Unfortunately, in places like Chicago, the holidays are often a time of increased violence, not peace. We have to stay present in communities, deescalate any conflicts, and do our best to keep everyone safe. @chicagocred.bsky.social

On this 250th birthday, a wish for all of us as Americans. @protectdemocracy.org @allvotingislocal.bsky.social @blackvotersmatterfund.org @campaignlegal.org @commoncause.org @civilrightsorg.bsky.social @lwv.org @splcenter.org @votesaveamerica.crooked.com

Justice Gorsuch, concurring in judgment with Justice Kagan's majority in today's Chatrie (geofencing warrants) cites the Cato Institute amicus brief. @cato.org

A new anthology of essays led by AIxGEO, includes powerful voices on what humanity-centered AI innovation could look like, offering a blueprint for harnessing AI for collective good. I was honored to be included! www.macfound.org/press/perspe...

This is absolutely nonsense. The Postmaster General said during a Senate hearing today that if a proposed federal mail ballot rule takes effect, the Postal Service would refuse to deliver mail ballots in states that do not turn over sensitive voter data to the federal government.

Chef's kiss, salute, tears, all of it

Trump's vow last year to revoke Harvard's tax exemption sent shock waves through the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Last month Cato convened a panel to look for common ground in defending the freedom to give, including @palfrey.org of MacArthur and Lawson Bader of DonorsTrust. My write-up:

"The amount of solar power generated in the U.S. is continuing to grow despite efforts ... to slow down the renewable energy sector, according to two reports released this week. The U.S. has generated more power from solar compared to coal for the first time." abcnews.com/US/solar-gen...

Well played, Mr. Mayor.

Radcliffe Day 2026: Honoring Dr. Ruth Simmons John Palfrey, May 29, 2026, Cambridge, MA, USA Thank you, Dean Brown-Nagin, and all Radcliffe Institute staff for putting on such a wonderful day for us all. Thank you for the invitation to moderate this panel on leadership. Thank you most of all for…

It was a great honor to be among those who cheered for Dr. Ruth Simmons as she received the @rad-institute.bsky.social Medal for 2026.

I was delighted to share a stage with @walterolson.bsky.social and Lawson Bader to discuss philanthropic freedom in this fraught moment. I thought @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social 's Alex Daniels covered it well.

BREAKING: Court Rejects Alabama House Map, Calling It Unfair to Black Voters Our teams have been working nonstop around the clock since the Callais decision to defend the maps in Alabama. This is a critical victory & affirmation that Black voters deserve fair maps. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/u...

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a push to avoid a lawsuit alleging that Facebook and Instagram harmed young users, a decision that comes as social media companies increasingly face legal scrutiny. https://to.pbs.org/3PtY5Xr

From term limits for justices to cameras in the courtroom, here are six reforms that would help rebuild public trust in the Supreme Court. bit.ly/4dbN1qI

Generations looking back on this moment of democratic collapse will understand Louisiana v. Callais to be its tipping point. The decision isn’t just bereft of intellectual & moral grounding, like Dred Scott & Plessy it is, as @cristianfarias.com describes, the antithesis. nymag.com/intelligence...

People often pitch AI as unprecedented. But what if we already have the organizational tools to evaluate & negotiate its use? Our new book Auditing AI opens in the 1980s with the story of the US Network for Organ Sharing how how they test & decide on their algorithms direct.mit.edu/books/book/6...

They left out admin keys for govcloud accounts for 6 months in a public github repo in a file called importantAWStokens. Any script kiddie could have compromised critical government systems with that. Who knows how many state actors did so. gizmodo.com/the-worst-le...

NEW: A federal court ruled that ICE is no longer allowed to conduct unlawful immigration arrests at NYC courts as our case proceeds. We will continue fighting until this unconstitutional practice is banned for good.

“SCOTUS’ gutting of the Voting Rights Act is more than an attack on Black America. It is the check‑engine light for American democracy b/c every time this country weakens the protections built by Black struggle…it loosens the democratic foundations everyone stands on.”

It was a terrific chance to compare notes (in public) and to stand together for the freedom to give and the freedom to invest alongside Lawson Bader and @walterolson.bsky.social at Cato Institute yesterday.

The Courage Project recently announced its sixth slate of award recipients who show their bravery and support their neighbors in the face of hardship and uncertainty. Learn more about the awardees: thecourageproject.org

"US solar generation in 2025 was a stunning 28% higher than in 2024. The electricity flowing from all our solar—on rooftops and parking lots, in fields and deserts—was equivalent to the amount used by every household across 14 states in the Midwest and Northeast" blog.ucs.org/john-rogers/...

