Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 4h

2. ICYMI: Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act became a landmark law against racial discrimination, legal challenges heading to the Supreme Court could curtail its remaining protections for minority voters

60 years later, Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters face new threats

Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act became a landmark law against racial discrimination, legal challenges heading to the Supreme Court could curtail its remaining protections for minority voters.

www.npr.org

3 9

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 4h

NEW: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to discuss on Nov. 7 whether to take up a North Dakota case about whether private individuals and groups — whose lawsuits have been the main way of enforcing the Voting Rights Act’s Section 2 — can continue to sue
www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?...

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/7/2025.

2 21 25

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 2d

2. You can find links to the 2026 Census Test job postings at census.gov/2026jobs. The six test locations looking for temporary workers are:

- Huntsville, Ala.
- tribal lands within Arizona
- Colorado Springs, Colo.
- western North Carolina
- Spartanburg, S.C.
- western Texas

2026 Census Test Jobs

Apply today to work on the 2026 Census Test!

www.census.gov

1 1 2

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 2d

BREAKING: The Census Bureau’s website says applications are now open for temporary “2026 Census Test” jobs in six states as some of the national head count’s advocates warn about delays in preparing for next year’s major field test of the #2030Census

A major census test begins recruiting workers as some warn about delays

The Census Bureau is looking for temporary workers to carry out next year's major field test of the 2030 census in six states, as the national head count's advocates raise concerns about preparations.

www.npr.org

2 18 55

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled an Oct. 8 vote on whether to advance Joyce Meyer's nomination to be the next under secretary of commerce for economic affairs to oversee the Census Bureau

Executive Session 14

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee Executive Session on Wednesday, October 8, ...

www.commerce.senate.gov

3 7

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 6d

2. Some 2.8 million U.S. citizens living abroad were eligible to vote in 2022, the latest year for federal estimates.

With turnout for overseas voters long trailing that of domestic voters (3.4% v 62.5% in 2022), voting rights advocates fear this GOP-led push could further drive down participation

1 2 10

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

2. Here's the correct link to the Trump administration's request to put Detroit's lawsuit against the Census Bureau on hold:
www.courtlistener.com/docket/68379...

Stay – #53 in Detroit, City of v. United States Department of Commerce (E.D. Mich., 2:24-cv-10775) – CourtListener.com

Stay

www.courtlistener.com

2 2

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

NEW: A federal judge has paused the city of Detroit’s lawsuit over how the Census Bureau produces annual population estimates at the Trump administration's request because of the federal government shutdown

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply – #52 in Detroit, City of v. United States Department of Commerce (E.D. Mich., 2:24-cv-10775) – CourtListener.com

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

www.courtlistener.com

2 8 17

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

NEW: Trump administration continues to stay mum on its position in the Louisiana-led lawsuit seeking to ban the Census Bureau from including residents with no legal status & those with visas in #2030Census results that the 14th Amendment says must include the “whole number of persons in each state”

Status Report – #60 in Louisiana v. Commerce (W.D. La., 6:25-cv-00076) – CourtListener.com

Joint STATUS REPORT by State of Kansas. (aty,Rodriguez, James)

www.courtlistener.com

6 19

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

2. ICYMI:

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: In case of a federal government shutdown, the Census Bureau will stop work on economic indicators, the American Community Survey, disaster assistance & recovery data & most #2030Census planning. "2026 Census Test" work would continue until funds are "exhausted"
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...

In the event of a lapse in appropriations, the U.S. Census Bureau anticipates that most activities will cease. The agency will have access to balances which will allow minimally necessary operations and activities to ensure the safety and security of data, IT resources, and property. Prior to any lapse in appropriations, an assessment will be performed to determine the level of budget authority available to continue operations. Administrative and information technology infrastructure activities supporting these programs will continue, funded by overheads collected against the funding sources above. The Census Bureau will use carryover balances to continue the activities needed to remain on a critical readiness path for a fully scoped, and on-time 2026 Census Test, a mission critical priority for ensuring 2030 Census operational viability as described throughout this section.
If the lapse in appropriations continues for a significant length of time and these funds are exhausted, then most employees working on these activities will be furloughed, consistent with the Contingency Plan described below.
The activities that the Census Bureau will not continue include the following:
1. Economic Indicators: U.S. monthly economic indicators would not be available.
2. Disaster Assistance and Recovery: The Census Bureau would be unable to provide updated data to jurisdictions impacted by natural disasters.
3. 2030 Census Planning (Non-Test Activities): All other activities necessary to plan, manage, and prepare for the 2030 Census not directly tied to the 2026 Census Test, including
Geographic Support and Frames, will be paused.
4. American Community Survey: Data Collection for the ACS will be discontinued.

2 4

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

NEW: The Census Bureau says parts of its website are not being updated because of the federal government shutdown and questions from data users will not be answered "until appropriations are enacted"

census.gov Notification
Due to the lapse of federal funding, portions of this website are not being updated. Any inquiries submitted via www.census.gov will not be answered until appropriations are enacted.

