Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 21h

Great to see a city councillor openly explaining the rationale for decisions. Thank you Ottawa's @arieltroster.com.

Ariel Troster @arieltroster.com · 1d

A few words about the proposed Gladstone/Gilmour bike lane, why I refuse to pit cyclists and transit riders against each other, and how I am working to improve the plan that is currently out for public consultation.

Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons

Steve Mullis @stevemullis.net · 5d

At first, I thought this was some sort of protest before realizing it was just scientists being their awesome, nerdy selves

Jeffrey J. Hall @mrjeffu.bsky.social · 20d

Video: a Japanese scientist was attacked by flies while giving the acceptance speech for his Ig Nobel Prize-winning research paper that proved painting Zebra-like stripes on cows led to a decrease in biting fly attacks.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 5d

The Venn diagram circles of public transit and environmentalism have a lot of overlap. It's a shame both are considered "left" political issues now because both are just common sense and didn't used to be partisan.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 5d

Very cool project coming to some Ottawa parks! A free app lets you open a locker and use a ball, then return it.

Thanks to Canadian Tire JumpStart program for funding this. This locker program has been spreading through Europe, I hope it succeeds here.

Jeff Leiper 🛴🚲🚇♻️🚌📊 @jleiper.bsky.social · 5d

Laroche and Reid Park will get sports equipment lockers under the new Equip Sport program with Jump Start! Read all about that here: ottawa.ca/en/recreatio...

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 5d

Falconers are generally supportive of wildlife health programs.

Recent survey of U.S. falconers about rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). [rabbits are prey for many falconry birds]. Most falconers would alter their behaviour to reduce RHD transmission.
digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol17/is...
#falconry

Falconer Perceptions of, and Support for, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Biosecurity Actions

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious virus that primarily infects wild and domestic rabbits and hares (lagomorphs). In the United States, state wildlife agencies rely on s...

digitalcommons.usu.edu

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 6d

Excellent article John! I was skeptical that FC Supra could field a competitive team with just Quebecois players. But your article changed my mind, they could have a very strong roster!

Excited to see who they sign!

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 7d

I like the right. On the left it's zoomed out so the bears are small and hard to see what they are. The right is very clear what's going on. Also pretty.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 7d

Running: less drowny than swimming.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy @rollingreggie.bsky.social's YouTube videos. I like that he appreciates lighter-weight games. Those are the types of games I get to play with my family and friends, and there are some great ones. He's also really positive and seems like he's a good guy.

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Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons

Jennifer @jenwith1n.bsky.social · 9d

This episode made me think about how telling parents to monitor kids screen time is another example of expecting individuals to solve a societal problem - if we want to get kids off their phones we have to build a world where they have other options.

The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 9d

New episode up! We talked with researcher Tim Gill about how we need to make our cities safe for children, not cars. "Children are basically living very captive and kind of contained lives, and that's just not healthy."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 8d

I love Junior Hoilett. Consistently good for Canada.

But I wonder if he's not a great fit with Marsh's system. Hoilett is older - does he have the legs to press and still be productive? Could at least be a good sub to bring on when you need offence.

Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 8d

Congratulations Adam and Rob!

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 9d

Fantastic webpage of trophy info!

Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons

Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 11d

In 1885, Montreal was ravaged by smallpox.
To stem the spread of the disease that had killed thousands so far, public health officials enforced vaccinations. Those that mistrusted the vaccine rioted in the streets.
This is the story of the Montreal Smallpox Riots.

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An old-fashioned illustration depicting a group of people in a train compartment. A man in a suit is assisting a woman who appears to be unwell, adjusting her clothing or providing aid. Other passengers, including a woman seated and a child standing nearby, observe the scene. The setting includes detailed period clothing and interior design, with luggage and fabric draped around.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 11d

The improvements you suggest in this article seem like such easy wins. I wish we had the political and bureaucratic will.

Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

Peterborough men's over-35 league. Pretty much the pinnacle of sportive competitions.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

My team didn't make the finals this year. A new champion will be crowned within thirty minutes.

But until then, WE'RE STILL REIGNING CHAMPIONS BABY! 🍾🏆⚽

Me with trophy that I can't win this year.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

The Weathering Yard is the best magazine you've never heard of.

Published by the Ontario Hawking Club for falconers. Its distribution must be small, but the quality of its photos and stories is excellent. Well done to the falconers behind this magazine! #Falconry

Cover of the latest issue of The Weathering Yard. Shows a falconer and his bird and dog in the snow.

Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

This article focuses on US cities' bus purchases. It would be interesting to see how much holds true for Canadian cities too.

It blows my mind that customization (e.g., colour schemes) are responsible for SO MUCH of the price for cities' buses!

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 13d

In the US, even a “cheap” transit bus costs 2-3x more than in Asia or Europe -- and one agency may pay twice as much as another for nearly identical vehicles.

In Bloomberg, I explored a ripe opportunity to improve transportation by applying Abundance-coded, supply-side reforms.

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Why US Cities Pay Too Much for Transit Buses

A new paper argues that lack of competition, demand for custom features and “Buy America” rules have driven up costs for transit agencies in the US.

www.bloomberg.com

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

Congratulations Josh!!

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 12d

Most of us Ontarians know nothing about horse racing.
But we are subsidizing horse racing.

I recommend reading this article in @thelocal.to. I learned a lot about the industry and its financial dependence on Ontario government handouts. @nickhunebrown.bsky.social

Nick Hune-Brown @nickhunebrown.bsky.social · 13d

A quick 🧵 on my @thelocal.to feature on Woodbine Racetrack, the economics of horse racing, and how to think about racehorses as ideas about animal-human relations shift. #longreads 1/ thelocal.to/breakdown-at...

Breakdown at the Racetrack | The Local

Once a lucrative gambling business, Ontario's horse racing industry is now heavily subsidized by the government. As gamblers turn to online gaming, and ideas about animal welfare shift, a cluster of f...

thelocal.to

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Reposted by Jay Fitzsimmons

Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher, PhD @mbonsma.bsky.social · 15d

People arguing against speed cameras near schools and hospitals is some real cartoon villain shit

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 23d

Teenager: "I'm going to stay in school."

[bus fares become free]

Teenager: "That's it, I'm outta here."

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 23d

For sure! I took the bus between my Pickering high school and my coop placement. Seems unnecessarily complicated to give teens free transit only during certain hours.

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Jay Fitzsimmons @jayfitz.bsky.social · 29d

That's fair man! That's good of you to offer your expertise for cheap to good causes. Unsurprising because that's how you live.