The Progressive South
@progsouth.bsky.social
Progressive news and views from across the Southern U.S.
Across the South — and especially in Florida, home to Moms for Liberty, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz — MAGA has spent the last 5 years attacking and demonizing librarians, teachers, LGBTQ people and other innocent parties for "sexualizing" and "grooming" children.
November 13, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Across the South — and especially in Florida, home to Moms for Liberty, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz — MAGA has spent the last 5 years attacking and demonizing librarians, teachers, LGBTQ people and other innocent parties for "sexualizing" and "grooming" children.
ICE detainees report overcrowding and abusive conditions at Pine Prairie center in Louisiana. We looked at ICE detention in Louisiana here: theprogressivesouth.org/headlights-e...
Conditions at La. ICE lockup worsening as detained population grows under Trump, immigrant rights advocates say - Verite News New Orleans
The Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center appears to have been operating well over its contracted capacity since April.
veritenews.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
ICE detainees report overcrowding and abusive conditions at Pine Prairie center in Louisiana. We looked at ICE detention in Louisiana here: theprogressivesouth.org/headlights-e...
Reposted by The Progressive South
#Louisiana State Rep. Terry Landry Jr. has hope for the future of our democracy 🌟.
🎙️ "Real change happens through the work, relentless work of the people."
Haven't listened to the latest episode of the SPLC's #ApathyIsNotAnOption podcast? Listen today 📲: https://bit.ly/4kkwX7U
🎙️ "Real change happens through the work, relentless work of the people."
Haven't listened to the latest episode of the SPLC's #ApathyIsNotAnOption podcast? Listen today 📲: https://bit.ly/4kkwX7U
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
#Louisiana State Rep. Terry Landry Jr. has hope for the future of our democracy 🌟.
🎙️ "Real change happens through the work, relentless work of the people."
Haven't listened to the latest episode of the SPLC's #ApathyIsNotAnOption podcast? Listen today 📲: https://bit.ly/4kkwX7U
🎙️ "Real change happens through the work, relentless work of the people."
Haven't listened to the latest episode of the SPLC's #ApathyIsNotAnOption podcast? Listen today 📲: https://bit.ly/4kkwX7U
What did last week's elections mean for the South? We brought in @votegloriaj.bsky.social — one of the Tennessee Three — to talk about it. Also: her thoughts on Trump's pardon of felonious former TN House Speaker Glen Casada.
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-29...
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-29...
Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South: Ep. 29: Signs at the Ballot Box
SYNOPSIS: Democratic candidates romped in Virginia last week, and scored some significant wins in Mississippi and Georgia as well. What does that mean to politics in the rest of the South? It’s compli...
sites.libsyn.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
What did last week's elections mean for the South? We brought in @votegloriaj.bsky.social — one of the Tennessee Three — to talk about it. Also: her thoughts on Trump's pardon of felonious former TN House Speaker Glen Casada.
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-29...
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-29...
It is an amazing time to be a corrupt politician facing jail time. You finally have a president who understands you. He feels your pain!
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/forme...
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/forme...
Former Tennessee Speaker Casada, ex-chief of staff reportedly pardoned • Tennessee Lookout
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff reportedly received presidential pardons Thursday. .
tennesseelookout.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It is an amazing time to be a corrupt politician facing jail time. You finally have a president who understands you. He feels your pain!
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/forme...
tennesseelookout.com/briefs/forme...
This week on HEADLIGHTS: A talk with Eva Posner at @evincocampaigns.bsky.social about what it takes to run a successful progressive campaign in the South. Also: the impact of lost SNAP benefits. theprogressivesouth.org/headlights-e...
November 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This week on HEADLIGHTS: A talk with Eva Posner at @evincocampaigns.bsky.social about what it takes to run a successful progressive campaign in the South. Also: the impact of lost SNAP benefits. theprogressivesouth.org/headlights-e...
Kind of an eye-popping look at the power behind North Carolina's Supreme Court.
"He’s packed higher and lower courts with former clerks and mentees whom he’s cultivated at his Bible study, prayer breakfasts and similar events. His political muscle is backed by his family’s ..."
