Kyle Ann Sebastian
@kyleanns.bsky.social
📍 Chicago | Comms for @ucsusa.bsky.social | Opinions are mine, I think.
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Who’s surprised? #DHS Sec. #KristiNoem changes draft FEMA review council report. Former #FEMA head Cameron Hamilton asks blunt Q. “What degree of confidence do you have that the report that you submit to DHS will be what is submitted to the president?”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Noem at odds with Trump-appointed panel over future of FEMA
Instead of further shrinking and dismantling FEMA, the FEMA Review Council wants to make it more independent.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Who’s surprised? #DHS Sec. #KristiNoem changes draft FEMA review council report. Former #FEMA head Cameron Hamilton asks blunt Q. “What degree of confidence do you have that the report that you submit to DHS will be what is submitted to the president?”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Revealed: >300 Big Agriculture lobbyists have participated at this year’s UN climate talks taking place in the Brazilian Amazon, where the industry is the leading cause of deforestation, a new investigation by me and @rachelsherrington.bsky.social has found.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 300 big agriculture lobbyists have taken part in Cop30, investigation finds
Lobbyists representing industry responsible for a quarter to a third of global emissions participated in key talks at the UN climate summit
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Revealed: >300 Big Agriculture lobbyists have participated at this year’s UN climate talks taking place in the Brazilian Amazon, where the industry is the leading cause of deforestation, a new investigation by me and @rachelsherrington.bsky.social has found.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Murmurs from this admin about nuclear testing are not new, which is why earlier this year, we published this piece in the @thebulletin.org on why a rapid test as a show of force is a BAD, BAD idea.
Donald Trump has reportedly told the Pentagon to resume nuclear tests (though it's unclear if he refers to explosive or missile tests).
Here's a thread of relevant Bulletin articles, beginning with this 2025 piece by Sulgiye Park, Jennifer Knox, and @dkspaulding.bsky.social. ⬇️
Here's a thread of relevant Bulletin articles, beginning with this 2025 piece by Sulgiye Park, Jennifer Knox, and @dkspaulding.bsky.social. ⬇️
Why it would be a bad idea for the Trump administration to conduct a "rapid" nuclear test
The goal of conducting a fast-tracked nuclear test can only be political, not scientific. The United States has much to lose and little to gain from a new test.
thebulletin.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Murmurs from this admin about nuclear testing are not new, which is why earlier this year, we published this piece in the @thebulletin.org on why a rapid test as a show of force is a BAD, BAD idea.
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)
October 9, 2025 at 4:42 AM
David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
New START is the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia. Extending it would keep sensible limits on nuclear weapons while further reductions and limits are negotiated. The US should reciprocate and get to work on a follow up to New START.
Putin offers Trump a temporary nuclear arms control deal that would extend status quo by one year
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that he was ready to extend by one year the last arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow that limits the number of nuclear weapons each side has if U.S. President Donald Trump does the same.
www.reuters.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
New START is the last remaining arms control agreement between the US and Russia. Extending it would keep sensible limits on nuclear weapons while further reductions and limits are negotiated. The US should reciprocate and get to work on a follow up to New START.
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
seeing too many headlines that New Mexico is about to make child care universal and free. that's not what it's doing. the gov. announced that as of November 1 all families can compete for the same limited # of child care slots and subsidies.
the goal of universal is commendable, but NM isn't there
the goal of universal is commendable, but NM isn't there
September 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
seeing too many headlines that New Mexico is about to make child care universal and free. that's not what it's doing. the gov. announced that as of November 1 all families can compete for the same limited # of child care slots and subsidies.
the goal of universal is commendable, but NM isn't there
the goal of universal is commendable, but NM isn't there
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Industrial meat & poultry plants dump tons of pollution into our waters—our research shows how much Tyson alone released in just 5 years. Yet the Trump #EPA won’t update weak, outdated effluent rules, again putting Industrial Ag profits over your right to #cleanwater 🧪 bit.ly/4p19Lh0
Waste Deep
Water pollutants from Tyson Foods' meat processing plants pose a risk to both people and the environment.
bit.ly
September 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Industrial meat & poultry plants dump tons of pollution into our waters—our research shows how much Tyson alone released in just 5 years. Yet the Trump #EPA won’t update weak, outdated effluent rules, again putting Industrial Ag profits over your right to #cleanwater 🧪 bit.ly/4p19Lh0
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Drivers are not being "slammed." They are speeding and they are being fined for breaking the law.
September 2, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Drivers are not being "slammed." They are speeding and they are being fined for breaking the law.
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Thanks, @winkie.bsky.social at @usatoday.com for reporting on our analysis of plutonium pit production. Lots to unpack here, so here's a short thread (1/n)
The NNSA's push to build new warhead cores is its "largest and most complex" effort since the end of the Manhattan Project, a former leader has said.
Nuclear bomb-building plan faces sweeping Energy Department review
The NNSA's push to build new warhead cores is its "largest and most complex" effort since the end of the Manhattan Project, a former leader has said.
bit.ly
August 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Thanks, @winkie.bsky.social at @usatoday.com for reporting on our analysis of plutonium pit production. Lots to unpack here, so here's a short thread (1/n)
@dkspaulding.bsky.social, 'a nuclear security expert for the @ucs.org, argued in a May report that NNSA's two-site approach for pit production is "questionable" and has unnecessarily driven up costs for reasons that are "likely more political than technical."'
