Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Ian James

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 7h

Authorities will announce an arrest in connection with the devastating Palisades fire, law enforcement sources said, and are expected to announce a cause of the blaze.

Arrest made in Palisades fire, sources say

Authorities will announce an arrest in connection with the devastating Palisades fire, law enforcement sources said, and are expected to announce a cause of the blaze.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Ian James

Rachel Uranga @racheluranga.bsky.social · 6h

In the fire zones, an immigrant workforce warily carries out cleanup

@cshalby.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/california/s...

In the fire zones, an immigrant workforce warily carries out cleanups

Months after the Eaton fire, a largely immigrant workforce clears homes of ash and debris in Altadena amid health risks and threat of immigration raids.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 6h

In conflict-ravaged Myanmar, the Trump administration’s cuts in aid are causing terrible suffering. “It is not only me — many more children in other camps have also died helplessly from hunger.” apnews.com/article/myan...

Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.

apnews.com

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Stuart Leavenworth @sleavenworth.bsky.social · 17h

“Never before have we issued a joint public warning like this. But the unprecedented threat that RFK Jr’s policies pose to the nation’s health cannot be ignored.”

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.

We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Melissa Gomez @melissagomez.bsky.social · 1d

Californian detained on Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Jordan from Israel prison, by @suhauna.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Californian detained on Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Jordan from Israel prison

Israeli naval forces intercepted aid vessels headed to Gaza, taking into custody Southern California native David Adler, among other passengers and crew.

www.latimes.com

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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 2d

Two of the most common climate misconceptions I see, even among knowledgeable folks, are that (1) most people aren't worried about climate change, and (2) if they were, they'd act.

Not true! Data show (1) most people are worried, but (2) they won’t act if they don’t know what to do-and most don’t.

A map of the world showing how levels of worry in most countries are greater than 70%. Source: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, International Public Opinion on Climate Change, 2023.

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Susanne Rust @susrust.bsky.social · 5d

Historic number of marine mammals died along CA coast this year. Anomaly? Or a sign that our oceans are changing too fast to support these guys? Hats off to the exhausted and traumatized volunteers working tirelessly since spring #marinemammalcenter #strandingnetwork www.latimes.com/environment/...

Marine mammals are dying in record numbers along the California coast

It's been a doozy of a year for marine mammals, who have been dying in record numbers along the California coast. Volunteer rescue crews are traumatized and fatigued, but refuse to give up.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 7d

New research shows the glaciers of the Sierra Nevada have probably existed since the last Ice Age more than 11,000 years ago. The remnants of these glaciers are projected to disappear in the coming decades as temperatures continue to rise. www.latimes.com/environment/...

As California glaciers disappear, people will see ice-free peaks exposed for the first time in millennia

The glaciers of California's Sierra Nevada are disappearing as temperatures rise. Scientists recently found that the glaciers probably have never before melted in human history.

www.latimes.com

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Lawrence Culver @lawrencecphd.bsky.social · 3d

Sierra glaciers dwindle, changing environments, threatening water supplies, and erasing cultural history:

“Ultimately, it’s telling us that we’ve left the bounds of so-called normal. We’re crossing the line in the sand from what glaciers have done, for basically all of human recorded history.”

Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 7d

"When these glaciers die off, we will be the first humans to see ice-free peaks in Yosemite." www.latimes.com/environment/...

As California glaciers disappear, people will see ice-free peaks exposed for the first time in millennia

The glaciers of California's Sierra Nevada are disappearing as temperatures rise. Scientists recently found that the glaciers probably have never before melted in human history.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 3d

Thank you very much.

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Reposted by Ian James

Rebecca Ellis @rellis.bsky.social · 4d

California lawmakers are demanding an audit of LA County’s $4-billion sex abuse settlement and a State Bar investigation into a law firm that represents thousands of alleged victims

The call comes after plaintiffs told The Times they were paid to sue

www.latimes.com/california/s...

Officials demand investigation into claims that plaintiffs were paid to sue L.A. County

Officials are voicing outrage after a Los Angeles Times investigation found that some plaintiffs in a sex abuse settlement claimed they received cash to sue L.A. County.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 4d

The latest on the explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo:

While the company said there were no air pollution “exceedances” recorded along its fence-line motioning system, air quality officials said some spikes of dangerous chemicals were detected. www.latimes.com/california/s...

'I thought we got nuked or something.' Massive explosion, fire at Chevron refinery rocks El Segundo

An explosion on Thursday night ignited massive flames at the El Segundo refinery. The fire could be seen for miles.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 4d

Op-Ed by legal scholars: “By allowing a further erosion of the limits on seizures, the Court entrenches a system in which the scope of one’s constitutional rights depends upon the color of one’s skin.” www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Contributor: The 4th Amendment will no longer protect you

Thanks to the Supreme Court, now there is no real limit on police seizures. People of color will bear the brunt of this regime, including immigrants who are already subject to raids.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Ian James

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 4d

"An FBI agent was relieved of duty for declining to arrange a 'perp walk' of the bureau's former director, James Comey, in front of news media cameras after Comey was federally charged last month..."

