Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 4m

Thread 👇👇

Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 12m

A military spouse caller on C-SPAN today directly begged Speaker Mike Johnson to pass a bill to ensure U.S. troops keep getting paid as the government shutdown drags on, condemning his “audacity” for saying he doesn’t support doing it. www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-j...

Military Spouse Caller On C-SPAN Begs Mike Johnson To Pay Troops Amid Shutdown

“As a Republican, I’m very disappointed ... in you, because you do have the power to call the House back,” a Virginia woman fumed at the speaker.

www.huffpost.com

Reposted by Mary Beth Schneider

Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 8m

“As a Republican, I’m very disappointed in my party and I’m very disappointed in you,” a Virginia woman named Samantha fumed at Johnson, who was taking calls from the public.

“Because you do have the power to call the House back. You did that -- or you refused to do that just for a show.”

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Cristian Farias @cristianfarias.com · 43m

This is wild, via @jmetr22b.bsky.social of the Chicago Tribune:

From U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia Kendall in the Northern District of Illinois:

“At no point did I, nor the Building Security Committee, authorize or request the National Guard’s assistance to secure the Dirksen Courthouse.”

Press release from federal court in Illinois:

Statement from Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall

"Providing access to justice is at the heart of the Court's mission and critical for our democracy.
Maintaining access to the courthouse for anyone who seeks redress remains a top priority of the court. It is a core principle to promote our rule of law," said Chief Judge Virginia Kendall.

As the Chief District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois, I chair the Dirksen Courthouse Building Security Committee and work closely with the United States Marshals Service. During the past several weeks, I have received frequent updates on matters impacting the Court's operations to allow for proceedings to continue safely. Proceedings are and have been open to the public and the media.

The United States Marshals Service has jurisdiction over the interior and exterior security at the Dirksen Courthouse. While the Federal Protective Service has authority in most federal buildings, the United States Marshals Service has that primary responsibility at the Dirksen Courthouse. I trust and rely upon the men and women of the United States Marshals Service and the Court Security Officers to provide security at the Dirksen Courthouse; this includes the perimeter of the building. At no point did I, nor did the Building Security Committee, authorize or request the National Guard's assistance to secure the Dirksen Courthouse.
With my approval, additional security measures have been implemented to allow court operations to proceed, but those measures do not include the National Guard at the Dirksen Courthouse. The Courthouse remains open and accessible for all matters including hearings, jury trials, and naturalization ceremonies. The District Court Clerk's Office will be open during normal business hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and in-person proceedings will continue as scheduled by the assigned judge.

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Meghan Bartels @meghanbartels.bsky.social · 19h

The science is in: COVID boosters are worth it, even if you've been vaccinated and/or infected before. Stay safe out there, friends!: 🧪 🛟 www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-...

Annual COVID Vaccines Save Lives, New Study Shows

A new study shows that receiving an updated COVID vaccine reduced people’s risk of severe disease and death in all age groups, regardless of immunity from prior infection or vaccination

www.scientificamerican.com

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 52m

Amen!

CBS News Chicago @cbschicago.bsky.social · 1h

History's first American pope called for imprisoned journalists to be released and said the work of journalists must never be considered a crime. Rather, journalism is a right and a pillar upholding "the edifice of our societies" that must be protected and defended, he said.

Pope Leo calls for news agencies to stand as bulwark against "post-truths," lies and manipulation

Pope Leo XIV has encouraged international news agencies to stand firm as a bulwark against the "ancient art of lying" and manipulation.

www.cbsnews.com

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George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · 5h

Apart from helping Comey's selective prosecution defense, this also means the president of the United States uses direct messages on Truth Social to communicate with cabinet officials.

I didn't know that, but we can be sure intelligence agencies all over the planet already did.

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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 3h

Did DOGE save us $2 trillion?

“Not even close. .. Total spending excluding interest rose $220 billion, or 4%, for the entire fiscal year.” 🤡

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/economy/tari...

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 4h

My vote: Save it. Please.

Emily Hopkins is reporting for Mirror Indy @emilyhopkins.bsky.social · 4h

Should the Iron Skillet building be saved?

@enriquesaenz.bsky.social talked to neighbors to see how they feel.

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Riverside residents split on fate of Iron Skillet restaurant building

Indy Parks Board voted in August to demolish it and build a visitor center.

mirrorindy.org

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Reposted by Mary Beth Schneider

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 18h

NOTE: Leavitt says Trump will "stop by for his routine yearly check up."

But…Trump had his annual check up already. 5 months ago. On April 11.

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 18h

New — White House says Donald Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday.

"On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops. While there, President Trump will stop by for his routine yearly check up. He will then return to the White House. President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter." - White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

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Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 5h

Ironically, red states are more dependent on the expiring healthcare tax credits that Democrats are fighting for.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart

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Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 5h

Around 14 million Americans are set to lose their insurance over the next 10 years. And out of the 10 hardest-hit states, 7 voted for Trump.

