Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Eric Falquero

Hanaa’ Tameez @hanaatameez.bsky.social · 27d

This story — which asks what happened to all of those newsroom DEI jobs, committees, and promises from 2020 — is the hardest one I've ever worked on. I hope you'll spend some time with it today.

www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/from...

From reckoning to retreat: Journalism’s DEI efforts are in decline

www.niemanlab.org

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 1d

This social media monetization tracking tool is cool:

"Understanding who gets paid by platforms, how much, and for what, is crucial to making sure that social media companies compensate authentic content creation and don’t incentivize harmful and illegal activity."

www.monetization.wtf

Who Makes Money From Social Media?

Investigate platforms' revenue redistribution schemes.

www.monetization.wtf

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Ida Bae Wells @nhannahjones.bsky.social · 2d

Literally been asking myself this question.

Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 2d

At what point does a governor call up their National Guard to oppose the deployment of an out-of-state National Guard?

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 2d

"The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year... In a way, then, America has become one big bet on AI."

America is now one big bet on AI

It’s seen as the magic fix for every threat to the US economy

www.ft.com

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 1d

"AI-generated search answers have become commonplace in the 6 countries studied. User engagement...is mixed, as only one third say they consistently click through to source links while 28% rarely or never do so."
😵‍💫
A minority of users fact-check AI. reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/generative-a...

Generative AI and news report 2025: How people think about AI’s role in journalism and society

Our survey explores how people use generative AI in their everyday lives, what they think its impact will be on different areas of society, and what they think about its use in news and journalism spe...

reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk

Reposted by Eric Falquero

ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

Although border czar Tom Homan has repeatedly said he recused himself from any “involvement, discussion, input, or decision of any future government contracts,” ProPublica obtained records showing he has had at least some involvement in contracting conversations.

Trading on Tom Homan: Inside the Push to Cash in on the Trump Administration’s Deportation Campaign

A Pennsylvania businessman who had Tom Homan on his payroll led companies to believe his connections to the future border czar could help advance their bids for government work, industry executives sa...

www.propublica.org

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 1d

"The top 10% of Americans added $5 trillion to their wealth in the second quarter as the stock market rally continued to benefit the biggest investors, according to new Federal Reserve data."

www.cnbc.com/2025/10/03/t...

The wealth of the top 1% reaches a record $52 trillion

All wealth groups saw gains over the past year, according to recent Fed data. But the growth has been fastest for those at the very top.

www.cnbc.com

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 3d

"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared changes would be coming to the department’s inspector general office...after it was disclosed OMB effectively defunded an office that supports and trains oversight employees who root out waste, fraud and abuse governmentwide." www.govexec.com/oversight/20...

Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence

Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.

www.govexec.com

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 3d

"At least 15 gov oversight websites were down—and with them, access to watchdog reports and required hotline and whistleblower links—as of Wednesday evening ... OMB is withholding funds from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, or CIGIE"

www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...

Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'

It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.

www.nextgov.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

The 51st @51st.news · 5d

Join us as we continue to grow: 51st.news/signup

Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 5d

It was a year ago today that @51st.news sent out its first newsletter. Since then, my colleagues have been working to build a sustainable local news operation to cover D.C. the way we always wanted to cover it. Thanks to everyone who has read, subscribed, and donated! Onwards!

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Proud Appalachian @rwheeler.bsky.social · 5d

Must-Read Appalachian Nonfiction Books of 2025

These must-read works of Appalachian nonfiction books of 2025 showcase the rich storytelling tradition of the region.

bookriot.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Ida Bae Wells @nhannahjones.bsky.social · 6d

In case it wasn’t clear, the anti-DEI crusade has never been about merit. Zero news experience. Never been a reporter. Elevated to Editor in Chief of CBS News, one of the most storied news institutions in the nation. www.mediaite.com/media/news/p...

Paramount Officially Acquiring The Free Press and Making Bari Weiss CBS News Editor in Chief: Report

Paramount Skydance will be officially acquiring The Free Press and hiring its founder Bari Weiss as editor in chief of its CBS News division, with the deal to be announced this coming Monday, accordin...

www.mediaite.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 5d

It’s been two years since Matt Gaetz yeeted Kevin McCarthy after McCarthy passed a CR. In many ways, that move paved the way for the government shutdown today. Allow me to explain with a 🧵. 1/

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Tiny News Collective @tinynewscollective.bsky.social · 5d

Have you wished @51st.news a happy 1st birthday today yet? 🎂 If you haven't, don't let the day go by without celebrating with them on this important milestone day! @ericfalquero.bsky.social @maddiepoore.bsky.social @maustermuhle.bsky.social @christurdisani.bsky.social @abigailhiggins.bsky.social

a man wearing sunglasses is singing into a microphone and saying `` happy birthday to ya '' .

