Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Celeste Pewter

@celestepewter.bsky.social

20K followers 1.2K following 5.1K posts

Former Dem staffer. UCI, King's College London, Johns Hopkins. | INFINITE SKY (Bloomsbury 2026) + more | Many bylines. | AAJA/SCBWI | Rep: Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency (children's) Uwe Stender (adult nonfiction)

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · Nov 10

Quick note for all of the new followers -

Hi! I'm a former Dem staffer, who now works for a think tank. I'm also an author, with two announced projects + a few in the works. Expect a lot of here's-what-you-can-do posts from me.

You can also find me on Insta: www.instagram.com/celestepewter/

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

1 36 340

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 2h

⬇️

Senator Ruben Gallego @gallego.senate.gov · 2h

Ran into Speaker Johnson and told him exactly how I feel about Republicans shutting down the government to protect pedophiles and jack up health care costs for 24 million Americans.

1 11

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 3h

FRIEND!

1 1

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 3h

All, Pritzker is holding a press conference right now - I'd watch, especially given Trump's comments from this AM:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX51...

WATCH LIVE: Illinois Gov. Pritzker holds news briefing with workers affected by federal shutdown

YouTube video by PBS NewsHour

www.youtube.com

1 28 100

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 5h

Periodic reminder:

If you want to figure out how you're going to travel during the shutdown and beyond - follow Bill.

(And yes, I text him every time I fly, hah.)

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 2d

My new column for @Frommers details not just the obvious effects of the shutdown on travelers--unpaid air traffic controllers & TSA screeners--but the dangers of furloughing FAA safety inspectors. Who watches the airlines & Boeing if they self-police?
www.frommers.com/tips/miscell...

The Unexpected Travel Effects of the Federal Shutdown

The U.S. government shutdown is changing travel. Unfortunately, some consequences aren't being discussed—particularly what it means for safety.

www.frommers.com

13 28

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 6h

The Constitutional crisis you've been waiting for is here.

The right moment to speak up—that moment of clarity you've been waiting for—that's here too.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 7h

I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?

Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.

130 350

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 6h

All: Comey is appearing in court today - here's the live feed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDsV...

If you have't already, please make time to watch his IG response to all of this:

www.instagram.com/p/DPC1sFFD2iF/

LIVE: Outside court as James Comey faces DOJ case for allegedly lying to Congress

YouTube video by Associated Press

www.youtube.com

3 6

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

Shelley Krause 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @butwait.bsky.social · 1d

If you live in the US, put your elected representatives' phone numbers in your "favorites" list on your phone.
You can also start w/ the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121
Don't know what to say? follow @celestepewter.bsky.social here or sign up for susanrogan.substack.com/subscribe
Get loud!

Subscribe to Rogan's List

ways we can help save our democracy. Click to read Rogan's List, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

susanrogan.substack.com

1 6 11

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

jessamyn @librarian.bsky.social · 1d

On this day where librarians consider the closing of Baker & Taylor, I would like to remind you that Sandy Berman still walks this earth and today is his birthday.

www.sanfordberman.org

Welcome to the Sanford Berman website devoted to the work of librarian Sanford Berman who created an innovative, radical and inclusive catalog which used terms we use when looking for information instead of the 19th century language of the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Berman worked for the Hennepin County library from 1973 until 1999. Sandy continues to create subject headings and works for political and social justice.

www.sanfordberman.org

5 56 120

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 1d

Oh! No - I was thinking out loud. I think both headlines are just really indicating to me that a media literacy book is important.

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 1d

I'm referring to the controversy around her latest album!

1 1

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 1d

*Sees Taylor Swift AI discourse/shutdown discourse*

Lots of thoughts, but overall:

Someone let me write a media literacy book that helps adults/educators deal with our constantly changing media environment... especially around AI, please.

2 1 27

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 6d

All, lots of shut down news, much of it is grim. But flagging this one - wapo.st/3IRQBdg

White House fires much of the National Council on the Humanities

The White House appeared to fire all but four members of the National Council on the Humanities, an advisory board to the head of the government’s grantmaking agency.

wapo.st

3 27 66

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 8d

All - my (favorite!) coworker Bill is testifying in front of Senate Judiciary this AM on competition w/ the airline industry.

Please watch here: www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...

