Bill Nye—Science Guy—here. I’m writing on behalf of Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) with an urgent request for you to take action to help keep science in policymaking in your state. It’s only been one year under our current administration, but they have already done more damage to science and democracy than perhaps any administration in modern history. They have shuttered entire agencies, frozen billions of dollars essential to research and public health funding, and fired or otherwise pushed out hundreds of thousands of dedicated civil servants. They’ve rolled back pollution standards, lied about climate science, and boosted fossil fuel profits at the expense of people, wildlife, and our environment. And they’ve made changes to hundreds of public health, safety, and environmental rules without public input—even when it’s required by law. Now, we need to be reaching out to our elected officials to ensure that they keep science in policymaking. You and I both know that what’s happening right now is not normal, and it is not okay.Like so many authoritarian leaderships, they want to be the sole source of truth—and know that independent science threatens that power. That’s why the work being done at UCS is more critical than ever. If we want to protect our communities, our democracy, and our planet, we must fight back against these attacks. Please join me by telling your elected state officials to keep science and transparency strong in your state. The scientific community and UCS supporters are and always have been stronger together. As UCS President and CEO Dr. Gretchen Goldman says in arecent article, co-authored in Science magazine:  ““The ability to tell the truth, even (or especially) when it does not suit any particularly partisan aims, is an essential prerequisite for a free society. Scientists can leverage their substantial social standing and trustworthiness to preserve this vital ingredient.”” It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment for protecting science and our democracy. Now is the time to join together and demand that elected leaders at all levels represent our communities and prioritize public safeguards informed by science, to ensure that our democracy remains and our voices are heard. We need your help holding these protections and holding the line against these attacks on science for the public good. The founders included Science in the Constitution. They knew its value for our quality of life and international competitiveness. Join me today in defending science and democracy. Sincerely, Bill Nye Science Educator and National Advisory Board Member for Union of Concerned Scientists

People often buy Ring cameras to help them feel safer at home—and safety is exactly what they deserve. That includes knowing that their data is protected and not used to further a surveillance machine that is increasingly more dangerous under the Trump administration.  Ring and Amazon must immediately:  • End its partnership with Flock, ensuring that footage captured by everyday Americans isn’t used in Trump’s deportation campaign  • Clearly outline how users’ privacy and data will be protected   Until there are clear answers, Ring users should opt out of allowing their data to be accessed by giant tech companies with no guardrails by disabling their Ring cameras and opting out of the new Search Party feature.  Sign the petition to demand answers from Ring and oppose Amazon’s use of our data for mass surveillance and Trump’s deportation agenda!

Bad Bunny took the Super Bowl halftime stage and did what performers like him do best: bringing joy, celebrating his culture, and sending a message of love and unity to everyone watching, no matter who or where they are. That kind of joy – proud, unapologetic, and rooted in the people who make this country what it is – is exactly what MAGA is trying to destroy.   So now, they’re trying to cancel Bad Bunny. You read that right. Far-right members of Congress are pressuring Brendan Carr and the FCC to fine Bad Bunny – and punish NBC and the NFL for airing his halftime show. And they’re even demanding a congressional investigation into the NFL. This is MAGA’s playbook. When we refuse to fall in line, they reach for censorship instead. Free expression won’t survive on its own – it's time to show up and draw a line. Add your name to speak out: Condemn MAGA’s attempt to censor Bad Bunny and don’t let them weaponize our government against free expression.

The Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files is nothing short of a failure for bringing justice to survivors and an effort to protect powerful predators in the billionaire class.  Bondi has weaponized the Department of Justice to push her political agenda and protect Donald Trump. She wasted resources launching investigations to seek revenge on anyone who sought to prosecute Trump or challenge his agenda—including Jack Smith, New York AG Letitia James, Federal Reserve Lisa Cook, and more. In the recent murders in Minnesota, Bondi has used her power to protect the federal agents involved in killings instead of allowing for full, transparent investigations to take place, despite Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s deaths being ruled as homicides by the medical examiner. We need an Attorney General that is committed to bringing justice for the American people, not weaponizing their power in order to push Trump’s authoritarian agenda. Sign the petition now to demand that Pam Bondi resign or be impeached!

