Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · 1d

"What holds this city together is not a frigid fear. What holds this city together is a million different kindnesses every day. That’s what makes Chicago.”

J.R. Nelson @jrnelson.bsky.social · 1d

So honored I got to know the legendary artist, actor and raconteur Tony Fitzpatrick a little bit over the years. May his memory be a blessing to his family and many, many friends blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/11/t...

Tony Fitzpatrick, Lauded, Eclectic Chicago Artist, Dies at 66

The artist, writer and actor recently published “The Sun at the End of the Road: Dispatches From an American Life," and had planned to star in a Steppenwolf show based on his new book.

blockclubchicago.org

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dan sinker @dansinker.com · 3d

I just really fucking love Chicago.

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Laura Brueck @humanprof.bsky.social · 3d

Attention translators and friends and lovers of translators! The 2026 Humanities in Translation (Hit!) Prize Competition is now open. Deadline Jan. 16.

nupress.northwestern.edu/humanities-i...

The Humanities in Translation (HiT) Prize | Northwestern University Press

Funded by the Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, the Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities, and Northwestern University Press The

nupress.northwestern.edu

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PBS News @pbsnews.org · 6d

A food aid program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers and young children will run out of federal money within two weeks unless the government shutdown ends, forcing states to use their own money to keep it afloat or risk it shutting down. https://to.pbs.org/46WeNDp

Government shutdown threatens WIC food program used by millions of families

Experts say a food aid program that helps 6 million low-income mothers and young children will run out of federal money unless the government shutdown ends within two weeks.

to.pbs.org

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Nora Flanagan @noraflanagan.bsky.social · 6d

So yes, keep posting your beautiful food, park, neighborhood, and lakefront pictures. Keep sharing the horrifying news stories. Keep sharing the coexistence of it all.

Geoffrey Cubbage @geoffreycubbage.bsky.social · 7d

A thing I think it’s important for USians not in currently-occupied cities to grasp is that the normal and everyday goes on alongside the violent and unprecedented.

In Chicago right now you can be forced off teargas-soaked streets in the morning and have a peaceful evening picnic on the lake.

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Peter Nickeas @peternickeas.bsky.social · 8d

Some context that I think gets lost by calling people here "protesters." Strictly true that they were protesting. But this was neighborhood. Almost all of it was people who came out of their houses and pleaded to stop using gas because there were kids in houses/yards in the blocks off Kedzie.

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Hillary Clemens Harbor @hillaryclemens.bsky.social · 16d

My theatre home, my dearest friends and art family, Maggie's beautiful writing and brave heart, and Kerry Reid putting it just right, as usual. So, so much to love. #Gift

Kerry Reid (she/her) @kerryreid.bsky.social · 17d

For the @chicagoreader.com Books issue this week, I reviewed Maggie Andersen's memoir,
"No Stars in Jefferson Park." chicagoreader.com/books/books-...

How Maggie Andersen found her voice - Chicago Reader

No Stars in Jefferson Park, by Maggie Andersen, documents the early 00s, when a new wave of ensemble companies stepped into the spotlight.

chicagoreader.com

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Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 18d

I wrote about the dangerous fantasy of the civility framework in political discourse. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...

Opinion | Civility Is a Fantasy

www.nytimes.com

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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 18d

This is such a nuanced and big-hearted piece on the evolution of autism as a diagnosis, by an anthropologist of mental health who is also the dad of a now-grown daughter on the spectrum. Great reading (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/o...

Opinion | Autism Has Always Existed. We Haven’t Always Called It Autism.

www.nytimes.com

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · 23d

ADAM!

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Danielle Radford @danielleradford.bsky.social · 25d

If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to start building your indie shit

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Nicole Chung @nicolechung.bsky.social · Aug 21

Periplus, a mentorship collective serving US-based early-career writers of color, is now accepting applications for our 2026 class of fellows! Apply by 9/20: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

You can learn more about Periplus (including fellowship eligibility requirements) here: bit.ly/periplusfaq

PERIPLUS: An FAQ

PERIPLUS: AN FAQ Updated August 2025 Hi! Thanks for your interest in Periplus, a mentorship collective serving U.S. writers who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We're glad you’re here. Rea...

bit.ly

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · Sep 10

same.

