Beth Lowder
@bethlowder.bsky.social
Social work + public health in higher ed. Elder millennial. Here for the commentary, humor, and book recommendations. Opinions expressed here are my own. 🏳️🌈📚🎓
Pinned
Reposted by Beth Lowder
GOOD NEWS! A personalized mRNA vaccine, known as mRNA-4157, has shown promise in keeping melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, from returning. FIVE years later, NEARLY 70% of people in the vaccine group are CANCER-FREE. The vaccine also cut a person’s risk of the cancer metastasizing by NEARLY 60%.
A personalized vaccine for melanoma cut the risk of cancer returning after five years
If the vaccine is effective in a late-stage trial, it would be “paradigm-shifting,” one expert said.
www.nbcnews.com
June 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! A personalized mRNA vaccine, known as mRNA-4157, has shown promise in keeping melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, from returning. FIVE years later, NEARLY 70% of people in the vaccine group are CANCER-FREE. The vaccine also cut a person’s risk of the cancer metastasizing by NEARLY 60%.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss for the first time beginning Wednesday.
But the coverage is temporary, set to expire at the end of 2027. It is not known whether, or how, Medicare will continue coverage after its 18-month pilot.
But the coverage is temporary, set to expire at the end of 2027. It is not known whether, or how, Medicare will continue coverage after its 18-month pilot.
Medicare is about to cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Here’s what to know.
The Trump administration will launch its pilot program on Wednesday. It lasts 18 months, and estimated costs to taxpayers have not been disclosed.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 29, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss for the first time beginning Wednesday.
But the coverage is temporary, set to expire at the end of 2027. It is not known whether, or how, Medicare will continue coverage after its 18-month pilot.
But the coverage is temporary, set to expire at the end of 2027. It is not known whether, or how, Medicare will continue coverage after its 18-month pilot.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
This week, the Department of Education announced that the Department of Justice would handle civil rights. But the Department of Justice announced a legal opinion saying that states do not need to provide community-based care for people with disabilities.
www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-dis...
www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-dis...
States aren't required to provide community-based care for people with disabilities, new DOJ opinion claims
The Office of Legal Counsel opinion released Thursday said states aren't required by law to integrate mentally disabled patients with their peers by providing community or home-based care.
www.cbsnews.com
June 19, 2026 at 5:27 PM
This week, the Department of Education announced that the Department of Justice would handle civil rights. But the Department of Justice announced a legal opinion saying that states do not need to provide community-based care for people with disabilities.
www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-dis...
www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-dis...
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Sen. Andy Kim said he had trouble breathing from the cloud of pepper spray ICE deployed as a growing crowd of protesters responding to an inmate hunger strike demonstrated outside.
www.nj.com/news/2026/05...
www.nj.com/news/2026/05...
ICE agents pepper spray protesters, N.J. senator in clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark
“It’s sad, it’s a sad day," says pepper-sprayed senator.
www.nj.com
May 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Sen. Andy Kim said he had trouble breathing from the cloud of pepper spray ICE deployed as a growing crowd of protesters responding to an inmate hunger strike demonstrated outside.
www.nj.com/news/2026/05...
www.nj.com/news/2026/05...
Reposted by Beth Lowder
I took this video right before ICE pepper sprayed the crowd at Delaney Hall, including Senator Andy Kim. ICE was dressed like they're going to war, with weapons and an armored vehicle. That's because we are the enemy to them. We just keep standing up to this repression. @north.dsanj.org
May 25, 2026 at 11:38 PM
I took this video right before ICE pepper sprayed the crowd at Delaney Hall, including Senator Andy Kim. ICE was dressed like they're going to war, with weapons and an armored vehicle. That's because we are the enemy to them. We just keep standing up to this repression. @north.dsanj.org
Reposted by Beth Lowder
ICE agents pepper-sprayed Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey.
