Lauren Stephenson

Writer • Chicagoan • Wren’s 😻 roommate • Proud William & Mary alumna • Former 📺 journalist

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

I'm grateful for my 5+ years with @Newsy. I've worked with and learned from some of the smartest and most determined people whom I'm fortunate to call friends.

Thanks to Newsy and our viewers for the adventures and helping me fulfill a dream I've had since I was 4 years old. ❤️

[Brian Stelter @brianstelter]

A statement from the family of Alex Pretti, obtained by CNN:

"We are heartbroken but also very angry.

Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman.

The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.

Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you."

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

Vice President Kamala Harris leaves the Park Hyatt Chicago en route to deliver the most important speech of her career.

#DNC #DNC2024 #DemConvention #DemConvention2024 #DNC2024CHICAGO

[Joe Biden @JoeBiden]

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

President Biden doing what he has done his entire life — putting the needs of others and the nation before his own.

[Matisyahu @matisyahu]

I'm proud to share the official music video for my new song "Ascent" - the video was shot in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks at the site of the Nova Music Festival, and various Kibbutzim that were massacred on that horrific day.

Help me stand up to anti-semitism and share this video far and wide to show the world that we the Jewish people stand proud and that our light will not be put out 🕯️

#stopantisemitism #stopjewishhate #bringthemhome

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

The irony! A non-profit with “love” & “light” in its name is snuffing out a celebration of … love and light.

Disgusted it’s happening in Williamsburg, VA, a community I proudly called home. But I’m not surprised —#Antisemitism is everywhere. #Hanukkah

https://t.co/5z7aIhjuzz

[Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 @alexplitsas]

At no point was there a political statement made about a Palestinian state or historic grievances. Just pure, unadulterated, cruel violence and sociopathic laughter and enjoyment by those committing some of the most heinous crimes I’ve ever witnessed. They actually enjoyed it.

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

Important 🧵

[Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 @alexplitsas]

Having worked encounter terrorism at the Pentagon during the Isis fight, and as a psychological operation specialist who has conducted counterpropaganda, I can tell you unequivocally that what I saw was worse than the Isis videos I’ve had to review in the course of my duties.

[Yashar Ali 🐘 @yashar]

For the second time in 10 days, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby makes the position of the White House and the United States government clear: Israel is not engaged in genocide, but Hamas has engaged in genocide.

“This word genocide is getting thrown around in a pretty inappropriate way by lots of different folks. What Hamas wants, make no mistake about it, is genocide. they want to wipe Israel off the map, they’ve said so, publicly, on more than one occasion, in fact just recently. And they’ve said that they’re not going to stop. What happened on the 7th of October is going to happen again, and again, and again. And what happened on the 7th of October? Murder, slaughter, of innocent people in their homes, or at a music festival. That’s genocidal intentions. Yes, there are too many civilian casualties in Gaza, yes the numbers are too high, yes too many families are grieving, and yes we continue to urge the Israelis to be as careful and cautious as possible. That’s not gonna stop. From the president and right on down. But Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map, Israel is not trying wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So if we’re going to start using that word, fine, let’s use it appropriately.”

[Yonit Levi @LeviYonit]

The children of Kibbutz Be’eri tell their stories to @N12News reporter @gidonucko1.
This is what they saw on October 7th. This is what happened to their families. This is what they will live with forever.

[Jotam Confino @mrconfino]

I just saw indescribable, raw footage of Hamas’ massacre along with 100 other international journalists, provided by Israeli authorities. Here are the notes I took: 

1: Hamas terrorist screaming Allah Akhbah as he frantically tries to behead a dead man with a shovel.

[Rep. Jason Crow @RepJasonCrow]

This is false. And grotesque politics amidst a horrible situation. Facts:
1.Not ONE PENNY of that money has been transferred. All still in Doha.
2.These funds will NEVER go to Iran.
3.The money can ONLY be used for future purchase of humanitarian supplies.

No friend of Israel would politicize this attack.

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

@Givers1023 @MSKCancerCenter @AmericanU @AU_SPA @Braves You’ve got this 💪🏻 Sending you all our love!!

[Josh Gerstein @joshgerstein]

BREAKING: A grand jury just returned an indictment against a defendant who was not identified publicly even by initials or grand jury number. Was put under seal. A prosecutor who handles Jan. 6 matters, Molly Gaston, submitted what is believed to be Trump indictment.

[CSPAN @cspan]

Special Counsel Jack Smith Statement @TheJusticeDept – LIVE shortly on C-SPAN https://t.co/kVjvRpkJum

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

Sign of the times. No one really batted an eye.

Back in 2009, the chamber fell silent in shock after Rep. Joe Wilson screamed “You lie” at President Obama.

[CSPAN @cspan]

President Biden: "Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I'm not saying it's the majority."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: "Liar!"

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

Wausau, Tomahawk, Minocqua

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

It’s official: Kevin McCarthy has been elected Speaker of the House.

Biggs, Crane, Good, and Rosendale changed their votes to “present” on the 15th ballot.

Final vote:
McCarthy: 216
Jeffries: 212
Present: 6 #118thCongress

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

15th time’s the charm

[Lauren Stephenson @StephensonNews]

I wonder what deal they struck.

[Jacqueline Alemany @JaxAlemany]

Lawmaker tells his family to come back in the cloak room because they cut a deal and the votes going to happen & Gaetz is a yes on McCarthy.