Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Every @npr.org affiliate I listen to now in “we’re not kidding around” fundraising mode. (Also it’s fun to draw big phones). #cartoon

A fund drive scene, with a nerdy guy holding a mic & looking out at us, an array of desks behind him with staff talking into phones that are 10 times their normal size. The nerdy guy says “With recent changes, our fund drive is more important than ever. So we’ve switched to really big phones.”

October 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Happy final trailer day to those who celebrate! #wicked 🧙‍♀️👸

A couple sits on a couch having a meaningful conversation, holding hands. One of them says “If you’re not prepared to emotionally support me through the ‘Wicked’ sequel being released this fall, I need to know now.”

September 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

In today's @sevendaysvt.bsky.social! Inspired by bear encounter earlier this year. #cartoon #bear

An enormous bear stands patiently next to a hiker, who scrolls on his phone while saying “Hang on — I’m positive there’s an online mnemonic about how to react to you.”

August 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

NYT #connections making some wild choices lately

July 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

In a recent @sevendaysvt.bsky.social! Shout-out to the ONLY type of pizza delivery box I saw during my Long Island youth. #cartoon #pizza #inclusivity

A title over the cartoon reads “SUPPORTIVE PIZZA BOXES”. Below this, a standard pizza delivery box with an old guy in a chef’s hat giving the “chef’s kiss” gesture. The top text on the box says “YOU’VE TRIED ALL THE REST...” but the bottom text has a note taped over it, reading “...AND THEY’RE ALL PERFECTLY VALID AND DELICIOUS OPTIONS.”

June 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Happy father's day to those who celebrate!
#cartoon #fathersday #orb

A dad sits in his easy chair with a book, his pre-teen son stands before him. On the mantlepiece nearby are some family photos but also a mysterious glowing sphere under a glass case. Talking to his son, the father says “Of course you’re my biggest treasure, but the orb that fell from space and allows your dad to move things with his mind is pretty great, too.”

June 15, 2025 at 4:08 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

NPR is dear to my heart and after @arnieniekamp.bsky.social pointed out my tendency to recommend Fresh Air episodes, I’ve realized it’s about 90% of my personality. As lawmakers attempt to defund it, some @npr.org cartoons:

A helicopter is delivering a tote bag the size of a house to someone’s front door. A representative from Public Radio tells the occupant, “We really, really appreciate your generous donation.”

A radio interviewer is sitting near a microphone with a composed young woman. Behind them sits what looks like a pirate with parrots on his shoulder, holding a French horn. The interviewer says “My next guest is a thoughtful, promising young poet, but if that falls flat, we have a backup.”

A public radio announcer talks into a microphone in a studio, saying, “A quick reminder: while my voice may sound measured and reassuring, the actual news is still total batshit.”

June 13, 2025 at 5:04 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Scam texts getting closer to mapping out my entire motivational system

June 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Thanks @sevendaysvt.bsky.social for giving Aragorn humor a home. #cartoon #lotr

Two parents and their scruffy adult child sit on a sofa watching The Return of the King, where Aragorn leads the army of Gondor. One parent says, "...and by accepting his destiny, Aragorn did his part to help save the world. What we're saying, Kyle, is you've really got to move out."

June 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

It's Cartoon Covers day where New Yorker cartoonists "cover" each other's work, and I had the great pleasure of trying out the supreme badassery of @ngoziu.com!

Original on the right. Follow #nyercartooncovers to see them all.

The Justice League are all trying to take down a giant robot. In the middle of this, Green Lantern John Stewart holds a folder of papers and shouts "Look, just because we're in the middle of something doesn't mean we can't approve last week's meeting minutes and vote on the budget!"

The Justice League are standing amidst the wreckage of some concluded battle. Green Lantern John Stewart addresses everybody: "OK, I'm just gonna say it: The only time the league gets together is during catastrophes. We do not have enough time to discuss and vote on a budget during catastrophes."

May 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Who else caught this during the opening credits sequence?? They’re pretty much telling you how the show will end. (If you don’t see it, watch again. Watch until you see it. If you’re not seeing it, you don’t know how to watch television.) (5/6)

A dark image so blurry that it's impossible to pick out any details whatsoever.

March 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

Insane level of 3D chess storytelling here. IYKYK. 😉 (And if you're one of the muppets who said that recent episode was “boring”... have you considered that you were watching it through “boring” eyes?) (4/6)

An incredibly blurry image with no discernable details.

March 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM

Tim Sniffen

@mistersniffen.bsky.social

The way Patricia Arquette says lines of dialogue and uses her eyes to look at other actors or objects in the scene—it’s fair to say no one has managed this in the history of acting. Currently on my 3rd journal processing this moment (3/6)