Martha Bayne
@marthabayne.bsky.social
Writer, editor, dancer, souper. Coeditor of NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU: WHAT SINEAD O'CONNOR MEANS TO US. Various responsibilities @ University of Illinois Press, South Side Weekly, Theater Oobleck, Soup & Bread. Essays @ marthabayne.substack.com. .
Reposted by Martha Bayne
In an upset that rattled Republicans, a Democrat in Texas decisively won a state legislative special election on Saturday in a district that President Trump carried by more than 17 percentage points just over a year ago.
Democratic Upset in Deep Red Texas District Rattles Republicans
A Democrat won a state legislative special election in a district that President Trump carried by 17 percentage points, unnerving Republicans in Texas and beyond.
nyti.ms
February 1, 2026 at 2:40 PM
In an upset that rattled Republicans, a Democrat in Texas decisively won a state legislative special election on Saturday in a district that President Trump carried by more than 17 percentage points just over a year ago.
The belief that this will KEEP HAPPENING is about the only thing keeping me going frankly
MAJOR UPSET ALERT: Democrat Taylor Rehmet has just been projected the winner of the Texas SD9 special election — flipping a district that went Trump +17 and hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1991.
Trump personally endorsed Leigh Wambsganss and spent days hyping this race… and still lost.
Trump personally endorsed Leigh Wambsganss and spent days hyping this race… and still lost.
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM
The belief that this will KEEP HAPPENING is about the only thing keeping me going frankly
Reposted by Martha Bayne
So believe me I understand this is deeply frustrating and unfair, but a march that does everything right and still gets tear gassed is a successful march that is winning.
A lot of the strategy of protest is luring the authorities into engaging in obviously, transparently unjust uses of force.
A lot of the strategy of protest is luring the authorities into engaging in obviously, transparently unjust uses of force.
It's hard to overstate how ell-organized the portland march that got gassed was... organizers made the crowd promise to be peaceful, said the march would slow in front of the ICE building but not stop, that we would stick to one chant (ICE Out). They did absolutely everything right and got gassed.
February 1, 2026 at 6:31 AM
So believe me I understand this is deeply frustrating and unfair, but a march that does everything right and still gets tear gassed is a successful march that is winning.
A lot of the strategy of protest is luring the authorities into engaging in obviously, transparently unjust uses of force.
A lot of the strategy of protest is luring the authorities into engaging in obviously, transparently unjust uses of force.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
there are no mastermind villains. every single one of them is sending 4th grade level emails to World's Most Famous Sex Criminal from their work account
January 31, 2026 at 2:11 AM
there are no mastermind villains. every single one of them is sending 4th grade level emails to World's Most Famous Sex Criminal from their work account
Reposted by Martha Bayne
“When they walked off the field, everybody stood up and gave them a standing ovation.”
On the cover of our latest print issue, Malachi Hayes dives into the start of something special for Bears fans.
Illustration by David Alvarado 🎨
https://issuu.com/southsideweekly/docs/ssw_01.29.26
On the cover of our latest print issue, Malachi Hayes dives into the start of something special for Bears fans.
Illustration by David Alvarado 🎨
https://issuu.com/southsideweekly/docs/ssw_01.29.26
January 30, 2026 at 8:15 PM
“When they walked off the field, everybody stood up and gave them a standing ovation.”
On the cover of our latest print issue, Malachi Hayes dives into the start of something special for Bears fans.
Illustration by David Alvarado 🎨
https://issuu.com/southsideweekly/docs/ssw_01.29.26
On the cover of our latest print issue, Malachi Hayes dives into the start of something special for Bears fans.
Illustration by David Alvarado 🎨
https://issuu.com/southsideweekly/docs/ssw_01.29.26
well this is a laff
X is hiring a creative writing specialist at $40 an hour to make Grok better at writing and a true LOL at the qualifications
January 30, 2026 at 8:57 PM
well this is a laff
Reposted by Martha Bayne
Trump’s DOJ is arresting Black journalists
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
January 30, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Trump’s DOJ is arresting Black journalists
Reposted by Martha Bayne
the arrest of journalists in minneapolis, including don lemon, is more evidence that the only move the administration knows how to make is to use force, and does not know how to respond when that force is met with defiance and indifference.
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
the arrest of journalists in minneapolis, including don lemon, is more evidence that the only move the administration knows how to make is to use force, and does not know how to respond when that force is met with defiance and indifference.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
January 30, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a test for every MSM member with a platform. If you are not voicing your outrage at this blatant violation of the First Amendment, you are utterly discredited as a journalist.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
Here's an opportunity to support the other journalist arrested today; Georgia Fort, who will have far fewer resources available to her than Don Lemon.
Georgia Fort's is chilling, and it's being overshadowed by the equally chilling arrest of Don Lemon.
A GoFundMe is being set up for Fort. In the meantime, you can support her work directly – without paying massive fundraising platform fees – through her website:
www.georgiafort.com/support
A GoFundMe is being set up for Fort. In the meantime, you can support her work directly – without paying massive fundraising platform fees – through her website:
www.georgiafort.com/support
Support Independent Journalism | GF
www.georgiafort.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Here's an opportunity to support the other journalist arrested today; Georgia Fort, who will have far fewer resources available to her than Don Lemon.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
this whole thing was popular in museum curation for a while and it sucked so bad. no one wants to put on a grimy headset
look, yes, Zuck is dumb and wrong about everything
but can we talk for a second about how 3D/360 video is proving to be fundamentally uninteresting? because I'm actually kind of fascinated by how 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦 impact it's had
but can we talk for a second about how 3D/360 video is proving to be fundamentally uninteresting? because I'm actually kind of fascinated by how 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦 impact it's had
New on Lowpass: Zuckerberg: All videos will be 3D worlds www.lowpass.cc/p/zuckerberg...