Thanks for lifting up this piece on Agency in the age of AI tor TIME magazine!

Thank you, Scientists!!! #EarthDay2026

Happy Earth Day! People are building solutions and opportunities as they meet climate challenges. @macfound.org has invested in bold, equitable action to confront the climate crisis, and today I’d like to highlight a few of their stories in these videos: www.macfound.org/press/grante...

On May 14, I’ll be joining Cato Institute for a conversation about the freedom to give to the causes we care about, without government interference. Fellow panelists = President and CEO of DonorsTrust Lawson R. Bader, Cato Senior Fellow Walter Olson. Register below. www.cato.org/events/freed...

Black Virginia Voters: The disinformation meant to confuse and discourage you from voting tells you exactly how powerful your vote is. Use it & use it wisely. Read VA Attorney General Jay Jones’ statement on Misleading Mailers Targeting Black Voters www.oag.state.va.us/media-center...

#ICYMI: Yesterday's "One First" took a deep dive into Saturday's @nytimes.com scoop on the behind-the-scenes machinations in the February 2016 Clean Power Plan ruling—and what the memos tell us about how #SCOTUS handles emergency applications in general, & about Chief Justice Roberts, in particular:

If you are as infuriated as you read this as I am, know that Congress not only has the power to fix the abuse of the Shadow Docket but also that the legislation is already drafted. We just need to get it to the floor. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/18/u...

“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.” — Pope Leo XIV

AI is having a transformative impact on how we live, learn, work, connect, and create. What role can philanthropy play in preserving our human agency in the age of AI? I explore this question in TIME Magazine today. Read my op-ed at time.com/article/2026... #technology #Agents.

Maryland lawmakers made history tonight …

"Never again a country without consequences" sounds like a pretty effective slogan to me.

The Supreme Court heard a major constitutional case about birthright citizenship because President Trump chose to act with striking disregard for the law. Stay informed by subscribing to The Briefing, our free weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3Yrz5jM

2026 vs. 2025 Shapiro family Seder table. The first night of Passover has always been special for our family. But nearly one year ago, on this first night of Passover, an arsonist destroyed this very room — and this very table.

Cecilia Wang, you were absolutely phenomenal today. Birthright citizenship could not have a better champion and advocate! LDFxACLUxLULACxAsianLawCaucusxDemocracyDefenders

Two brilliant civil rights lawyers - one Asian American; one Black American. Both women. @aclu.org’s Cecellia Wang & @legaldefensefund.bsky.social’s @janainelson.bsky.social. They argued two of the most consequential cases in SCOTUS this year. This embrace is one of my favorite moments of the day.

Two new books: Julian Barnes and Arundhati Roy This winter I've been enjoying two new books that speak to the topic of memory as one ages. Now into my 50s this topic has become more interesting than it once was. First came along Julian Barnes' final (?) book, Departure(s). I think I have probably…

Possibly a turning point for large tech companies taking concerns about youth health more seriously? Let's hope so.

If I were Bluesky's new CEO, I would announce that in addition to supporting AT Proto, they will also hook up Bluesky to the web. The web is already decentralized. Lots of developers know how to build web stuff. We can all breathe the same air.

Exactly how Orban dismantled independent media in Hungary: 1. Crush: harass media outlet with govt regulatory pressure. 2. Buy: Have political ally acquire outlet once it’s distressed. 3. Supplant: fire independent journalists and hire cheerleaders for regime. Steps 1-2-3, or perhaps just C-B-S.

2006 internet: RSS feeds, forums, communities of hobby blogs, where people post about interior design, fashion, and music for free 2026 internet: sponsored content, paid partnership, buy my merch, try my supplements, invest in my crypto, click link in bio to unlock the secrets of life for $30

This makes me so happy. This film, anchored by Michael B. Jordan’s performance, is so deeply meaningful to so many of us. Lovely to see this upright, talented young man recognized for his superb portrayal. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Misty Copeland comes out of retirement to put Timothée Chalamet in his place during a live ‘Sinners’ performance at the #Oscars.

"My fellow scientists, we have an assignment: we must take collective action to hold Congress and this administration accountable. It is time to channel that evidence-based outrage into action,” said @gretchentg.bsky.social at Saturday’s @standupforscience.bsky.social rally in DC. #StandUpForScience

SCIENCE FUNDING: We're inviting researchers who create and engineer new quantum and hybrid materials to apply for fully unconstrained, 6-year research grants supporting ambitious, high-risk work at the frontiers of quantum materials science. ➡️ www.moore.org/initiative-a... #ScienceGrants

Get ready to vote, Chicago! chicago.suntimes.com/elections/20...

Just keep driving.