"He’s packed higher and lower courts with former clerks and mentees whom he’s cultivated at his Bible study, prayer breakfasts and similar events. His political muscle is backed by his family’s ..."
NEW: Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power.
Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state.
By @dougbockclark.bsky.social
Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state.
By @dougbockclark.bsky.social
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Kind of an eye-popping look at the power behind North Carolina's Supreme Court.
"He’s packed higher and lower courts with former clerks and mentees whom he’s cultivated at his Bible study, prayer breakfasts and similar events. His political muscle is backed by his family’s ..."
"He’s packed higher and lower courts with former clerks and mentees whom he’s cultivated at his Bible study, prayer breakfasts and similar events. His political muscle is backed by his family’s ..."
Good news from S.C.: "With more than 20 miles of land along the Santee, Black and Pee Dee rivers, preventing development will help reduce flooding. At least 115 plant and animal species considered a priority for protection also live on the protected land, according to Open Space Institute."
SC closes deal on largest-ever conservation easement scdailygazette.com/briefs/sc-cl... by @sky-latte.bsky.social
SC closes deal on largest-ever conservation easement • SC Daily Gazette
The public will have access to around 7,500 acres of the land, which spans parts of Georgetown, Williamsburg and Marion counties.
scdailygazette.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Good news from S.C.: "With more than 20 miles of land along the Santee, Black and Pee Dee rivers, preventing development will help reduce flooding. At least 115 plant and animal species considered a priority for protection also live on the protected land, according to Open Space Institute."
What are the prospects for progress in Texas? Who better to talk to than @progresstexas.bsky.social? @chrismosser.bsky.social is the guest on this week's Headlights, talking Lone Star politics and media. Link below.
October 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
What are the prospects for progress in Texas? Who better to talk to than @progresstexas.bsky.social? @chrismosser.bsky.social is the guest on this week's Headlights, talking Lone Star politics and media. Link below.
On this week's HEADLIGHTS: Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell on the state's gun death statistics — and why they're among the worst in the country. Also, a remembrance of what the late great D'Angelo meant to his hometown of Richmond, Va. — and what it meant to him.
Ep. 26: Tennessee's Gun Deaths
Podcast Episode · Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South · 10/20/2025 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:46 PM
On this week's HEADLIGHTS: Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell on the state's gun death statistics — and why they're among the worst in the country. Also, a remembrance of what the late great D'Angelo meant to his hometown of Richmond, Va. — and what it meant to him.
The South's war on libraries continues: "In what intellectual freedom advocates have seen coming for months, a Texas school district has just shut down access to all secondary school libraries for students due to the regulations of the state’s Senate Bill 13."
A Texas District Has Just Banned Students from Secondary School Libraries
In order to ban books from its libraries, New Braunfels Independent School District has just closed its libraries to middle and high schoolers.
bookriot.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The South's war on libraries continues: "In what intellectual freedom advocates have seen coming for months, a Texas school district has just shut down access to all secondary school libraries for students due to the regulations of the state’s Senate Bill 13."
Florida's ongoing assault on free speech continues. Two grandparents who sent a signed postcard critical of the state's chief financial officer were visited at home by state law enforcement officers. These are police-state tactics aimed at people engaged in free expression.
Editorial: CFO Ingoglia says he hates waste – then sends gun-toting officers to ‘investigate’ a postcard trib.al/mGjUv5B
Editorial: CFO Ingoglia says he hates waste – then sends gun-toting officers to ‘investigate’ a postcard
When Floridians criticize their elected (or unelected) officials, they shouldn’t have to fear armed law enforcement showing up at their front doors. But that’s exactly what happened to a Largo coup…
trib.al
October 14, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Florida's ongoing assault on free speech continues. Two grandparents who sent a signed postcard critical of the state's chief financial officer were visited at home by state law enforcement officers. These are police-state tactics aimed at people engaged in free expression.
R.I.P. D'Angelo, a native of Richmond, Va., whose music was soaked in Southern soul and funk. One of the greats.
variety.com/2025/music/n...
variety.com/2025/music/n...
