Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 3h

There are so many obvious constitutional violations in this story. It is enraging.
There is no war, there is no foreign invasion, there is nothing that justify it. This is a choice to create a military presence that will brutalize residents of cities that do not support the President.

Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 3h

"The boy, who is Hispanic and African American, was held in a garage for five hours “without informing his family, stating any charges, or allowing him to call an attorney,” the statement said. He is a U.S. citizen, as is his entire immediate family, the release said."

Feds ram SUV after chase down residential street in Chicago, then tear-gas crowd

The crash happened late Tuesday morning near 105th Street and Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood. Two men being pursued were arrested as were two bystanders. The crash drew dozens of neighbors who...

chicago.suntimes.com

15 300 730

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · 3h

Five alarm fire that's illegal and impeachable. Newsrooms and electeds should be yelling this.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3h

President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.

Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money

The president gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wide authority to repurpose funds to pay members of the military without approval from Congress, which has the sole constitutional authority to decide federal spending.

nyti.ms

6 49 130

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 3h

I have low expectations for the NYTimes reporting on how insanely dangerous this is to the US.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3h

President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum expanding his administration’s authority to repurpose unspent federal funds to pay members of the military during the government shutdown, escalating his challenge to the authority of Congress on spending matters.

Trump Signs Memo Expanding His Authority to Spend Federal Money

The president gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wide authority to repurpose funds to pay members of the military without approval from Congress, which has the sole constitutional authority to decide federal spending.

nyti.ms

Reposted by Ted Fickes

unraveled @unraveledpress.com · 1d

This is real. Chicago today.

Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah, that is a tear gas canister being fired toward the retreating couple holding the baby

89 2K 5.2K

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Leah Millis @leahmillis.bsky.social · 1d

Incredible photo from @chicago.suntimes.com ‘s Anthony Vazquez. Pointing what looks to be a teargas launcher at someone’s head at nearly point blank range is incredibly dangerous. This is why I prefer a ballistic helmet in the field.

Feds ram SUV in chase down residential street in Chicago, then tear-gas crowd

The crash happened late Tuesday morning near 105th Street and Avenue N on Chicago's East Side, resulting in dozens of residents showing up to protest the federal immigration agents.

chicago.suntimes.com

29 460 960

Reposted by Ted Fickes

David Darmofal @daviddarmofal.bsky.social · 1d

Before Alaska flooding, Trump & Vance’s EPA had cancelled a $20 million flood protection grant.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/c...

Before Alaska Flooding, E.P.A. Canceled $20 Million Flood Protection Grant

www.nytimes.com

1 69 150

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 1d

Greg Bovino, Kristi Noem, and DHS need to answer for their unchecked attacks on Chicago residents.

ICE is an out-of-control danger to our peaceful communities.

The images from the Sun-Times today speak for themselves.

An ICE agent throws a tear gas canister at protesters at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in East Side.

Photo Credit: Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Federal immigration enforcement agents detain a protester during a skirmish at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in East Side.

Photo Credit: Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent points a crowd control weapon at a protester Tuesday at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood.

Photo Credit: Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A Chicago Police Department officer washes his face after being exposed to tear gas during a protest at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in East Side.

Photo Credit: Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

300 2.3K 6.1K

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 1d

The only naked thing that's threatening are Johnson's lies and cowardice.

4

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Matt Browner Hamlin @mattbh.com · 2d

Subtle resistance, non-cooperation, quiet bravery, acting based on trust & principle, not self-interest - all of this feels essential in this moment.

1

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Buddy Spell @buddyspell.bsky.social · 3d

Fort Worth, Texas.

#WeAreEverywhere

8 350 1.6K

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Jason Linkins @dceiver.bsky.social · 3d

this is the way

Graham Platner for Senate @grahamformaine.bsky.social · 3d

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.

1 12 62

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 3d

Northwestern continues to raise the college football coach unemployment rate.

RedditCFB @redditcfb.com · 3d

Holy cow... those mad lads from Northwestern got them to do it!

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 4d

Of course what one puts in a chat is or will be completely unprotected and accessible to law enforcement, gov agencies, insurance companies, creditors, etc.

What won’t exist is any kind of context. Opportunity for misuse abounds.

Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 4d

“Whereas criminal suspects in this past may have been incriminated by a Google query on, say, how to clean up bloodstains, a more comprehensive, detailed back-and-forth with a tool like ChatGPT gives investigators far more opportunities to prove intent and mindset…”

What You Tell an AI Chatbot Could One Day Be Evidence in a Criminal Trial

User exchanges with ChatGPT and other AI tools are a valuable new form of evidence for law enforcement in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

www.rollingstone.com

1

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 5d

An actual sentence written in the year 2025.

