Kevin J. Kircher
@kevinjkircher.com
Engineering prof (mechanical + electrical) at a big Midwest state school. Energy, climate, buildings, power grid, control, optimization, data science. He/him. Personal account. https://kevinjkircher.com/ Email: my last name at purdue dot edu
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Kevin J. Kircher
@kevinjkircher.com
· Nov 4
New paper! Heat-pump water heaters could cut energy costs and pollution, but installs often require 💰 electrical work to accommodate backup resistance heat. My student Levi Premer developed prediction and control software to eliminate the need for backup heat and ⬆️ efficiency and flexibility. 🧵1/
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
People already working hard to prove how perfect Alex Pretti was. To show he didn't "deserve" to be killed. But it's a trap folks. You're only feeding into a dynamic where people who are considered lesser get no protection. You don't have to be an Alex Pretti to deserve to live.
January 24, 2026 at 8:17 PM
People already working hard to prove how perfect Alex Pretti was. To show he didn't "deserve" to be killed. But it's a trap folks. You're only feeding into a dynamic where people who are considered lesser get no protection. You don't have to be an Alex Pretti to deserve to live.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
In October, ICE grabbed Maher Tarabishi.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
Disabled son of ICE detainee dies after 30 days of hospitalization
It had been months since Wael Tarabishi seen his father. The family is calling on ICE to release Maher Tarabishi so he may attend his son's funeral.
www.wfaa.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:01 AM
In October, ICE grabbed Maher Tarabishi.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
There’s a rally going on in Boston rn and they’re chanting “we’re not cold, we’re not afraid, MN taught us to be brave!” and I might cry
January 25, 2026 at 12:34 AM
There’s a rally going on in Boston rn and they’re chanting “we’re not cold, we’re not afraid, MN taught us to be brave!” and I might cry
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
AOC: "What we are seeing is an administration that's deeply afraid of its own unpopularity. We must remember that we outnumber them. Donald Trump is less popular than he has ever been before. The GOP is on its back heels."
January 24, 2026 at 10:59 PM
AOC: "What we are seeing is an administration that's deeply afraid of its own unpopularity. We must remember that we outnumber them. Donald Trump is less popular than he has ever been before. The GOP is on its back heels."
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Worth noting that one reason you’re benefitting so fully from the Star-Tribune’s timely, extensive coverage of unfolding events is that it’s a metro newspaper that hasn’t been systematically starved to further enrich shareholders and executives.
January 24, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Worth noting that one reason you’re benefitting so fully from the Star-Tribune’s timely, extensive coverage of unfolding events is that it’s a metro newspaper that hasn’t been systematically starved to further enrich shareholders and executives.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
January 24, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Protesters chanting "We're not cold, we're not afraid, Minne[apolis/sota] taught us to be brave" in Boston tonight outside Government Center station.
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Protesters chanting "We're not cold, we're not afraid, Minne[apolis/sota] taught us to be brave" in Boston tonight outside Government Center station.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
The govt lying about the killing of a U.S. citizen at the hands of the state, is by itself, a front page a story, worthy of drumbeat coverage, resignations, and impeachments.
January 25, 2026 at 1:16 AM
The govt lying about the killing of a U.S. citizen at the hands of the state, is by itself, a front page a story, worthy of drumbeat coverage, resignations, and impeachments.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
“I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him.”
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
January 25, 2026 at 1:28 AM
“I don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him.”
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Exactly. As I said earlier today, Bondi is complicit in this latest murder.
This only happened because DOJ let them get away with Renee Good.
January 24, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Exactly. As I said earlier today, Bondi is complicit in this latest murder.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
As tens of thousands across America protest the violence that ICE sows with impunity, federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis today.
ICE terrorizes our cities. ICE puts us all in danger. Abolish ICE.
January 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM
As tens of thousands across America protest the violence that ICE sows with impunity, federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis today.
ICE terrorizes our cities. ICE puts us all in danger. Abolish ICE.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
The attorney general is threatening a state that the federal government will continuing murdering its citizens in the streets unless they provide access to state voter rolls, a lawless demand which is the subject of ongoing litigation.
Fox News: "I've gotten my hands that AG Bondi said she sent to Gov. Tim Walz. It is strongly worded. The AG calls for the governor to support the men and women of ICE, to repeal the state's sanctuary policies, and to allow the DOJ to access state voter rolls."
