Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 1d

NPR @npr.org · 1d

A Statement from NPR’s Editor in Chief on the Pentagon’s Press Policy.
Read More: www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...

Reposted by VKV Law

Heartland Signal @heartlandsignal.bsky.social · 5d

BREAKING: Masked Border Patrol agents aggressively arrested WGN video producer Debbie Brockman in Lincoln Square Friday morning, supposedly for "obstructing justice." (Video via Josh Thomas on Facebook)

Follow @heartlandsignal for more.

1.4K 8.5K 15K

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 4d

Shoutout to Baltimore's hometown outlet the @thebaltimorebanner.com for receiving the Catalyst Award for an investigation revealing the local impact of the opioid crises and another exposing decades of child sexual abuse allegations involving a local megachurch.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @rcfp.org · 9d

Learn more about the 2025 Freedom of the Press Awards:

2025 Freedom of the Press Awards | The Reporters Committee

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press recognizes journalism and media law leaders at its annual Freedom of the Press Awards.

www.rcfp.org

1 2

Reposted by VKV Law

Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 9d

Wow. Judge Immergut just issued a second TRO from the bench blocking the deployment of out of state National Guard troops to Portland. This analysis is holding up well👇

Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 15d

Trump’s attempt to federalize the National Guard in Portland has no legal basis

No invasion
No rebellion
No breakdown of law

He’s using a years-old video to justify a power grab

We @democracydefendersfund.org are in court to stop it

I explained on @weeknightmsnbc.bsky.social👇

26 240 850

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 10d

Where are our federal tax payer dollars going? The Trump administration can't or won't say.

NOTUS investigates.

www.notus.org/trump-white-...

1

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 10d

Fiesta Baltimore 2025, Patterson Park

Celebrating the city's diversity over a warm, sunny October weekend.

#baltimore #dei #culture

2

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 12d

More censorship from the Trump administration and more capitulation by corporate America.

The Verge @theverge.com · 12d

Apple pulls ICEBlock app from the App Store

ICEBlock reportedly has 1.1 million users.

buff.ly

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 13d

Democracy Forward @democracyforward.org · 15d

Today, HUD officials posted divisive political messages on their website.

There are laws in place to keep federal agencies nonpartisan.

This is not just unAmerican – it’s unlawful. That’s why we’ve launched an investigation.

1 1

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 16d

Patterson Park, Baltimore. Signs of Support.

Community exercising 1stA free speech rights in response to Trump's actions with a sign-making activity in the park. Links to immigrant and protestor Know-Your-Rights resources:
www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...
migrant-resources-dmv.my.canva.site/english

1 2

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 19d

I, and many other American friends and colleages, have spent 25 years supporting civil society organizations around the world operating under repressive regimes.
Looks like we'll need to apply those skills, experience, and expertise back home now.

Trump signs memo targeting ‘domestic terrorism’ amid fears of crackdown on the left

US president criticizes ‘anarchists and agitators’ as he unveils memo expected to meet fierce legal pushback

www.theguardian.com

1

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 21d

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 22d

To support writers who have been targeted, we’ve created a guide on what to do if you’ve been doxed or placed on a watchlist. Please share it with anyone who needs it: pen.org/what-to-do-i... (2/2)

What To Do If You’ve Been Doxed Or Placed On A Watchlist

We map out steps you can take right away, and steps you can take to build resilience longer term against doxxing.

pen.org

1 1

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · 27d

A must-read HCR on Kimmel, censorship, political dissent, and the 1st Amendment.

Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 27d

September 17, 2025

"A republic, if you can keep it."

September 17, 2025 (Wednesday)

This evening, John Koblin, Michael M.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 14

The Banner profiles professors who describe the abuse they experienced when Charlie Kirk's Turning Point placed them on its Professor Watchlist. The professors talk about doxing, harassment, threats, and fear. Their offenses? Advocating for equality in one form or another. #freespeech #censorship

Maryland professors were targeted by Charlie Kirk. Now what?

After Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, some of his professor targets in Maryland worry for their own safety and feel anxious about the climate of distrust he sowed among young people.

www.thebanner.com

1

Reposted by VKV Law

Democracy Forward @democracyforward.org · Sep 10

Today, a federal court stopped the Trump-Vance admin’s attempted takeover of the Library of Congress.

We are proud to represent Shira Perlmutter in defending the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · Sep 10

JUST IN: The DC Circuit has restored Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights while she fights Trump’s effort to remove her from the legislative branch role in the Library of Congress.

2-1 ruling in her favor after a string of defeats in district court.

3 45 190

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 6

Federal employees, know your dissent and whistleblower rights.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · Sep 5

⚖️ As federal workers experience retaliation for exercising their right to dissent, knowing where the law stands can make all the difference.

