Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thousands Rally in "No Kings" Protests Nationwide

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 1d

Proud to have two reporters on the ground yesterday covering #NoKings protests in Seattle and Spokane. An estimated 90,000 turned out in Seattle, 10,000 in Spokane — part of 2,700+ protests nationwide. Read their coverage and see photos: bit.ly/43mULAP
#NoKingsProtest #Seattle #Spokane #PNW

Spokane, Seattle, and 2,500+ U.S. cities joined "No Kings" protests. From nuns to youth, thousands stood for democracy, justice, and solidarity in the rain.

'Startled' judge orders agents in Chicago area to wear body cameras after violent clashes

Reposted by Tracy Simmons

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 4d

BREAKING: Immigration officers in the Chicago area will be required to wear body cameras after the use of tear gas and other actions against protesters, a judge rules.

A judge says federal immigration officers in the Chicago area will be required to wear body cameras after the use of tear gas and other aggressive steps against protesters.

Dallin H. Oaks, former Utah Supreme Court justice, is selected to lead Mormon church

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Reposted by Tracy Simmons

RNS @rns.org · 6d

BREAKING: Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, was named to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its more than 17 million members worldwide.
religionnews.com/2025/10/14/d...

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — As president, Oaks is considered a prophet and seer who will guide the church through divine revelation from God alongside two top counselors and members of the Quorum.

religionnews.com

Salish School of Spokane Ushers in 2 new leaders

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 6d

Two new co-executive directors are leading Salish School of Spokane into its next chapter. Read about their shared leadership and vision for the future: bit.ly/4ojprv0
#Spokane #NativeEducation #LanguageRevitalization #IndigenousLeadership #SalishLanguage

Two new co-executive directors bring shared leadership to the Salish School of Spokane, continuing its mission of language and cultural revitalization.

Casa MiA: Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors in Spokane

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 7d

From pandemic idea to reality — Casa MiA will offer survivors of domestic violence a safe space to heal and thrive. An inspiring project from Mujeres in Action in Spokane. bit.ly/3ILHTNU

#Spokane #FāVSNews #DomesticViolenceAwareness #CommunityHealing #LatinxVoices

MiA is building Casa MiA, a permanent housing community for domestic violence survivors in Spokane, set to open in 2027. A safe place to heal and thrive.

State Preserves Clergy Confession Privilege in Abuse Law

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 9d

@favsnews.bsky.social has followed this story from the start. After lawsuits from Catholic and Orthodox churches, Washington revised its clergy reporting law to protect confessional secrecy — praised by religious liberty groups, condemned by survivor advocates.
🔗 bit.ly/3J28Xs3
#Washington

A new WA law makes clergy mandated reporters but preserves the confessional privilege, raising debate over religious freedom vs child safety.

Witchcraft, Humanism, and the Search for Meaning

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 11d

Witches, pagans & occultists might be onto something — claiming personal power over chaos and choosing intuition over institutions. This column explores what we can learn from modern witchcraft, even for the skeptics among us.
🔗 bit.ly/491NAlc
#Witchcraft #Spirituality #Humanism #Faith #FāVSNews

Exploring modern witchcraft and occultism as spiritual self-direction, with a humanist lens, a critical mind, and a respect for doing no harm.

Ask a jew: Why Spelling Matters More Than You Think

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 13d

Ever wonder why Hanukkah is sometimes spelled Chanukah (or even Hanukah)?
This columns explains the history and meaning behind these varied spellings — and what they say about language, culture & faith.

Read it on @favsnews.bsky.social - bit.ly/4mP5BXv
#Language #Judaism #Hanukkah #FaithAndCulture

Ask a jew: Transcribing Hebrew and Yiddish into English is complex. “Chanukah” vs. “Hanukkah” isn’t just spelling, it’s about culture, accuracy, and identity.

Shane Claiborne Confronts Christian Nationalism

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 14d

I admit it — I geeked out getting to interview Shane Claiborne. The Christian activist is coming to Spokane to talk about what he calls the urgent threat of Christian nationalism — a danger to both faith and democracy.

bit.ly/48Wq74S

#ShaneClaiborne #ChristianNationalism #FaithAndJustice #Spokane

Christian activist Shane Claiborne calls Christian nationalism a threat to faith and democracy during talks at Whitworth and Eastern Washington universities.

Grieving President Nelson And Finding Light After Michigan Tragedy

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 19d

From our own Julia Ditto at @favsnews.bsky.social

Religion Unplugged @religionmag.bsky.social · 19d

I went to sleep Saturday with a heavy heart. Just before saying goodnight to my family, I saw an Instagram post stating Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had passed away religionunplugged.com/news/opinion...

(OPINION) I went to sleep this past Saturday night with a heavy heart. Just before saying goodnight to my family, I had picked up my phone and saw an Instagram post stating that Russell M. Nelson, the...

religionunplugged.com

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 19d

Jane Goodall has died. I'm so lucky to have been able to meet her twice. She was one of the kindest people I've interviewed.

