Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Birder K

Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them) @jfmclaughlin92.bsky.social · 13h

Since the "well Alaska voted for Trump so they deserve it" crowd is out in force today:

Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them) @jfmclaughlin92.bsky.social · 13h

1) these areas of Alaska are pretty consistently blue, including in 2024. Harris won in the statehouse district including the worst-hit communities 50.8 to 39.

2) also, no one deserves to die in natural disasters, regardless of who they voted for

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T. Greg "Antifa General Counsel (Retired)" Doucette @gregdoucette.bsky.social · 13h

No surprise here IMO. Phil Berger needs a Trump endorsement, and giving His Royal Majesty at least one more Congresscritter is the price

Nonzero chance Rs try to make it a 12-2 gerrymander too

Michael Bitzer @bowtiepolitics.bsky.social · 15h

NC Republican legislators to redraw congressional map "by drawing an additional Republican Congressional seat" to make the delegation 11-3 GOP.

Only one seat?

#ncpol

bergerpress.medium.com/general-asse...

General Assembly Heeds President Trump’s Call to Thwart Blue State Attempts to Take Congress

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, legislative leaders agreed to hold votes during the previously scheduled October legislative session to block the…

bergerpress.medium.com

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A Public Affair @apublicaffair.bsky.social · 15h

Today we were joined by two guests, Dexter Patterson @wiscobirder.bsky.social and Scott Spoolman who discussed the books they will present at the Wisconsin Book Festival: Birds of the Great Lakes, and Wisconsin State Parks.

Listen here: www.wortfm.org/wisconsin-au...

Wisconsin Authors Discuss Birds, State Parks, and Wisconsin Ecology - WORT-FM 89.9

Today we were joined by two guests, Dexter Patterson and Scott Spoolman who discussed the books they will present at the Wisconsin Book Festival: Birds of the Great Lakes, and Wisconsin State Parks. ...

www.wortfm.org

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The Ornithologist @ornithologistmag.bsky.social · 13h

As climate change fuels stronger storms, African Oystercatchers face days without feeding — a quiet threat revealed by new research from South Africa.

Read the full story: theornithologist.org/storm-impact...

#TheOrnithologist #shorebirds #waders

Beyond the Tide: Assessing Storm Impacts on African Oystercatchers

As climate change fuels stronger storms, African Oystercatchers face days without feeding — a quiet threat revealed by new research from South Africa.

theornithologist.org

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 16h

“I was afraid to go over there,” he said. “I got braver the more people came out. I know my neighbors have my back, and I have their back. ... These are Americans who know what freedom is — we’re being invaded by strangers.”

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Feds deploy tear gas in another Chicago neighborhood: 'We chased federal agents out of Albany Park today'

A federal judge’s temporary restraining order requires federal agents to issue two warnings before using riot control weapons such as tear gas. Witnesses say they didn't get any warning Sunday afterno...

chicago.suntimes.com

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Phil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 13h

Holy crap. This is terrible.

The article states it's "not related to the current U.S. government shutdown". But of course it is: they are both connected by the GOP destroying everything good about this country from the top down and the bottom up.

Reuters @reuters.com · 15h

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers reut.rs/4302N2L

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Monday it will cut nearly 550 jobs as part of a restructuring, not related to the current U.S. government shutdown.

reut.rs

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Ed Zitron @edzitron.com · 14h

the more I read about the promises OpenAI has made, the more disgusted I am. They've promised to deploy 10GW of Broadcom chips *by the end of 2029*, a chip that has yet to tape out, in data centers yet to be planned or funded or the power acquired. We are in a black hole of ethics and good sense.

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EvOutWest, tinfoil hatville @evoutwest.bsky.social · 17h

Alaska Community Foundation is the link. Donate if you can; re-post helps, too. Thank you. #Alaska #AlaskaFlooding

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 23h

Western Alaska was hit hard by the recent storms. Houses floated away in Kipnuk, houses flipped over, people lost everything from the flooding that came with the storms. Please donate if you can. This group has a long history of supporting AK communities.

alaskacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/c...

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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 14h

ICE agents blocked ambulance from transferring an injured protester to the hospital, even going as far as to threaten to arrest and shoot the driver.

This crosses so many lines.

EMS and first responders need to be free to help whoever needs it.

Delays cost lives.

Documents Allege a Federal Agent at Portland ICE Threatened to Shoot an Ambulance Driver

Feds delayed medics who had come to pick up an injured protester. Then, according to confidential incident reports, the agents became aggressive.

www.wweek.com

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RainSurname @rainsurname.bsky.social · 18h

Someone left a rack full of inflatable costumes near the ICE building in Portland.

