Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 10h

One of America's top investigative newsrooms wants to uncover news stories about the federal government by appealing to potential tipsters on public transit — and highlighting the importance of shared modes for reinforcing the pillars of democracy.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/08/t...

This Newsroom Is Looking For Its Next Big Tip on the Train — Streetsblog USA

Investigative journalists at ProPublica are betting that the next big tipster is riding the rails right now — and reaching out to find them.

usa.streetsblog.org

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Reposted by Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️

Glenn E. Rice @grice1911.bsky.social · 15h

Trump's proposal to reduce pay for federal workers would have a devastating impact in Kansas City. The latest from @kacen.bsky.social

Read more at: www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Trump’s threat to cut back pay for federal workers would be ‘devastating’ in KC

“There is no certainty at all,” said Jefferson Suchman, who represents U.S. Department of Labor employees in Kansas City.

www.kansascity.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 15h

That’s what I was implying

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 16h

According to a September filing, district staff allegedly hinted at adverse employment actions that could be taken on the student journalism advisor if students reported on the lawsuit.
www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...

Student journalists who sued Lawrence schools over surveillance allege retaliation

While students claim retaliation, the district maintains that students are free to report, according to court documents.

www.kansascity.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 16h

Imagine building an entire industry off stealing labor…

Meta’s former head of global affairs said asking for permission from rights owners to train models would “basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight.”
www.theverge.com/news/674366/...

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

www.theverge.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 1d

A 90-Second Crash Course in Trump’s Betrayal of American Soy Farmers
www.motherjones.com/food/2025/10...

A 90-second crash course in Trump's betrayal of American soy farmers

Here’s the geopolitical beans.

www.motherjones.com

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Joel Mathis @joelmathis.bsky.social · 1d

Abilene is a red town in a vastly red region. So this is ... interesting. (Gift link.) www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

Abilene residents slam Trump ouster of Eisenhower museum leader over sword: ‘It’s crap!’

“That’s not his,” said Abilene Wanda Bell, of an Eisenhower sword requested by the Trump administration. “It’s one of the treasures of our history. That’s not somebody else’s to walk in and demand.”

www.kansascity.com

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6d

Tim Walz: "My god, we've got the White House threatening investigations and jail time because an escalator stopped? Walk up the damn stairs!"

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Jeramey Jannene @jeramey.urbanmilwaukee.com · 6d

ICE is planning a dramatic expansion in Milwaukee, a downtown office to go with its new northwest side field facility. (Members-only at @urbanmilwaukee.com ). urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/10/02/i...

ICE Seeks Downtown Milwaukee Office To Go With New Field Facility

Nationwide leasing push comes after One Big Beautiful Bill provided agency with billions.

urbanmilwaukee.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 6d

Also on this point, I was on a neighborhood tour recently when someone asked if they should keep calling 911 for issues. Someone else sarcastically said “yeah, call and wait 30 minutes.”
How much of KC’s crime rate is due to long 911 wait times?

Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 6d

It’s weird to me that Republicans complain about crime in Kansas City as if a Republican commission doesn’t control the police department.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

MO Republican praises DC takeover as model for KC. What do local leaders say?

The senator’s comments have intensified concerns that Kansas City could be swept up in the Trump administration’s sweeping anti-crime crackdown.

www.kansascity.com

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French 75 Apologist🚰 @handle.invalid · 6d

Since “How do we win back young men” has been such a hot topic of discussion in left-of-center circles, may I propose a platform of: “Going after all the scam artists that prey on them that the GOP have aligned themselves with”

John Gramlich @johngramlich.bsky.social · 6d

% of US men under 30 who say legal sports betting is a *bad thing* for society

22% in 2022
47% in 2025

No other demographic group has seen a bigger increase.

Americans increasingly see legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and sports

Today, 43% of U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is a bad thing for society, up from 34% in 2022.

www.pewresearch.org

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 6d

It’s weird to me that Republicans complain about crime in Kansas City as if a Republican commission doesn’t control the police department.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...

MO Republican praises DC takeover as model for KC. What do local leaders say?

