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heidikstevens.bsky.social
Writer Optimist Chicago stan
71 posts 2,514 followers 549 following
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The lowest ever approval rating at this point in a presidency.

When I meet a grown-up who carves out a space for young people to feel safe and loved and celebrated in a too-cruel world, I tend to keep them on my radar. Jason Patera is one of those people. My column ❤ www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/25/h...

House Rep. Gerry Connolly is pushing CDC leadership to explain why the personnel who handle FOIA requests lost their jobs, noting that that the public has a right to access federal records.

I want to be this guy when I grow up 🩵

Last week, it was reported out that the White House budget proposal eliminates all funding for Head Start. This is deeply troubling to me as a pediatric physician, an expert in early childhood development, a mother, and an American. A 🧵...

What do you feel like for dinner? I don’t know, what do you feel like? I don’t know, you pick. Happy Friday, Chicago 💙

'My research comes out of the fact that not all children do as well as others after surgery. I love surgery. I adore my patients. But it’s actually not as hard as many of the complex issues in this world.' Thanks for hosting @johnlist.bsky.social & me, Freakonomics! freakonomics.com/podcast/poli...

Commentary: We’re hungry for some hope. We’re looking for some guidance. We’re casting about for role models — for ourselves and for our kids. We’re listening for someone to say: This is not the America we’ve been working toward. This is not normal. In Booker’s speech, we heard it.

The Hands Off protests today were something to witness. Crowds stretched nearly 20 blocks in Manhattan. Daley Plaza in Chicago was packed. The National Mall in D.C., Phoenix — everywhere, people showed up. This moment matters. #HandsOff www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/u...

This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.

Powerful opinion piece by @heidikstevens.bsky.social in the Chicago Tribune. Reflecting on Cory Booker’s Senate speech, she writes about the radical act of choosing hope — even when the world feels heavy. A reminder that empathy & courage still matter. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/03/h...

We all need a picker upper after today ❤️

We’re hungry for some hope. We’re looking for some guidance. We’re casting about for role models. We’re listening for someone to say: This is not the America we’ve been working toward. This is not normal. In Booker’s speech, we heard it. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/03/h...

‘The U.S. must not follow the lead of authoritarian governments it has worked for decades to counteract by weaponizing visa status against criticism.' This is spot on. Proud to have worked for @splc.org in college, grateful they're out front on this. splc.org/2025/03/splc...

Good morning, Chicago. Especially Josh Giddey ♥️

All Lives Matter was born to distract us from a needed racial reckoning. But taken at face value? It’s true. All lives do matter. So show us. Show us all lives matter. Because it’s hard to look around right now and discern that they do. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/28/h...

My aunt shares her @chicagotribune.com papers with me, and I’m behind. This @heidikstevens.bsky.social column is lifting me up today. Our news cycle moves so fast. Grateful to be reminded of Bishop Budde’s courage. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/22/h...

There’s no love like the love Chicagoans have for Chicago the first day it hits 70 💗

another banger from Heidi Stevens

There’s a narrative that folks criticizing the White House hate America. We’re not falling for that. Dissent is baked into the United States. Democracy is messy. And loving a place means fixing what’s broken and saving what’s precious. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/14/h...

My latest op-ed in The Opinion Pages on recent federal changes and how it is impacting people with disabilities. theopinionpages.com/2025/03/we-n...

USDA cancels local food purchasing www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

They called him Sleepy Joe because we could sleep at night.

I love the brilliant @heidikstevens.bsky.social so was really happy that I got to tape a conversation with her for todays show. I also have your news recap from the weekend so come over and give us a listen standupwithpete.libsyn.com/1312-heidi-s...

Read Heidi’s defense of press, why journalism matters

Press access is not a trophy to be handed out to obedient participants in the president’s — any president’s — tale-spinning. Press access is the price the president pays for the privilege of serving his constituents. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/28/h...

I guess the free market will decide if people want the flu newrepublic.com/post/192059/...

We forgive you for last week, February. Good morning, Chicago ❤️

For the moment, I’m going to keep reading the Post — the news pages, anyway, for the same reason I read the WSJ news pages. I will not blame anyone if they choose not to. In the meantime I will point out that NPR/PBS and your local stations only answer ultimately to the public. Support them.

I'm so excited to read all the WaPo opinion pieces advocating for the personal liberties of women & LGBTQ people. And just as lawmakers are dismantling same-sex marriage and reproductive rights! Perfect timing! That's how this is going to work, right? 🤔

You first.

This x10000000000 “In other words: We, the opposition, are the majority. Take heart.” www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/they-are-a...

Get Ready For Delayed Tax Refunds, Long Hold Times After Mass IRS Firings But wealthy tax evaders will enjoy “a feast” as the strained federal agency lacks the resources to hold them accountable, said one tax policy expert.

The Department of Ed's move to ban race-based programs chips away at the entire educational experience—not just for students whose race is being considered or honored in course work, affinity groups or ceremonies. For all students. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/21/h...

Hey, if you're a woman or NB who has a newsletter, has considered starting a newsletter, or is just looking for a place to write about the news/feminism/sports/culture/labor/politics/the environment, etc., I may have a project for you. DM me your email for more info.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/31/h... A special thank you to @heidikstevens.bsky.social for writing this! Plz remember to care for each other!

There's a lot of cruelty right now and I know we need to pick our battles. Today I'm picking mine with people who suggest whipping kids who have ADHD was a good idea. This week's column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/07/h...

I have not contacted my senators today but I did show my 81yo dad how to connect his @nytimes print subscription to digital all access using a series of screenshots where I circled in red all the places he should type his email address so I feel I've done my part for democracy🇺🇸

Good morning, Chicago 🧡

Good morning, Chicago ❤️

“Next week, there’ll be a new line of ‘criminals’ that they’re coming after. And before too long, Black people will be on the chopping block or LGBTQ people,” thetriibe.com/2025/01/amid...

This week was chaotic, tragic and divisive. And I’m afraid it’s likely the new normal. I’m also afraid we’re entering a chapter where needing help is for losers and providing it is for suckers. I don’t think that’s how we’re designed. My column. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/31/h...

i think it is important to say that the open and explicit racism of the president and the vice president isn’t just uncouth or “controversial” but a direct attack on tens of millions of americans and a dereliction of their duty to represent the entire country