Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

Big AI companies are trying to restrict states from regulating AI by adding an eleventh-hour provision to the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

substack.com

January 2, 2026 at 7:04 AM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

@captmarkkelly.bsky.social please prevent the LACK OF AI restriction at the state level from getting into the National Defense annual plan

January 2, 2026 at 7:04 AM

Reposted by Cloy

NPR

@npr.org

A memo obtained by NPR shows the Justice Department is telling inspectors to stop evaluating prisons using standards designed to protect trans and other LGBTQ community members from sexual violence. n.pr/44K1Tb9

DOJ orders prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards

A memo obtained by NPR shows the Justice Department is telling inspectors to stop evaluating prisons using standards designed to protect trans and other LGBTQ community members from sexual violence.

n.pr

December 5, 2025 at 2:29 AM

Reposted by Cloy

Rachel Vindman

@natsechobbyist.bsky.social

If only there had been signs that a group of below average men who espouse misogynist views and are led by an adjudicated rapist would treat their female colleagues poorly.

December 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

Mark Kelly Is Being Investigated for Telling the Truth www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/o...

Opinion | Mark Kelly Is Being Investigated for Telling the Truth

www.nytimes.com

November 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM

Reposted by Cloy

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd

November 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

Seems like a good time to remind everyone that FDR raised taxes on the rich significantly and in doing so got us Medicare, Social Security, a jobs program and built an American middle class.

November 10, 2025 at 2:23 AM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

substack.com/@unpresident...

UnPresidented (@unpresidented)

✋

substack.com

November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

www.snopes.com/fact-check/s...

Is Spotify running ICE recruitment ads? Here are the facts

The advertising "is part of a broad campaign the US government is running" across various platforms — not just Spotify, a spokesperson told Snopes.

www.snopes.com

October 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Reposted by Cloy

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

Chris Murphy: "There's a lot of history that has taken place in the East Wing & it was just destroyed without any conversation in the public, without any consent of Congress. It's absolutely illegal. That visual is powerful b/c you're watching destruction of the rule of law as those walls come down"

October 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM

Cloy

@buddhistbynature.bsky.social

October 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Pete (rudely slicing scallions)

@prosos7331.bsky.social

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona, A man in a cowboy hat holds up a sign with a crown and a large “X” overlaying the crown. October 18, 2025.

A group of people sit on the opposite bank of a dry creek bed separating the Flagstaff City Hall lawn where rally goers continued to rally at the No Kings rally. October 18, 2025.

This image just about summed up the mood of the rally yesterday. Paradoxically, it was both serious and light-hearted at the same time. Speaking strictly for myself, there was a huge sense of relief being here with as many people that showed up. It was a break from the tedious daily stream of news highlighting the breaking down of civility in the function of federal government and the social ramifications that come with it. It helped quell the sense of isolation and helplessness that seems pervasive when trying to keep up with all the stupidity.

At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona, hazard cones with messages stating, “Keep your cool. Hecklers want a reaction - don’t give it to them. Stay Peaceful, stay strong.” October 18, 2025.

Possibly the best advice that could be given for the day in terms of how to deal with agitators looking to rationalize their own delusions as to who the “opposition” really is. Thankfully and almost predictably, no one showed up to give it a try.

October 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Pete (rudely slicing scallions)

@prosos7331.bsky.social

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

An inflatable Cartman costume worn my a rally goer walked menacing through the crowd at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

Having photographed multiple protests where people showed up representing Antifa in black garb and face coverings, I love the fact that people protesting the federal administration’s blatant disregard for human decency towards its own population have twisted the administration’s perversion of its so-called “anti-American” stereotype on its head. While there was a noticeable lack of frogs (presumably due to supply chain issues), people made up for it in terms of other inflatables. I mean, the question needs begging after, “who’s going to pepper spray/teargas [insert inflatable character here], and not feel like a total asshole?”

Someone in an inflatable frog costume holds up a sign stating, “Frogs Together Strong,” at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

There were more inflatable T Rex costumes at this rally than frogs even though the frog theme seems to be “the thing” in places like Portland and Chicago over the last several weeks. I’m particularly attached to the frog fashion as it seems to be reappropriating the hapless amphibian from extreme right wingers who, during Trump’s first administration, used it a la 4chan as a mascot for their stupidity.

Someone in a StayPuff Marshmallow inflatable holds up a sign saying, “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me!” at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025.

