Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 1h

Across the state, early voting is now underway for the Public Service Commission (PSC)! The PSC decides GA's energy rates— and they’re up for election this year.

🗳 Early Voting: Oct 13–31
🗳 Election Day: Nov 4

Find critical voting information at: TheGeorgiaVoterGuide.com.

A graphic features the text: "Do you know who regulates your power bill? They're on the ballot this year!" The words “regulates” and “this year!” are in bold orange, while “power bill?” is in bold green. A silhouette of a person in a suit stands connected by power lines to a tall transmission tower, with a shadow of a person lying on the ground. A green arrow line moves upward from the standing figure to the power lines, suggesting rising power costs. At the bottom, it reads: “The Georgia Voter Guide” and “Learn more online at www.TheGeorgiaVoterGuide.com” in a banner. The theme emphasizes the importance of voting in Georgia's Public Service Commission race, a panel which regulates energy prices.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 3h

You can also see how costs could rise in your area using this calculator: calculator.americanscovered.org

Then, contact your Member of Congress and encourage them to keep healthcare affordable for Georgia families: secure.everyaction.com/UMfZvzKL9UC3...

#CareNotCuts

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 3h

If Congress does not act now to renew Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, it's estimated the cost of insurance premiums in GA could increase by as much as 75% during the open enrollment period.

READ this op-ed from our executive director, Jeff Graham, for more: roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/10/15/h...

Access to care crucial for Georgia's most vulnerable

Opinion: Extending tax credits is crucial for healthcare access, especially for LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV/AIDS.

roughdraftatlanta.com

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Jewish Voice for Peace @jvp.bsky.social · 1d

On Monday, the Israeli military released 250 Palestinian political prisoners, along with over 1,700 Palestinians who had been held hostage by the Israeli military in detention without charge.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 3d

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Atlanta Pride this weekend! There's nothing more special than marching alongside our supporters and community members and witnessing the collective power of our voices. 🥹🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶

Professional photos still to come!

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 1d

Statewide, the Public Service Commission is on the ballot. While the PSC is often overlooked, this small panel has a major say on our energy costs and the future of renewable energy in GA.

To help make your decision, GA Conservation Voters have created a digital voting guide: gcv.branch.vote/ballot

A voter education graphic titled “Renew the Vote” highlights the importance of voting in the upcoming Statewide Public Service Commission (PSC) elections in Georgia. The left side features bold text: “Voting is free. Your utilities aren’t.” along with a QR code labeled “GCV Education Fund.” The right side explains that since 2023, the PSC has voted to increase utility bills six times, raising the average monthly bill by $43 (over $500 per year).

PSC Decisions Influence:

Utility rate changes and fee structures

Regulation of monopoly utilities like Georgia Power

Policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency

What’s at stake in Georgia?

Soaring Energy Bills: Georgians pay the 4th highest energy bills in the country

More Toxic Waste: Investments in dirty energy are expensive and polluting

Poor Air and Water Quality: Pollution control decisions affect environmental health

Public Health: Laws protecting Georgia’s natural resources are at risk

A small illustration shows a person looking at a large energy bill. The color scheme includes teal, coral, and navy tones.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 1d

Today marked the beginning of early voting in Georgia!

All Georgians can find critical voting information including early voting locations and times, and view your sample ballot through your My Voter Page at: mvp.sos.ga.gov

NOW is the time to make your plan to vote!

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Jess Douglas @jessdoug.bsky.social · 2d

the same mayor who’s responsible for killing an unhoused man by bulldozing him in an encampment goes off in an unfiltered, personal vendetta against a scholar/advocate for critiquing his policies??

these are the unhinged ramblings of a narcissist. a hit dog will holler.

Dan Immergluck @danimmergluck.bsky.social · 2d

Wow. The Mayor of Atlanta's communications office sure knows how to do some off-the-rails ad hominem attack on Linked-In. Absolutely devoid of substantive response. (See reponse below)

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

James Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 13d

Sen. Warren illustrates the way public figures should answer.