ALT: a man wearing sunglasses is singing into a microphone and saying `` happy birthday to ya '' .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

JW @wheeldoittogether.bsky.social · 5d

I genuinely don't know what we'd do this year without @51st.news and @maustermuhle.bsky.social. Why is a scrappy worker-owned outlet always the first to get to the crux of an issue? This caliber of reporting used to be normal but profit-greedy hedge funds have been slowly sucking it out of our lives

The 51st @51st.news · 6d

Reading local news 🤝 Plugging into local organizing

51st.news/dc-civic-eng...

Your weekly roundup of ways to get involved in D.C.

Plus, plenty of chances to plug into Free DC this week.

51st.news

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 7d

@blockclubchi.bsky.social is near and dear to my heart.

Not only did they also rise from the ashes of an "ist" newsroom being shutdown suddenly -- but their team gave us a lot of great coaching and shortcuts to help navigate starting @51st.news last year. Solidarity and collaboration is the way 🙏🏼

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 7d

Remember @russ41.bsky.social? You fine folks got him to give @51st.news $6K (‼️)

We weren't the first newsroom he backed on @bsky.app and apparently aren't the last! Now supporting @blockclubchi.bsky.social: Give them a follow and/or boost the post below to spend *his* money and support local news!🔥

Russ Frankenstein (no relation) @russ41.bsky.social · Sep 8

Do you love Chicago and independent journalism?
Do you hate ICE and misinformation?

For the next few days, I'll donate $1 to each of @invisible.institute , @blockclubchi.bsky.social and @injusticewatch.org for:
- every new follower I get
- every new follower THEY get
- every repost this post gets

Invisible Institute @invisible.institute · Sep 5

Reporters from across newsrooms in Chicago are collaborating to collect visual evidence of federal agents detaining people & using force in Chicago. Send videos to tinyurl.com/chicagojournalists, or get in touch via email [email protected].

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

The 51st @51st.news · 8d

Guys - it's almost our first birthday (crazy!) Do you have ideas for how we should celebrate/mark the occasion?

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

James Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 10d

Easy to rag on @washingtonpost.com these days.

Here is something excellent from their Sunday paper today. A special section on the books, movies, music, plays, TV shows, art works, architecture, etc that have best captured the spirit of DC, over the centuries.

If you're visiting DC, check it out.

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 15d

For years, Black troops fought for policies that allowed them to thrive in the service—including around grooming.

To Hegseth, that’s the whole problem: a military with Black leadership and without obstacles to a diverse corps is one in which white men have to take orders from the wrong kind.

If only Pete Hegseth's military shaving crusade was just stupid

Hegseth knows damn well who he's pushing out: Black troops.

www.motherjones.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Laura Bassett @lebassett.bsky.social · 15d

More than 1800 detainees are missing after the closure of Alligator Alcatraz. Their families and lawyers can’t find them and they’ve vanished from the ICE database. Feels like this should be a much bigger story www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site

As of the end of August, the whereabouts of two-thirds of more than 1,800 men detained at Alligator Alcatraz during the month of July could not be determined by the Miami Herald.

www.miamiherald.com

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 18d

Happening now, until 3, at Benning/ Dorothy Height library! Swing by for end of summer fun with @51st.news: www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-7-ice...

Ward 7 Ice Cream Social with The 51st

Come celebrate the end of Summer and share your stories and dreams with the Ward 7 community connector and The 51st newsroom.

www.eventbrite.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Newmark J+ @newmarkjplus.bsky.social · 19d

🌟 YOU'RE INVITED to the AI Journalism Lab: ADOPTION Showcase — a free webinar featuring 5-minute presentations from program participants.

Join us on on Friday, October 3 at 11:00am ET to learn how newsrooms are testing and implementing AI to enhance impact!

RSVP here ↓
luma.com/yjua59zp

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Eric Falquero @ericfalquero.bsky.social · 18d

EPA tells scientists to stop publishing studies, employees say

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

EPA tells scientists to stop publishing studies, employees say

Staff from the EPA’s Office of Water were summoned to a town hall meeting this week and told to pause the publication of most research, pending a review.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by Eric Falquero

Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 19d

D.C. usually gets blamed for local crime, but Congress also a role to play. Specifically, the feds are supposed to reimburse D.C. for the costs of using local police for things like big protests and motorcades. But congressional funding hasn't kept up with costs: 51st.news/trump-dc-tak...

What happens now that the D.C. emergency order has ended?

Plus: Solving the mystery of a new helicopter, and trying to get Congress to cough up more money for police.

51st.news

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