Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 8h

It’s an easy choice really.

bsky.app/profile/grah...

Graham Platner for Senate @grahamformaine.bsky.social · 2d

We have armed secret police kidnapping people off the street based on the color of their skin.

When we win: we will haul them before a Senate committee. The masks will come off. There will be consequences.

Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Bolts @boltsmag.org · 19h

Yesterday, California adopted a law to raise the pay received by incarcerated firefighters when they’re fighting a fire from $1 to $7.25 per hour—meeting the federal minimum wage. Four other new laws also give new rights to incarcerated firefighters.

California's incarcerated firefighters to see a ‘historic’ pay increase in laws Newsom signed

Hundreds of California state prisoners worked to put out this year's deadly Los Angeles wildfires, inspiring new laws that will improve their pay and open other opportunities.

calmatters.org

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 8h

Janet Mills claims she “knows how to stand up to a bully.”

But when her time came to stand up to Trump, Mills folded, even as ICE operations doubled in Maine.

Mills didn’t help draft a bill to protect Mainers and wouldn’t even sign a watered-down version.

I’m with @grahamformaine.bsky.social

Janet Mills tweet screenshot:

@JanetMillsforME
I know how to stand up to a bully. I've done it a few times.

MSNBC interview video.

Screenshot of CBS3WGME article:
Mainers protest Trump's healthcare cuts and ICE budget increases on July 4th
by WGME Staff
Fri, July 4th 2025 at 9:10 PM

Screenshot of CBS13WGME article:
Gov. Mills will not sign bill restricting police cooperation with ICE

by WGME Staff
Mon, July 7th 2025 at 6:37 AM

Screenshot of Portland Press Herald article:

Gov. Mills won't sign bill to limit police collaboration with immigration authorities

The bill will be held until the next legislative session, at which point the governor could veto it or allow it to become law without her signature.

Posted July 1
Updated July 2
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer

Gov. Janet Mills won't sign a bill passed by Maine lawmakers to limit local law enforcement's ability to work with federal immigration authorities, likely leaving the legislation in limbo until next year.

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Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Graham Platner for Senate @grahamformaine.bsky.social · 14h

Here’s why you were barraged with spam today.

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Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Guardian US @us.theguardian.com · 1d

As Latino communities ramp up air quality monitoring, Trump’s EPA moves to weaken pollution regulations.

US Latinos mobilize to monitor – and improve – local air quality: ‘We have to fix it’

www.theguardian.com

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 13d

A must-read OpEd by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social on why Democrats need a new shutdown strategy along similar lines to what I’ve laid out about the need for a contrasting vision.

It’s short so you should definitely read the whole thing.

www.vox.com/politics/463...

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Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 14d

Trump on Gaza: "We're gonna create something that was my idea but unfortunately I got drafted. It's gonna be called the 'board of peace.' And it's gonna reign over that territory. They asked me if I'd be the chairman of the board of peace. I said yes."

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

And yes to all of this

bsky.app/profile/andy...

Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 15d

"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.

Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 15d

"Dems will get blamed for a shutdown" as opposed to what, all the friendly coverage and positive credit they'd get for caving yet again? This whole premise is built on a delusion about what the alternative is. There's no cowering in the corner and being so inoffensive they won't still attack you.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

Please spare us. There are enough Smotrich and Ben Gvir and Netanyahu videos out there. There’s testimony. There’s video of the press being killed. Catholic churches attacked. The evidence is overwhelming. It’s genocide.

Reposted by Guillermo Mena

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

In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?

If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?

Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

Right. That’s why I said no rescissions. (Sorry for the earlier typo.)

But we could and should substantively demand so much more because there are other imperatives beyond ACA.

bsky.app/profile/gmen...

Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

I care. But I agree I don’t get the sole focus on ACA subsidies with no rescissions.

Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?

Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.

Senate Gabe @senategabe.bsky.social · 17d

I honestly do not care who is blamed for this shutdown.

They all should be blamed because they are all part of the government and they are negotiating over what, ACA subsidies is it?, while the entire country burns.

Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

We must stop Trump’s priorities:

💰Corruption. Genocide so Kushner can redevelop Gaza. Arab crypto deals.

💰Denying healthcare to Americans so the very rich get richer.

🥷Unleashing masked assailants on our streets breaking windows and bones because people look Latino.

📚Gutting “liberal” education.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

So the CR is Republicans demanding that Democrats bail them out on their inability to pass their own budget and proceed on an appropriations bill. (That’s the 2nd step they could have proceeded on without Dem votes.)

But Democrats should not do this for next to nothing.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

Creating division is the one thing congressional Republicans agree on.

