The witch hunt against Jason Arday, taking action against Flock, and Black August films worth watching.

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Jason Arday, a Black Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism, was found dead on Friday. The professor of sociology of education was under relentless scrutiny after accusations led by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the university following his critique of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that sparked widespread protests. His death is sparking more discussion about the racism and discrimination that Black people in positions of power – especially in academia – experience.

• Tyler Austin Harper outlines the systemic, ritualized dishonesty that undid the Cambridge professor. The Atlantic >

• Karen Attiah unpacks what Jason Arday's death by media mob says about the old machinery of anti-Black terror in the algorithmic age. The Golden Hour by Karen Attiah >

Flock announces changes amid backlash over its license plate reader network. After public outrage over the use of Flock Safety’s 120,000 cameras for digital surveillance, the company updated its policies, reducing the default data retention period to 7 days and making misuse detection mandatory for every customer. Despite this, advocates warn that the use of this technology still threatens our civil liberties.

• TAKE ACTION: Use this toolkit to tell ALPRs in your community to “Get the Flock Out!” ACLU >

• Here’s one of many examples of Flock leading an innocent man to be apprehended by police. Futurism >

The kids want Democratic socialism. A new poll focusing on young people’s political views finds that, by a two-to-one margin, they tend to support rather than oppose the idea of democratic socialism. Nearly 4 out of 5 respondents described the U.S. economy using negative terms. These views reflect the growing support for progressive Democrats who had big wins in recent state and local elections.

• Donavan McKinney, a democratic socialist who defeated two-term Congressmember Shri Thanedar in the House primary for Michigan’s 13th District, chats with Democracy Now about the upset. Democracy Now

• The Democrats’ 2028 presidential calendar places more weight on Black and Latino voters and unions, a strategy that may pay off. Los Angeles Times >

The U.S. has deported hundreds of children to cities in southern Mexico. Human rights organizations said the minors lack the resources to go home safely and that some may have died trying. Capital & Main >

A secret ICE agent tried to push Minneapolis activists toward confrontational tactics. An undercover agent attempted to steer Sunrise Movement activists in Minneapolis toward confrontation. The Intercept >

Fear of ICE forces immigrant New Yorkers into the shadows. An enforcement surge is driving immigrants to change daily routines and avoid work, school, and public spaces. Documented >

Five things you didn’t know about extreme heat in prison, jail and ICE detention. Experts share their best tips for investigating rising temperatures behind bars in a webinar from The Marshall Project’s Investigate This! Marshall Project >

A progressive Vermont prosecutor wins her primary. Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George defeated a challenger who ran on reversing her agenda, and plans to expand restorative justice, no-cash-bail, and limits on traffic-stop charges. Bolts >

After Flock cameras, local police now want autonomous drones. Hundreds of police departments have secured FAA waivers to fly AI-navigated surveillance drones, expanding automated policing. The Appeal >

Medicaid will stop paying for some gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The administration said Medicaid and CHIP will end federal funding for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatment for youth under 19, effective October 13, with hormones phased out by April 2027; states and private insurers may continue coverage. STAT >

Pacific Northwest tribal leaders describe defending an 1855 treaty. Leaders detail the work of upholding the Treaty of Point Elliott against federal neglect and reinterpretation. High Country News >

A Grist investigation questions a Texas "tribe" that raised millions in climate funding. Reporting found the state-recognized Carrizo/Comecrudo group raised over $5 million from environmental funders while lacking documentation of Indigenous ancestry or tribal continuity. Grist >

It’s Black August, the annual commemoration honoring Black freedom fighters, political prisoners, and resistance against oppression. Here are three films to watch that help contextualize the spirit and energy of the movement.

“The Alabama Solution” (2025)

This Academy Award-nominated documentary features a group of incarcerated men who defy the odds to expose a cover-up in one of the United States' deadliest prison systems. In this, you’ll see how they organize, how they were inspired by moments of resistance that define Black August as we know it today. Available on many streaming platforms. Learn more >

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee’s classic film tells the story of one hot summer day in a Black Brooklyn neighborhood. Racial tensions are explored through characters’ reactions to gentrification, white-owned businesses making money off of the Black community, and police violence. Watch free on YouTube >

The Black August Hip Hop Project (2010)

Directed by dream hampton in association with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, this documentary combines interview footage and concert performances to highlight political prisoners and the international Black solidarity movement. Watch on Vimeo >

Stories that inspire me to stay aware, engaged, and hopeful for tomorrow.

A Black-led program in Savannah teaches white Americans the history they missed. Tamara Johnson-Shealey's program pairs virtual instruction with field trips to Civil War and reparations-history sites around Savannah. Word In Black >

Minnesota's first multifamily passive-energy homes go on sale in Minneapolis. "Green on 14," a 10-townhome passive-house project built with the City of Lakes Community Land Trust, offers permanently affordable homes with roughly $8-a-month energy costs to buyers earning up to 80% of area median income. 66% of the land trust's homeowners are people of color. Sahan Journal >

Dallas Latino business owners rode the World Cup and kept the customers. Food-truck operators, bakers, and a 30-year-old soccer shop across Dallas–Fort Worth worked through equipment failures and logistics during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and came out with sales spikes and lasting new customers. palabra >

A first-generation CPS graduate votes in Chicago's first elected school board. Froylan Suarez, who grew up navigating language barriers and special-education cuts, explains why he's voting in the city's first fully elected school board election and pushing for bilingual and special-needs funding. Borderless Magazine >

More American dads are taking parental leave. In the 14 states plus D.C. with paid family leave, fathers are taking bonding leave at rates approaching mothers', with Colorado and Washington seeing the highest uptake. Reasons to be Cheerful >

Kolkata's wetlands treat a megacity's wastewater by design. The East Kolkata Wetlands naturally recycle roughly 900 million liters of wastewater daily, a working model of community-scale ecological infrastructure. Reasons to be Cheerful >