Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by IdahoLark

Sigma Nerd 🌹₊˚🪻 @sigmanerd.bsky.social · 12h

I wish the people who worry about 'woke' worried half as much about the insane cruelty of MAGA and their barbarism.

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 22h

One of several things I love about listening to KUAC public radio in Fairbanks, Alaska is the "Kid's Club Birthday Announcements" read by a child. This week some of the names include Isadora, Caleb, and Clarabella.

2

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Sigh. This makes two people I know from Alaska who fled our country because either they or a child are trans.

repgray.bsky.social @repgray.bsky.social · 1d

Aaron Poe first appeared on the podcast in 2024, discussing raising a trans daughter in Alaska & living through political turmoil. After Trump was elected to a 2nd term, the family decided to relocate to Ireland for their child's safety. #akleg

Listen:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

1 2

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

bsky.app/profile/alas...

Rick Thoman @alaskawx.bsky.social · 1d

If you're able, please consider a donation to the Alaska Community Fund to help people in western Alaska impacted by ex-typhoon Halong even as winter is bearing down. All the money donated goes to the region. Quyana. #Alaska #AlaskaSky

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

Screen shot of the ACF Western Alaska Disaster Relief 2025 Fund:

"In response to recent severe storms, including Typhoon Halong, that devastated Alaska's western coast, local community organizations and regional partners have come together to establish the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, housed at the Alaska Community Foundation.
Two major storm systems struck western Alaska in rapid succession, bringing record flooding, extreme winds, and extensive damage from Kwigillingok to Kotzebue. Homes have been damaged and destroyed, critical infrastructure compromised, and subsistence resources disrupted. The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund will provide support to affected communities for immediate relief, recovery support, and long-term resilience, including disaster preparedness initiatives. Distribution decisions will be guided by advisors including regional leaders and stakeholders, ensuring resources reach affected communities based on locally identified needs.

The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund brings together a growing list of local, regional, and statewide partners endorsing the fund, including:

Association of Village Council Presidents
Alaska Federation of Natives
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Bethel Community Services Foundation
Calista Corporation
Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation
First Alaskans Institute
Kawerak, Inc.
Native Peoples Action
Maniilaq Association

Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation"

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Are there organizations people can contribute to to help these communities?

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Wow, I knew Aaron back when I ran the Alaska Bird Observatory. I didn't know his family's story but am glad he escaped to protect his child.

1

Reposted by IdahoLark

Mickey Kuhns @mickeykuhns.bsky.social · 2d

Reinforcements have been dispatched to Portland… 🤣🐸🤣

60 590 1.5K

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Great reporting, Emily. A sad and frustrating read. Why didn't Alaska Cold Climate Research build all the homes? Under bid?

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

This is horrifying. "“This is some of the worst new construction I’ve ever seen, and the impact is so quickly realized because of the coastal climate...none of the houses in Mertarvik has a flush toilet or shower...Last spring, sewage backed up into the school’s basement."

Emily Schwing @emilyschwing.bsky.social · 1d

How do I know this? I took a deep dive into brand new housing in one Alaska Native community and hired an inspector for a two-and-a-half year investigation. You can read it here: www.propublica.org/article/newt...

Newtok, Alaska, Was Supposed to Be a Model for Climate Relocation. Here’s How It Went Wrong.

The project’s challenges highlight how ill-prepared the U.S. is to respond to the way climate change is making some places uninhabitable.

www.propublica.org

2

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Congratulations!

1 1

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

Ha ha, perfect! I think one of my sisters did as well.

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

They did! Though my assistance was a tiny woman. I felt bad she had to push me up several long ramps so I gave her a nice tip.

1

Reposted by IdahoLark

rstoddard.bsky.social @rstoddard.bsky.social · 1d

#IndigenousPeoplesDay: Rosalie Fish, one of the heroes honored w a mural on our building's walls in #Boise. Rosalie painted her face w a red hand print, the symbol for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW), for her high school track races. She continues as an MMIW & LGBTQ activist.

1 3 17

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 1d

The state's electoral votes went to Trump, so if he's reminded that Alaska is part of the U.S. maybe he'll send some FEMA help. Then again, the populations hit the hardest are largely Alaska Native, so maybe not. His pettiness and bigotry are so repulsive.

1

Reposted by IdahoLark

Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 2d

On this date, Matthew Shephard died 27 years ago. He was beaten, tortured, and left for dead on fence for being gay. Please keep him and his wonderful mother Judy in your thoughts. And let's all work for a world where such horrific things do not happen to anyone. ❤️🏳️‍🌈

830 8.3K 31K

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

This is a much better use of military guard services than zip tying children and pepper spraying priests.

Toni Reitter @tonichelle.bsky.social · 2d

12 130 550

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

So scary and sad! Thankful for weather warnings but it’s still awful for those affected.

2

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

I made it here! I warned my seat mate I might contort myself and whimper a little, but I did better than I thought I would.

1 2

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

Wow! Hope it sticks around all winter.

1

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

It is horrifying. Not just that our government is doing this, but that there are Americans that love being able to be so cruel.

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

I'm glad I'm here for it. But deeply sad about what's happening to the west.

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

Two-foot Cuck Chuck.

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

This was earlier in the flight to Alaska, along the coast of British Columbia. #IflyAlaska

A view from an airplane looking down at rows of steep-sided mountains. Some have a dusting of snow on their tops. A few clouds are far below the plane.

1 4

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

I will never get tired of the flight from Seattle to Fairbanks.(at least when it's clear). Get a right-side window seat if you can. I think that is the Stikine River estuary at low tide, and Wrangell's airstrip on the right. #IflyAlaska

A broad river delta at low tide empties into the ocean, surrounded by mountains that don't look very tall from an airplane's window but are quite steep and high. A large ice field with big glaciers sits on the mountains to the left. A few small islands are beyond the delta, and an airplane runway on a peninsula can be seen to the right.

2 2 34

IdahoLark @idaholark.bsky.social · 2d

Dammit!

1