Meg

Class acts.

Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.

No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.

Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Opinion | Trump Could Interfere With the Midterm Elections. You Can Help Defend Them.

Trump Could Interfere With the Midterm Elections. You Can Help Defend Them. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/o...

Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father be released from immigration detention, source says.
https://cnn.it/4t9wLN5

Viola Fletcher, Oldest Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Dies at 111

As a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Viola Ford Fletcher bravely shared her story so that we’d never forget this painful part of our history. Michelle and I are grateful for her lifelong work to advance civil rights, and send our love to her family.

"She focused on what could be done. She reminded us that change begins with compassion and that our humanity is our greatest tool."

At the United States memorial for Dr. Jane this past week, Leonardo DiCaprio spoke words that perfectly captured who Dr. Jane was and what she stood for.

Upside down

How Democrats Can Get Past the Shutdown Debacle The end of the shutdown was a disaster, but we have to put it behind us and move forward.

I’m as pissed as the next person about the Dems who surrendered over the shutdown, but in the interest of being constructive, I put together some thoughts on how we can move past this moment. messagebox.substack.com/p/how-democr...

Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage

Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage

Ellis: "This is the Chicagoland I see. From Aurora to Cicero, and Chicago to Evanston to Waukegan. This is a vibrant place, brimming with vitality and hope. Striving to move forward from its complicated history."

Dems in ARRAY

#NOKINGS

New York City, NY

I visited the Gettysburg National Battlefield and Cemetery while I was in central Pennsylvania for last night’s book talk at Millersville University. This site, where 55,000 Americans died, is a moving reminder of the value of peaceful protest.  Next stop, No Kings rally! 

here’s more context to the videos DHS is putting out from Chicago.

On this date, Matthew Shephard died 27 years ago. He was beaten, tortured, and left for dead on fence for being gay. Please keep him and his wonderful mother Judy in your thoughts. And let's all work for a world where such horrific things do not happen to anyone. ❤️🏳️‍🌈

Francis Ford Coppola honors Diane Keaton, reveals surprising inspiration for her ‘Godfather’ role The Wine Country filmmaking legend is remembering the Oscar-winning actress who died Saturday, Oct. 11, at 79.

Francis Ford Coppola: “Words can’t express the wonder and talent of Diane Keaton. Endlessly intelligent, so beautiful. From her earliest performances in ‘Hair’ and throughout her amazing career, she was an extraordinary actor." www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...

Remembering Dr. Jane – Supporting Youth Supporting Children and Young People For some children and young people, dealing with Dr. Jane’s passing may be upsetting and difficult. We have prepared this information with input from Dr. Mehmet Ce...

Dr. Jane's passing is an immense loss, but we can honour her legacy by continuing the work she spent so much time doing.

As she loved to say: "Together, we can. Together, we will. Together, we must change the world!"

To read the rest of our grief guide, go to JaneGoodall.ca/RememberingJane-Youth.

The most powerful video you’ll see today.

@mherskovitz.bsky.social talks about the hero’s journey from ‘The Rising’ podcast.

Carlos Alcaraz surges past Jannik Sinner to win the U.S. Open 🏆

It is Alcaraz’s sixth Grand Slam title and his second at the U.S. Open.

The result takes him back to world No. 1, ending Sinner’s 65-week stay at the top of the tennis world rankings.

This. 👇👇👇

JB Pritzker: "Any rational person who has spent even the most minimal amount of time studying human history has to ask themselves one important question: Once they get the citizens of this nation comfortable with the current atrocities committed under the color of law, what comes next?”

What Gives Me Hope Read more here.

For me, hope is not a feeling of certainty about the future. It is born of the knowledge that we may do everything we can without the assurance that it will be enough. Hope is accepting that the arc of the moral universe may not bend toward justice — even if all of us push with everything we have.

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.

Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee spent four years and hundreds of thousands of lives trying to occupy Washington, DC. MAGA accomplished it without firing a shot.

South Carolina was the first state to secede. If South Carolina troops are the first in DC, let that symbolism not be lost on anyone.

Worth keeping this in mind.

SOUND ON, MUST WATCH. I found this one by accident and it is RIGHT ON THE MARK. Please make the tie to listen and watch. Incredibly moving. An impressive young man who WILL make a great Senator. Please.

‘We’ve got to be as clear-headed about human beings as possible, because we are still each other’s only hope.’

—James Baldwin

"We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can't believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much. "We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family's privacy as we grieve. "Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their swift action that saved others and for the coordination across communities that led to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents. We especially would like to thank the officers who were first on the scene to our parents' home and their heroic attempts to rescue our mom and dad. "Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them. "If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following: • Plant a tree. • Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail. • Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do. • Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it. • Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone. • Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something. • Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace. "Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else."

Please read and share this statement from Sophie and Colin Hortman, children of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

(via WCCO reporter Caroline Cummings on X)

Goodbye Redwood Forest -- The blue areas are what EO 14225 has marked for deforestation. These are old growth forests, protected by law.

Nadal touched by presence of great rivals during French Open tribute Rafa Nadal said the presence of his friends and rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray during a celebration of his glorious career at the French Open made an emotional Sunday evening all the more special.

Nadal touched by presence of great rivals during French Open tribute reut.rs/4dHFb76