Grieving President Nelson, Finding Light After Tragedy

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 20d

A moving reflection on President Russell M. Nelson’s passing, the tragedy in Michigan, and why choosing peace still matters. Worth the read: bit.ly/46MzEsU

#RussellMNelson #Peace #Faith #LightOverDarkness

In the wake of President Nelson’s passing and a church shooting, one Latter-day Saint reflects on grief, peace, and the triumph of light over darkness.

Bethany Presbyterian dedicates land for future resident housing & church campus - FāVS News

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 21d

Bethany Presbyterian Church dedicated land Sunday for a new campus that will include 22 housing units for refugees and formerly homeless families. After a 2022 fire destroyed their building, the congregation chose to expand their mission rather than just rebuild.
bit.ly/4nOnxSO
#Spokane

About 70 people showed up for Bethany Presbyterian Church’s land dedication ceremony Sunday (Sept. 28).

Tipping the church and the ethics of giving

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 26d

@alexandrafil.bsky.social raises important questions about tipping at church fundraisers. When this Greek Festival "tips" went to the church, not workers, it highlighted the need for transparency in religious fundraising.
bit.ly/tipthechurch
#TippingCulture #ChurchTransparency #GreekFestival

At Greek festivals, where tips support the church, one writer questions financial transparency, gratuity culture, and where the money really goes.

Charlie Kirk’s Death Reveals a Divided America

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 27d

My friend wrote a powerful reflection exploring how Christians should respond to divisive political rhetoric and those who use it. A challenging read about grace, judgment and examining our own hearts. bit.ly/4nhJTwf #ChristianReflection #PoliticalDivision #Grace #FaithAndPolitics

Charlie Kirk's assassination sparked both grief and outrage—revealing deep national and personal divisions over his life, legacy, and rhetoric.

https://bit.ly/4nhJTwf]

When the bees you love turn against you

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 28d

Got demolished by my honeybees while trying to help them — taught me something profound about resilience and showing up despite the risk of getting hurt. bit.ly/4pBEemd

#beekeeping #Buddhism #resilience #mindfulness #bees #lifelessons

A beekeeper’s painful encounter with bees becomes a lesson in humility, resilience, and wisdom about expectations, fear, and returning despite the risk.

Charlie Kirk, Gavan Spies and the Christian Nationalist Rise

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · 29d

Important read exposes how #CharlieKirk built a network to advance his anti-LGBTQ+ Christian nationalist agenda. Despite Kirk's extremist views, his death is being sanitized by supporters who paint him as a moderate martyr.
bit.ly/4mvAJLx
#TPUSA #ChristianNationalism #Extremism #Politics

How Gavan Spies and Turning Point USA Faith helped drive a national Christian nationalist movement—and whitewash Charlie Kirk’s legacy after his death.

Judge dismisses Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht's lawsuit against Spokane and city council members

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 19

Judge dismisses Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht’s lawsuit against Spokane and city council members

www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

A lawsuit filed by Christian nationalist Sean Feucht against the city of Spokane and several City Council members last year was dismissed by a superior court judge Thursday.

www.spokesman.com

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 9

Former Bible college grad Adam Swensen's "Religious Traumedy" comedy show at Spokane's The Chameleon sold out its debut, featuring drag performers dancing to Christian music and nostalgic bits about growing up in the church.
bit.ly/46dzkmm
#ReligiousTraumedy #Comedy #Spokane #Deconstruction

Sold out comedy “Religious Traumedy” premieres in Spokane

Former pastor Adam Swensen debuts "Religious Traumedy" at The Chameleon in Spokane, a sold-out comedy show exploring religious trauma and growing up Christian.

My friend made joy contagious and I want to continue her legacy - FāVS News

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 4

Beautiful community partnership! After Generations Barbershop provided free cuts for young men on the Spokane Tribe reservation, Salon Retro is now offering the same for girls K-12 this Sunday.
"If they look good, they feel good, and that's a win-win"
bit.ly/46107SY
#SpokaneTribes #BackToSchool

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Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 2

Northfork Presbyterian Church in Ahsahka, Idaho, celebrates 130 years! Founded in 1884, this small congregation rebuilt after a 2008 fire with help from the Nez Perce Tribe. Their strength comes from faith and singing hymns in their native language.
bit.ly/4lZffWW
#RuralChurch #NezPerce #Idaho

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 1

Thank you 🙏

Tracy Simmons @reportertracy.bsky.social · Sep 1

I wrote about my friend Erin Cox, who died suddenly a few weeks ago. She was the kind of person who jumped into action when you needed help, who filled our workplace with joy and laughter. Her funeral showed me how many lives she touched through simple acts of kindness.
bit.ly/3JK3w0W
#Friendship

Tracy Simmons mourns her work neighbor and friend's sudden passing with reflections of her Latter-day Saint faith and legacy of contagious joy.