Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 3h

As an employer of a majority-women organization, it's important to support women in the legal industry. Last week, A.J., Bethell, and I represented @fji-law.bsky.social during The Women's Fund Miami-Dade's #RaiseTheBar event at @historymiami.bsky.social. Proud to be an ally to women in our sector.

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 6h

"Gainesville, Florida holds the distinction of being the first city in the state to adopt a Fair Chance Hiring Policy (FCHP)," the @leagueofcities.bsky.social writes. @fji-law.bsky.social urges other municipalities to follow Gainesville's lead with these anti-recidivism measures. #CJReform (2/2)

How Fair Chance Hiring Practices Strengthen the Entire Workforce

Justice-impacted residents, including family members of people who have had involvement with the criminal justice system, have long experienced substantial challenges (PDF) to entering the workforce.

www.nlc.org

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 6h

🧵 (1/2) As I told @forbes.com during #NationalSecondChanceMonth, "Smarter approaches to criminal justice reform are both moral and economic imperatives." That includes fair chance hiring for formerly incarcerated returning citizens.

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · Apr 21

“Entrepreneurship is often a lifeline for returning citizens—many times out of necessity,” says Michael Langley, Executive Director of [@fji-law.bsky.social]. “But institutional trust is already low with this population. It’s important that we talk about entrepreneurship as an anti-recidivism tool.”

From Incarceration To Incorporation: The Economic Case For Second Chances

In the United States, the road to entrepreneurship is often paved with resilience—and blocked by bias.

www.forbes.com

1

Reposted by Michael J. Langley

Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 1d

The national incarceration rate of Native Americans is more than double that of white Americans.

For Native youth, the confinement rate is approximately THREE TIMES that of white youth.

6 12

Reposted by Michael J. Langley

Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 1d

Happy #IndigenousPeoplesDay, and a reminder that the legacy of centuries of oppression and theft from Native people is their vast overrepresentation in state prisons:

Graph showing that in six state prison systems, Native people are vastly overrepresented (AK, SD, MT, ND, WY, and UT)

11 14

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 1d

@fji-law.bsky.social works to uphold the unalienable rights of disenfranchised residents in #Florida on #IndigenousPeoplesDay and beyond.

Florida Justice Institute @fji-law.bsky.social · 1d

We believe that what you celebrate and honor is important.

This indigenous peoples day, we remember the people that came before us as well as those working today to preserve and protect native cultures.

That includes protecting not just tradition and history, but also the people who spread them.

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 4d

The FBI must return to adhering to its stated mission: "To Protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States," instead of ideology driving decisions. (3/3)

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 4d

And, one of the FBI's stated priorities is to "protect civil rights" with character, courage, competence, and collaboration. The current FBI director is abandoning those principles by "cutting ties" with @splcenter.org + #ADL, according to @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social. (2/3)

The Chronicle of Philanthropy @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social · 8d

As FBI director Kash Patel works to reshape the agency, he announced it would sever its relationship with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League, two organizations that for decades have tracked domestic extremism and racial and religious bias.
https://phlnthrp.com/42XJNSe

FBI Cuts Ties With Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League

The move came after complaints from some conservatives and prominent allies of President Donald Trump.

www.philanthropy.com

1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 4d

🧵 (1/3) When I enlisted in FBI Phoenix's Citizens Academy, I learned about the FBI's mission and priorities. Among the Bureau's core values are "respect for the dignity of all those [they] protect" and "uncompromising personal integrity and institutional integrity".

1

Reposted by Michael J. Langley

Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 4d

56% of people in state prisons have a mental health problem, yet only 26% have received professional help

Prisons & jails are not made to accommodate serious mental health needs, yet the system continues to respond to mental illness like it’s a crime

#WorldMentalHealthDay

Graph titled: Over half of people in state prisons report mental health problems, but only 1 in 4 has received professional help in prison

5 8

Reposted by Michael J. Langley

The Innocence Project @innocenceproject.bsky.social · 5d

BREAKING NEWS: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a STAY in hashtag#RobertRoberson’s case, just seven days before his scheduled execution. innocenceproject.org/news/texas-c...

Robert Roberson's Execution is Stayed by The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Roberson Was Scheduled to Be Executed on October 16 Despite Overwhelming Evidence of Innocence

innocenceproject.org

7 70 76

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI: Nonprofits help society by filling the gaps where governments and/or businesses can't or won't do. Public service workers deserve dignity and respect.

That's why @fji-law.bsky.social joined @legaldefensefund.bsky.social and others to preserve their benefits under the #PSLF program. Read on:

Legal Defense Fund @legaldefensefund.bsky.social · 13d

Read more at: www.naacpldf.org/press-releas...