1 10 22

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

"The mission of NPR is to work in partnership with Member Stations to create a more informed public — one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures."

NPR @npr.org · 7d

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

2 23 100

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

2. Full disclosure: USPS is a financial supporter of NPR.

As a NPR journalist, I follow the NPR Ethics Handbook, which says: "When appropriate, disclose funding relationships in related reports.”

Independence

Principle: Independence

www.npr.org

1 31

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

In case you were wondering, U.S. Postal Service remains open during the federal government shutdown because it generally receives no tax dollars to keep running. USPS relies instead on stamp sales and and other service fees

1 77 250

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 7d

My latest @npr.org story: Republican officials are continuing a push to restrict voting by U.S. citizens living abroad, including U.S. military members, after making unsuccessful challenges to some overseas voters’ ballots in 2024

A GOP push to restrict voting by overseas U.S. citizens continues before 2026 midterms

Republican officials are pushing for more voting restrictions on U.S. citizens who were born abroad and have never lived in the country, after unsuccessfully challenging their ballots in 2024.

www.npr.org

1 37 52

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 8d

2. Here's a backup link to the Commerce Department's latest "Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations"
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

Department of Commerce Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations (Sept. 29, 2025)

www.documentcloud.org

3 8

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: In case of a federal government shutdown, the Census Bureau will stop work on economic indicators, the American Community Survey, disaster assistance & recovery data & most #2030Census planning. "2026 Census Test" work would continue until funds are "exhausted"
www.commerce.gov/sites/defaul...

1 6 18

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 8d

2. Here's the same stock image on Getty:
www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo...

And ICYMI:

I Just Found Out Simu Liu Modeled For Stock Images Before He Became Famous, And I’m Sobbing Because These Are Amazing

From stock image model to Marvel superhero.

www.buzzfeed.com

8

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 8d

Finding Marvel actor Simu Liu in a stock image for a Census Bureau email was not on my census-reporter bingo card...

Screen grab of a Census Bureau email announcing "2024 New Foreign-Born Population by Generation Data Tables" with a stock image photo that has a green circle around the face of Simu Liu, an actor who modeled for stock images before portraying Marvel superhero Shang-Chi on film

5 9 59

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 11d

Thanks for reading. Here’s the rest of my thread:

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 12d

2. UPDATE: As of 4:10 p.m. ET, the Census Bureau's notice about changes to its "2026 Census Test" plan is no longer available on the Federal Register's website, which says the agency requested it to be withdrawn. I've reached out to the bureau for comment
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...

Editorial Note: An agency letter requesting withdrawal of this document was received after placement on public inspection. The document will remain on public inspection through close of business September 29, 2025. A copy of the agency's withdrawal letter is available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register.

1 1

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 11d

4. UPDATE: Commerce Dept official said the submission of the "2026 Census Test" notice "does not align with the Department's timeline for mission requirements," according to copy of withdrawal request letter @npr.org obtained from Office of the Federal Register
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

Sept. 26, 2025 Commerce Department Letter Requesting Withdrawal of Federal Register Notice on 2026 Census Test

www.documentcloud.org

1 5

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 11d

2. OMB is giving federal agencies six-month extensions on the deadline to submit public action plans on getting in line with Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (now March 28, 2026) and the deadline to start implementing (now Sept. 28, 2029).

My earlier reporting on what changes could look like:

Next U.S. census will have new boxes for 'Middle Eastern or North African,' 'Latino'

Biden officials approved proposals for the U.S. census and federal surveys to change how Latinos are asked about their race and ethnicity and to add a checkbox for "Middle Eastern or North African."

www.npr.org

2 7

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 11d

BREAKING: Office of Management and Budget extends deadline for federal surveys & forms to comply with revised government standards on racial & ethnic data approved during Biden admin, including new “Middle Eastern or North African” & "Hispanic or Latino” checkboxes
spd15revision.gov/content/spd1...

OMB Announcing Timeline Extensions for SPD 15 Implementation
September 26, 2025

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is extending timelines in its Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.

The provisions of OMB’s most recent updates to its race and ethnicity data standards continue to be in effect. However, through this announcement, OMB is changing two particular dates.

The standards require the Chief Financial Officers Act Agencies and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to submit to OMB an Action Plan on Race and Ethnicity Data by September 28, 2025. OMB is extending this deadline to March 28, 2026. The standards require Federal information collections that collect race and ethnicity data to be made consistent with the updated standards as soon as possible, but not later than March 28, 2029. OMB is extending this deadline to September 28, 2029.

1 6 12

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 11d

3. Here's a backup copy of the unpublished Federal Register notice on changes to the Census Bureau's "2026 Census Test" plan that the bureau requested to be withdrawn from public inspection:
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

Census Bureau Federal Register Document No. 2025-18804

www.documentcloud.org

1 1 7

Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 12d

2. UPDATE: As of 4:10 p.m. ET, the Census Bureau's notice about changes to its "2026 Census Test" plan is no longer available on the Federal Register's website, which says the agency requested it to be withdrawn. I've reached out to the bureau for comment
www.federalregister.gov/public-inspe...

1 4 21