Kris Vera-Phillips (she/her)

Martin Luther King Jr. would be inspired by today's activism, author says Heather McGhee, author of 2021's The Sum of Us, discusses the economic cost of racism, the importance of community organizing and the "zero-sum lie" that progress for some means loss for others.

"It's a story that says that there can be no mutual progress, that if people of color or women get ahead, if there are more immigrants,then that must come at the expense of white people, of men, of native-born citizens, right? It's this core zero-sum lie" - Heather McGee

www.npr.org/2026/01/19/n...

As white nationalist slogans, images, and memes become normalized, can we go back? NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism about the prevalence of racism in modern political discourse.

"The federal government is spreading white supremacist propaganda to millions of people, normalizing it and exposing people to things that are just simply heinous," Heidi Beirich.

www.npr.org/2026/02/15/n...

Minnesota Olympians, other athletes speak up about federal agents in Minneapolis "I want to make sure you know who I'm racing for," wrote Minnesota-born cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Meanwhile, a hospitality center for Team USA families dropped the name "Ice House."

"Diversity is what makes the United States so special. It is woven into the very fabric of our country" - Bea Kim, Olympian.

📝 by Becky Sullivan

www.npr.org/2026/02/03/n...

Minneapolis Live Updates: Trump Pulls Bovino From ICE Operations in Minnesota President Trump said his border czar, Tom Homan, will direct ICE operations in Minnesota. Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official, is set to depart amid growing anger over a second fatal shooting by federal agents.

The Trump administration is shaking up the leadership of its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis by pulling Gregory Bovino, its director of on-the-ground enforcement, two U.S. officials said, as federal agents face growing criticism for their heavy-handed tactics in the city. Follow live updates.

Minnesota judge summons ICE leader to court, threatens contempt sanctions

'It's a damn shame': Park Service crews dismantle President’s House exhibit on slavery Members of the National Park Service removed signage around the President’s House historic site on Independence Mall on Thursday afternoon.

"It’s history, you know. You can either run away from it or you can actually face it and just accept it and try to do better, but the fact that they are going to erase this, this is outrageous" - Juan Suarez.

billypenn.com/2026/01/22/p...

#NeverForget

Iran blocked the internet amid deadly protests. Some voices are still getting through Weeks into an internet blackout in Iran, NPR speaks to a protester who is still online and a U.S.-based activist who is trying to get more Starlink terminals into the country to get more people online...

"It feels as if, as the expression goes, they splashed death everywhere."

Weeks into an internet blackout in Iran, NPR speaks to a protester who is still online and a U.S.-based activist who is trying to get more Starlink terminals into the country.

📝 by Arezou Rezvani

www.npr.org/2026/01/22/n...

Screen shot of of Washington Post headline: Judge blocks government from searching data seized from Post reporter

“This is the first time in U.S. history that the government has searched a reporter’s home in a national security media leak investigation, seizing potentially a vast amount of confidential data and information,” said Bruce D. Brown.

t.co/w2I0nQBtNs

martin luther king jr. is giving a speech at a podium in front of a crowd of people . ALT: martin luther king jr. is giving a speech at a podium in front of a crowd of people .

History repeating itself when it comes to racism and oppression in America.

"We have to continue to resist" - Martin Luther King III.

www.npr.org/2026/01/19/n...

US Senator Mark Kelly sues Pentagon chief Hegseth over demotion threats Hegseth’s censure of Kelly followed a sweeping shakeup at the Pentagon during Trump’s second term.

“The First Amendment forbids the government from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech. That prohibition applies with particular force to legislators speaking on matters of public policy" - Sen. Mark Kelly.

www.reuters.com/legal/govern...

In self-titled memoir 'Googoosh,' the Iranian pop star reflects on a life of song and silence Prior to the 1979 revolution, Iranian singer and actor Googoosh was a pop superstar. But she was jailed by the Islamic Republic and forced to agree to never sing or perform in public.

After 20 years of isolation in Iran, she was eventually able to leave and resume her performing career.

Googoosh writes about her life, with Tara Dehlavi, in the new memoir, "Googoosh: A Sinful Voice."

www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

Jan. 6, 2021: A visual archive of the Capitol attack NPR’s Jan. 6 archive brings together reporting, video, documents and testimony to show what really happened during the Capitol riot. Explore the timeline, cases and evidence behind the attack.

"We fight like hell. And if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore" - Donald Trump on Jan. 6.

NPR has tracked every Jan. 6 prosecution in a public database, publishing a front-line account of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

apps.npr.org/jan-6-archive/

Maduro's capture sparks joy and worry among Venezuelan diaspora | CBC News Venezuelan migrants around the world erupted in celebration on Saturday following the U.S.-led capture of President Nicolas Maduro, whose government oversaw one of the world's largest migration exodus...

Trying to make sense of what's going on in #Venezuela.

"After so many years, after so many struggles, after so much work, today is the day. Today is the day of freedom" - Jose Gregorio in Chile.

But is it truly freedom when swapping out Maduro for Trump?

www.cbc.ca/news/world/v...

Defamation suit against Gateway Church, Robert Morris over sexual abuse can continue, judge rules A Dallas County judge on Tuesday denied efforts by Gateway Church and church elders to dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that it centers a religious issue that secular courts shouldn't be involved in.

“Instead of admitting that he raped Cindy Clemishire when she was twelve years old, pastor Robert Morris concocted a story about engaging in an 'inappropriate' extramarital relationship with an adult woman," the court filing states.

#church #texas

www.keranews.org/news/2025-11...

Texas A&M panel: Firing violated professor’s academic freedom University officials dispute the faculty council’s conclusion. Melissa McCoul lost her job after a video of a classroom debate went viral.