1

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 5

Submit your comment to CDC's vaccine committee.

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · Sep 5

REMINDER: You can submit a written comment or sign up to provide an oral comment to the CDC's immunization committee that RFK Jr has stacked with antivaxxers. The deadline is Sept 13.

Written submission link: www.regulations.gov/document/CDC...

Oral sign up link: www2.cdc.gov/vaccines/aci...

How to submit a written public comment

Any member of the public can submit a written public comment to ACIP. The docket, identified by Docket No. CDC-2025-0454, will be opened to receive written comments on September 2, 2025. Written comments must be received by September 13, 2025, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number.

All relevant comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For access to the docket or to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

How to request to make an oral public comment

The September 18-19, 2025 ACIP meeting will be a virtual meeting and will include time for oral public comment for members of the public. All individuals interested in making an oral public comment are strongly encouraged to submit a request starting September 2, 2025, to no later than 11:59 p.m., EDT, September 13, 2025, as there will be no opportunity to register for oral public comment later than September 13.

If the number of persons requesting to speak is greater than can be reasonably accommodated during the scheduled time, CDC will conduct a lottery to determine the speakers for the scheduled public comment session. CDC staff will notify individuals regarding their request to speak by email by September 16, 2025. To accommodate the significant interest in participation in the oral public comment session of ACIP meetings, each speaker will be limited to 3 minutes, and each speaker may only speak once per meeting.

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 2

Online "Know Your Rights" training.
#baltimore

ACLU @aclu.org · Sep 2

President Trump deployed military troops and federal agents to DC and LA to respond to made-up emergencies, and is now threatening to do the same in other cities across the country.

Black graphic with text "Know your rights when protesting, virtual training, Friday, September 5, 8pm ET, 5pm PT" In the bottom left reads "Know Your Rights" and in the botom right reads "ACLU People Power"

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 2

Know Your Rights when you encounter law enforcement.

ACLU @aclu.org · Aug 30

With heavily-armed federal agents and National Guard troops patrolling the streets in DC, knowing our rights is critical to keeping ourselves and our communities safe.

No matter what uniform they wear, police and military troops are bound by the Constitution.

Know Your Rights | Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops in D.C. | ACLU

No matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution, including our rights to peaceful assembly and due process.

www.aclu.org

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 1

More pictures from the #WorkersOverBillionaires Labor Day protest in Baltimore.
#Indivisible #MayDayStrong #baltimore #FreedomOfSpeech #1stAmendment

2 8

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Sep 1

#WorkersOverBillionaires Labor Day protest in Baltimore. Protestors marched through the streets to rally outside local offices of controversial billionaires: Johns Hopkins and Atlas Restaurant Group (linked to the Smith family - Sinclair Broadcast Group / Fox45
#Indivisible #MayDayStrong #baltimore

6 11

Reposted by VKV Law

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · Aug 26

🗞️ Now on The Guardian: Elon Musk’s #DOGE put sensitive social security data at risk, whistleblower says

This article features our whistleblower client Charles Borges, who alleges that DOGE created a live copy of the entire country’s social security data.

🔗: whistleblower.org/in-the-news/...

The Guardian: Elon Musk’s Doge put sensitive social security data at risk, whistleblower says

The non-profit Government Accountability Project whistleblower organization is providing Borges legal counsel in the case and filed his complaint with the US Office of Special Counsel, as well as memb...

whistleblower.org

1 14 16

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Aug 20

Know Your Rights.

Government Accountability Project @govacctproj.bsky.social · Aug 20

⚖️ An effective and accountable government depends on employees' ability to speak up without fear. Despite whistleblower protection laws, some agencies use “gag orders” to silence federal workers.

Congress affirms these can’t override their rights. Learn more: whistleblower.org/blog/federal...

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Aug 16

MSNBC @msnbc.com · Aug 16

NOW: People are marching in the streets of Washington, D.C. to protest President Trump's federal takeover of the city's police. NBC's Gary Grumbach reports.

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Jul 25

"Media Matters, a nonprofit group that has played a key role in liberal politics, is struggling to withstand months of legal assaults by President Trump’s allies, offering a glimpse of what might be in store for even well-funded targets of his retribution campaigns." - NYT
#freespeech

Under Siege From Trump and Musk, a Top Liberal Group Falls Into Crisis

www.nytimes.com

VKV Law @vondak.bsky.social · Jul 23

Just Security's new series with an interactive Anti-Corruption Tracker, catalogs and analyzes: (1) how US anti-corruption systems are being weakened, (2) what the consequences are when that happens, and (3) what tools might remain to guard against the misuse of public power for private ends.

When Guardrails Erode: An Anti‑Corruption Series

This series documents how erosion is happening, what it reveals, and how to rebuild and rethink our systems of accountability.

www.justsecurity.org