My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart

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Isabel Santos @isabelsantos.bsky.social · 6h

Pastor shot in the head by ICE agents sues Trump administration over First Amendment threats in Chicago
www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...

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Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 4h

The GOP tax bill cut $137B in rural Medicaid funding, and then added in $50B in rural hospital funding to try to compensate. Rural hospitals have already been closing for years.

My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 6h

We need Hoosier Women for Ethical Government.

NPR @npr.org · 6h

Mormon Women for Ethical Government was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that could overturn Utah's Republican-leaning map for U.S. House seats. That could matter in next year's elections. n.pr/48oizIc

In Utah, a group that helped prompt the redistricting says it's acting on faith

Mormon Women for Ethical Government was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit that could overturn Utah's Republican-leaning map for U.S. House seats. That could matter in next year's elections.

n.pr

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HuffPost @huffpost.com · 6h

Furloughed federal employees are about to start missing paychecks, but they aren't ready to give in yet: "We are willing to take some temporary pain."

Federal Workers Urge Democrats To Hold Firm On Government Funding

Furloughed federal employees are about to start missing paychecks, but they aren't ready to give in yet: "We are willing to take some temporary pain."

www.huffpost.com

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 6h

Quietly isn’t good enough.

Timothy McBride @mcbridetd.bsky.social · 9h

CDC, its advisers quietly expand access to Covid-19 shot for pregnant women www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

CDC, its advisers quietly expand access to Covid-19 shot for pregnant women

The panel voted to undo an action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. which removed the vaccine from the immunization schedule for pregnant women.

www.politico.com

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Michael Ian Black @michaelianblack.bsky.social · 17h

Maybe Pritzker can offer to send in the IL National Guard

Chron.com @chron.com · 17h

Details surrounding the bloody string of shootings remain murky, police said.

4 dead in Houston-area shooting rampage starting in Sugar Land

Details surrounding the bloody string of shootings remain murky, police said.

bit.ly

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 15h

Bray is a historian at Rutgers who received death threats after landing on Turning Points USA's Professor Watchlist. As a result, he announced he was moving to Europe. And then this happened.

This kind of harassment and abuse of scholars is Charlie Kirk's legacy and it's only getting worse.

Mark Bray @mark-bray.bsky.social · 16h

“Someone” cancelled my family’s flight out of the country at the last second.

We got our boarding passes. We checked our bags. Went through security. Then at our gate our reservation ‘disappeared.’

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CajunBlueAZ ⚜️🇺🇸 🇺🇦 @cajunblue.bsky.social · 16h

🚨🚨🚨Chicago - NOW!🚨🚨🚨
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WRTV News @wrtv.bsky.social · 19h

Indiana Conservation Voters and other groups plan to rally at the Indiana Statehouse on Friday, October 10, at 12 p.m.

Local organizations speaking out following reports of Vice President J.D. Vance visit

The Vice President is said to be making his second scheduled visit to meet with state Republican lawmakers to discuss a mid-decade redistricting plan.

www.wrtv.com

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Joe Walsh @walshfreedom.bsky.social · 1d

This is NOT making Chicago safer. And this must NOT be what America is.👇

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 19h

If only they had, I don’t know, something like oversight power or checks and balances.

Morgan Fairchild @morgfair.bsky.social · 19h

'We don’t control what he’s going to do': GOP's Thune regrets support for Russ Vought

www.rawstory.com/vought-repub...

'We don’t control what he’s going to do': GOP's Thune regrets support for Russ Vought

Republican lawmakers who were happy to see controversial DOGE godfather Elon Musk walk away from the White House are now having to contend with Office of Management and Budget head Russell Vought maki...

www.rawstory.com

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 21h

"At the Vatican Wednesday, Pope Leo urged bishops to 'speak strongly' on behalf of immigrants affected by Trump’s deportation drive.

The pope met privately Tuesday with 100 American Catholics involved in migrant ministry, thanking them for their work..."

www.thedailybeast.com/pope-leo-ram...

Pope Leo Ramps Up His Trump Feud With Order to American Bishops

The Chicago-born pontiff has sharpened his criticism of the Trump administration and reportedly decided to take action.

www.thedailybeast.com

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Mary Beth Schneider @marybschneider.bsky.social · 20h

Upfront murder confession.

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 20h

My gosh. After the US bombed multiple boats in the middle of the ocean, murdering people on grounds that they were allegedly "carrying drugs," the US Attorney General says "Just like we did with cartels, we're going to take the same approach, President Trump, with Antifa."

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Schooley @schooley.bsky.social · 20h

Real murderers row here.

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 20h

My gosh. After the US bombed multiple boats in the middle of the ocean, murdering people on grounds that they were allegedly "carrying drugs," the US Attorney General says "Just like we did with cartels, we're going to take the same approach, President Trump, with Antifa."

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