FBI agent relieved of duty over refusing Comey perp walk, four people familiar say

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An FBI agent was relieved of duty for declining to arrange a "perp walk" of the bureau's former director, James Comey, in front of news media cameras after Comey was federally ch...

www.yahoo.com

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Reposted by Ian James

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · 4d

Officials demand investigation into claims that plaintiffs were paid to sue L.A. County

Officials are voicing outrage after a Los Angeles Times investigation found that some plaintiffs in a sex abuse settlement claimed they received cash to sue L.A. County.

www.latimes.com

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Rebecca Ellis @rellis.bsky.social · 6d

It's the biggest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history.

Seven people told The Times they were paid to sue.

Some of them say they were told to fabricate the claims, which are now part of LA County's $4 billion settlement.

www.latimes.com/california/s...

In the biggest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history, some claim they were paid to sue

Seven people told The Times they were paid to sue L.A. County over sex abuse, raising questions about whether some claims that led to a record $4-billion settlement may have been colored by the promis...

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 5d

Thank you for sharing your comments on that, Jim.

Reposted by Ian James

Carter Rubin @carterrubin.com · 5d

Thread from one of California's leading air quality experts.

Joe Lyou @jklyou.bsky.social · 5d

Chevron refinery in El Segundo exploded and burned last night. Here's the view from my house. Some things to know. 🧵

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 5d

There is "a failure of leadership" among state and federal officials as the Colorado River's crisis deepens, says Kyle Roerink of @greatbasinwater.bsky.social. "The fact that we’ve heard nothing from the Trump administration is troubling." www.latimes.com/environment/...

Millions rely on dwindling Colorado River — but are kept ‘in the dark’ about fixes, critics say

Negotiations aimed at solving the Colorado River's water shortage are at an impasse. Environmentalists are criticizing a lack of public information about the closed-door talks.

www.latimes.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 5d

"My father and his scientist colleagues warned that dams and water-intensive farming were unsustainable in a warming climate. But their voices were drowned out." Must-read essay by @nikahang.bsky.social in @time.com time.com/7321571/iran...

Iran's Water Crisis Is Its Greatest Threat

The collapse of water security in Iran has been decades in the making and is rooted in a mania for mega projects.

time.com

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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 5d

The flow of the Colorado River has shrunk about 20%, and its depleted reservoirs continue to decline. But talks aimed at addressing the shortage are at an impasse, and environmental groups say the lack of information about the closed-door negotiations is a problem. www.latimes.com/environment/...

Millions rely on dwindling Colorado River — but are kept ‘in the dark’ about fixes, critics say

Negotiations aimed at solving the Colorado River's water shortage are at an impasse. Environmentalists are criticizing a lack of public information about the closed-door talks.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Ian James

Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 5d

BREAKING🚨 Journalist Mario Guevara has officially been deported Friday from the United States back to his native El Salvador. This is a shameful erosion of press freedom in the U.S. — the first time that CPJ has documented this type of retaliation related to reporting.
cpj.org/2025/10/jour...

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Jennie Dusheck @solenodon.bsky.social · 5d

More fun facts about peat!

"Peatlands in Canada store ...[about as much] ...carbon ...[as] the Amazon rainforest. ...This peat carbon is old, often many thousands of years old, and we need it to stay in the ground and not release it to the atmosphere."

Dr Lorna Harris @lornaharris.bsky.social · 5d

Peatlands in Canada - 5 key facts.

These bogs, fens, permafrost peatlands & peat swamps are some of the most extensive boggy landscapes in the world.

More to come! I've been working on peatlands in Canada for over 10 yrs - so many more facts & stories to share!

open.substack.com/pub/peatpedi...

Peatlands in Canada – 5 key facts

A brief introduction to the vast and beautiful bogs, fens, and swamps of Canada

open.substack.com

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Andrew Couts @couts.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: ICE is planning to hire a team of nearly 30 people to surveil social media 24/7, build dossiers on people, and flag them for arrest and deportation. @dell.bsky.social has the scoop: www.wired.com/story/ice-so...

ICE Wants to Build Out a 24/7 Social Media Surveillance Team

Documents show ICE plans to hire dozens of contractors to scan X, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms to target people for deportation.

www.wired.com

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Grace Toohey @grace2e.bsky.social · 8d

The latest in a controversial plan to bring offshore oil back near Santa Barbara: the Texas-based firm pushing the project is considering a move that could avoid further California regulation -- after it's amassed lengthy legal and regulatory hurdles
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Texas firm proposes major change in California offshore oil project amid mounting troubles

Sable Offshore Corp. is looking to pivot away from a fraught network of pipelines that have faced increasing legal and regulatory scrutiny in California.

www.latimes.com

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