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Shannon Heffernan @shannonheffernan.bsky.social · Sep 7

… pause and check before reposting. Look for local media outlets and independent journalists with a track record of fact-checking info and making corrections if they get stuff wrong.

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · Sep 7

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · Sep 6

“We are the words of Sandburg and Algren and Brooks and Wright.”

dan sinker @dansinker.com · Sep 5

With the Trump Administration about to roll its ugly occupation into Chicago, I wanted to write a little lyrical love letter to the city. dansinker.com/posts/202…

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Reuters @reuters.com · Aug 30

Chicago mayor says police will not aid federal troops or agents reut.rs/3JFTTjS

Chicago mayor says police will not aid federal troops or agents

Chicago police will not collaborate with any National Guard troops or federal agents if U.S. President Donald Trump deploys them to the city in coming days as threatened, Mayor Brandon Johnson said on Sunday.

reut.rs

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · Aug 30

I feel so seen.

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The TRiiBE @thetriibe.com · Aug 28

NEW — Black organizers and elected leaders gathered today to denounce Trump’s threats to send military forces to Chicago.

They are developing a 30-day emergency response plan, which includes establishing mutual aid hubs and Know Your Rights training sessions.

thetriibe.com/2025/08/blac...

Black organizers, elected leaders are preparing for Trump’s possible military deployment to Chicago • The TRiiBE

Although details are scarce, Black organizers are coming up with a response plan to protect Chicagoans if Trump sends in the military.

thetriibe.com

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Megan Stielstra @meganstielstra.bsky.social · Aug 21

Let’s make books. ❤️

StoryStudio Chicago @storystudiochicago.bsky.social · Aug 21

"Universal acclaim" would be underselling how @meganstielstra.bsky.social's writing students feel about her teaching. And now YOU can study with Megan too. Essay Collection In A Year applications are due Sept. 9 -- this program is fully online.

www.storystudiochicago.org/advanced-wri...

#writers

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Trey Lawson @tlawson.bsky.social · Aug 12

Gift: www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Exclusive | White House to Vet Smithsonian Museums to Fit Trump’s Historical Vision

Top White House officials will scrutinize exhibitions, internal processes, collections and artist grants ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

www.wsj.com

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Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · Aug 12

The amount of AI slop writers are submitting as prose for editorial consideration is so incredibly dispiriting. It's just... so bad.

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Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · Aug 4

say it again:

4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities

demolishing higher education is economic sabotage

Anise K. Strong @anisekstrong.bsky.social · Aug 4

It's important to note here that we're not just talking about faculty & university staff. 100s of U.S. colleges are in towns or small cities where they form the major industry & lifeblood of the community. Loss of students -> loss of rent $, restaurant $, bars, bookstores, gaming stores...

Steve Herman @w7voa.journa.host.ap.brid.gy · Aug 3

The US could see a 30-40% decline in new international student enrollment, resulting in nearly $7 billion in lost revenue and more than 60,000 fewer American jobs. https://www.nafsa.org/fall-2025-international-student-enrollment-outlook-and-economic-impact

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Endless Screaming @infinitescream.bsky.social · Aug 8

AAAAAAAAAAHH

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Caryn Rose @carynrose.bsky.social · Aug 5

i wrote about the amazing new Sinead O'Connor anthology for Salon. it is absolutely a celebration of life, both Sinead's and each of the writers: www.salon.com/2025/08/05/a...

A literary tribute to Sinéad O'Connor takes her legacy off the back burner

In “Nothing Compares to You,” 26 writers emotionally describe how O’Connor’s music made an overlooked impact.

www.salon.com

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