Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 10h

This lands.

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 10h

“It’s a perplexing choice,” says Greg Grandin, a historian of Latin America. “They’ve given it to somebody who’s completely aligned with the most militarist and darkest face of U.S. imperialism.”

www.democracynow.org/2025/10/10/n...

2025 Nobel Peace Prize for Anti-Maduro Leader María Corina Machado “Opposite of Peace”: Greg Grandin

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to María Corina Machado, a leading Venezuelan opposition figure. Machado was set to run for president last year, but she was disqua...

www.democracynow.org

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 12h

Resistance from within. “The Trump administration said that its immigration crackdown is hurting farmers and risking higher food prices for Americans by cutting off agriculture’s labor supply.”

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Trump administration says immigration enforcement threatens higher food prices

U.S. farmers face labor shortages and potential food price hikes due to Trump’s immigration policy, the administration acknowledged in a Federal Registry document.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Dr. Michael Shank

Ahmed Baba @ahmedbaba.bsky.social · 13h

Mike Johnson is falsely generalizing the “No Kings” protestors as extremists to justify crackdowns. The truth is, they’re patriots.

These protestors don’t “hate America.” They oppose an authoritarian president who tramples on the freedoms and principles America was founded on.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Mike Johnson: "This hate America rally that they have coming up for October 18? The antifa crowd, the pro-Hamas crowd, and the Marxists, they're all gonna gather on the Mall. It is an outrageous gathering for outrageous purposes ... all this has gotta come to an end."

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 12h

LEADERSHIP

fortune.com/2025/10/10/b...

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott doubles down on DEI with $42 million donation | Fortune

In a signal to nonprofits and boardrooms, the Yield Giving philanthropist is backing diversity and equity with no‑strings grants—building on more than $19 billion she’s distributed in five years.

fortune.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 15h

Apolitical motivation for tackling air pollution. “For every additional 10 micrograms of particulates per cubic meter of air there was a corresponding 10 percent increase in infertility risk.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/c...

She Found a Link Between Air Pollution and Infertility

www.nytimes.com

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 15h

This lands.

Reposted by Dr. Michael Shank

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 1d

Breaking news: President Trump will impose a new 100 percent tariff on goods from China, escalating tensions after Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued new export restrictions that upended months of trade negotiations between the two countries.

Trump announces new 100 percent tariffs on China

President Donald Trump said he is unhappy about China’s “hostile” move to limit access to rare minerals and may cancel an upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 1d

Way to resist, MIT.

apnews.com/article/mit-...

MIT president says she 'cannot support' proposal to adopt Trump priorities for funding benefits

MIT's president said she “cannot support” a White House proposal that asks MIT and eight other universities to adopt President Donald Trump’s political agenda in exchange for favorable access to feder...

apnews.com

Reposted by Dr. Michael Shank

Reuters @reuters.com · 1d

MIT refuses to accept White House terms for funding, other schools still mulling reut.rs/471tkNZ

MIT refuses to accept White House terms for funding, other schools still mulling

Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth on Friday said she "cannot support" a memo that the White House sent to nine elite U.S. universities last week detailing policies they should follow to get preferential consideration for federal funding.

reut.rs

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 1d

Overwhelmingly reject. Boom.

www.29news.com/2025/10/08/u...

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 1d

💪 Way to resist, UVA.

www.wric.com/news/local-n...

‘It’s a threat’: UVA faculty reject Trump’s ‘Compact’ tying political compliance to federal funds

Faculty members at the University of Virginia (UVA) have rejected a controversial proposal from the White House that they said threatens academic freedom and free speech.

www.wric.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 1d

One of the MANY reasons why I and others keep talking about the life-saving importance of energy securitization efforts in Ukraine and around the world.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

‘Massive’ Russian attack on Ukraine capital causes widespread blackout

At least 20 injured after hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles target energy infrastructure in Kyiv

www.theguardian.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 1d

Area residents worked together to vet installers, demystify contracts and, ultimately, install panels. Some people learned about the group from their local library. Together, it’s estimated they will save more than $1.1 million in lifetime energy costs.

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/c...

These Ohioans Got a Deal on Solar Panels. Here’s Their Secret.

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 2d

Cook Park is an example of creating recreational spaces that double as urban sponges, engineered wetlands and retention areas that absorb, filter and gradually release water.

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 2d

As cities have been forced to adapt to a warming planet, there has been a desire to design solutions that have plenty of benefits beyond mitigating the effects of extreme weather.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...

In Georgia, a ‘Sponge Park’ Floods So the Neighborhood Won’t

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 2d

As cities have been forced to adapt to a warming planet, there has been a desire to design solutions that have plenty of benefits beyond mitigating the effects of extreme weather.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/c...

In Georgia, a ‘Sponge Park’ Floods So the Neighborhood Won’t

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 3d

Love the theatrics, PDX. Way to counter with comedy. “The whimsical protest tactic emerges as Trump and Oregon leaders clash over federal troop deployment.”

www.nysun.com/article/port...

Portland Protesters Don Animal Costumes To Mock Trump Administration's ‘War Zone’ Claims

The whimsical protest tactic emerges as Trump and Oregon leaders clash over federal troop deployment.

www.nysun.com

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 3d

Companies with alleged ties to Israel - including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, McDonald's, Starbucks and Nike - have reported declining revenues, especially in Muslim-majority countries. Here are some of the firms most affected:

www.dailysabah.com/business/eco...

2 years into Gaza genocide, global boycotts batter brands linked to Israel

A worldwide boycott movement has expanded from the Middle East and Türkiye to Europe, Asia, and beyond, targeting major multinational corporations accused...

www.dailysabah.com

Reposted by Dr. Michael Shank

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 4d

If the National Governors Association chooses to remain silent, Illinois will have no choice but to withdraw from the organization.

We should be standing as one against the idea that Donald Trump can call up the National Guard against our will.

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 4d

Bray countered that he is an antifascist “insofar as I don’t like fascism”. Bray said he met with Rutgers’ dean and received “full support … for my academic freedom and for my safety” after informing students of his intermediate plans in a message.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Rutgers professor moving to Europe after threats over antifa accusations

Mark Bray says threats intensified after a Turning Point USA petition accused him of promoting political violence

www.theguardian.com

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 5d

@newyorker.com cartoons nail it again.

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 5d

Union strong. Way to fight. “A federal workers union is suing the Trump administration for inserting language into Department of Education employees' out-of-office email messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.”

www.npr.org/2025/10/05/n...

Federal workers sue the Education Department over partisan shutdown emails

Employees say their out-of-office messages were changed without their consent to include language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

www.npr.org

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 6d

Way to rally, y’all. “Hundreds of thousands of people across several European cities marched Sunday in support of Palestinians and an aid flotilla’s attempt to reach Gaza.”

apnews.com/article/gaza...

Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 6d

Way to lead, KCUAW. “The Kennedy Center’s workers’ union is demanding an investigation after the guitar player Yasmin Williams was heckled during a recent performance by a group of conservatives, allegedly at the behest of Trump appointees at the institution.”

www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Kennedy Center Union Demands Investigation After Conservative Group Heckled Yasmin Williams

The Kennedy Center Union called for an investigation after a conservative group heckled Yasmin Williams, allegedly at the behest of Trump appointees.

www.rollingstone.com

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Dr. Michael Shank @michaeljohnshank.bsky.social · 6d

Gave a talk today at a VA church re: this topic below. Most compelling part of the morning? During introductory prayer, the church leader asked to “learn something new today”. Loved that so much. Way to stay curious. May we all approach each day in the same way.

www.fastcompany.com/91360850/the...