Council Report on firing of Texas A&M English professor Melissa McCoul: “The content of the course was the reason for the dismissal and not the stated reason: failure of academic responsibility."

She was discussing gender identity in class.

#academicsky

www.texastribune.org/2025/11/10/t...

Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision

Public officials cannot “wield the authority of the state to violate the constitutional rights of citizens if the official believes she is ‘follow[ing] her conscience,’” wrote Judge Helene N. White.

#lgbtq+ #samesexmarriage

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...

James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA, has died at age 97 James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.

"Rosalind Franklin, a talented scientist, had to work in an atmosphere of constant sexism.

In an obit, a reminder of Watson's rise and fall with DNA - including his problematic treatment of women and communities of color.

#academicsky

www.npr.org/2025/11/07/n...

What are the 17 Texas propositions on the November ballot? A majority of the proposed constitutional amendments address tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.

🗳️Things I'm learning about Texas - I can't vote by mail like California and Arizona. So, I'm driving to a voting spot to take care of early voting.

Helpful voter's guide by Texas Tribune on 17 statewide propositions.
www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/t...

Nobel Peace Prize 2025 live updates: Venezuelan democracy activist María Corina Machado wins Nominations closed in January but US President Donald Trump had led a public campaign to win the award.

"I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this," María Corina Machado.

www.bbc.com/news/live/c1...

After a wave of horrific shootings, gun violence trends put recent attacks in context Mass shootings, political violence and school safety are front of mind for many Americans following a recent spate of high-profile attacks. Experts who study gun violence unpack the data and trends.

A UC Davis study found that while most Americans reject political violence, those who hold harmful beliefs — such as racism, hostile sexism — are also more likely than others to believe that political violence is justifiable.

📝 by Juliana Kim

www.npr.org/2025/09/17/n...

Schools to close Monday in Michigan community that experienced deadly church attack Multiple people were shot at a Mormon church in Michigan that was then set on fire, authorities said Sunday. The shooter was killed by police.

"Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

📝 by Joe Hernandez & Chris Arnold

www.npr.org/2025/09/28/n...

Casualties of Trump’s War on Higher Ed : Up First from NPR President Trump has a long list of grievances against many U.S. colleges and universities. He’s complained about antisemitism on campuses, of gender- and race-based course offerings, even communist in...

Caleb, a boy waiting for a heart transplant, tells his mom: "It could be worse."

But his mom knows - it could also be better.

By Elissa Nadworny

#AcademicSky

www.npr.org/2025/09/21/n...

“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump’s mass deportation The Department of Public Safety has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country, a job once exclusively done by federal authorities.

“Right now, we're going after the migrants that pose the largest threat to the communities. And there's a lot of them” - DPS Director Freeman Martin

📝 by Alejandro Serrano
www.texastribune.org/2025/09/12/t...

State Board of Education OKs Texas-heavy social studies plan, setting stage for clash over history lessons Educators worry the plan will deemphasize topics like world geography, history and cultures. The board aims to vote on what specific content social studies lessons will include by next summer.

“When do people that look like me, Tiffany, Evelyn, Gustavo, Marisa, LJ, get to learn about themselves before the fifth grade?” asked Houston board member Staci Childs, referring to people of color on panel. “Just curious, if we adopt this."

📝 by Jaden Edison
www.texastribune.org/2025/09/12/t...

New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free The program, which is expected to save families $12,000 per child annually, is available to all residents regardless of income.

“By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive" - Gov. Lujan Grisham

19thnews.org/2025/09/new-...

Bills somehow find a way to stun Ravens: ‘I’m in a dream state right now’: “It was special to watch,” a bewildered Joey Bosa said. “Every text I have is, ‘I’ve never seen anything like that.’"

Go Bills! “It was unbelievable,” Joey Bosa said. “I’m still buzzing. But it’s the first game. We’ve got to get back to work tomorrow, unfortunately. Too bad that wasn’t the Super Bowl, but …it felt like it."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

The Perverse Consequences of the Easy A In the era of grade inflation, students at top colleges are more stressed than ever.

At Harvard: "Things have gotten to the point where some students feel guilty for focusing on schoolwork at the expense of extracurriculars."

📝 by Rose Horowitch #academicsky

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Dallas community leader, SMU grad detained by ICE Omar Salazar's friends say he has a "history of leadership, service, and love for his community." He's being held in ICE detention after being pulled over for a traffic violation.

“Friday morning, he was just a normal resident of Texas enjoying the beginning of the long holiday weekend, and now he's fighting to stay in the country that he loves.”

ICE Detains #SMU Grad

📝 by Priscilla Rice

www.keranews.org/news/2025-09...

Sportswriter Jane Leavy discusses her new book on baseball, 'Make Me Commissioner' Sportswriter Jane Leavy discusses her new book, "Make Me Commissioner: I Know What's Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It," with Morning Edition host and baseball megafan A Martinez.

"They're trying to make an imperfect game, perfect. I resent that" - Joe Torre on analytics in major league baseball.
From new @ballgirl.bsky.social book.

Also - great author interview by @amartinezla.bsky.social

www.npr.org/2025/09/01/n...

More than 830 new Texas laws take effect Sept. 1. Here’s what’s changing These measures touch nearly every aspect of life, from education and healthcare to public safety, property rules and support for first responders. With so many changes coming at once, Texans can expec...

"Texans can expect a variety of noticeable impacts on their daily lives."

Senate Bill 12: Ban on student DEI & LGBTQ+ clubs

Senate Bill 412: limits teacher/librarian protections when providing educational content, including LGBTQ+, race & sex health materials.

www.keranews.org/texas-news/2...