I love this town.

This is a wonderful thread that explains how & why Portland is Like This.
bsky.app/profile/ceau...

A clothing rack on a sidewalk, full of colorful inflatable costumes, with a sign that says free.

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Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 15h

I thought this was lovely.

"A few years ago I received a DM from Zohran Kwame Mamdani. Only recently did I discover its existence. It was a very unusual DM—especially coming from a local assemblyman who would soon be running for higher office. He had very little name recognition at the time, and could have benefited from publicity. But unlike the thousands of messages I’ve received from people with something to promote, Zohran did not ask to be featured on Humans of New York. Instead he asked if he could introduce me to taxi drivers that were struggling beneath the burden of debt. Coming from a man with political ambitions, this self-denying request was so strange as to be almost singular. I don’t endorse politicians on Humans of New York. But I’ll endorse a good man. And it was a good man who cleared 30 minutes from his schedule yesterday to swing by Grand Central and visit Dear New York’s Vanderbilt Hall Exhibition. Nearly fifty-student artists were visiting that day with their families, and I thought a surprise visit from this widely-loved future mayor would be a special memory for all of them. Before Zohran’s arrival I was convinced I’d made a terrible mistake. The exhibit was filled to capacity with adult visitors. Dear New York is self-funded so there was very little staff and security for crowd control. In the crush of people I was almost certain this special day for the kids would devolve into thirty minutes of selfie requests. But everyone rose to the occasion."

black text on white background

"Hundreds of adults quickly cleared the room and stood outside the exhibit. Eleven very notable adult photographers are also featured in the show, but even they took a step back, so that these students could briefly have the stage to themselves. Each child stood by their work and Zohran was able to meet all of them, one at a time, and honor their contributions to the most-visited art show in New York City. Thanks to everyone who ceded the stage yesterday to make this moment possible. Thank you Zohran for literally sitting down on the floor so that these young artists could feel so tall. Thanks for continually centering other people in your life and work. And thank you, for being such an important part of Dear New York."

A large group of children and adults pose together indoors in front of a sign reading "DEAR." A man in a suit sits cross-legged in front, surrounded by smiling kids. The background features an ornate architectural detail.

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 15h

If you live in Everett, Mass. and have any information about the 13-year-old boy abducted by ICE, please message me on Signal at marisakabas.04

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Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 14h

Again, every time this happens, we literally have no idea if the masked, plainclothes people are actual government agents, or private citizens acting in party-affiliated paramilitaries. The whole point of IDs & uniforms & no masks is that we know these things.

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Zach D Roberts @zdroberts.bsky.social · 14h

My latest for the print edition of @theprogressivemag.bsky.social - in September a group of veterans took to the National Mall and gave info to the National Guard on how they could refuse illegal orders. That group's tent at Union Station has now been removed.
progressive.org/magazine/tak...

Taking Action Against Occupation

D.C. residents are resisting Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to the nation’s capital.

progressive.org

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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 17h

Government workers 👇🏾

Lunch is on the house:

Being in the heart of downtown DC, we love that so many of our Federal employees stop by during lunch for a Donburi at China Chilcano or a Fútbol Club at Jaleo. And just because the government is shut down doesn't mean you have to miss out on your favorite lunch spot- because this time, its on us!
Join us for lunch from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM at any of our participating restaurants and enjoy a free lunch item when you present your government ID-you heard that right! Dine in with us Monday through Friday and choose your favorite: a sandwich at Jaleo, a donburi at China Chilcano, a wrap or pita at Zaytinya, or a torta at Oyamel.
We've always believed in serving our community with open arms and good food-no shutdown can stop that.

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Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 16h

A massive storm that brought a record storm surge to Alaska was poorly forecast, and “this is one of the clearest possible examples to date where missing upper air soundings due to NWS constraints may have led to a degraded forecast.”

Alan Gerard @wxmanms1.bsky.social · 16h

Sunday a massive storm surge event from the remnants of Typhoon Halong caused catastrophic damage in remote western Alaska. Thanks to @alaskawx.bsky.social for his help with this deep dive, including the forecast challenges in an area dealing with reduced NWS upper air soundings
tinyurl.com/4ycxaez9

Historic coastal flooding strikes western Alaska

Remnants of Typhoon Halong produce hurricane force winds and push massive storm surge inland in Kuskokwim River Delta, destroying and carrying away homes, leaving devastated communities.

tinyurl.com

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KEN'S PIN HUSTLE @kenspinhustle.bsky.social · 17h

store 20% off everything is now working. all GAP, bird crimes pins are on sale. if you want unlisted items or a 10+ pin wholesale order (i'll be hitting up a few emails after i shower), contact me at [email protected].