The senator’s comments have intensified concerns that Kansas City could be swept up in the Trump administration’s sweeping anti-crime crackdown.

www.kansascity.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 6d

A new poll from the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance found that voters in four counties across the metro would support a regional sales tax dedicated to bus service, even as soon as next year.
www.kcur.org/housing-deve...

Voters across the Kansas City metro support a sales tax for better bus service, new poll finds

A new poll from the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance found that voters in four counties across the metro would support a regional sales tax dedicated to bus service, even as soon as next year.

www.kcur.org

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 7d

That’s where I vote and had the same issue! I somehow wound up behind the stage prep with all the workers and no one stopped me.

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 7d

Jackson Co residents voted to recall County Exec Frank White Jr. and remove him from office effective immediately. The decision held 85% of the vote. The election itself had a low turnout. Fewer than 11% of registered voters in Kansas City & 20% in Eastern Jackson County
www.kcur.org/politics-ele...

Jackson County unseats executive Frank White Jr. in historic election. What happens now?

White has served as county executive since 2016. Tens of thousands of signatures were gathered to trigger the special election, which White believes was called illegally.

www.kcur.org

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 13d

With late week’s JoCo Tesla and this SUV, this is rapidly becoming the most popular fake parking spot in the Crossroads. Also pretty sure this Mercedes is parked illegally.

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David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 13d

More authoritarianism. The DOJ is now Trump’s personal hit squad.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 13d

Breaking News: A Justice Dept. official is pushing prosecutors to investigate a group funded by George Soros, the billionaire Democratic donor whom President Trump has demanded be thrown in jail.

Justice Dept. Official Pushes Prosecutors to Investigate George Soros’s Foundation

The directive suggests department leaders are following orders from the president, a major break from decades of past practice meant to insulate the agency from political interference.

nyti.ms

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 13d

The directive goes as far as to list charges prosecutors could file, ranging from arson to material support of terrorism. The memo suggests department leaders are following orders from the president that specific people or groups be subject to criminal investigation
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...

Justice Dept. Official Pushes Prosecutors to Investigate George Soros’s Foundation

www.nytimes.com

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 14d

Yet another clear threat of violence on Fox that actually would normally get someone fired instantly. And put on a watch list.

The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 14d

“I mean this is an insurrection,” Watters said, “and what we need to do is either leave the U.N., or we need to bomb it.” The joke didn’t quite land.

After a momentary silence, co-host Greg Gutfeld hemmed. “Interesting,” he said, laughing. trib.al/4LlkYwy

Jesse Watters Makes Fox Co-Hosts Cringe With Revenge Plan Against U.N.

Fox’s Jesse Watters has a deranged idea for how to respond to the stopped escalator during Trump’s visit to the United Nations.

trib.al

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 14d

This indiscriminate mass detention — a dramatic shift in immigration enforcement policy that began on July 8 — has been declared illegal by dozens of federal judges, who have described it as a flagrant perversion of long-standing law, policy and common sense.
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Trump’s new detention policy targets millions of immigrants. Judges keep saying it’s illegal.

The administration says the sweeping detentions are a key prong of Trump’s deportation strategy.

www.politico.com

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Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 14d

A new incentive framework will help developers advance a long-planned remake of Kansas City's historic Parade Park Homes community.
www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/n...

Port KC incentives deal could help Parade Park redevelopment go vertical next year - Kansas City Business Journal

The massive redevelopment of a historic property in the 18th & Vine Jazz District took a big step forward.

www.bizjournals.com

Spooky 👻 Luke Ranker🚶‍♂️ @lukeranker.bsky.social · 14d

The lock handle on the RideKC Bike I had this morning is a Lego brick 🧱

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Ned Resnikoff @resnikoff.bsky.social · 16d

POV, whatever comes next is going to be Not Great

@shaunking tweet: Fascinating to see Jews,

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Patrick Siegman @siegman.biz · 16d

“In 2004, #London reversed its parking requirements, eliminating the previous minimums and putting new maximums on parking supply for all developments in the metropolitan area.”

– Zhan Guo
#ParkingAndTheCity, Chapter 16

books.apple.com/us/book/park...

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Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 16d

London would like to remind American visitors that hospitals do not have to be built as hilltop fortresses, buttressed by parking and difficult to reach on foot, bike, or by transit. You can put them right in the city actually.

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