Yes Mike Johnson refuses to swear in Adelita Grijalva because she’ll release the Epstein files. But also because if he can’t pass a budget now, imagine if his margin were even thinner.

Dems shouldn’t deal until she’s sworn in.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

Republicans can’t govern. Funding the government is a 3-step process and Democrats can only stop the 3rd step. Yet Republicans can’t even approve the first, a budget, which they could have without needing Dem votes.

And that’s because Republicans can’t agree among themselves on a plan for America.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

I care. But I agree I don’t get the sole focus on ACA subsidies with no rescissions.

Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?

Justify the shutdown by laying out a contrasting vision.

Senate Gabe @senategabe.bsky.social · 17d

I honestly do not care who is blamed for this shutdown.

They all should be blamed because they are all part of the government and they are negotiating over what, ACA subsidies is it?, while the entire country burns.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 15d

That seems like too small thinking.

Why is the sole focus on ACA subsidies. (And no recissions).

Why not also restore fired workers? And due process guardrails for ICE? And get the Medicare/Medicaid funding back? And end the tariffs and get a Fed seat?

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · 21d

Loved the quote here by @senategabe.bsky.social:

“…we’re living in the context of Trump trying to murder everybody in Congress, and everybody who’s influential in the Democratic Party cannot stop humming the tune that in order to succeed, we have to come together with this party.”

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/searchlight-adam-jentleson?utm_campaign=SproutSocial&utm_content=The+Nation&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

t.co

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · Sep 4

And I realize some (not all) of these are controlled by Trump cronies. Yes, @mayorbowser.bsky.social also counts as a Trump crony.

But then let’s protest what they’re doing instead of encouraging people to attend as if the events were the core cultural ballast and genuine expression of our city.

Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · Sep 4

DC cultural institutions are glam partying like it’s fucking Renaissance Venice while our civil rights get destroyed on the sidewalks. Costume(!) balls as masked agents sow terror.

Frivolous, irrelevant art isn’t the protest art we should support. It’s normalizing fascism.

Phillips After 5: This month's after-hours event,
"Dancin' in September," is on September 4! From art to incense making to live music and games inspired by Earth, Wind & Fire, don't miss this party. Tickets are $20.
NGA Nights: National Gallery Nights are back for the fall, starting on September 11 with the theme "Back to School." Tickets are free but distributed via lottery which opens on September 1.
Live at the Library: On September 18, the Library of Congress is holding a Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball- free advance tickets required.
NMWA Nights: Party at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on September 17— there will be art-making, performances, and more. Tickets are $22 for DC residents.
History & Hops: Tour Heurich House, hang out with their favorite DC beverage producers, and taste their creations at this after-hours event in the biergarten on September 18. Tickets are $35.
SAAM After Hours: On September 18, celebrate the Renwick's new State Fairs exhibit with food, an open bar, live music- and themed outfits are encouraged.
Tickets are $125.
Q?rius After Hours: Head to the National Museum of Natural History for puzzles and games, crafts, and more on September 24. Tickets are free.
Tudor Nights: Tudor Place in Georgetown is hosting their monthly late night party on September 25 and the theme is "Games People Play!" Enjoy vintage gaming, cocktails and light bites, and a chance to explore the museum. Tickets are $35.
Vintage Game Night: The Woodrow Wilson House is hosting their quarterly vintage game night with snacks and drinks on Septamber 201 Ticketc are $20, or $40 to

Outdoor party with caption: DE'S ART ALL NIGHT PARTY IS BACK
SEPTEMBER 12-13!

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · Aug 22

Navy Yard is an armed encampment now. I just want to leave DC. This is affecting my health. And Mayor Bowser is licking Trump’s fascist boot, still going on about crime. Pathetic.

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Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Aug 21

NEW—Earlier this evening agents from ICE/other fed agencies were outside Rhode Island Ave metro in DC asking people exiting the station for their IDs, per someone who experienced it. When the person presented their Real ID license, an agent said that wasn't sufficient. Luckily they had secondary ID.

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Guillermo Mena @gmena.bsky.social · Jul 11

@steventdennis.bsky.social
Here’s an odd bird in Old Town Alexandria of all places

www.zillow.com/homedetails/...

810 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314 | MLS #VAAX2046252 | Zillow

This 3183 square feet Townhouse home has 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It is located at 810 Prince St, Alexandria, VA.

www.zillow.com

Reposted by Guillermo Mena

Manu Gupta @mgupta108.bsky.social · Apr 28

🚨Karoline Leavitt says Supreme Court Justices will be arrested if they harbor criminal aliens:

Reporter: "Would you arrest a Supreme Court justice?"

Leavitt: "Anyone obstructing law enforcement... Is at risk of being prosecuted."

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