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The C-Note Monday, September 29 Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 7d

“It would require turning off 20 space missions in space now that are returning good science. Literally just turning them off and letting them tumble into the darkness.”

@caseydreier.bsky.social at @planetarysociety.bsky.social warns what could happen if proposed NASA science cuts take place.

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 9d

“It would require turning off 20 space missions in space now that are returning good science. Literally just turning them off and letting them tumble into the darkness.”

That’s what Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society told me about the proposed NASA science cuts.

Read more below:

Science on the chopping block, Black lawmakers resilient against political violence, and why worry changes nothing.

The C-Note Monday, September 22 Edition

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 12d

#LawAndOrderSVU got me in my feelings and we’re only 15 mins into the new season. Cragen. “I love you.” What???? 😭 #SVU

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 12d

CRAGEN?! 😭 #SVU

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 16d

“The ache isn’t a sign that I made the wrong choice; it’s proof of the depth of what I endured. It’s the echo of transformation.”

That’s what I write in The C-Note, marking three years since my hysterectomy. I also report on Palestine being recognized as a state and a radioactive food recall.

Violence against the press, Palestine recognized, a food safety scare, and a painful lesson from surgery.

Trump administration launches trial program to fast-track electric air taxis

Reposted by Chandelis Duster

NPR @npr.org · 23d

The FAA is seeking proposals for projects that will include piloted and unmanned operations with a focus on electric air taxis, also called an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

The FAA is seeking proposals for projects that will include piloted and unmanned operations with a focus on electric air taxis, also called an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Australia approves vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 23d

My reporting below:

NPR @npr.org · 23d

Chlamydia in koalas can cause blindness, infertility and even death.

Chlamydia in koalas can cause blindness, infertility and even death.

The C-Note, Monday September 15 Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 23d

“We have done nothing but are still being punished. How can we be safe if violence decides to target us for no reason?”

That’s what an Alabama State University student told me after terror threats hit HBCU campuses following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Read more in my newsletter below:

Black students under threat, a chlamydia vaccine for koalas and MLK's call to love in a divided nation.

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 28d

A note worth keeping close today. 🤍

The C-Note Monday, September 8 Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · 28d

In this week’s edition of my newsletter, I share a more personal report on the confusion surrounding the updated COVID-19 vaccines — and how it’s affecting not only the public, but me and my own family.

You can read it at the link below:

COVID-19 vaccine chaos, a postal traffic crisis, Jeeps recalled, and lessons on moving beyond past mistakes.

More than 90,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled over potential loss of drive power

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 8

Vehicles in other markets, including Canada and Mexico, will also be recalled, a spokesperson for Chryslers parent company Stellantis told me.

NPR @npr.org · Sep 8

Vehicles impacted by the recall include 2022 to 2026 plug-in hybrid electric models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Vehicles impacted by the recall include 2022 to 2026 plug-in hybrid electric models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Postal traffic to US drops more than 80% after trade exemption rule ends, UN agency says

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 8

Data between postal operators shows that traffic dropped 81% on Aug. 29 compared to a week earlier, according to the agency. More of my reporting below:

NPR @npr.org · Sep 7

The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Young Phillies fan is gifted swag after adult fan takes his home run ball

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 7

My latest reporting for NPR.

NPR @npr.org · Sep 7

A boy in the stands of a Philadelphia Phillies game thought he'd scored a baseball hit by Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader, until another fan insisted the ball was hers.

A boy in the stands of a Philadelphia Phillies game thought he'd scored a baseball hit by Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader, until another fan insisted the ball was hers.

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 4

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, just said during a hearing on Capitol Hill, that he does not know how many Americans died because of COVID-19.

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 1

Trying to scam someone out of money on their birthday is nasty work. Scamming someone out of money is just nasty work period.

The C-Note Monday, September 1 Special Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 1

It’s my birthday! 🎂 and this week’s The C-Note newsletter is live: flying risks, Osaka vs. Gauff, and a note on what birthdays keep teaching me. Read at the link below:

A warning in the skies, a clash of champions and birthday reflections.

Rudy Giuliani hospitalized with broken vertebrae after car accident, spokesperson says

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Sep 1

New Hampshire State Police said in a statement they were investigating a domestic violence incident on I-93 in Manchester before 10 p.m. ET when the crash occurred on the other side of the interstate. My reporting below.

NPR @npr.org · Aug 31

JUST IN: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized with a broken vertebrae after a car accident in New Hampshire, according to his spokesperson.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized with a broken vertebrae after a car accident in New Hampshire, according to his spokesperson.

Millions in West facing dangerous heatwave amid multiple wildfires

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Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Aug 25

Some places will see temperatures reaching over 100 degrees with little relief at night. Stay safe and hydrated everyone. My latest reporting for NPR:

NPR @npr.org · Aug 24

Parts of California, Oregon and Washington state will experience extreme heat at least through Tuesday, forecasters said.

Parts of California, Oregon and Washington state will experience extreme heat at least through Tuesday, forecasters said.

Hundreds march to White House to protest Trump's D.C. crackdown

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Aug 17

WH Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told me this when I asked about the protest and attendees who said they are fearful of the National Guard presence in DC: “Only DC liberals would be upset about efforts to stop violent crime - hopefully they were paid well to beclown themselves in public like this."

NPR @npr.org · Aug 17

Protesters marched to the White House on Saturday as D.C. Metropolitan Police officers and National Park Service police looked on from a distance.

Protesters marched to the White House on Saturday as D.C. Metropolitan Police officers and National Park Service police looked on from a distance.

The C-Note Monday, August 11 Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Aug 11

In my newsletter, The C-Note, this week:

• A nuclear reactor…on the moon?
• Putin steps onto U.S. soil.
• A church’s call to silence women voters.
• And… how being laid off by CNN changed everything — and why I’m grateful. 🙏🏾

📩 Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/chandeli...

Nuclear ambitions on the moon, a church’s call to silence women, Putin steps onto U.S. soil and how being laid off by CNN changed everything.

NASA plans to put a nuclear reactor on the moon. Here's what that means

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Aug 8

The Trump administration is accelerating plans to place a nuclear reactor on the moon to power a base for humans. @gbrumfiel.bsky.social and I breakdown how a nuclear reactor on the moon could work and more for @npr.org:

NASA is accelerating plans to have a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030.

www.npr.org

The C-Note Monday, July 28 Edition

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Jul 28

This week’s edition of The C-Note newsletter is out:

✊🏾 My chat with National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial
🏎️ Bubba Wallace making NASCAR history
🚀 A NASA employee exodus I reported on air & online for NPR
🩵 Encouragement for when your season feels anything but purposeful

📰 Read it below

Civil rights at a crossroads, history made on the racetrack, a NASA exodus and why no season is ever wasted.

USA swim team members recovering from stomach bug at world championships

Chandelis Duster @chandelis.bsky.social · Jul 27

The team's medical staff has been "treating those experiencing symptoms and advising the team on further preventative and recovery measures," Nikki Warner, senior communications director for USA Swimming, told me. More of my reporting below:

NPR @npr.org · Jul 27

Some USA swim team members have missed events during the competition.

Some USA swim team members have missed events during the competition.