January 24, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The attorney general is threatening a state that the federal government will continuing murdering its citizens in the streets unless they provide access to state voter rolls, a lawless demand which is the subject of ongoing litigation.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
If ICE is emboldened to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens in broad daylight, imagine what's happening to the tens of thousands of people being held in makeshift detention camps across the US without cameras, attorneys and organizers
January 24, 2026 at 7:23 PM
If ICE is emboldened to carry out extrajudicial killings of American citizens in broad daylight, imagine what's happening to the tens of thousands of people being held in makeshift detention camps across the US without cameras, attorneys and organizers
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
I recommend not watching the videos, which are chaotic and gut-wrenching, and instead going through Bellingcat's analysis.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
Multiple federal agents can later be seen struggling with the man who is shot. One federal agent is seen approaching with empty hands, before reaching around the man’s waist.
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I recommend not watching the videos, which are chaotic and gut-wrenching, and instead going through Bellingcat's analysis.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
A new video contradicts the Trump administration's account of the Minneapolis shooting
Video contradicts Trump administration account of Minneapolis killing
Once again, DHS appears to be lying.
www.motherjones.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:55 PM
A new video contradicts the Trump administration's account of the Minneapolis shooting
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Seven democrats and every republican voted to fund this… YESTERDAY
January 24, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Seven democrats and every republican voted to fund this… YESTERDAY
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Gov. Tim Walz: "Thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them or something. It's nonsense, people. It's nonsense and it is lies."
January 24, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Gov. Tim Walz: "Thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them or something. It's nonsense, people. It's nonsense and it is lies."
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
If this is what they do to white American citizens in front of everyone, imagine what happens to non-white people behind closed doors.
January 24, 2026 at 7:34 PM
If this is what they do to white American citizens in front of everyone, imagine what happens to non-white people behind closed doors.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Too obvious a point even to make, perhaps. But there was no “unrest” in Minneapolis before ICE and CBP showed up. ICE and CBP are the cause of the chaos…and the killings.
Get them out of there.
Get them out of there.
January 24, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Too obvious a point even to make, perhaps. But there was no “unrest” in Minneapolis before ICE and CBP showed up. ICE and CBP are the cause of the chaos…and the killings.
Get them out of there.
Get them out of there.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
This was also my father, who eventually moved to the US and became a historian of WWII. We lost him a couple years ago and have noted it's a consolation he didn't live to see this happen - he was so proud to be an American. I hope he'd be even prouder if he could see the bravery of Minnesotans.
My parents were kids in Norway during the Nazi occupation. People being disappeared and killed on the street. I always thought one of the worst parts would be not knowing how long it would last or if it would ever end. I knew it was five years. They had no idea.
January 24, 2026 at 6:21 PM
This was also my father, who eventually moved to the US and became a historian of WWII. We lost him a couple years ago and have noted it's a consolation he didn't live to see this happen - he was so proud to be an American. I hope he'd be even prouder if he could see the bravery of Minnesotans.
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Quite unfortunate that federal policies & greedy corporations, some literal monopolies (utilities) & others effectively monopolies (Big Tech), have created an electric affordability crisis so salient that implementation of innovative state policies to address climate change have had to be delayed:
Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount
Oil, propane, and natural gas providers would need to gradually cut their emissions each year under the program and buy credits to offset their pollution, costs which in theory could be passed on to c...
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Quite unfortunate that federal policies & greedy corporations, some literal monopolies (utilities) & others effectively monopolies (Big Tech), have created an electric affordability crisis so salient that implementation of innovative state policies to address climate change have had to be delayed:
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
💯🎯
Too obvious a point even to make, perhaps. But there was no “unrest” in Minneapolis before ICE and CBP showed up. ICE and CBP are the cause of the chaos…and the killings.
Get them out of there.
Get them out of there.
January 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
💯🎯
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
Gas explosion in NYC kills one, injures 14, and leads to evacuation of hundreds. Natural gas is dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/n...
1 Killed and 14 Injured in Fire at Bronx Apartment Building
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Gas explosion in NYC kills one, injures 14, and leads to evacuation of hundreds. Natural gas is dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/n...
Reposted by Kevin J. Kircher
We as voters can also rally outside their offices demanding that they do this. You don’t have to wait until ICE comes to your community.
"What can Democrats actually do?"
- Vote against funding for ICE and DHS
- State that any ICE officers who commit crimes under Trump will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law
- Encourage cities and states to refuse to cooperate with ICE
- Explain ICE is part of Trump's tyranny
- Vote against funding for ICE and DHS
- State that any ICE officers who commit crimes under Trump will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law
- Encourage cities and states to refuse to cooperate with ICE
- Explain ICE is part of Trump's tyranny
January 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM
We as voters can also rally outside their offices demanding that they do this. You don’t have to wait until ICE comes to your community.