Dokoupil illustrates the way journalists should *not* handle both-sides-ing, "how will it play," reluctance to call out lies, etc.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 13d

DOKOUPIL: Republicans says what you're really fighting for is taxpayer dollars for illegal aliens. I know that's not strictly true--

ELIZABETH WARREN: Excuse me, not strictly true? It is a flat out lie!

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 13d

Yesterday, I asked Americans from across the country how a DOUBLING of monthly health care premiums would affect their families.

Responses have already come in, but we need more.

If you want to share your story, send an email or video to [email protected]

Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 13d

I'm asking YOU:

What will a doubling of health care premiums mean for your family?

What it will mean if you're one of the 15 million being thrown off their health care?

Please comment below or submit a story here: tinyurl.com/3rbdfdmz

Where We Are With the Government Shutdown | Sen. Bernie Sanders

YouTube video by Senator Bernie Sanders

youtu.be

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock @warnock.senate.gov · 13d

These are the lowest cost insurance options for a 62 year old Georgian making $65k.

2025: $228
2026: $1142

She will lose $704/month in credits because of GOP cuts to health care.

This is a crisis. We cannot wait to fix this.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 14d

That last excerpt is from the Chicago Sun Times story about the raid. It makes my blood boil. bsky.app/profile/walt...

Walter Olson @walterolson.bsky.social · 14d

“It was heartbreaking to watch,” said Watson. “Even if you’re not a mother, seeing kids coming out buck naked and taken from their mothers, it was horrible.”…

“Stuff was everywhere…people’s birth certificates, and papers thrown all over. Water was leaking into the hallway. It was wicked crazy.”

Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated'

The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid.

chicago.suntimes.com

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 14d

Surreal moment for America. Needless to say, if the normal police ever pulled something like this — pulling every single person out of an apartment building and handcuffing them to run warrant checks — they would be sued into oblivion.

Yet ICE is going to get away with it entirely.

"It was scary, because I had never had a gun in my face," Fisher said. "They asked my name and my date of birth and asked me, did I have any warrants? And I told them, 'No, 'Ididn't."
Fisher said she was handcuffed before being released around 3 a.m., and she was told that if anyone had any kind of warrant out for them, even if it was unrelated to immigration, they would not be released.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Kevin Gannon (now a Moo Deng fan account) @thetattooedprof.bsky.social · 15d

From his mad ravings to the generals meeting yesterday (transcribed in @hcrichardson.bsky.social's newsletter this morning). This kind of shit is what they're trying to hide:

"They looked at him falling downstairs every day. Every day, the guy is falling downstairs. He said, It’s not our President. We can’t have it. I’m very careful. You know, when I walk downstairs for, like, a month, stairs, like these stairs, I’m very—I walk very slowly. Nobody has to set a record. Just try not to fall, because it doesn’t work out well. A few of our presidents have fallen and it became a part of their legacy. We don’t want that. You walk nice and easy. You’re not having—you don’t have to set any record. Be cool. Be cool when you walk down, but don’t—don’t pop down the stairs. So one thing with Obama, I had zero respect for him as a President, but he would bop down those stairs. I’ve never seen it. Da-da, da-da, da-da, bop, bop, bop. He’d go down the stairs. Wouldn’t hold on. I said, It’s great. I don’t want to do it. I guess I could do it. But eventually, bad things are going to happen, and it only takes once. But he did a lousy job as president. A year ago, we were a dead country. We were dead. This country was going to hell.”

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 15d

Good morning.

The government is shut down because Trump wants to act like a king and steal from you.

Democrats have no obligation to support a budget that funds the destruction of our democracy - and DOUBLES health premiums to fund a tax cut for billionaires.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Congressman Greg Casar @repcasar.bsky.social · 15d

Here are three more factual statements:

1. 25,000 of Mike Johnson's constituents are about to lose health care

2. 27,000 more are about to have their premiums skyrocket.

3. A 60 year old couple in his district would pay $19,000 more a year.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 15d

STEPHANOPOULOS: The Democratic proposal is designed to prevent millions of Americans from losing their health insurance, losing Medicaid coverage, or paying higher healthcare premiums. Why are you against that?

