Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 2d

I, too, must defend my fellow Hoosier, even though I've been a Democrat for years now. He's not actually dumb, and he's shown that he's a man of integrity. And, what's all this hating on handsome?! He can't help it! 😄

what.is

www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/edit...

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 2d

Endorsement: Trump’s tyranny can’t continue to go unchecked. Yes on California’s Prop 50

OPINION: The Republican-controlled Congress has made plain that it intends to enable Trump’s despotic excesses. California can’t afford to stand by and watch, the editorial board writes.

States Grapple With Fundamental Change in Food Stamps

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 2d

This is so unbelievably cruel - especially in combination with cuts to funding for food pantries. But Republicans, good Christians that they are, will continue to deny and ignore until they or their loved ones stand in personal need of the safety net, and it's gone.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...

The Alarming Rise of Peter Thiel, Tech Mogul and Political Provocateur (Published 2021)

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 2d

Though a couple of years old, this is one of the best articles I've come across re Thiel.

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/b...

Trump’s Argentina bailout enriches one well-connected US billionaire

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Reposted by s_m_makai

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 5d

Apparently the $20 billion for Argentina was just the beginning of the US bailout according to Bessent today, since so many American oligarchs have big investments there that they can’t afford to lose.

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Reposted by s_m_makai

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 3d

The US has finalized its $20 billion bailout for Argentina.

Too bad it only benefits one American: a billionaire hedge fund manager, who has placed large bets on the future of the Argentine economy.

A $20 billion US rescue package is a gift for a hedge fund manager with ties to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

www.motherjones.com

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 4d

Well-deserved!!

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

Live Updates: María Corina Machado of Venezuela Is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Citing fear of Democratic ‘vengeance,’ Curtis Yarvin says he may flee the U.S.

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 5d

Citing fear of Democratic ‘vengeance,’ Curtis Yarvin says he may flee the U.S. sfstandard.com/2025/10/07/c...

The far-right blogger doesn’t think the Trump administration has done enough to dismantle democratic institutions.

sfstandard.com

Florida man arrested, charged with ‘maliciously starting’ catastrophic L.A. Palisades Fire

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 5d

There is no hope. They're up to the eyebrows in propaganda and it's only getting worse. After a well-educated Midwestern relative asked me during the pandemic, quite seriously, whether we (Californians) were allowed to leave our homes to walk our dogs, I gave up.

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 6d

Florida man arrested, charged with ‘maliciously starting’ catastrophic L.A. Palisades Fire

www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Federal investigators have arrested a 29-year-old man from Florida for allegedly starting a fire that smoldered for days and rekindled into the deadly and destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

Newsom warns of possible Trump interference in California’s special election

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 6d

Newsom warns of possible Trump interference in California’s special election

www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

As Election Day approaches, Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising concerns that the president may try to interfere in California’s special election to redraw congressional districts.

Russ Vought is Trump’s shutdown hero. His neighbors think his work is "abhorrent."

Reposted by s_m_makai

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 8d

Russ Vought is Trump’s shutdown hero. His neighbors think his work is “abhorrent.”

Several homes in the neighborhood have a yard sign in the front proudly declaring: “This house supports federal workers.” That includes the house right next door to his.

The people living near Trump's "grim reaper" of government cuts have put up signs letting him know they stand with federal workers.

www.motherjones.com

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 8d

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/05/o...

Opinion | Someone Tipped Me Off About a Crypto Story. What I Found Was Crazy.

"Godsend" or "concentration camp"? A lucrative ICE deal divides a Colorado town.

Reposted by s_m_makai

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 9d

Trump has unleashed a gold rush among private prison companies taking on immigration detention. In cash-strapped cities, residents aren’t sure the money is worth it.

Trump has unleashed a gold rush among private prison companies taking on immigration detention. In cash-strapped cities, residents aren’t sure the money is worth it.

www.motherjones.com

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Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 9d

“Musk’s data centers will probably bring in only a few hundred jobs to Memphis while consuming millions of gallons of water a day and more electricity than is needed to power all the city’s homes.”

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www.wsj.com/tech/elon-mu...

Elon Musk Gambles Billions in Memphis to Catch Up on AI

xAI aims to win the tech arms race with its “Colossus” data centers, thrown up at lightning speed. The city is divided over the massive power and water demands.

www.wsj.com

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 9d

This Texas lawmaker is begging California to gerrymander. Here’s why.

www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/emil...

This Texas lawmaker is begging California to gerrymander. Here’s why

OPINION: “Nicole Collier has an unusual wish for a Texas state lawmaker: She wants more states to be like California and push measures like Prop 50,” columnist Emily Hoeven writes.

Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says

s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 10d

Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says.

www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

Gov. Gavin Newsom told the Chronicle that his administration may sue over President Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops, depending on what the soldiers are asked to do there.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/h...

Reposted by s_m_makai

direwolf52.bsky.social @direwolf52.bsky.social · 13d

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 13d

Should the Autism Spectrum Be Split Apart?

Person detained after allegedly trying to drive through barricade near Grand Blanc church

Reposted by s_m_makai

Jen Taub @jentaub.bsky.social · 15d

“Eaton said he knew the shooting was on television but he didn’t want to disturb the children. Instead, he turned on cartoons for them to watch. He said they stayed about three or four hours before the woman’s husband drove close enough for them to walk and meet him.”

Detroit Free Press @freep.com · 15d

Law enforcement and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided a brief update a day after someone rammed a truck into a Grand Blanc church and started shooting.

Law enforcement and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided a brief update a day after someone rammed a truck into a Grand Blanc church and started shooting.

bit.ly

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Reposted by s_m_makai

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 16d

Klobuchar on J6: "I just find it appalling that the president would say the FBI was somehow part of this. Kash Patel did clarify that in fact they were brought in after the fact, but they were brought in because we needed help."

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s_m_makai @smmakai.bsky.social · 16d

Everything about the way California handles its electric grid is changing. What will it do to your bill?

www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/edit...

Everything about the way California handles its electric grid is changing. What will it do to your bill?

OPINION: Data centers have fundamentally changed California’s energy future. Can the state adjust?