TikTok is one of the largest social media platforms right now, and taking direct, actionable steps to support artists and their labor, as well as to prevent artificial intelligence from stealing their work and likenesses, could be a model for how other platforms handle these issues moving forward. But it’s not just about being able to dance and do trends with some of our favorite music. Universal Music Group is pulling its music from TikTok after negotiations failed to extend the licensing agreement between the two companies, and those negotiations centered around prominent issues in today’s society: paying people for their labor, the effects of generative artificial intelligence more broadly, and benchmarks for online safety in a world that has become increasingly reliant on digital communications. TikTok needs to support artists and their labor.

In addition to the companies that have unleashed the technology the enables deepfakes, hosting and cloud computing providers like Amazon have continued to provide the infrastructure needed to run large websites specializing in non-consensual deepfake porn, even though the harm they;re doing has become clear. They, too, are part of the problem. Normally, when a company releases products that cause unexpected harm, they’re responsible for fixing it. Like when Toyota found it had cars on the road with faulty gas pedals that could result in crashes, or when Samsung got reports of Galaxy smartphones overheating and catching fire, they recalled their products. Tech companies releasing, distributing, and hosting content generated by cutting edge AI technology should not be an exception. Now that deepfakes have become a major media story, you have Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, saying “we have to act,” while not specifying or committing to real action—and with most other tech leaders remaining completely silent. There are good conversations in the AI safety community about what the best approaches are for reining in deepfakes, but until the tech companies at the root of the problem act, it will be meaningless. Some parts of solving the problem are harder than others, but there is plenty that can and should be done right now: - AI companies (like Microsoft) should stop releasing software that has been shown to create harmful, non-consensual deepfakes, until they can prove that it is safe. - Social media platforms (like Facebook and Twitter/X) should take much stronger steps to detect deepfakes; freeze accounts that appear to have distributed harmful, non-consensual deepfakes; and permanently ban those that have been determined to have done so. - Cloud providers (like Amazon) should drop large websites that are clearly and overtly in the business of creating and distributing non-consensual deepfakes. Congress is now working on The DEFIANCE Act of 2024, which would make it a crime to produce and distribute non-consensual deepfake images, audio, and video–an important part of what’s needed and which Sexual Violence Prevention Association has recently started a campaign to support. But Congress has yet to hold accountable the tech companies that are at the core of the problem, and that control the means of production and distribution of deepfakes. These companies have poured billions into the technology that makes deepfake creation and sharing possible. It’s time they prioritize addressing the harms they’ve created as a result, and invest in making such technology safe from causing harm. Until they can demonstrate that a baseline level of safety has been achieved, with no one in the future being subjected to what Taylor Swift and others currently are experiencing, these companies need to do all that’s in their power to stop the harm created by the spread of non-consensual deepfakes.

Wisconsin has a domestic violence crisis. Federally, people convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor are barred from owning a gun. However, a deadly loophole created by a 2022 ruling of the Wisconsin Supreme Court makes it impossible to enforce this in Wisconsin. This must change. We must side with victims and survivors of domestic violence – not their abusers. The same year this new loophole went into effect, Wisconsin saw an unprecedented level of domestic violence. In just one year, the number of domestic violence homicides rose by 20%. And Wisconsin already had one of the highest rates of women murdered by men in the country. That is why our legislators must act immediately. Join WAVE in creating a safer Wisconsin. Demand that our state legislators close Wisconsin’s domestic violence loophole and disarm domestic abusers.

We need to take a stand and help those who have been assaulted. They matter and we need to help make a safer community. So many do not speak up because its painful and justice does not prevail.

Between 2019 and 2024, the condition of the park spaces, particularly along Marine Drive between Irving Park Road and Wilson Avenue, have deteriorated significantly. Tent encampments have now overtaken public spaces; the homeless chase away concerned citizens and defecate between nearby parked cars. Large, grassy areas that were once beautiful have disappeared. Sidewalks are blocked underneath DLSD from an increased number of tents; the overall conditions have worsened and are inhumane. Photo documentation has been provided to the Alderperson’s office that shows: • Illegal drug sales and usage • Illegal propane tanks which have led to several fires underneath DLSD • Garbage and human waste in public areas • Theft; e.g. materials removed from local businesses’ property • Rodent infestation Without action from Alderperson Clay, who is directly responsible for enforcing pre-established codes with the Chicago Parks Department and for activating requests with the Streets and Sanitation Department and the Department of Family and Social Services, the condition of public park spaces will continue to deteriorate. The number of encampments will spike in the forthcoming warmer months and continue through the remainder of the year. Our public park spaces should be responsibly protected to provide access for all residents. Illegal activity should not be allowed. The homeless should be re-housed rapidly and provided access to services, instead of being allowed to linger unlawfully, which prevents area residents and the public at large from enjoying easy access during designated hours to park spaces or to the lakefront via public sidewalks.