Olympians have an enormous platform, and when they arrive on the world stage to represent the United States, millions of people are watching. In moments of national crisis and profound injustices, their voices matter more than ever. British-American freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy recently wrote “F*ck ICE” in the snow and urged his social media followers to put pressure on lawmakers during the DHS funding negotiations. Figure skater Amber Glenn from Texas has spoken openly about recent attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and the toll Trump’s administration has taken on queer communities. At press conferences in Milan, freestyle skier Chris Lillis shared that he feels “heartbroken” about what’s happening, and snowboarders Chloe Kim, Bea Kim, and Maddie Mastro emphasized diversity, compassion, and the responsibility to protect one another in times of injustice. Olympians have a platform and responsibility to speak out against Trump’s cruelty and attacks on LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities as they represent the U.S. on a global stage. And when they do, they should know they’re not alone. Show Olympic athletes that we have their backs when they speak out against ICE and other injustices everyday Americans are facing!

There is a large amount of minority people in our county and we don't want them to be in danger of being kidnaped, assaulted, or murdered. We want our community to be protected, that can't happen if ICE is welcomed into it.

While individual members of Congress have refused to attend the State of the Union in the past, there has never been a collective boycott. Now is the time for elected leaders to demonstrate unified dissent.  American families are facing an uncertain job market and rising costs impacting everything from groceries to health care premiums. Meanwhile, Trump is enriching himself while he advocates for higher house prices and cozies up to tech billionaires. And as communities in cities like Minneapolis band together to protect each other from ICE’s terrifying attacks, Trump continues to push for mass deportation raids.  But we know Trump won’t tell these real stories of what’s happening on the ground to American families—he’ll only keep spreading misinformation.  When history looks back at Trump’s authoritarian address to Congress, the record should reflect a half-empty room. Demand members of Congress boycott Trump’s State of the Union and refuse to legitimize more lies to the American people! 

CHATGPT "EDU" is an "investment" that means our school will commit to a product that causes learning decay, funds ICE, and damages the environment at an extremely alarming rate. Let CU know that we want AI OUT NOW.

It is important because too many people have suffered for us to sit back idlily and do nothing. It is important because way too many people cannot tell their story. Too many victims whose name we will never know. Too many people have been traumatized into silence, into never talking about the evil things that happened to them. Millions of Americans are suffering under a government who do not accurately represent them. Under broken systems that leave countless people behind. That leave people hungry, and homeless.  We will fight for a country that boosts up its citizens with laws and ordinances that benefit peoples pockets, health, and leisure time. We want a change to the laws that protect people in high positions of governmental power or social status, to reflect the will of the people. More financial security, more trust in the government, more criminal charges for the people in these Epstein Files. 

Americans pay more for their medicine than any country on earth, and Virginians pay 36% more than the national average. 35% of Virginians chose not to fill a prescription in 2023, and 63% of voters are concerned about the cost of medication. Life-saving medications only work if you can afford them, and Virginians can't afford them anymore. Tell your legislators to support HB 483/SB 271 to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia. A Prescription Drug Affordability Board would:  • Be an independent state board with the authority to set an upper payment limit on a few of the highest-cost medications for Virginians.  • Save taxpayers money by reducing state and local government spending on prescription drugs.  • Help ensure affordable access to life-saving medicine for illnesses like cancer and diabetes.  • Mitigate out-of-control prices set by the big drug companies.

High out-of-pocket costs put lifesaving treatment out of reach for many Virginians, but you can change that! Make a difference today by asking your state legislators to support affordable access to life-saving treatment through a health insurance option with co-pays not co-insurance.  In these uncertain times, patients deserve the stability and peace of mind that comes from knowing their out-of-pocket costs will remain predictable and affordable. 

On July 25, 2023, a federal lawsuit was filed in New York alleging that Leon Black violently raped a 16-year-old girl with autism and Down syndrome in 2002 at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. The plaintiff, now in her 30s, was born with mosaic Down syndrome and had a mental age of 12 at the time of the alleged assault. According to the complaint, she was groomed through cheerleading classes before being trafficked to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who then introduced her to Black as Epstein's "special friend." The lawsuit describes a brutal assault that left the victim with internal injuries and lasting psychological trauma, including panic attacks she still experiences today. Black retired from Apollo in July, 2021,  after a review revealed he paid Epstein $158 million for purported financial advice between 2012 and 2017, years after Epstein's 2008 criminal conviction for sex offenses. This financial relationship, combined with the new allegations of child sexual assault, raises urgent questions about whether Black or his associates had access to student information through educational institutions, youth programs, or philanthropic channels. Given Black's extensive financial ties to Epstein and the new allegations of child rape, any institution that received funding from Black or maintained relationships with entities he controlled must immediately audit what student data, photographs, or access may have been provided.