Glenn Beltz

An affable doofus in front of the US Capitol

Three months ago I was hooting at the Metropolitan Airports Commission about ICE flights. Today they’ve sent me to holler at Congress. I’ll do my damndest to make you proud, Minnesota! #MNinDC

Avelo To Exit Deportation Biz - New Haven Independent Avelo Airlines plans to stop running deportation flights for the Trump administration later this month after deciding that its participation in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program is too...

Tell me another one about how protests don’t matter…

www.newhavenindependent.org/2026/01/07/a...

The fifth ICE deportation flight at MSP this week, the most I've seen.

If the additional flights, decreased transparency, and abandonment of due process upset you, join me and many other at the ICE out of Minnesota march tomorrow (Sat, Dec 20): www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...

YouTube video by MN Fifty Fifty One Professional flight tracker speaks to MSP airport to STOP allowing illegal ICE deportations!

My remarks to the Metropolitan Airport Commission on Monday: ICE’s actions must be resisted peacefully, safely, legally, and creatively by everyone - we need to step up because this isn’t someone else’s problem.

A Global Crossing A321 in front of the Minneapolis Skyline. Five crew stand at the top of air stairs, one of them giving the photographer the middle finger.

A zoomed in version of the last photo, five crew stand at the top of air stairs, one of them giving the photographer the middle finger.

Five crew stand at the top of air stairs; two have badges shown.

A Global Crossing A321 departing with MSP's parking ramp in the background.

A single finger salute from the fourth ICE flight of the last seven days here at MSP. Today's flight was operated by Global Crossing's N966AD, and handled by Signature Aviation, who for some reason, has removed branding from their air-stairs.

Additional information: www.reddit.com/user/ottergo...

Today's ICE flight at MSP - a crowded ramp at Signature meant they had to park in a spot that allowed the clearest photos I've been able to capture so far.

Full-resolution photos, released into public domain, can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/otter...

Flight track: adsb.lol?icao=a8b479&...

Tonight’s double feature: Return of the Jedi and Return to Sender.

RDU

Raleigh and North Carolina merch at RDU

JetBlue IFE headed to Raleigh-Durham

JetBlue A220 parked at RDU

15/25: RDU
A rare flight at 6100ft due to ATC staffing. We did climb to 8000ft about 15 min before landing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Then had to sit for over an hour prior to departure due to JFK ground stop. My flight to PIT was cancelled so now I need to book 3 more destinations. #25for25

We’re flying at 6100ft. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Chimes went off though. #AVGeek #25for25

Sorry, man.

While the federal government will be suspending food benefits in a couple of days, Americans will be glad to know the list of private jets obfuscated on flight trackers continues to get updates.

screenshot of an email saying: "To the Penn Community: For 285 years, Penn has been anchored and guided by continuous self-improvement, using education as a ladder for opportunity, and advancing discoveries that serve our community, our nation, and the world. Since receiving the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education on October 1, I have sought input from faculty, alumni, trustees, students, staff and others who care deeply about Penn. The goal was to ensure that our response reflected our values and the perspectives of our broad community. Earlier today, I informed the U.S. Department of Education that Penn respectfully declines to sign the proposed Compact. As requested, we also provided focused feedback highlighting areas of existing alignment as well as substantive concerns. At Penn, we are committed to merit-based achievement and accountability. The long-standing partnership between American higher education and the federal government has greatly benefited society and our nation. Shared goals and investment in talent and ideas will turn possibility into progress. I am grateful to the Penn community for your thoughtful input and for what you bring to our University and our missions every day. Sincerely, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD President University of Pennsylvania"

Just received from a colleague: looks like Penn is going to join the universities refusing the extortionary Trump "compact". I do not regret to inform you that we are going to win

Allegiant Air Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 and a camera ship flying in formation.

On Sept. 30, 2025, an Allegiant Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 showed up at Santa Barbara for some filming. Here's a photo of the arrival, and the link is to a video that I made later in the day while they did pattern work. #allegiantair #allegiantairlines #N820NV #Boeing737MAX #SBA
youtu.be/vFhJ3ffYoY0?...

