Helen
@trainstar.bsky.social
I support buses and trains and living as COVID safe as possible.
Reposted by Helen
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
In 2025, Democrats Flipped 21 Percent of GOP-Held Legislative Seats - Bolts
Editor’s note: The article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the results of three special elections held in late December, none of which resulted in a partisan flip. At... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Last month, I wrote on all legislative races of 2025. There were still a few elections left in the year, however. But now, they're all done.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
And so we've updated the analysis:
—Democrats flipped 25 legislative seats in 2025.
That's 21% of the 119 GOP-held seats at play.
—The GOP flipped 0.
Reposted by Helen
The other 2 major hurricanes in my proposed study period? Congress authorized recovery funds within 2-3 weeks of the hurricanes' landfall.
January 1, 2026 at 8:26 PM
The other 2 major hurricanes in my proposed study period? Congress authorized recovery funds within 2-3 weeks of the hurricanes' landfall.
Reposted by Helen
Thinking about a grant proposal I wrote (evaluating health and healthcare outcomes among people affected by hurricanes in NC), and I'm thinking studies of Hurricane Helene are going to be complicated by the current administration's imposition of red tape, which has prolonged recovery efforts.
January 1, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Thinking about a grant proposal I wrote (evaluating health and healthcare outcomes among people affected by hurricanes in NC), and I'm thinking studies of Hurricane Helene are going to be complicated by the current administration's imposition of red tape, which has prolonged recovery efforts.
Reposted by Helen
i think the process for getting into certain fields (like medicine) punishes people who actually have the skills needed to be successful in that field
January 1, 2026 at 8:40 PM
i think the process for getting into certain fields (like medicine) punishes people who actually have the skills needed to be successful in that field
Reposted by Helen
Magic Johnson was the grand marshal of the Rose Parade today, and as someone who remembers his November 1991 HIV announcement: if you had told anybody that day that he would be alive and healthy 34+ years later, I don't think they would have believed you. Medicine and research—they work.
January 1, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Magic Johnson was the grand marshal of the Rose Parade today, and as someone who remembers his November 1991 HIV announcement: if you had told anybody that day that he would be alive and healthy 34+ years later, I don't think they would have believed you. Medicine and research—they work.
Reposted by Helen
One last fucked up 2025 scoop—FEMA has begun issuing termination notices to CORE staff (appointed under the Stafford Act, ordinarily extended for 2 years) effective Jan 2, agency sources tell me. Sr leadership was asked if they could be given more notice but Acting Administrator Karen Evans said no.
January 1, 2026 at 3:49 AM
One last fucked up 2025 scoop—FEMA has begun issuing termination notices to CORE staff (appointed under the Stafford Act, ordinarily extended for 2 years) effective Jan 2, agency sources tell me. Sr leadership was asked if they could be given more notice but Acting Administrator Karen Evans said no.
Reposted by Helen
They’re installing gates similar to this at certain train stops here in LA. They’re deeply unfriendly to transit riders.
January 1, 2026 at 9:19 PM
They’re installing gates similar to this at certain train stops here in LA. They’re deeply unfriendly to transit riders.
Reposted by Helen
These are really bad for kids! It is difficult for them to navigate through them especially younger kids. As if the world wasn’t already hostile enough to kids
January 1, 2026 at 1:02 PM
These are really bad for kids! It is difficult for them to navigate through them especially younger kids. As if the world wasn’t already hostile enough to kids
Reposted by Helen
Yeah but how can we get platform gates when we're concerned with stopping fare jumpers to the point of injuring children and turning the subway into an even bigger fire risk?
January 1, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Yeah but how can we get platform gates when we're concerned with stopping fare jumpers to the point of injuring children and turning the subway into an even bigger fire risk?
Reposted by Helen
Meanwhile no platform gates, which if done right and implemented widely could save lives
January 1, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Meanwhile no platform gates, which if done right and implemented widely could save lives
Reposted by Helen
Boston’s MBTA spent $1B on a new Cubic payment system & the contract flew through approvals
That’s enough to make the entire system fare-free for **2 full years**
But if you tried to spend $1B on that, we’d have years of bUt HoW wIlL wE pAy FoR iT hand wringing
That’s enough to make the entire system fare-free for **2 full years**
But if you tried to spend $1B on that, we’d have years of bUt HoW wIlL wE pAy FoR iT hand wringing
January 1, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Boston’s MBTA spent $1B on a new Cubic payment system & the contract flew through approvals
That’s enough to make the entire system fare-free for **2 full years**
But if you tried to spend $1B on that, we’d have years of bUt HoW wIlL wE pAy FoR iT hand wringing
That’s enough to make the entire system fare-free for **2 full years**
But if you tried to spend $1B on that, we’d have years of bUt HoW wIlL wE pAy FoR iT hand wringing
Reposted by Helen
Cubic is the Lyle Lanley of transit fare systems - they’ve sucked everywhere they’ve gone, but govts still shovel $1B at them, because the transit riders must be punished
Imagine if cities announced they were spending $1B on giant curbside gates to prevent parking meter evasion
Imagine if cities announced they were spending $1B on giant curbside gates to prevent parking meter evasion
January 1, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Cubic is the Lyle Lanley of transit fare systems - they’ve sucked everywhere they’ve gone, but govts still shovel $1B at them, because the transit riders must be punished
Imagine if cities announced they were spending $1B on giant curbside gates to prevent parking meter evasion
Imagine if cities announced they were spending $1B on giant curbside gates to prevent parking meter evasion
Reposted by Helen
In a speech full of great lines this was an all timer.
