Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 10h

agreed -- am working at a legacy newspaper that is going to cease printing on Dec. 31 for that reason - print is down; digital is up though not at the rate the publisher wants
-- not arguing with that Forbes story about WaPo - but it's from June ... am guessing the OP just saw it today?

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 12h

and for context on the legal wrangling that led to a delayed election, this is a story I wrote in 2023 about the demographics of state utility regulators and why that matters

atlanta.capitalbnews.org/public-utili...

Public Utility Commissions Are Exceptionally White. It’s Hurting Black Residents. - Capital B News - Atlanta

Georgia’s public service commission has had just two Black members in over 100 years. Recent decisions there have hit low-income residents hard.

atlanta.capitalbnews.org

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 13h

this election has been delayed ... allowing the incumbent Republicans who are running again to continue fundraising ...

from Caleb Groves here:

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Georgia utility regulators rake in cash from industry donors

Echols has raised about $980,000 in campaign cash since his last election in 2016; Johnson has raised about $473,000 since Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him to the commission.

www.ajc.com

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 13h

The AJC's @bluestein.bsky.social took a look at what this means politically after comments made at a rally last week raised some eyebrows

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Georgia Republicans are on edge as Democrats target 2 Public Service Commission seats

Republicans are leaning hard into the red-meat playbook to defend two little-known Public Service Commission members they fear could lose next month.

www.ajc.com

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 13h

early voting in #Georgia starts today to decide two seats on the state's powerful (no pun intended) regulator of utility prices.

My @ajc.com co-worker, Drew Kann, and I did a run down of the candidates here:

www.ajc.com/business/202...

#GaPol #GaPSC #EnergySky

Meet the candidates running for seats on state’s powerful utility regulator

From Tuesday through Nov. 4, voters get to choose who serves on the Georgia Public Service Commission for the first time in almost five years.

www.ajc.com

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Reposted by Kristi E. Swartz

Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 13h

D’Angelo, the neo-soul trailblazer and modern visionary whose three albums were all heralded as classic works of art, has died at age 51.

Access the free article here: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 1d

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Georgia state Rep. Mandi Ballinger ― advocate for kids ― dies after cancer battle

State Rep. Chuck Martin said of Ballinger: "I don’t know there’s anybody who had more of a heart for the youth, the most vulnerable in our community."

www.ajc.com

Reposted by Kristi E. Swartz

Talking Biz News @talkingbiznews.bsky.social · 2d

@houstonchronicle.com seeks a business editor: talkingbiznews.com/biz-news-hel...

Houston Chronicle seeks a business editor - Talking Biz News

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a bold, visionary business editor to own coverage of one of the most dynamic economies in the world. Houston is a global energy capital, home to one of the largest med...

talkingbiznews.com

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Reposted by Kristi E. Swartz

Heartland Signal @heartlandsignal.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: Masked Border Patrol agents aggressively arrested WGN video producer Debbie Brockman in Lincoln Square Friday morning, supposedly for "obstructing justice." (Video via Josh Thomas on Facebook)

Follow @heartlandsignal for more.

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 4d

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

Georgia Republicans are on edge as Democrats target 2 Public Service Commission seats

Republicans are leaning hard into the red-meat playbook to defend two little-known Public Service Commission members they fear could lose next month.

www.ajc.com

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

And my goal is to be on here more often as I was when I joined Bluesky. Sometimes you just need a break ... or need to spend time shaping your own path instead of falling down rabbit holes, even if they are #EnergySky and #ClimateSky rabbit holes.

It's nice to be back

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

Nobody knows what the future of journalism looks like - in terms of logistics, operations, format, consumption, etc. -- but I want to remain a part of it.

I fully believe our job is to hold the powerful to account, and that is what I intend to do moving forward.

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

If you count my summer as a baby intern on the biz desk, this is my third time at the AJC.

I cannot believe it's been 11 years since i walked out of the newsroom for an amazing run at E&E News writing about the energy transition across the Southeast.

I am happy to build upon those experiences now

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

This means I'll be covering a range of topics that include Georgia's electricity mix and the political and economic factors driving that.

Will be back on the Business Desk (WOOHOO) and working alongside Drew Kann and others.

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

Have been keeping my head down while charting the next path of my career as an energy/climate/environmental journalist.

That also means I've been bad at my own PR.

But, as the byline notes, I have returned to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to write about climate issues in Georgia

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 5d

www.ajc.com/politics/202...

A reminder that in Georgia, elections for two seats on the powerful (no pun intended) Georgia Public Service Commission, are next month.

(and some 'personal news' to follow)

Georgia PSC debate gets sparse turnout from candidates

Democrat Peter Hubbard answered questions and made his pitch to voters to elect him to the Georgia Public Service Commission. But three other candidates didn't show up.

www.ajc.com

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 6d

www.stripes.com/branches/arm...

Army cancels Ten-Miler as government shutdown continues

The in-person Army Ten Miler — from the Pentagon and along a scenic route through Washington — will not proceed Sunday because of the shutdown.

www.stripes.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 6d

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Anne Arundel County will formally apologize for its role in slavery

Anne Arundel County will issue a public apology for its role in instituting and supporting slavery. For the county executive, the direct descendant of people who enslaved others, it’s personal.

www.thebanner.com

Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 6d

wow! Cannot wait to see what you will be up to, next, and I hope our paths cross soon!

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Kristi E. Swartz @bizwriterkristi.bsky.social · 7d

wapo.st/46GBH2J

White House offers ‘concierge’ service to fossil fuel firms, official says

Brittany Kelm, a senior policy adviser for the National Energy Dominance Council, detailed in a podcast how the council works to advance fossil fuel projects.

wapo.st

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Reposted by Kristi E. Swartz

Axios @axios.com · 7d

SCOOP: Furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, according to a draft White House memo described to Axios by three sources.