Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Liz Borkowski

States Newsroom @statesnewsroom.com · 9h

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with President Trump’s administration.

via @virginiamercury.com

Va. Senate Dems call Trump admin’s UVA funding proposal ‘political extortion’

Virginia Senate Democrats warned there would be significant consequences in future budget cycles for the University of Virginia if the school’s leadership accepts a proposed funding agreement with…

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 3h

Another day, another hit to our democracy as Trump’s corruption of the DOJ continues. AG Bondi is his tool for prosecuting his political targets.

Normalizing this is how democracies die. I refuse to accept it — and the American people shouldn’t either.

New York AG Letitia James indicted for alleged fraud following pressure from Trump

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted on at least one count of alleged fraud following pressure from President Donald Trump.

abcnews.link

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 2d

🔬✨Applications are open! The Science for Public Good Fund offers up to $1500 to support community-driven science advocacy projects. From workshops to local campaigns, you can help spark change.

🔗 Apply here now: act.ucsusa.org/4nCzPhl

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Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 13h

“If you’re trying to roll back drinking water standards, you probably don’t want to release information that makes the case for why those standards are necessary.”—UCS's @dminovi.bsky.social

ProPublica @propublica.org · 14h

NEW: PFNA can be found in drinking water systems that serve about 26 million people.

The EPA’s toxicity report on the forever chemical has sat in limbo for months, raising concerns that the Trump administration might change it or not release it at all.

Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.

The report was completed in mid-April, scientists familiar with the document told ProPublica, but the Trump administration has yet to release it.

www.propublica.org

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Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 15h

This remains the most important piece i’ve written about the goals and ideological principles of the second Trump administration www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

bsky.app/profile/jame...

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Lizardrath 💙 @lizardrath.bsky.social · 21h

WIRED reporter Vittoria Elliott tracked where the most migrants are being arrested, where exactly ICE is taking them, and where they're deported to. This is Immigration & Customs Enforcement, On The Grid.

youtube.com/watch?v=uD9E...

Where ICE Takes People—And Where They Send Them Next | On The Grid | WIRED

YouTube video by WIRED

youtube.com

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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 15h

KFF finds partisan split on Tylenol

Most Republicans (56%) say they think it’s definitely or probably true that taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of kids with autism.

Most Dems (86%) say it’s definitely or probably false.

Multiple medical associations have said there’s no link.

KFF
Donate
Many Are Uncertain if Taking Tylenol During Pregnancy Increases Risk of Children
Developing Autism, Most Republicans Say it is Probably or Definitely True
Do you think that it is definitely true, probably true, probably false, or definitely false that taking Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of the child developing autism?
I Definitely true Probably true Probably false
Definitely false
Total
30%
30%
35%
Party ID
Democrats
27%
Independents
29%
59%
33%
Republicans
50%
34%
31%

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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 15h

“In 1961, when I was just eight years old, I contracted measles. There was no vaccine available at the time. Like many of my classmates, I suffered through dangerously high fevers — mine reached 106 degrees — and nearly died. The disease left me almost totally deaf.” cc @jackiantonovich.bsky.social

Commentary: A plea to protect our children

Vaccination requirements kept our communities safe. Do not listen to anti-vaccine rhetoric. Do not gamble with your child’s health.

www.orlandosentinel.com

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Voices for Vaccines @voices4vaccines.bsky.social · 1d

wapo.st/3VTALll

Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.

We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.

wapo.st

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Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 1d

Siva Vaidhyanathan on the Trump admin’s proposed “compact” for universities (to give up academic freedom in exchange for favorable treatment by the Trump government): “This ‘compact’ is more like an invitation to borrow money from the mob, with substantial control and future penalties assured.”

Siva @sivav.bsky.social · 1d

And from me:

newrepublic.com/article/2013...

Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down

How Linda McMahon’s latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education

newrepublic.com

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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 1d

A study of nearly 300,000 people published today in the New England Journal of Medicine found “that last season’s 2024–2025 mRNA COVID vaccines reduced people’s risk of emergency department visits by 29 percent, their risk of hospitalizations by 39 percent and their risk of death by 64 percent.”

Annual COVID Vaccines Save Lives, New Study Shows

A new study shows that receiving an updated COVID vaccine reduced people’s risk of severe disease and death in all age groups, regardless of immunity from prior infection or vaccination

www.scientificamerican.com

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 1d

I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?

Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.

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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 1d

i desperately want everyone involved in the destruction of USAID to have to, st the very least, answer to the american people for the suffering and misery they have caused apnews.com/article/myan...

Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.

apnews.com

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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 3d

The Trump administration’s blatant disregard of the laws and traditions governing federal communications—rules that most employees follow dutifully throughout their careers—has left workers feeling further insulted and demoralized.

For furloughed workers, Trump's partisan shutdown jabs are just the latest slight

“Not only is it insulting to the standards we’re all supposed to abide by, but it’s also insulting to our intelligence.”

www.motherjones.com

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EerilyPhD 👻 @ejwillingham.bsky.social · 3d

Hey, @jay.bsky.team @pfrazee.com y’all really are doubling down on banning a Black autistic man for *checks notes* alt-text that accurately describes a meme involving He Who Apparently Must Not Be Named? If that had been 1 of the electeds murdered in their beds this year, would you have banned him?

EerilyPhD 👻 @ejwillingham.bsky.social · 4d

I don't want to snitchtag anyone so I'll just put it here: the admins here, presumably @jay.bsky.team, based on what I've seen, have banned @spacelawshitpost.me (Link) from this site, summarily, w/o notice or explanation.

I came to this site bc I wanted to connect w/people, learn things...

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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 3d

It really is staggering to see so many people willing to abandon our 249 year experiment in democracy for an increasingly unstable criminally convicted reality show charlatan.

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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 4d

As bad as this headline is, the details are worse. Russel Vought is trying to roll back SS for the elderly, the disabled, the widowed and orphaned and FURTHER cut food stamps. Make sure to read and share this gift link: wapo.st/4qa8yoq

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🎃 public HELLth guy 🎃 @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 4d

a respected senior CDC official telling the public that the federal agency has undergone a hostile takeover and it barely makes the news because that’s the state of the world today

Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 4d

This is another damning picture of Kennedy refusing to meet with senior scientists and get advice about infections or vaccines whilst he spreads disinformation #healthpolicy

A ‘hostile takeover’: ousted CDC official raises alarm over RFK Jr approach to infectious disease

Debra Houry speaks after testifying on eight months under Kennedy, who critics say shuns science and spreads falsehoods

www.theguardian.com

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Liz Borkowski @lizborkowski.bsky.social · 4d

As in the Red Scare, "state forces are colluding with corporations to erase ideas they do not like by harassing people who represent ideas that they don’t want to exist." @tressiemcphd.bsky.social warns that we have a lot of work to do.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/o...

Opinion | Mourn, or Else

www.nytimes.com

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Daniel Connerton @lordnad.bsky.social · 5d

@govpritzker.illinois.gov

37 and Kedzie, East Garfield, Illinois.

This is assault.

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The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 6d

Federal officer blasts chemical spray into vocal but nonviolent Portland protester, video shows

The interaction illustrates how federal law enforcement officers do use aggressive tactics against protesters who yell and needle officers but don’t appear to present clear physical threats.

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Katherine Stewart @katherinestewart.bsky.social · 5d

Worth reading interview with Debra Houry, who served under six CDC directors spanning four administrations www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

A ‘hostile takeover’: ousted CDC official raises alarm over RFK Jr approach to infectious disease

Debra Houry speaks after testifying on eight months under Kennedy, who critics say shuns science and spreads falsehoods

www.theguardian.com

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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 5d

Columbia canceled my class on race and media, but I'm teaching the people anyway.

Oct. 5 is the *last day* to register for my online live + recorded classes on Race, Media & International Affairs!

We have more than 500 students enrolled. Let's gooo!

www.resistancesummerschool.com/fall-2025-re...

Fall Registration for Race, Media & International Affairs with Karen Attiah — Resistance Study Series

A virtual, seven week beginner and intermediate course on the history of race, mass media, and the modern world order.

www.resistancesummerschool.com

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 6d

SCOOP — Pennsylvania prosecutors were alerted to possible voting irregularities by one of MAGA's leading voices against voter fraud. A long paper trail shows Jack Posobiec has been living in Maryland but voting using his parents' PA address for years.

From @jsweetli.bsky.social, @slate.com + me:

MAGA’s “Voter Fraud” Watchdog Votes in a Swing State. He Doesn’t Live There.

A long paper trail shows that Jack Posobiec casts a ballot in one state and lives in another.

slate.com

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CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 6d

📢 New from the Vaccine Integrity Project:
Our evidence review supports flu, COVID-19 & RSV immunizations as tools that provide meaningful protection against severe illness & hospitalization across populations

New interactive tool + recommendations guide

www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...

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