#furry #furryart #disney #donbluth #animation #bsnm #enamelpin

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Steph' Thorpe @stephbirdart.bsky.social · 17h

Needletail sketchbook pages. I made the decision to draw up afterwards as I just wanted to watch the bird. I also struggled to climb the castle paths😞 #UKbirding #birds #birding #birdart #sciart #art

Sketches of a White throated Needletail, a species of large swift. They are in graphite and watercolour. The swift is large bodied with scythe shaped wings and a small stubby square tail. The body is brown with a pale throat, large white horseshoe shape under the tail area. The upper parts have a white patch on the back. The wings are black with areas of blue green iridescence. The bird even looks fast!

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Sara Nović @novicsara.bsky.social · 18h

Proof that public outcry can still be helpful, if temporarily. The money was rerouted to the National Center on Deafblindness, who will then distribute to the other programs. But it is only one year's worth, so keep an eye on it.

Jodi Cohen @jodiscohen.bsky.social · 21h

U.S. Department of Education reverses decision and will fund programs for students who are both deaf and blind.

But the money will flow a different way.

www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Students With Hearing and Vision Loss Get Funding Back Despite Trump’s Anti-DEI Campaign

Following public outcry, the Department of Education has reversed its decision to cut funding for students who have both hearing and vision loss, opting instead to reroute grants to an organization th...

www.propublica.org

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Meghan @eldritchgirl.bsky.social · 17h

Leaving my car off for it's first oil change:

Mechanic: Okay great, anything else I need to know?

Me: Oh! Yes. His name is Gerard :) (pats car's hood like a trusty dog)

Mechanic: (the longest pause in human history) No, I meant, is the car making any noises or...?

Me: Oh... Um... No...

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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 16h

With no pay during the shutdown, some air traffic controllers are calling in sick so they can take other jobs to cover rent and bills, worsening an already critical shortage and causing major flight delays nationwide.
buff.ly/EPJPMUJ

How the government shutdown is making the air traffic controller shortage worse and leading to flight delays

Air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and required to work without pay during the shutdown, but there are reports some are calling in sick in greater numbers than usual.

theconversation.com

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The Space Pope @popecrocodylus.bsky.social · 16h

Ben Shapiro: "You guys won't believe what this fucking scorpion just did to me."

Mediaite @mediaite.com · 3d

Ben Shapiro Warns the ‘Conspiratorial Right’ Is Taking Over Social Media

Ben Shapiro is warning that the Jewish people are being regarded as a "conspiratorial force" by a certain faction of right-wing conservatives. The post Ben Shapiro Warns the ‘Conspiratorial Right’ Is Taking Over Social Media first appeared on Mediaite.

dlvr.it

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Dawn Yow @ohhellodawn.bsky.social · 20h

My daughter, who doesn't have social media, is writing an article on the expansion of Neotropic Cormorants in Ontario, Canada & hybrids between Double-crested & Neotropic Cormorants. She's struggling w/ resources on the distribution of pure birds or hybrids. Can anyone help?

#Ornithology #Seabirds

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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 17h

We're looking for Youth Reps for our BTO Youth team! ➡️ bit.ly/YouthRep25

If you love nature and would like to join our amazing team of volunteers (expenses paid) aged 16-24 then apply to become a BTO Youth Rep today!🐦

📝 Closing date: Sunday 9th November 2025.

A group of young people standing outside in a semi-circle listening to a member of the team talk. Wording reads: BTO Youth. Become a BTO Youth Rep! Scan the QR code to find out more and apply. A QR Code is in the bottom right of the image.

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🇬🇾🗽Sydette The Dreaded Gorgon🗽🇬🇾 @blackamazon.bsky.social · 17h

Freedom papers and financial undermining ….

Gregory Pratt @royalpratt.bsky.social · 18h

NEWS: ICE gave a Rogers Park man a $130 ticket for not having his papers on him. They rounded him up last week and eventually let him go, but not without a fine that some critics say is un-American. Trump admin enforcing little-used law
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/13/i...

ICE tickets Chicago man with legal residency $130 for not having his papers on him: ‘It’s not fair…I’m a resident’

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement fined Rueben Antonio Cruz $130 for not having his papers with him.

www.chicagotribune.com

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