"For too long those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty."
- Mayor Mamdani.
- Mayor Mamdani.
January 1, 2026 at 9:11 PM
In a speech full of great lines this was an all timer.
Reposted by Helen
As a Minnesotan I feel obligated to note that while there was documented fraud with meal centers and housing vouchers, the only "evidence" that there is a systemic day care fraud remains the allegations of one right wing youtuber.
A little exhausting seeing this old story be reanimated nationally.
A little exhausting seeing this old story be reanimated nationally.
January 1, 2026 at 4:12 PM
As a Minnesotan I feel obligated to note that while there was documented fraud with meal centers and housing vouchers, the only "evidence" that there is a systemic day care fraud remains the allegations of one right wing youtuber.
A little exhausting seeing this old story be reanimated nationally.
A little exhausting seeing this old story be reanimated nationally.
Reposted by Helen
Happy new year!
Please help me start off this year right by meeting my needs.
I still need $481 to make December’s rent.
Please help/ share. Thank you.
CA: $AYUDAMUTUA911
KO-FI: ko-fi.com/amparodop/goal
GFM: gofund.me/85ebff72c
Please help me start off this year right by meeting my needs.
I still need $481 to make December’s rent.
Please help/ share. Thank you.
CA: $AYUDAMUTUA911
KO-FI: ko-fi.com/amparodop/goal
GFM: gofund.me/85ebff72c
January 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Happy new year!
Please help me start off this year right by meeting my needs.
I still need $481 to make December’s rent.
Please help/ share. Thank you.
CA: $AYUDAMUTUA911
KO-FI: ko-fi.com/amparodop/goal
GFM: gofund.me/85ebff72c
Please help me start off this year right by meeting my needs.
I still need $481 to make December’s rent.
Please help/ share. Thank you.
CA: $AYUDAMUTUA911
KO-FI: ko-fi.com/amparodop/goal
GFM: gofund.me/85ebff72c
Reposted by Helen
Sak passe! Happy Independence Day to the Haitian homies & thank you for lighting the way to Black liberation! 🇭🇹
January 1, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Sak passe! Happy Independence Day to the Haitian homies & thank you for lighting the way to Black liberation! 🇭🇹
Reposted by Helen
NEW: President Trump mentioned over 1,000 times in Epstein files, more than anyone else. (gift) www.miamiherald.com/article31290...
Epstein files reveal his obsession with Trump
The president is mentioned over a thousand times in sex trafficker’s emails
www.miamiherald.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
NEW: President Trump mentioned over 1,000 times in Epstein files, more than anyone else. (gift) www.miamiherald.com/article31290...
Reposted by Helen
One of the key things this Labour Government has done is aggressively pursue terrorism charges against (hundreds!) of people who haven't killed or blown up anything or anyone.
The UK Government is reviving terrorism charges against Irish rapper Mo Chara, his group Kneecap have said ⬇️
UK Government reviving terrorism charge against Irish rapper, group says
www.thenational.scot
January 1, 2026 at 10:58 AM
One of the key things this Labour Government has done is aggressively pursue terrorism charges against (hundreds!) of people who haven't killed or blown up anything or anyone.
Reposted by Helen
Reposted by Helen
Fire broke out at 0030 GMT in a bar called 'Le Constellation' in the resort in southwestern Switzerland, which locals said was popular with teenagers. The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remains unclear
January 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Fire broke out at 0030 GMT in a bar called 'Le Constellation' in the resort in southwestern Switzerland, which locals said was popular with teenagers. The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remains unclear
Reposted by Helen
A message for you all to carry through the year
January 1, 2026 at 6:32 AM
A message for you all to carry through the year
Reposted by Helen
😭😭😭
"Two of Florida’s most iconic coral species are now functionally extinct. The 2023–2024 marine heat wave wiped out 97.8% to 100% of staghorn and elkhorn corals across nearly 400 surveyed reefs, according to marine scientists.
buff.ly/x2BPOv5%22
buff.ly/x2BPOv5%22
2 iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds – we witnessed the reef’s bleaching and devastation
The crucial reef-building corals were decimated by a marine heat wave in the Florida Keys. Can advances in restoration help them recover?
buff.ly
January 1, 2026 at 5:35 AM
😭😭😭
Reposted by Helen
It’s almost like crime rates are not tied to the expansion or shrinkage of our carceral system
Portland sees 30% drop in shootings, lowest in 6 years
Portland sees 30% drop in shootings, lowest in 6 years
Portland recorded its lowest number of shooting incidents in six years, with gun violence declining by 30% in 2025.
www.kptv.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:17 AM
It’s almost like crime rates are not tied to the expansion or shrinkage of our carceral system
Reposted by Helen
REMEMBER
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
December 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
REMEMBER
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
Feliz Año Nuevo = Happy New Year
Feliz Ano Nuevo = Happy New Butthole
Reposted by Helen
Interesting thread on the origin of the MetroCard!
The retirement of the MetroCard at midnight tonight is bittersweet for me. In 1983, as a young lawyer, I took a year's leave of absence from my law firm to serve as special counsel to Richard Ravitch, chairman of the NY MTA. He gave me the task of leading a study ...
It's the final day of MetroCard sales—so as we say farewell to an icon, let's take a look at how it all started.
Thank you, MetroCard, for moving New York to the very last swipe.
Thank you, MetroCard, for moving New York to the very last swipe.
January 1, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Interesting thread on the origin of the MetroCard!