commonly associated with authoritarianism than with a nation that has historically prided itself on upholding free speech.” #FreeMario

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 13d

More than 100 writers, journalists, and scholars call for the immediate release of Mario Guevara, the only journalist detained in the U.S. today for doing his job—and now facing imminent deportation. Share the letter and join the call to #FreeMario: pen.org/press-releas...

Reposted by Kate Manning

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 15d

CEO pay is up 1,094% since 1978, while worker pay is up just 26%.

Why do we always hear "we can't afford to pay our workers more" but never "we can't afford to pay our CEO more"?

380 5.2K 15K

Reposted by Kate Manning

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 15d

I urge members of the public to remain calm, stay safe, and document what you see with your phones and cameras.

My senior team has also asked legal organizations to support monitoring on the ground.

33 640 3.3K

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 16d

It takes 3.5% of the populace to make change. Be in that percent. “NO KINGS in New York City” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...

NO KINGS in New York City · No Kings

**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.** 📍 Where: Father Duffy Square, 47th st. and Broadway 📅 When: 11:00 AM ET, October 18, 2025 NOTE: this will be a march, not a rally! Enter from the...

www.mobilize.us

1 1

Reposted by Kate Manning

Andrea Chalupa @andreachalupa.bsky.social · 18d

With YouTube, over 30 million people watched Kimmel's big night back from Trump's "free speech" prison. We're going to win, in part, because they're so stupid, as the Ukrainians say of Russia

Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 18d

CNN: The ratings are in for the first day. 6.26 million viewers on ABC. That was four times Jimmy Kimmel's average. And that's despite the show not even being available in a quarter of all American homes.

1 8 35

Reposted by Kate Manning

SEIU_ORG @seiu.org · 21d

Let’s be real: the struggle isn’t about avocado toast. It’s about billionaires hoarding power and keeping wages flat—all while costs rise.
Workers aren’t the problem. Billionaires are. Until we flip that script, nothing changes.

26 76

Reposted by Kate Manning

Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 21d

Former counselor to RFK Jr’s predecessor:

Sarah Despres @sarahdespres
X.com
I see @SecKennedy was able to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial. It's unfortunate the Secretary of HHS was not able to attend the funeral of Officer David Rose who was killed in the senseless attack on the CDC, one of the agencies within @hhs.
6:56 PM • 9/21/25 • 808 Views

57 2.4K 9K

Kate Manning @katemanningauthor.bsky.social · 21d

Calls grow to boycott ABC owner Disney over Jimmy Kimmel suspension

2

Reposted by Kate Manning

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 23d

While 🇺🇸 farms go under…

2.9K 4.6K 12K

Reposted by Kate Manning

50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 @50501movement.bsky.social · 23d

lol

Disney+ cancellation page crashes as customers rush to quit after Kimmel suspension

Thinking of canceling Disney+? You’re not alone—after Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, so many people rushed to quit that the cancellation page itself started crashing.

creators.yahoo.com

540 3.1K 12K

Reposted by Kate Manning

Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 24d

Consider looking for vaccine guidance from University Public-Health Schools / Institutes — examples: Yale School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

5 86 240

Reposted by Kate Manning

Department of Class Solidarity @solidaritydept.bsky.social · 24d

TOMORROW AT 12PM 📆

🔥 Shut down billionaires. Fund our future.
✊ Shut down fascists. Protect migrants and the global majority.
🌍 Shut down polluters. Defend Mother Earth.
🥾 March on the billionaires. #MakeBillionairesPay

RSVP at www.makebillionairespay.us/nyc

5 38 82