Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 3h

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Georgia Republicans are on edge as Democrats target 2 Public Service Commission seats

Republicans are leaning hard into the red-meat playbook to defend two little-known Public Service Commission members they fear could lose next month.

www.ajc.com

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

And my goal is to be on here more often as I was when I joined Bluesky. Sometimes you just need a break ... or need to spend time shaping your own path instead of falling down rabbit holes, even if they are #EnergySky and #ClimateSky rabbit holes.

It's nice to be back

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

Nobody knows what the future of journalism looks like - in terms of logistics, operations, format, consumption, etc. -- but I want to remain a part of it.

I fully believe our job is to hold the powerful to account, and that is what I intend to do moving forward.

1 1 1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

If you count my summer as a baby intern on the biz desk, this is my third time at the AJC.

I cannot believe it's been 11 years since i walked out of the newsroom for an amazing run at E&E News writing about the energy transition across the Southeast.

I am happy to build upon those experiences now

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

This means I'll be covering a range of topics that include Georgia's electricity mix and the political and economic factors driving that.

Will be back on the Business Desk (WOOHOO) and working alongside Drew Kann and others.

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

Have been keeping my head down while charting the next path of my career as an energy/climate/environmental journalist.

That also means I've been bad at my own PR.

But, as the byline notes, I have returned to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to write about climate issues in Georgia

1 1 7

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

A reminder that in Georgia, elections for two seats on the powerful (no pun intended) Georgia Public Service Commission, are next month.

(and some 'personal news' to follow)

Georgia PSC debate gets sparse turnout from candidates

Democrat Peter Hubbard answered questions and made his pitch to voters to elect him to the Georgia Public Service Commission. But three other candidates didn't show up.

www.ajc.com

1 1 2

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

www.stripes.com/branches/arm...

Army cancels Ten-Miler as government shutdown continues

The in-person Army Ten Miler — from the Pentagon and along a scenic route through Washington — will not proceed Sunday because of the shutdown.

www.stripes.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Anne Arundel County will formally apologize for its role in slavery

Anne Arundel County will issue a public apology for its role in instituting and supporting slavery. For the county executive, the direct descendant of people who enslaved others, it’s personal.

www.thebanner.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 2d

wow! Cannot wait to see what you will be up to, next, and I hope our paths cross soon!

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 2d

wapo.st/46GBH2J

White House offers ‘concierge’ service to fossil fuel firms, official says

Brittany Kelm, a senior policy adviser for the National Energy Dominance Council, detailed in a podcast how the council works to advance fossil fuel projects.

wapo.st

3 2

Reposted by Kristi E. Swartz

Axios @axios.com · 3d

SCOOP: Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.

Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay

A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.

www.axios.com

43 110 220

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 4d

appreciate this info and context, thank you.

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 4d

curious to see whether there's an actual misinformation/disinformation campaign behind these fears

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 4d

apnews.com/article/batt...

Fears of massive battery fires spark local opposition to energy storage projects

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being used to store power for electrical grids, but some localities are concerned about fire risks.

apnews.com

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 4d

insideclimatenews.org/news/0310202...

Eighteen Months After a Fatal Explosion, Alabama Rolls Back Its Commitment to Monitor Explosive Gases Above Coal Mines - Inside Climate News

In a letter to federal regulators, the director of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission wrote she has “indefinitely suspended” methane monitoring requirements her agency agreed to in 2024. Experts sa...

insideclimatenews.org

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 6d

www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...

Metro Atlanta journalist deported Friday after legal battle

Mario Guevara posted a video of his arrival to El Salvador.

www.ajc.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 7d

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Bari Weiss to be named top editor at CBS News

Paramount Skydance will acquire the journalist’s publication, the Free Press, which she started after quitting the New York Times in 2020.

www.washingtonpost.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 7d

apnews.com/article/chev...

Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery just outside of Los Angeles

Fire crews are battling massive flames at a Chevron refinery just outside of Los Angeles. Officials in El Segundo, California, urged people to stay indoors Thursday night.

apnews.com

1 4

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 7d

www.wabe.org/family-says-...

BREAKING: Family says Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara will be deported tomorrow

Mario Guevara, the Atlanta-based Spanish-language journalist who was arrested covering an anti-Trump protest, has been transported to a Louisiana immigration facility, from where his family said he wi...

www.wabe.org

3

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 7d

www.spglobal.com/market-intel...

Duke is eying large-scale #nuclear as part of the options to meet anticipated electricity demand that is eight times the rate of the previous 15 years

NIce read from @abbiebennett.bsky.social

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 8d

www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-can...

DOE cancels $7.6B in clean energy awards in states that voted against Trump

“Our democracy is badly broken when a president can illegally suspend projects for Blue states in order to punish his political enemies,” said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

www.utilitydive.com

1 1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 8d

an excellent thread about the shortage of gas turbines and why you should care

Stephen Stapczynski @sstapczynski.bsky.social · 8d

GAS TURBINE SHORTAGE 🚨⚡

Orders for turbines for natural gas power plants are vastly outpacing supply, threatening the world’s ability to keep pace with rising electricity demand

🧵 Thread on how we got here and what it means for power-hungry nations

www.bloomberg.com/features/202...

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 9d

www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...

Jane Goodall, primatologist and friend to chimpanzees, dies at 91

She used her global fame to draw attention to the plight of dwindling chimpanzee populations and, more broadly, to the perils of environmental destruction.

www.washingtonpost.com

1

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 9d

www.axios.com/2025/09/24/e...

"A lull in EV sales could be well-timed because it can take years to get a single charging station up and running.

A lull in EV sales? More time to build charging stations

Worries about where to charge have long been a hindrance to EV adoption.

www.axios.com

1 3