Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 44m

I am absolutely confident I will!

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1h

If you have any local politics emergencies in my absence, maybe try WedgeLive?

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1h

This is a post I'm writing so I can sticky it: I am going to Chongqing to teach at a science fiction writing workshop, and will not be back until October 25th. Bluesky and blog access will be unpredictable. Will try to catch up with any local politics related scandals once I return.

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Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · 6h

there’s this weird idea a lot of people seem to have about how all of us writers and artists must secretly want to use AI and are merely resisting temptation for ethical reasons, and like, no, it’s not hard for me to resist drinking the bowl of Piss With Glass In It actually

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 7h

Can non-Minneapolis residents vote in the poll? Does it depend on whether it's me, or John Wall?

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 8h

Do you think ending EMTALA would not impact white men?

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Kelly Barnhill @kellybarnhill.bsky.social · 12h

Minneapolis friends, it is really disturbing to me how many signs I see iin support of Becka Thompson. She is racist, thin-skinned, allergic to nuance and deep thinking, and has proved herself to be utterly ineffective and bullheaded on the Park Board. Why would she be any different on City Council?

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 12h

I would like for Mike Johnson to have to say whether he thinks people arriving in ERs with heart attacks or massive trauma should be left to die if they don't have ID proving they're a citizen or else here legally.

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Laura Duhan-Kaplan @onsophiastreet.bsky.social · 1d

Well, I watched a bit of the video. The guy who is quoted as saying "I would like to see them clean up the city" wants them to pick up trash— i.e., paper, wrappers, empty cans—littering the streets.

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Maris Kreizman @maris.bsky.social · 14h

This is so damn scary. The book claimed that Jeffrey Epstein was the one who introduced Donald and Melania. Now the CEO of Harper UK is out.

Jay Rayner @jayrayner1.bsky.social · 19h

In other news Charlie Redmayne, the long serving CEO of HC in the UK, resigned yesterday.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 13h

The last time I was there I was able to start Pokemon Go but it was geoblocked and there were no pokestops or roaming pokemon.

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 1d

In my early interviews, it came up organically, initially without my even asking.

It quickly became clear that this was a common experience.

E.g., here's what the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a Methodist minister who has been protesting at the site, told me.

The Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist pastor who leads United Church of Rogers Park in Chicago, has also protested at the Broadview facility on several occasions. She, like Black, said she has been shot multiple times with pepper bullets, including while she was praying with her eyes closed and hands lifted, wearing a clerical collar and stole. She said she often prays for the ICE agents, but especially for the immigrants detained inside.
"I am praying for all of the people inside to be returned to their communities," she said. "These are our friends, our family, our cousins, our uncles. These are our community members, and they are being stolen."
At least once, Kardon said, agents fired a pepper ball at her without warning, leaving her with a bruise on her abdomen that has lasted for weeks.

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 1d

Reporter's notebook: I actually began working on this story shortly after footage of the incident showed up last month.

But by the time I finally got ahold of folks, the story grew: 2 *other* faith leaders I spoke with *also* reported being shot w/pepper balls while protesting this ICE facility.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 2d

Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.

(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray.

“I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.”

But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire.

“We could hear them laughing,” Black said.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 23h

Administrative note: I am going to China. If there are late-breaking scandals while I'm there, don't expect prompt blog updating.

naomikritzer.com/2025/10/09/a...

Administrative Note

I believe I have blogged about every race happening in Minneapolis and St. Paul this fall. I was in a hurry to get it done this year because I am going to be teaching at a Science Fiction workshop …

naomikritzer.com

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 23h

Yeah -- I mean, I don't think it would have been worth spending the money to rent a space to hold an endorsing convention, honestly.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 23h

WHAT

Okay! Will fix!

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

Election 2025: Saint Paul Mayoral Race.

naomikritzer.com/2025/10/09/e...

Election 2025: Saint Paul Mayoral Race

The incumbent, Melvin Carter, is running again and is endorsed by the DFL. On the ballot: Melvin Carter (incumbent, DFL-endorsed)Kaohly Her Yan ChenAdam DullingerMike Hilborn This is a ranked-choic…

naomikritzer.com

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

I'm really not. I might be able to outrun Betsy but I definitely could not outrun, for instance, Jacob.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

(I am going to be teaching at a science fiction writing workshop in Chongqing, which is super cool and I'm very excited for it and also stressed about the travel because I don't know if you know this but it's a loooooooooong flight.)

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

I mean, obviously I should pack "enough to get by in an emergency" in my carryon(s) but it would be nice to know whether I can expect to get that bag back for my overnight layover, or not.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

Hey Bluesky, I have an international travel question.

I am flying to China later this week, by way of Hong Kong. I have an overnight layover in Hong Kong but it's all one itinerary. Will I be able to get my checked bag back in Hong Kong?

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Matthew Scarborough 𓀀 @mattitiahu.bsky.social · 1d

The administration is aware of black bloc tactics, was vaguely aware of clown bloc tactics, but was completely unprepared for the advent of Animal Crossing bloc tactics.

Courtney Vaughn @courtneyvaughn.bsky.social · 2d

Streets are still closed off in front of the Portland ICE facility at 8:30pm. Protesters have gathered on a side street. Dance party in progress.

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𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 @sundaedivine.bsky.social · 1d

Every Trump Q&A sounds like Clippy trying to overthrow democracy.

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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

Not impossible (I can't tell for sure from their Wikipedia entries if they overlapped, but they might have) but not likely (US troops in Vietnam peaked in 1969 with 540,000.)

Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 1d

Oh that sucks. I am sorry 😔

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