ICE agents pepper spray protesters, N.J. senator in clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark
“It’s sad, it’s a sad day," says pepper-sprayed senator.
www.nj.com
May 25, 2026 at 11:00 PM
ICE agents pepper-sprayed Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
From one of @prisonculture.bsky.social ’s lovely essays,
Dr. Sawin-
Dr. Sawin-
May 19, 2026 at 9:09 PM
From one of @prisonculture.bsky.social ’s lovely essays,
Dr. Sawin-
Dr. Sawin-
Reposted by Beth Lowder
“Instead of student loan forgiveness we’re doing a coup forgiveness program”
The DOJ announced a $1.7 billion fund to pay Trump allies prosecuted by the government as part of the president's settlement with the IRS.
The new fund could pay claims to the likes of Jan. 6 rioters
The new fund could pay claims to the likes of Jan. 6 rioters
Trump Gets $1.7 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ After Dropping IRS Suit
The new fund could pay claims to the likes of Jan. 6 rioters and other purported victims of
www.huffpost.com
May 18, 2026 at 4:19 PM
“Instead of student loan forgiveness we’re doing a coup forgiveness program”
Reposted by Beth Lowder
UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Reject Hiring of Tenured Women’s Studies Professor (by @koriedean.bsky.social) www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Reject Hiring of Tenured Women’s Studies Professor
The rare move comes a year after the Board of Trustees delayed dozens of votes to confer tenure, sparking outcry from faculty.
www.theassemblync.com
May 15, 2026 at 7:24 PM
UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Reject Hiring of Tenured Women’s Studies Professor (by @koriedean.bsky.social) www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Beautiful and interesting!
The detection of another circulatory system in the human body could have enormous scientific implications.
Inside the Interstitium, the Human Body’s Hidden Pathways
The detection of another circulatory system in the human body could have enormous scientific implications.
nyti.ms
May 12, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Beautiful and interesting!
Reposted by Beth Lowder
This year, @americanrivers.bsky.social placed the Lumbee River on its list of Most Endangered Rivers due to contamination from PFAS & other “forever chemicals.” See their write-up here 👇🏽. I’m also dropping links below to some of my research on river’s environment, history, & cultural significance.
#DYK? 🤔 The Lumber River's dark, tea-colored waters wind through wetlands and forested floodplains, providing wildlife habitat, natural flood protection, and drinking water for thousands of people. www.americanrivers.org/river/lumber...
Lumber River
The Lumber River—also known as the Lumbee River—is a nationally significant blackwater river flowing for 133 miles through southeastern North Carolina into South Carolina. Its dark, tea-colored waters...
www.americanrivers.org
April 15, 2026 at 11:35 AM
This year, @americanrivers.bsky.social placed the Lumbee River on its list of Most Endangered Rivers due to contamination from PFAS & other “forever chemicals.” See their write-up here 👇🏽. I’m also dropping links below to some of my research on river’s environment, history, & cultural significance.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Dear G!
How are you?
Nice story about J. E. in New York mag, you look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!
Love, Melania
How are you?
Nice story about J. E. in New York mag, you look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!
Love, Melania
April 9, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Dear G!
How are you?
Nice story about J. E. in New York mag, you look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!
Love, Melania
How are you?
Nice story about J. E. in New York mag, you look great on the picture. I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!
Love, Melania
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Like a lot of small businesses in our region, Firestorm has been in financial distress for the last year. Hurricane Helene was our tipping point, but local cost of living increases, inflation, and higher occupancy costs are huge contributors. 1/9
April 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Like a lot of small businesses in our region, Firestorm has been in financial distress for the last year. Hurricane Helene was our tipping point, but local cost of living increases, inflation, and higher occupancy costs are huge contributors. 1/9
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Who knew men attracted to a "lifestyle" where women have no economic independence and are confined to the home where they are cut off from support networks and sold the myth that their only value is as baby-making machines and sexual objects might exhibit "hostile sexism"! Who could have predicted!
April 2, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Who knew men attracted to a "lifestyle" where women have no economic independence and are confined to the home where they are cut off from support networks and sold the myth that their only value is as baby-making machines and sexual objects might exhibit "hostile sexism"! Who could have predicted!
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Seen in Oak Ridge this morning. Think this is the first time I’ve encountered political yard signs about a recount?
March 23, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Seen in Oak Ridge this morning. Think this is the first time I’ve encountered political yard signs about a recount?
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Columbia President with NEW details:
5 DHS agents entered a residency with no warrant.
They said they were police looking for a missing kid.