January 30, 2026 at 5:22 PM
this whole thing was popular in museum curation for a while and it sucked so bad. no one wants to put on a grimy headset
Reposted by Martha Bayne
unsurprisingly this is great but what i appreciate the most is that using this footage means that it will show up in front of people who might not otherwise see it. but this has all the hallmarks of Thom Zimny's incredibly precise attention for and to detail.
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 7:51 PM
unsurprisingly this is great but what i appreciate the most is that using this footage means that it will show up in front of people who might not otherwise see it. but this has all the hallmarks of Thom Zimny's incredibly precise attention for and to detail.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
I think we may be calling too many things “mutual aid” and it could use some clarity.
January 29, 2026 at 8:47 PM
I think we may be calling too many things “mutual aid” and it could use some clarity.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
The parents of Alex Pretti have retained a former federal prosecutor who helped Minnesota's attorney general convict the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck of murder. https://to.pbs.org/3ZA2HfU
Family of Alex Pretti retains lawyers who helped prosecute the George Floyd case
The parents of Alex Pretti have retained a former federal prosecutor who helped Minnesota’s attorney general convict the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck of murder.
www.pbs.org
January 29, 2026 at 12:44 AM
The parents of Alex Pretti have retained a former federal prosecutor who helped Minnesota's attorney general convict the police officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck of murder. https://to.pbs.org/3ZA2HfU
Reposted by Martha Bayne
Yes, hateful rhetoric, like Renée Good’s incendiary last words to the man who shot her multiple times: “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Truly, this hateful rhetoric must stop
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Yes, hateful rhetoric, like Renée Good’s incendiary last words to the man who shot her multiple times: “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Truly, this hateful rhetoric must stop
Reposted by Martha Bayne
I keep seeing posts going "when ICE comes to MY city, we'll be out in the streets even harder" and man, I get that sentiment but I need everyone to understand that the work in Minneapolis is partly confrontational but MORE IMPORTANTLY aaallll the stuff organized in the background to help neighbors
January 29, 2026 at 4:16 PM
I keep seeing posts going "when ICE comes to MY city, we'll be out in the streets even harder" and man, I get that sentiment but I need everyone to understand that the work in Minneapolis is partly confrontational but MORE IMPORTANTLY aaallll the stuff organized in the background to help neighbors
Reposted by Martha Bayne
One week from today, Good Chicagoans!
Join us!
@marthabayne.bsky.social and I will engage in witty banter and insightful commentary that will drive the chill from your bones.
#citylit @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #logansquare #musicbooks #chicagomusichistory #american #alcountry
Join us!
@marthabayne.bsky.social and I will engage in witty banter and insightful commentary that will drive the chill from your bones.
#citylit @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #logansquare #musicbooks #chicagomusichistory #american #alcountry
Join Bloodshot Records co-founder, @millerscave.bsky.social to celebrate his memoir, THE HOURS ARE LONG, BUT THE PAY IS LOW, @citylit_books on Thurs, Feb 5, 2026 at 6:30pm CST.
This *free* evening will include a convo w/ editor @marthabayne.bsky.social. RSVP below.
citylitbooks.com/events/43247...
This *free* evening will include a convo w/ editor @marthabayne.bsky.social. RSVP below.
citylitbooks.com/events/43247...
Author Event: Rob Miller with Martha Bayne | City Lit Books
This cozy bookstore features staff-curated selections, book clubs, and author events for all ages.
citylitbooks.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:09 PM
One week from today, Good Chicagoans!
Join us!
@marthabayne.bsky.social and I will engage in witty banter and insightful commentary that will drive the chill from your bones.
#citylit @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #logansquare #musicbooks #chicagomusichistory #american #alcountry
Join us!
@marthabayne.bsky.social and I will engage in witty banter and insightful commentary that will drive the chill from your bones.
#citylit @illinoispress.bsky.social #booksky📚 #logansquare #musicbooks #chicagomusichistory #american #alcountry
Reposted by Martha Bayne
ok the full clip is way better than the little one going around. her whole team try to get her to bail on the event and she's like no, I came to speak. incredible example.
REP. OMAR after being attacked with liquid: “We will continue! These fucking assholes are not gonna get away with this! Here is the reality people like this ugly man don’t understand — we are Minnesota Strong. We’ll stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.”
January 28, 2026 at 2:13 AM
ok the full clip is way better than the little one going around. her whole team try to get her to bail on the event and she's like no, I came to speak. incredible example.
Reposted by Martha Bayne
please remember that no matter how many “ICE is losing in MN” articles you read today, there is still a very real, urgent, ongoing crisis in Minnesota.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
January 28, 2026 at 2:55 PM
please remember that no matter how many “ICE is losing in MN” articles you read today, there is still a very real, urgent, ongoing crisis in Minnesota.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
buy a t shirt, yo
A Murmuration of Coots
There is power in community
marthabayne.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:23 PM
buy a t shirt, yo
Reposted by Martha Bayne
help me, soup season. you’re my only hope.
January 28, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Martha Bayne
Hakeem Jeffries: "Kristi Noem is a despicable, corrupt, pathological liar. We've seen her slander not just one, but American citizens, patriotic Americans who were killed without justification on the streets of Mpls ... we are prepared to initiate impeachment proceedings against her in the House."
January 27, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Hakeem Jeffries: "Kristi Noem is a despicable, corrupt, pathological liar. We've seen her slander not just one, but American citizens, patriotic Americans who were killed without justification on the streets of Mpls ... we are prepared to initiate impeachment proceedings against her in the House."
Reposted by Martha Bayne
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com