2 9

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 15d

1. I'm cautiously glad/relieved for Zelensky and Ukrainians. I'm not going to stop holding my breath, though.

2. But this is also making me think (again) of what people said last Trump admin - that he just takes on the POV of the last person he talks to, and this continues to be a major issue.

Live Updates: After Meeting With Zelensky at U.N., Trump Shifts Stance on Russia

www.nytimes.com

2 2 50

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 16d

"McGee said he questions whether people voted for such decisions: 'Did anybody vote to say, "Well, when I'm shopping for an airfare, which is one of the most confusing products on the free market anyway, I don't need to know all prices ahead of time?"'"
www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/...

The U.S. promised fliers better passenger rights. What happened?

The Transporation Department has rescinded a proposal to expand compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays.

www.washingtonpost.com

5 31 110

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

Reed Showalter @reedforcongress.bsky.social · 20d

Monopoly and fascism go hand in hand. We aren't free if our public discourse is controlled by authoritarians and oligarchs that bend the knee to them

It’s time to break up Sinclair, Nexstar, and big media companies. And repeal the ’96 Telecom Act that let these companies merge

TVMoJoe @tvmojoe.bsky.social · 20d

NEW: ABC puts JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE on hiatus after conservative backlash, station group and FCC chair pressure network over Kirk comment. Details at @vulture: www.vulture.com/article/abc-...

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! From the Air ‘Indefinitely’

It follows conservative backlash to a comment Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk.

www.vulture.com

9 52 130

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 16d

All, this is worth reading (and it also includes @wjm-air.bsky.social):

The U.S. promised fliers better passenger rights. What happened?

The Transporation Department has rescinded a proposal to expand compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays.

wapo.st

5 13 43

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 19d

The ACIP vote was tied 6-6 for requiring everyone to get a prescription for the COVID19 vaccine.

The chair broke the tie by voting NO.

Prescriptions will NOT be required.

170 1.4K 6.1K

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

- for a mea culpa and that makes him look weak to Dems, and gives Republicans more fodder. Everything Booker does - eg. Calling out Patel is nullified.

YMMV, but we’ve got to actually think about our asks, the optics and fight smarter.

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

PS. The person quote tweeted me back and says they want Booker to apologize.

I’m not the biggest Booker fan and find him performative, so let’s be clear on that. But Dems, we have got to learn how to fight better.

Let’s say Booker apologizes. And then what? We now have a public leader asking -

1 2

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

Okay, you want him to take responsibility and then what? Apologize? And then what?

Look, I hate Cory Booker, but I’m trying to understand what this is going to accomplish.

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

No, it’s fair. I just think we need to get some perspective and accuracy.

And yeah - I was including project 2025 in my mental calculus.

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

Source: abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...

I’m going to beat this drum until Josh Hawley comes for me: At a time we have rampant misinformation and disinformation, we have to be accurate in what we share.

Fact check before you dunk, or just don’t dunk.

What to know about Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission

ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show off the air indefinitely

abcnews.go.com

1 1 13

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 19d

Two things can be true:

1. Booker is running for president and being annoying about it at a time we need clear leadership and Dems with a spine.

2. Carr has been nominated under both Dem and Republican presidents, and didn’t go off the deep MAGA end until recently.

Jasmyn the Writer 🏳️‍⚧️🍉 (she/her) @jasmynthewriter.bsky.social · 19d

Didn’t you vote to confirm Brendan Carr to the FCC?

Sen. Cory Booker @booker.senate.gov · 19d

We are seeing a roll back of the freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press not just on late-night, but at all levels of society, we must stand united for our freedoms.

That’s why announcing the NOPE Act to prevent presidents from using government to punish critics.

3 2 36

Reposted by Celeste Pewter

Writers Guild of America West @wgawest.bsky.social · 20d

🚨 Join us TODAY at 12 PM at the main Disney Gate at 2201 W Alameda Ave in Burbank to protest ABC and tell them to bring back #JimmyKimmel.🚨 www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...

Writers Guild Rips ABC’s Decision to Pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ From Air: “The WGA Stands With Jimmy Kimmel and His Writers”

SAG-AFTRA also released a statement following the news, noting, "The decision to suspend airing 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms."

www.hollywoodreporter.com

19 390 860