D’Angelo, Neo-Soul Pioneer and ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ Singer, Dies at 51
Legendary R&B singer D'Angelo, who released three albums throughout his career, has died. He was 51.
variety.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
R.I.P. D'Angelo, a native of Richmond, Va., whose music was soaked in Southern soul and funk. One of the greats.
variety.com/2025/music/n...
variety.com/2025/music/n...
This week: great conversation with Texas state Sen. @saraheckhardttx.bsky.social about Lone Star politics: the redistricting fight, the Texas non-voter problem, and where she sees opportunities. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
October 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This week: great conversation with Texas state Sen. @saraheckhardttx.bsky.social about Lone Star politics: the redistricting fight, the Texas non-voter problem, and where she sees opportunities. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
This week: @corbintrent.bsky.social on "America's Undoing" and why Democrats are being too timid in pushing for a popular, populist progressive agenda. Also: How the right-wing media outrage machine works, and a memoriam for the late great Arkansas drag queen and club owner Norman Jones.
Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South: Ep. 24: 'America's Undoing' and the Right-Wing Message Machine
SYNOPSIS: In the South, the prospects for progressive causes and candidates can be daunting. But Corbin Trent thinks the answer is not to back down or dilute their messages — it’s to take strong, bold...
sites.libsyn.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This week: @corbintrent.bsky.social on "America's Undoing" and why Democrats are being too timid in pushing for a popular, populist progressive agenda. Also: How the right-wing media outrage machine works, and a memoriam for the late great Arkansas drag queen and club owner Norman Jones.
Reposted by The Progressive South
Arkansas native Norman Jones, a towering drag performer who won the first-ever Miss Gay America pageant and the driving force behind some of the state’s most beloved gay clubs, died Monday at the age of 79.
Norman Jones, drag legend and gay bar proprietor, has died - Arkansas Times
Arkansas native Norman Jones, a towering drag performer who won the first-ever Miss Gay America pageant and the driving force behind some of the state’s most beloved gay clubs, died Monday at the age ...
arktimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Arkansas native Norman Jones, a towering drag performer who won the first-ever Miss Gay America pageant and the driving force behind some of the state’s most beloved gay clubs, died Monday at the age of 79.
Good news from Georgia, although a referendum is still to come.
Tuesday, Georgia’s highest court sided with Black landowners in a fight over zoning changes that weakened long-standing protections for one of the South’s last Gullah Geechee communities founded by emancipated Black people.
Read more: https://bit.ly/486yuuv
Read more: https://bit.ly/486yuuv
Georgia's highest court sides with slave descendants fighting to protect threatened island community
Georgia's highest court is siding with Black landowners in a zoning dispute affecting a historic Gullah-Geechee community.
apnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Good news from Georgia, although a referendum is still to come.
On this week's HEADLIGHTS: an interview with the reporter and author Alexis Okeowo, a contributing writer for The New Yorker who has a great new book out called BLESSINGS AND DISASTERS: A STORY OF ALABAMA. Part memoir, part history, part deeply reported consideration of her complex home state.
September 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
On this week's HEADLIGHTS: an interview with the reporter and author Alexis Okeowo, a contributing writer for The New Yorker who has a great new book out called BLESSINGS AND DISASTERS: A STORY OF ALABAMA. Part memoir, part history, part deeply reported consideration of her complex home state.
"Literacy is much more than the ability to read. Literacy is what results from repeatedly exercising that skill with a wide range of books. Learning. Empathy. A broader understanding of the world and the people in it.
The Alabama Public Library Service Board does not seem to like that."
The Alabama Public Library Service Board does not seem to like that."
Alabama's state library board seems hostile to literacy | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Legislature is trying to raise reading scores as the Alabama Public Library Service is trying to limit what you can read.
alabamareflector.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
"Literacy is much more than the ability to read. Literacy is what results from repeatedly exercising that skill with a wide range of books. Learning. Empathy. A broader understanding of the world and the people in it.
The Alabama Public Library Service Board does not seem to like that."
The Alabama Public Library Service Board does not seem to like that."
A Georgia journalist was detained while reporting on an anti-ICE protest, and DHS has reopened an old immigration case against him. He now faces deportation.
georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/23/i...
georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/23/i...