MIKE JOHNSON: That's an absurd statement

STEPHANOPOULOS: It's a factual statement

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 15d

I just received this statement from ICE re: Barbara Mariana Gomes Marques May in which they can't even be bothered to get her age right (she's 38.) She never received the notice to appear in 2019, and was at the final step of her green card process with her US citizen husband when she was taken.

STATEMENT: attributable to an ICE spokesperson
Barbara Mariana Gomes Marques, 37, is an illegal alien from Brazil, who is not in possession of valid immigration documents allowing her to be or remain in the United States legally. ICE officers in Los Angeles arrested her Sept. 16, following a referral from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Marques overstayed her visa issued when she first entered the U.S. March 14, 2018, and on Nov. 21, 2019, an immigration judge ordered Marques removed in absentia to Brazil. She will remain in ICE custody until she is returned home.

Aliens residing in the United States illegally are encouraged to self-deport. Tools such as the CBP Home app are available to support the self-deportation process. Illegal aliens now face a very real and imminent possibility that they will be encountered, arrested, and removed by ICE under a renewed commitment to law and order led by President Trump and Secretary Noem.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 15d

Join Georgia Equality as we march in the Atlanta Pride Parade!

This year, we will be marching to celebrate Georgia Equality's 30th anniversary and 30 years of resistance!

Join us on Sunday, October 12, at 11:00am.

Register: secure.everyaction.com/XmUcu835_0um...

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 15d

ATTN ATLANTA FOLKS:

We are beginning the livestream now for our Atlanta City Council Candidate Forum!

Join us at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBKk...

Candidates from key races will be answering questions most relevant for Georgia's LGBTQ+ community and all those living with HIV.

Atlanta City Council Candidate Forum - Georgia Equality

YouTube video by Georgia Equality

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 21d

It feels like this is becoming a more common mass shooter profile: Someone who's interested in politics but not as a vehicle to express clear values or a coherent viewpoint. He just wants to mock anyone who takes it seriously.

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 22d

The richest man on earth owns X.

The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.

The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.

See the problem here?

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 22d

In 2016, JD Vance mused that Trump might be "America's Hitler"

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Reposted by Jess Douglas

Georgia Equality @georgiaequality.org · 22d

Happening NEXT TUESDAY! Georgia Equality and @hrcga.bsky.social will be hosting a candidate forum for a few key races for the Atlanta City Council!

The forum will specifically highlight issues most pressing for Atlanta's LGBTQ+ community and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Register: bit.ly/ATLforum

A graphic with a light gray background. At the top are the Georgia Equality and HRC logos. Beneath, is an outline of the Atlanta city skyline in navy blue. Beneath the skyline reads, "Atlanta City Council CANDIDATE FORUM"

A text box beneath the header reads, "HIGHLIGHTING THE ISSUES MOST SALIENT FOR ATLANTA'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY & PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV" and "FEATURING CANDIDATES FROM KEY RACES"

At the bottom reads, "Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:00pm | Neighborhood Church ATL"

And there is a registration link for bit.ly/ATLforum

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Jess Douglas @jessdoug.bsky.social · 21d

“FEMA’s urban search-and-rescue teams… would not arrive in Texas for nearly four days, limiting the region’s access to high-level resources and expertly trained crews during a critical window when responders were still looking for missing people.”

Reposted by Jess Douglas

🎃 public HELLth guy 🎃 @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 22d

“As Texas flooded, key staff say FEMA’s leader could not be reached”

note the last sentence below. gift link: wapo.st/46BGTDU

They couldn't reach a key U.S. official needed to deploy the resources, one required by law to be accessible during emergencies: FEMA's acting administrator, David Richardson.
Just a few weeks earlier, his boss, homeland security chief Kristi L. Noem, instituted a policy requiring her approval for any expenditure over $100,000. That meant, in order to deploy resources to Texas, FEMA officials needed Richardson to get those requests in front of Noem - fast.
But for about 24 hours in the early aftermath of one of the nation's deadliest flash flooding events in decades, key staff members could not reach FEMA's top official, according to eight current and former officials with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they said they feared retaliation. The agency's typical posture is to get resources to a disaster zone before state and local governments even have to ask for them, current and former officials have said, because minutes can cost lives.

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