Love the nod to RATM here seen through the fictional apocalyptic lens of Ghostbusters. Before coming to the rally today, I read a quick AP article that stated that people opposed to the No Kings day, were calling them “Hate America” rallies. It’s so much easier to make a blanket statement that disagreement and criticism of the government is the exact same thing as “hating” the country, when the opposite holds more sway.

A child in a Donkey inflatable, from the movie Shrek, strikes a pose at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025

The crowd at the rally wasn’t solely swaths of retired free speech hippies, although that demographic did make a showing. Many people felt the need to bring their children to not only witness the rally, but to participate, if the children so chose.

October 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Pete (rudely slicing scallions)

@prosos7331.bsky.social

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

A woman with inflatable American flag wings, American flag sunglasses, and two small American flags being held up behind her, holds up a sign saying, “Stop Corruption! You’re Fired! October 18, 2025, Flagstaff Arizona.

A common theme in this particular rally, was the amount of American symbolism (flags, “We The People” calligraphy, etc.) on display. Not that it hasn’t been present at previous rallies and/or protests, but the frequency seems to be increasing in what feels like an attempt to steal back from right wing “conservatives” what the right wing constantly befouls by draping reactionary politics in said symbolism in an attempt to justify their wingnut fear-based beliefs.

An older man wearing a t-shirt with the motto, “Same Shit, Different Hats,” smiles while holding a sign at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

The beautiful thing in this picture is the hat the military veteran is wearing, proclaiming his status as a veteran. He wasn’t the only veteran at the rally. One of the more heartening aspects of this rally was the fact that people who wouldn’t normally attend a rally like this, were out in force and ready and willing to speak their minds.

A man holds up a sign stating, “Christian Nationalism is the American Taliban! Jesus wasn’t white!” At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025.

The sign here seem to be asking for provocation from anyone opposed to the reasoning for the No Kings rally. Noteworthy was the complete absence of opposing view points to provoke. Sure, it’s the university town of Flagstaff, which isn’t exactly Trump country, but neither is it Portland Oregon. There was a thin line of protestors across Route 66 from the main lawn of City Hall, and while a quick glance might make it seem like a separation of factions, look a little harder and longer, and you’d find the thin line to also be No Kings supporters.

A woman holds up a sign stating “Karma Is A Bitch (it’s coming)” while rallying in front of the Flagstaff, Arizona City Hall. October 18, 2025

The rally started later than other No Kings rallies around the state, but the atmosphere was no later or less than what I’ve seen in images and video from other rallies. In short, the crowd was there to celebrate their communal contempt for the current federal administration and its behavior. One of the more ironic sights at the rally was the handful of local police stationed at the entrance of the city hall, the irony being the absence of protesters whose political leanings would actually constitute a threat to the integrity of the government building being “defended.”

October 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Raider

@iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social

Welcome to America, where peaceful protesters get tear-gassed and thrown to the ground like ragdolls.

October 11, 2025 at 2:02 AM

Reposted by Cloy

💙💙🤔CJ🤨🤣🧐💙💙🇺🇸

@cnice59.bsky.social

Let me repeat it! 👇🏼👇🏽👇🏾👇🏼👇🏽

August 9, 2025 at 2:19 AM

Reposted by Cloy

Corpsy

@corpsepilot.bsky.social

August 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Mueller, She Wrote

@muellershewrote.com

We’ve bombed Iran. And dismantled our joint terrorism task force. And sent a third of the FBI to help ICE. And gutted the National Security Council. And a drunk guy is in charge at the pentagon. And our intelligence allies probably won’t share intel with us. Because people couldn’t vote for a woman.

June 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM

Reposted by Cloy

Prescott Indivisible

@indivisprescott.bsky.social

June 22, 2025 at 12:30 AM

Reposted by Cloy

Prescott Indivisible

@indivisprescott.bsky.social

Massive turnout at the No Kings Rally today in #PrescottAZ!

Prescott native and AZ Attorney General @krismayes.bsky.social spoke from the Courthouse steps to around 3000 people who turned out in solidarity with events across the country 💪 #NoKings #NoKingsAZ @indivisible.org @maddow.msnbc.com

June 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM

Reposted by Cloy

Jared Rutecki

@jaredrutecki.bsky.social

The Illinois secretary of state asked for an investigation into a suburban Chicago police department after learning that it violated state law by sharing data from automatic license-plate readers with a Texas sheriff seeking a woman who had an abortion.