ICE officials, attorneys for Mario Guevara spar over the Georgia journalist’s immigration history • Georgia Recorder
Mario Guevara's lawyers asked a federal court on Monday for his release and to halt any potential deportation while in ICE's custody.
georgiarecorder.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
A Georgia journalist was detained while reporting on an anti-ICE protest, and DHS has reopened an old immigration case against him. He now faces deportation.
georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/23/i...
georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/23/i...
None of the reports from DHS so far have even mentioned the names of the actual people shot — one killed — at the Dallas ICE facility yesterday. This is because humanizing detainees in any way works against the desensitization and dehumanization necessary to sustain the mass deportation project.
September 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
None of the reports from DHS so far have even mentioned the names of the actual people shot — one killed — at the Dallas ICE facility yesterday. This is because humanizing detainees in any way works against the desensitization and dehumanization necessary to sustain the mass deportation project.
Great conversation this week with Leah Song of Rising Appalachia — on music, activism, and bringing people together in tough times.
Also: What the National Guard deployment to Memphis signals for cities in Southern states.
youtu.be/4O4zUEgjT1g
Also: What the National Guard deployment to Memphis signals for cities in Southern states.
youtu.be/4O4zUEgjT1g
Ep. 22: Rising Appalachia
YouTube video by The Progressive South
youtu.be
September 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Great conversation this week with Leah Song of Rising Appalachia — on music, activism, and bringing people together in tough times.
Also: What the National Guard deployment to Memphis signals for cities in Southern states.
youtu.be/4O4zUEgjT1g
Also: What the National Guard deployment to Memphis signals for cities in Southern states.
youtu.be/4O4zUEgjT1g
Thanks to contributor Glenn Daigon for this account of a successful union action by school bus drivers in Richmond, Va.
theprogressivesouth.org/learning-fro...
theprogressivesouth.org/learning-fro...
Learning From a Union Win in Richmond – The Progressive South
theprogressivesouth.org
September 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thanks to contributor Glenn Daigon for this account of a successful union action by school bus drivers in Richmond, Va.
theprogressivesouth.org/learning-fro...
theprogressivesouth.org/learning-fro...
This week: Guns and gun violence in the South, and why the right never wants to talk about it. Also: Great conversation w/Katie Blankenship of Sanctuary of the South, on providing legal help to immigrants in our chaotic moment.
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-21...
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-21...
Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South: Ep. 21: Guns and Sanctuary in the South
SYNOPSIS: In the wake of the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week, blame flew in multiple directions. As usual, nobody on the right wanted to talk about guns. But Kirk’s wasn’t even ...
sites.libsyn.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
This week: Guns and gun violence in the South, and why the right never wants to talk about it. Also: Great conversation w/Katie Blankenship of Sanctuary of the South, on providing legal help to immigrants in our chaotic moment.
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-21...
sites.libsyn.com/576820/ep-21...
Good news for Cop City protesters! The racketeering charges were a clear overreach that tried to frame political protests as an illegal conspiracy. But this is a mostly procedural ruling, and prosecutors will probably appeal.
Judge will dismiss racketeering charges against ‘Cop City’ protesters
A Fulton County judge said Tuesday he will dismiss racketeering charges against all 61 defendants accused of trying to stop construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center, commonly referred to by critics…
A Fulton County judge said Tuesday he will dismiss racketeering charges against all 61 defendants accused of trying to stop construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center, commonly referred to by critics…
Judge will dismiss racketeering charges against ‘Cop City’ protesters
A Fulton County judge said Tuesday he will dismiss racketeering charges against all 61 defendants accused of trying to stop construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center, commonly referred to by critics as “Cop City.” According to the Associated Press (via GPB News), Superior Court Judge Kevin Farmer ruled that Republican Attorney General Chris Carr lacked the authority to bring the sweeping 2023 indictments under Georgia’s RICO law without authorization from Gov. Brian Kemp. The case was believed to be the largest racketeering prosecution ever brought against protesters in U.S.
roughdraftatlanta.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Good news for Cop City protesters! The racketeering charges were a clear overreach that tried to frame political protests as an illegal conspiracy. But this is a mostly procedural ruling, and prosecutors will probably appeal.