Security camera even captures them showing pictures of the "kid."
A campus officer asked for a warrant & their boss.
They ignored him & took the student.
5 DHS agents entered a residency with no warrant.
They said they were police looking for a missing kid.
Security camera even captures them showing pictures of the "kid."
A campus officer asked for a warrant & their boss.
They ignored him & took the student.
February 27, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Columbia President with NEW details:
5 DHS agents entered a residency with no warrant.
They said they were police looking for a missing kid.
Security camera even captures them showing pictures of the "kid."
A campus officer asked for a warrant & their boss.
They ignored him & took the student.
5 DHS agents entered a residency with no warrant.
They said they were police looking for a missing kid.
Security camera even captures them showing pictures of the "kid."
A campus officer asked for a warrant & their boss.
They ignored him & took the student.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
January 22, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
🙄
June 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
🙄
Reposted by Beth Lowder
The Mob Boss isn’t happy with Tillis voting against his budget.
June 29, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The Mob Boss isn’t happy with Tillis voting against his budget.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
In case folks missed it, many UVa departments, including mine, posted this statement on our websites a month or two ago:
June 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
In case folks missed it, many UVa departments, including mine, posted this statement on our websites a month or two ago:
Reposted by Beth Lowder
NYC friends—we have an exciting piece of news to add to your day: Registration for our anti-criminalization Communiversity is officially LIVE! 🎊
Workshops and classes will take place this August to November, and are for NYC-based folks. Learn more: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversity
Workshops and classes will take place this August to November, and are for NYC-based folks. Learn more: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversity
June 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
NYC friends—we have an exciting piece of news to add to your day: Registration for our anti-criminalization Communiversity is officially LIVE! 🎊
Workshops and classes will take place this August to November, and are for NYC-based folks. Learn more: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversity
Workshops and classes will take place this August to November, and are for NYC-based folks. Learn more: www.interruptingcriminalization.com/communiversity
Reposted by Beth Lowder
Oh gosh. This is LITERALLY 95% of all Central Asian and Caucasus language education in the US and Canada (and like 75% of US+Canada+Western Europe) happens. This is an actual national security issue, beyond the academic loss. All of us that study former USSR went through their programs.
This is very, very bad.
A new state law will likely force the closure of hundreds of low-enrollment programs at Indiana University. The cutoff is 15 graduates/year for undergrad majors, 7 for Masters programs, and 3 for PhD programs, averaged over 3 years.
wfiunews.wordpress.com/2025/06/24/h...
A new state law will likely force the closure of hundreds of low-enrollment programs at Indiana University. The cutoff is 15 graduates/year for undergrad majors, 7 for Masters programs, and 3 for PhD programs, averaged over 3 years.
wfiunews.wordpress.com/2025/06/24/h...
Hundreds of IU degree programs at risk of disappearing
By Ethan Sandweiss Indiana University could lose hundreds of degree programs as part of compliance with an array of new laws affecting higher education that passed at the 11th hour of the legislati…
wfiunews.wordpress.com
June 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Oh gosh. This is LITERALLY 95% of all Central Asian and Caucasus language education in the US and Canada (and like 75% of US+Canada+Western Europe) happens. This is an actual national security issue, beyond the academic loss. All of us that study former USSR went through their programs.
Reposted by Beth Lowder
The 2025 Summer Institute presents a crucial opportunity for AAUP & AFT members to learn how to fight back against attacks on higher ed while continuing to advance our shared vision for the future.
Attendance is FREE for AAUP & AFT members!
Join us!
Register Here! ⬇️
www.aaup.org/event/2025-a...
Attendance is FREE for AAUP & AFT members!
Join us!
Register Here! ⬇️
www.aaup.org/event/2025-a...
June 23, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The 2025 Summer Institute presents a crucial opportunity for AAUP & AFT members to learn how to fight back against attacks on higher ed while continuing to advance our shared vision for the future.
Attendance is FREE for AAUP & AFT members!
Join us!
Register Here! ⬇️
www.aaup.org/event/2025-a...
Attendance is FREE for AAUP & AFT members!
Join us!
Register Here! ⬇️
www.aaup.org/event/2025-a...