Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

sam

@wisconsam.bsky.social

580 followers 280 following 490 posts

Born 2 blog. Covering climate. News & UX u can use. Friend-aunt. Knitter. Of the prairie.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · Apr 14

Climate change is here, and it's killing people. But there are many ways local governments could choose to protect you and your neighbors. My latest:

yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/04/four...

Four ways your community can save lives during this summer’s heat waves » Yale Climate Connections

After cuts at FEMA and the National Weather Service, the role of local governments in protecting people from dangerous weather is growing even more important.

yaleclimateconnections.org

Reposted by sam

Gender Justice @genderjustice.us · 1d

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Chiles v. Salazar: Click through to learn what that could mean for folks in Minnesota and North Dakota.

For LGBTQ+ youth and families who've faced conversion therapy, we know this is heavy. You are seen, you are supported, and your safety matters.

Vertical image of supreme court facade with text on a dark teal background that reads: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case challenging Colorado’s law that protects minors from therapists who claim they can change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity if they just “try hard enough.” The Court’s decision could have far-reaching consequences, including for youth in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Text on a dark teal background that reads: Conversion therapy is a dangerous, discredited practice linked to anxiety, depression, and higher rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

It’s not a thing of the past. Conversion therapy is still happening in communities across the U.S.

Every major medical and mental health association condemns conversion therapy and supports laws protecting youth.

Text on a dark teal background that reads: Laws protecting minors from conversion have broad support.
23 states have banned the practice, including Minnesota. North Dakota prohibits licensed social workers from engaging in conversion therapy.

But, if the Supreme Court strikes down Colorado’s ban, states like ours could be barred from enforcing our bans, which would allow licensed mental health providers to engage in this harmful practice.

Vertical image of supreme court facade with text on a dark teal background that reads: The Supreme Court will issue its ruling in summer 2026. We’ll hold a SCOTUS Chat to break down the decision and what it means for youth in Minnesota, North Dakota, and beyond.

5 4

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 2d

something funny about billionaires, whether pop stars or paypal founders, attempting to project power and coming off so deeply insecure

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 2d

as the city shuts down more and more safe spaces for people who can't afford a place to live, more people are hanging out in the park near my house, and i just don't know how anyone can feel anything other than that we should just give them homes.

Reposted by sam

perla90.bsky.social @perla90.bsky.social · 2d

Join us tomorrow for a conversation on #kingtides and sea level rise!

Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 2d

Join us tomorrow! @climatecentral.org @drjeffmasters.bsky.social @johnmoralestv.bsky.social

yale.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

1 1

Reposted by sam

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...

5 260 420

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 7d

happy spooky szn from me & @climateconnections.bsky.social

3 8

Reposted by sam

Mark Gongloff @markgongloff.bsky.social · 8d

Yet another good reason for locals to resist data centers: "electricity now costs as much as 267% more for a single month than it did five years ago in areas located near significant data center activity"

Gift link from @bloomberg.com

www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

AI Data Centers Are Sending Power Bills Soaring

Wholesale electricity costs as much as 267% more than it did five years ago in areas near data centers. That’s being passed on to customers.

www.bloomberg.com

13 260 480

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 9d

Does anyone know why six cop SUVs with lights flashing are surrounding the Paterson BRT station while seemingly one cop talks to one man sitting on a bench inside

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 12d

really proud that we get to publish this essential read by @yessfun.com. Yessenia's commitment to the people who face the most violence right now, both in the U.S. and outside of it, should guide us all as we report on climate change in this time.

Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 12d

In the mountains of North Carolina, communities are doing what Trump’s government will not: helping undocumented survivors of Helene rebuild.

When Helene hit, they lost their homes. Under Trump, they could lose even more. » Yale Climate Connections

One year after massive flooding hit western North Carolina, immigrant families are rebuilding with little more than grit, neighbors, and community organizing – under an increasingly hostile government.

yaleclimateconnections.org

1 5 8

Reposted by sam

Ryan H. @ryan.blacksky.app · 21d

Audre told us.

"Despair is a tool of your enemies" - Audre Lorde quote in a political poster by me, laid over a red-winged blackbird singing in front of a blurry moon

4 470 1.1K

Reposted by sam

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 14d

If you were concerned about Kimmel, here's another for you…

Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest.

The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.

40 3.8K 6.4K

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 14d

i told the story of the chaotic time i was in a major flood (Cross Plains in 2018) whilst also dogsitting a giant newfoundland for @climateconnections.bsky.social 🐕‍🦺

yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/09/floo...

Flood insurance, extra dog food: How your editors are dealing with floods » Yale Climate Connections

As flooding gets more frequent and extreme, we've been directly affected.

yaleclimateconnections.org

3 4

Reposted by sam

Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 16d

Some people think ChatGPT has a place writing things like news briefs, stuff written to a specific style and tone and, y'know, kinda boring.

So Science did a study.

ChatGPT failed.

Why? It got stuff wrong. "Also, extensive editing for hyperbole was needed." www.science.org/content/blog...

Can ChatGPT help science writers?

www.science.org

11 210 420

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 17d

Maples barely starting to turn in Peninsula State Park, Door County

1 6

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 20d

Anyway my kite is coming along well

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 20d

The man teaching my kite class tonight said, “I don’t know if you’ve seen the news but it’s bad.” And it made me wonder what it would be like to have not seen the news for more than like one hour at a time lol

2 4

Reposted by sam

jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 20d

i remain resolute in my confidence we will win and it will be because we stuck together. dooming and fatalism is not how any of us will get out of this mess. i’m saying this as a veteran climate journalist who is a trans woman. if i have more hope than you, think of what that says about your view

31 530 2K

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 20d

no one ever knows what the thing will be that changes everything. it's probably a million things, many of which are already in progress. keep moving, don't fall prey to doomism