We have to help Nevada State Police Trooper Christopher Garcia had his partner Nala! Nala was abruptly taken from him by the Nevada State Police without the option to adopt her. Please help us bring Nala home!!

17 Problems: How Dollar Store Chains Hurt Communities https://ilsr.org/17-problems/

The more people we have that express their concerns we feel that something might get resolved.

Julie Su has been the acting labor secretary for 10 months. She’s a tireless advocate for our communities—from civil rights to organized labor—and she’s earned praise from many members of the Senate. Senator Bernie Sanders said Su’s “strong pro-worker track record as Acting Secretary shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is the right person for the job.” Senator Tammy Duckworth said, “Whether working to strengthen apprenticeship programs or helping to negotiate agreements in industries from rails to ports to auto companies, Julie Su is advancing workers’ rights and getting the job done." The economy is doing well and workers continue to gain higher wages in a strong job market. The Senate should not let conservatives and corporate interests hinder the confirmation of such an important role. Julie Su should be confirmed as Secretary of Labor so she can have the respect she deserves and workers and businesses can have a fully-empowered advocate in the administration.

Our intersection of State st and Cleveland Ave NW has a long history of being the Greentown Square. It is the home of great businesses, holiday gatherings, and parades. During construction it would be very inconvenient for all of our residents that use this intersection multiple times a day. Any detours created could make our neighborhood side streets very busy and dangerous with extra traffic. Our side streets are narrow as it is and when the widening of Cleveland Ave happened in the late 90s our side streets became cut through routes for a lot of traffic. They became dangerous as they were unpatroled. None of our residents are willing to sacrifice the safety of our neighborhoods for a roundabout that we weren't interested in to begin with.

Below are direct quotes from participants and/or spouse of participants in the league! Community upbuilding: "I feel like I know my neighbors more by playing in this league, my neighbors are not strangers or passersby anymore. Inclusiveness: "Didn't realized they were a few Nigerians until I started playing in this League"-Lincoln parent, and another was amazed of how many people from S. American countries live in Brookline-Runkle parent. Safety: "I feel safe letting my kids walk to school by themselves because I see parents I played with or against at the Soccer games" Pierce parent Therapy: "while going through struggles of life and family, this league has been very therapeutic in dealing with stress,"-Runkle Team 2 parent. Diversity: "I have never met a diverse group of people in Brookline before" a Ridley parent. Healthy living: "I went for a checkup for groin pain and knee/ankle pain, come to find out I was diagnosed with full heart block (the widow maker)" a Baker's parent. Was treated, had surgery and feeling better. Humanitarian aid: "It's happy knowing that a portion of the money paid for the Jersey was donated to an orphanage home in Nigeria"-a Lincoln parent. Recreational: "Although, at times competitive, and aggressive but it was mostly fun, and something I look forward to on our game night"-Lawrence parent. It supported local business-AKA Garrison House Brookline!!! Some of our players suffered injuries because of uneven field surfaces, lack of grassy areas, and poor field conditions.

On January 21, 2010, SCOTUS in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission expanded the constitutional doctrine that corporations are persons, widening their constitutional right to buy elections and run our government. Since that ruling, 14 states that previously banned corporate contributions had their laws overturned by the courts. And subsequent rulings, following the precedent of Citizens United, paved the way for the creation of Super PACs and unlimited corporate spending in politics, flooding our elections with dark money.  Enough! Our democracy should reflect the will of the people, not greedy corporate entities. We can reverse Citizens United, end “corporate personhood,” and take our democracy back by introducing a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution: the We the People Amendment. “We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United and other related cases and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.” The majority of Americans, when asked if they believe corporations should have the same rights as people, believe the Constitution should be amended to state that corporations do not have constitutional rights. Add your name to demand that Congress pass the We the People Amendment NOW!