Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 3d

Crucial historical and legal context for those of us living in Chicago right now... and those of us living anywhere in the USA for that matter.

Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 3d

The very first statute authorizing domestic use of the military during domestic emergencies, enacted in 1792 by a Congress full of the same folks who wrote and ratified the Constitution, expressly provided for judicial review in certain circumstances *before* the President could even send troops.

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Reposted by John Palfrey

David Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 5d

Holy hell. DHS just openly stated that its agents use “reasonable suspicion” to make ARRESTS. This is blatantly unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is clear that you need probable cause to arrest someone, as opposed to stop them to ask them a question or two. This is huge b/c…

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 7d

"The most ominous part of his speech came when he told the military officers that they would be part of the solution to domestic threats, fighting the 'enemy from within.' ... 'We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military ... because we’re going into Chicago...'”

The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay

Trump put on a disturbing show for America’s generals and admirals.

www.theatlantic.com

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Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 7d

www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...

James Comey case jeopardizes Americans' free speech rights, retired judges warn

A group of retired judges said Trump "continues to corruptly abuse the power of his office" by directing the Justice Department to target "his critics and his perceived political enemies."

www.nbcnews.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · 10d

What could possibly justify any lawyer or law professor out there not speaking up about th attacks on the Rule of Law?

David French - no radical left-wing anything - has the story. This week marked an "ominous turn" in the attacks on the Rule of Law in America.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/o...

Opinion | Make No Mistake About Where We Are

www.nytimes.com

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 15d

Shana Tova to everyone celebrating in Illinois and across the world.

As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I want to wish you all a new year full of joy, good health, and prosperity.

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Rebuild Local News @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social · 15d

Nobel laureates Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Daron Acemoğlu issued an urgent plea to recognize and uphold the economic value of public interest media in the age of artificial intelligence.

Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...

Press Release: A global call from leading economists urge action to protect public interest media for economic prosperity and human progress - Forum Information & Democracy

As world leaders convene for the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in New York, eleven of the world’s leading economists, including two Nobel laureates, Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Dar...

informationdemocracy.org

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Reposted by John Palfrey

Joanne Freeman @jbf1755.bsky.social · 17d

This.

I talked about this yesterday morning with Heather.

People with power grabbing a LOT more power to make their “reign” permanent, and overplaying their hand.

The Federalists in the late 1790s.
Silencing the opposition press.
They never regained national power.

Cheryl Rofer @cherylrofer.bsky.social · 17d

Think in terms of unifying the opposition rather than breaking Trump's support.

Bouie and French mostly agreeing.

A lot of good stuff here.

Opinion | Jimmy Kimmel and How the Right Is Overplaying Its Hand

www.nytimes.com

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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · Sep 5

This is big news. www.ft.com/content/96b5...

AI start-up Anthropic settles landmark copyright suit for $1.5bn

Case will compensate authors but could raise costs of training large language models

www.ft.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 6

The Late Show holding up the importance of local news and public media, starring Katherine Maher of @npr.org

www.facebook.com/reel/1729433...

689K views · 21K reactions | NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasizes that local public radio stations are more vital -- and more at risk -- than ever before. #Colbert #PublicRadio #NPR #KatherineMaher | T...

NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasizes that local public radio stations are more vital -- and more at risk -- than ever before. #Colbert #PublicRadio #NPR #KatherineMaher.

www.facebook.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 6

Peaceful morning at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago

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Eszter Hargittai @eszter.com · Sep 5

the book is officially launched :-) had a great time discussing our joint work with @palfrey.org at @bookends.bsky.social last night, wonderful turnout, great questions, fun celebration!

bit.ly/wiredwisdom tx @uchicagopress.bsky.social

photo collage of book launch event for Wired Wisdom by Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey; photos are of the event at Bookends & Beginnings in Evanston with Eszter and John discussing the book

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 5

SO much fun! Thanks to all who made this a wonderful, worldwide launch for Wired Wisdom! :)

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 4

TONIGHT AT 6 PM, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025!

Join us at Bookends and Beginnings in Evanston for the book launch event for Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online! cc: @eszter.com @bookends.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 3

Invest in Community to Keep Chicagoans Safe

www.linkedin.com/pulse/invest...

Invest in Community to Keep Chicagoans Safe

Asiaha Butler lives in Englewood, a South Side Chicago neighborhood that is home to an organic farm, public art, and a caring community. People who haven’t experienced Englewood first-hand may have on...

www.linkedin.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Sep 3

Immigration Raids Being Planned Around Mexican Independence Celebrations, Pritzker Says

blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/02/i...

Immigration Raids Being Planned Around Mexican Independence Celebrations, Pritzker Says

“It breaks my heart to report that we have been told ICE will try and disrupt community picnics and peaceful gatherings,” set to celebrate Mexican Independence Day this weekend, Gov. JB Pritzker said.

blockclubchicago.org

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The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · Aug 28

RSVP for free here! www.eventbrite.com/e/eszter-har...

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 29

Building bridges between funders and newsroom leaders

www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/buil...

Building bridges between funders and newsroom leaders - Editor and Publisher

The gap between journalists and the funders who can sustain their work has long been wide — sometimes a chasm. This spring, two back-to-back conferences in Philadelphia set out to narrow it, bringing ...

www.editorandpublisher.com

John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 28

Event sign-up link for Wired Wisdom book launch event with @eszter.com on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 pm in Evanston, IL, at @bookends.bsky.social

www.eventbrite.com/e/eszter-har...

Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey: "Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online"

A surprising window into the online lives of people sixty and over—offering essential insights, no matter your age.

www.eventbrite.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 28

Please join us! @eszter.com and I are launching Wired Wisdom at an in-person book event at @bookends.bsky.social in Evanston, IL, on Sept. 4 at 6 pm! See you there.

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 27

Yo-Yo Ma says music can help unite; he’s putting it to the test in Chicago

www.wbez.org/culture-the-...

Yo-Yo Ma says music can help unite; he’s putting it to the test in Chicago

The classical music superstar is teaming up with esteemed African vocalist Angélique Kidjo for a series of concerts that kick off Tuesday in Chicago.

www.wbez.org

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Sonja Drimmer @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social · Aug 27

Called it.

bsky.app/profile/sonj...

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 26

So far, the main businesses that have been financially benefited from AI have been the producers of blue books
www.wsj.com/business/cha...

They Were Every Student’s Worst Nightmare. Now Blue Books Are Back.

Cheating with ChatGPT has become a huge problem for colleges. The solution is painfully old-school.

www.wsj.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 27

"Chicago Reader finds new life with new buyer: 'I'm grateful that it's going to have a future'"

Wonderful news for the Chicago Reader. We are proud at @macfound.org to be in support of this next chapter for this storied Chicago institution.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/26/c...

Chicago Reader finds new life with new buyer: ‘I’m grateful that it’s going to have a future’

The Chicago Reader was purchased by Seattle-based Noisy Creek, which also owns alternative weeklies The Stranger and the Portland Mercury.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Palfrey @palfrey.org · Aug 26

Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson tell President Trump to keep National Guard off the streets of Chicago chicago.suntimes.com/illinois-gov...

Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson tell President Trump to keep National Guard off the streets of Chicago

Flanked by Illinois Democrats, community advocates, business leaders and clergy, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson were unified in voicing that federal troops are not welcome or needed in Chi...

chicago.suntimes.com

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Aug 26

I know you, Chicago — and I know you’re up to the difficult time we have ahead, thanks to this President.

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