Tech billionaire Peter Thiel has privately hosted a series of sold-out lectures in San Francisco warning that “the antichrist” may already be present, tying the idea to global governance, environmentalism, and technology regulation, and suggesting figures like Greta Thunberg and Bill Gates embody “anti-science” or authoritarian traits hastening Armageddon, according to recordings obtained by The Guardian.

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 5d

And, to be less opaque...Sucking almost empty west texas aquifers dry to make disinfo videos more broadly accessible doesn't seem "good."

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 5d

I'm not disagreeing with the points of the essay about the environmental impacts of AI, Sora, etc. Worth reading.

Just taking issue with the unquestioning use and abuse of the "Gen AI is obviously good" narrative in places where good/bad is not the point.

theconversation.com/openais-newl...

OpenAI’s newly launched Sora 2 makes AI’s environmental impact impossible to ignore

As AI shifts from text to video, its appetite for power and water soars, presenting a climate-policy issue.

theconversation.com

1

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 5d

Grr... lines like this towards the end of the piece...

"Generative AI can help unlock extraordinary creativity and provide real utility."

...are plopped all over the world as obvious shared facts. To question GenAI utility is to be an unworthy heretic.

Plus, it's not even relevant to the essay.

1 1

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Jon Murray @jonmurraydp.bsky.social · 5d

In Chicago: WGN-TV producer detained during ICE enforcement action in Lincoln Square www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/10/w...

WGN-TV producer detained during ICE enforcement action in Lincoln Square

A WGN-TV video editor and producer was roughly detained by two Border Patrol agents on Friday morning during a highly visible rush hour enforcement action in Lincoln Square.

www.chicagotribune.com

3 2

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Maris Kreizman @maris.bsky.social · 6d

this feels… like it’s not gonna age well

Front page of the New York Times
How Jared Kushner, a Self-Described 'Deal Guy, Helped Broker a Gaza Breakthrough
Trained in New York City real estate, the president's son-in-law had a singular goal: Get to a yes first, and hash out the details later.
7 MIN READ

9 15 140

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 6d

That people think the world cup will operate as a functional soccer tournament in the US next year shows how easy it is to believe in two contradictory ideas.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/09/a...

Argentina Vs. Puerto Rico Soccer Match Moved From Chicago To Florida Amid ICE Fears

Soccer fans who planned to catch the match with Lionel Messi at Soldier Field this weekend are out of luck. The change comes as Chicago has faced a surge in immigration enforcement activity.

blockclubchicago.org

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 6d

There's a venn diagram showing the the size and location of the space where autocracy, kleptocracy, and idiocracy intersect. Just so happens to be a room in the White House.

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Jeff Hauser @jeffhauser.bsky.social · 6d

Trump Admin Has Hired 100+ 'Fossil Fuel Insiders' to Fill Top Energy, Environmental Agency Roles www.commondreams.org/news/trump-a...

Trump Admin Has Hired 100+ 'Fossil Fuel Insiders' to Fill Top Energy, Environmental Agency Roles | Common Dreams

One of them described her job as offering “concierge, white-glove service” to oil, gas, and coal companies seeking permits from regulators.

www.commondreams.org

1 17 16

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 6d

Nothing more than what I read here.

1

Ted Fickes @tedfickes.bsky.social · 6d

If you've ever been to Nederland, CO, you've probably been in this building and its shops. No doubt you would have had to drive right by it. Not a big town. This is terrible news for all involved. More links below.

coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/n...

1 1

Reposted by Ted Fickes

Autonomy News @autonomynews.co · 6d

Help us raise $50,000 by the end of the year to make Autonomy News sustainable!

To give from a donor-advised fund (DAF) or employer match program, contact us at [email protected].

To make a tax-deductible gift by credit or debit card, visit bit.ly/autonomynews #DAFday

blue slide 1/4 with green and white text that reads:
It’s DAF Day.
Make a gift from your donor-advised fund to support Autonomy News.

blue slide 2/4 with green and white text that reads:
DAF Day is a national day of giving from donor-advised funds.
DAFs are charitable investment accounts that allow users to contribute money and get tax benefits upfront, then direct contributions to their favorite causes.

blue slide 3/4 with green and white text that reads:
More and more people are using DAFs.
In 2023, nine of the 20 largest U.S. charities were DAF-sponsoring organizations.
Over 3 million Americans are now using DAFs for their charitable giving.

blue slide 4/4 with green and white text that reads:
However, DAFs aren’t always a force for good.
In fact, they have become a favorite vehicle for far-right billionaires, who have shifted their giving from foundations to DAFs, because DAFs are less transparent.

1 5 2