LDF Joins Over 3,000 Organizations in Open Letter Condemning Trump Administration’s Attacks on Nonprofits

The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) joined a broad coalition of civil society organizations in signing on to a joint letter condemning the Trump administration’s actions following reports of a Department of ...

www.naacpldf.org

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 6d

Today, I joined several stakeholders for Community Reinvestment Alliance of Florida's Bankers' Roundtable about how the CRA is the tool facilitating that transformation. ICYMI, listen to how @fji-law.bsky.social works to create vibrant communities across #Florida via the below link. (2/2)

The Just Economy Podcast with Michael J. Langley full episode

YouTube video by CRAF

youtu.be

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 6d

🧵 (1/2) To solve complex problems, it takes a quad sector approach: Governments enabling smarter policies, businesses investing human/financial capital in advancement, social enterprises leveraging their expertise, and faith communities changing hearts + minds.

1 1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 7d

#Canes learn to serve their community. Ran into fellow former @univmiami.bsky.social athlete, Brandon Okpalobi, during today's #JuniorLeagueMiami Community Breakfast.

Proud to share @fji-law.bsky.social's story with other leaders and changemakers in #Miami. #UAlreadyKnow #ItsAllAboutTheU

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 8d

ICYMI: Plaintiffs in 'Wilson v. Dixon' received class certification from a federal judge. Read more about @fji-law.bsky.social's case via @bloomberglaw.com: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 10d

25 years ago, I experienced my 1st matchup against Florida State with @canesfootball.bsky.social. We prevailed in what became known as #WideRightIII.

2 years later, we knocked off FSU in #WideLeftI.

Start fast. Play smart and physical. Finish strong.

We're gonna do 3 things... #HSBDTS #BeatFSU

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 11d

Grateful to Jessica, Carly, A.J., Michelle, and Olivia for their contributions to @fji-law.bsky.social during #HispanicHeritageMonth and beyond! Thank you, ladies!

1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 11d

Grateful to Jessica, Carly, A.J., Michelle, and Olivia for their contributions to @fji-law.bsky.social during #HispanicHeritageMonth and beyond! Thank you, ladies!

Florida Justice Institute @fji-law.bsky.social · 11d

This month, we’re celebrating the rich cultures and contributions of Latine communities here in Florida.

We will be highlighting a few of the many Latine-led organizations working to make Southern Florida a better place.

Follow us to see those posts and learn more about their incredible work.

1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 12d

Senator Jones also co-introduced the #TristinMurphyAct this past legislative session. @fji-law.bsky.social thanks Senator Jones for his support of this important piece of legislation and looks forward to working with him on future #CJReform in #Florida. (2/2) www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...

Senate Bill 168 (2025) - The Florida Senate

www.flsenate.gov

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 12d

🧵 (1/2) #TBT: 2 weeks ago, I attended the #SFPoC 10th Anniversary Reception. Senator @shevrinjones.bsky.social received SFPoC's Political Leadership Award for 2025.

1 1

Reposted by Michael J. Langley

NLIHC @nlihc.org · 13d

Read #NLIHC President and CEO Renee M. Willis Statement on the Harmful Impact of a Federal Government Shutdown on the Low Income Housing Community: nlihc.org/news/nlihc-p...

5 7

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 13d

After years of advocacy, the #TristinMurphyAct is now active in #Florida. @fji-law.bsky.social is proud of the role it played in this important piece of #CJReform.

We hope that this new law gives comfort and support to the Murphy family and anyone else navigating mental health challenges.

Florida Justice Institute @fji-law.bsky.social · 13d

Starting today, the Tristin Murphy Act is officially law in Florida.

This is a big step in ensuring people in prison get the mental health care they need. It’s the result of years of advocacy from Tristin’s parents, Cindee and Dennis.

Full article at linktr.ee/fji.law

1 1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you for highlighting @fji-law.bsky.social's work on the 'Wilson v. Dixon' case in getting a federal judge to certify the class late last week!

1

Michael J. Langley @mikelangleyfl.bsky.social · 14d

New developments in @fji-law.bsky.social's 'Wilson v. Dixon' case: a federal judge certified the class late last week!

Read more about the judge's ruling in @bloomberglaw.com.

Bloomberg Law @bloomberglaw.com · 15d

A group of Florida inmates can bring a class action claiming a lack of air conditioning violates their constitutional rights, a federal court has ruled.

Florida Inmates Earn Class Status in Suit Over ‘Unbearable’ Heat

A group of Florida inmates can bring a class action claiming a lack of air conditioning violates their constitutional rights, a federal court has ruled.

bit.ly

1