A Lufthansa A380 touches down in front of a group of aviation enthusiasts at MSP. The Minneapolis skyline is in the background.

A Lufthansa A380 climbs out of MSP in front of a background of trees.

Lufthansa's MUC-DEN, DLH480, diverted into MSP today on account of a medical emergency; this is the fifth visit of a super to Minnesota, the first since 2017. Hoping for a good prognosis for the passenger involved.

Celebrating a Record-Breaking Class The class of 2025 set four College of Engineering records related to the number of bachelor’s degrees earned.

This year's commencement begins at 1 PM on Friday, June 13 on Commencement Green.
Click here to read more: engineering.ucsb.edu/news/celebra...

Headshot of Lauren Bajo-Smith

Congratulations to Lauren Bajo-Smith, a chemical engineering major, for receiving the College of Engineering’s 2025 Hynes-Wood Award!👏

Click here to read more: engineering.ucsb.edu/news/recogni...

headshot of Tianle Yu

Congratulations to Tianle Yu, a computer science major, for receiving the College of Engineering’s 2025 Tirrell Award for Distinction in Undergraduate Research!👏

Click here to read more: engineering.ucsb.edu/news/recogni...

"Around the world, just as it should be."

Proud of the stand @harvard.edu is making.

Proud of the way @theharvardcrimson.bsky.social has been reporting it.

Alum of both, giving money to both. These famously privileged institutions are leading the fight for all of us.

Respect.

www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...

KC-135 airplane climbing out as viewed through overhead electrical lines.

So there I was, minding my own business, enjoying happy hour after work on Thursday...and I get a text from a friend to check what was inbound to the Santa Barbara Airport. I checked, and whoaa!! It's not every day we get a KC-135. This one's out of Macdill AFB. #kc135 #macdill #macdillafb #927thARW

I'm not keen to fully swear off any airline, but Avelo's calculation here that the deportation flights will backfill lost scheduled service is an interesting one.

Definitely reduces the odds I'll be booking anytime soon.

Perhaps FAs or pilots will be sick more often than usual.

The official explanation? The program is "no longer in alignment with current NSF priorities."

LSAMP programs across the USA have been instrumental in broadening participation in the STEM workforce, helping thousands students from marginalized backgrounds overcome social, educational, and economic barriers to earn college degrees.

The destruction by the kakistocracy in Washington continues. My colleagues and I are dismayed and heartbroken by the sudden termination of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (#LSAMP) program, which has been supported by the National Science Foundation for over 30 years.

18. Why did you sunset the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM? At the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), our mission is to foster scientific progress, improve national health and prosperity, and safeguard our nation’s security. This means making decisions to ensure our efforts align with our priorities. Today, we initiated the reduction in force of the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM. NSF is mindful of its statutory program obligations and plans to take steps to ensure those continue.

NSF just updated its FAQ claiming: "NSF is mindful of its statutory program obligations and plans to take steps to ensure those continue."

We'll see how true is. Prior to today, 70+% of active LSAMP grants were cancelled (a mandated program). Likely higher after today.

www.nsf.gov/updates-on-p...

NSF's EES division includes programs **required by law** like the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), mandated by Congress since the 1990s.

So far, over 70% of active LSAMP grants have already been terminated. Today's news on EES staff firings only heightens the illegality.

you know who else came from chicago and was on "a mission from god"

And the hits keep coming. NSF just cancelled the Louise Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation grant at the CSU. Since its inception in 1993, CSU-LSAMP has served ~30,000 @calstate.bsky.social students (2000/yr), working to increase graduation rates & broaden participation in STEM careers. 🧪

Thinking of the undergraduates that just learned that their dreams have been crushed by last Fridays NSF terminations of LSAMP awards. This plus the cancellation of MARC, URISE etc. is tragic for all the talented students aspiring to become scientists and a real setback for the future of science.

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program invests in the Nation's colleges and universities to aid student success to create a new generation of STEM discoverers for the national STEM enterprise.

We just got the news- it has been discontinued. They’re coming for it all.