The NNSA's push to build new warhead cores is its "largest and most complex" effort since the end of the Manhattan Project, a former leader has said.
Nuclear bomb-building plan faces sweeping Energy Department review
The NNSA's push to build new warhead cores is its "largest and most complex" effort since the end of the Manhattan Project, a former leader has said.
bit.ly
August 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
@dkspaulding.bsky.social, 'a nuclear security expert for the @ucs.org, argued in a May report that NNSA's two-site approach for pit production is "questionable" and has unnecessarily driven up costs for reasons that are "likely more political than technical."'
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Longstanding contamination at a nuclear weapons site has produced a radioactive wasp nest. Now DOE wants to repurpose the site to produce new nuclear bomb cores without dealing with this legacy waste first. Sounds like they have their priorities in order…
"The discovery of additional radioactive nests, he added, “indicate that much greater effort must be made to assess the possible risks and hazards of what appears to be a significant source of radioactive pollutants."
‘Hot Wasps’ Found at Nuclear Facility in South Carolina
www.nytimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Longstanding contamination at a nuclear weapons site has produced a radioactive wasp nest. Now DOE wants to repurpose the site to produce new nuclear bomb cores without dealing with this legacy waste first. Sounds like they have their priorities in order…
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Most of these jobs are driven by LANL's new production mission to make plutonium pits while funding is eliminated from exploratory science that has historically drawn young talent into the labs. Despite the growth, this doesn't bode well for the future of innovation in national security.
Los Alamos National Lab announces plans to hire up to 1,000 workers
While one of New Mexico’s national laboratories prepares for workforce reductions, another is gearing up for a hiring surge.
www.kob.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Most of these jobs are driven by LANL's new production mission to make plutonium pits while funding is eliminated from exploratory science that has historically drawn young talent into the labs. Despite the growth, this doesn't bode well for the future of innovation in national security.
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
"The discovery of additional radioactive nests, he added, “indicate that much greater effort must be made to assess the possible risks and hazards of what appears to be a significant source of radioactive pollutants."
‘Hot Wasps’ Found at Nuclear Facility in South Carolina
www.nytimes.com
August 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"The discovery of additional radioactive nests, he added, “indicate that much greater effort must be made to assess the possible risks and hazards of what appears to be a significant source of radioactive pollutants."
"Though large family farms — those making $1 million or more annually — and corporate farms amounted to less than 8 percent of all farms in the United States, they received about 47 percent of subsidy payments and 67 percent of crop insurance payments in 2024" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/u...
Trump’s Tax Bill Expands Farm Subsidies. Not All Farmers Will Benefit.
www.nytimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
"Though large family farms — those making $1 million or more annually — and corporate farms amounted to less than 8 percent of all farms in the United States, they received about 47 percent of subsidy payments and 67 percent of crop insurance payments in 2024" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/u...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
"...the threat of deportation by abusive spouses is louder than ever and allows abusers to wield greater power and control over their victims."
www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged...
www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged...
She married a U.S. citizen for love. After she alleged abuse, he threatened deportation.
There has been a rise in the threat of deportations by abusers, said Esther Limb, Immigration Practice Director at Her Justice in New York City.
www.cbsnews.com
June 16, 2025 at 1:16 AM
"...the threat of deportation by abusive spouses is louder than ever and allows abusers to wield greater power and control over their victims."
www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged...
www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Here we go. As if the inhumanity of ICE raids (and treatment of people protesting them) weren't bad enough, now we may face food system disruption because of them. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US immigration officials raid meat production plant in Omaha, dozens detained
An immigration raid on Tuesday at a meat production plant in Omaha, Nebraska was the "largest worksite enforcement operation" in the state during the Trump presidency, the Homeland Security Department said.
www.reuters.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Here we go. As if the inhumanity of ICE raids (and treatment of people protesting them) weren't bad enough, now we may face food system disruption because of them. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Laura Grego of @ucs.org on Golden Dome:
"I can hardly imagine potential adversaries just sitting still, not developing the ways to counter such a system."
www.axios.com/2025/05/28/t...
"I can hardly imagine potential adversaries just sitting still, not developing the ways to counter such a system."
www.axios.com/2025/05/28/t...
Beltway bloat could doom Trump's Golden Dome
Realizing even the most basic form in three years will require intense coordination.
www.axios.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Laura Grego of @ucs.org on Golden Dome:
"I can hardly imagine potential adversaries just sitting still, not developing the ways to counter such a system."
www.axios.com/2025/05/28/t...
"I can hardly imagine potential adversaries just sitting still, not developing the ways to counter such a system."
www.axios.com/2025/05/28/t...
"Nuclear weapons workers don’t grow on trees, nor do the federal experts who oversee them."
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Nuclear weapons woes: Understaffed nuke agency hit by DOGE and safety worries
The consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be far-reaching, experts say.
www.usatoday.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Nuclear weapons workers don’t grow on trees, nor do the federal experts who oversee them."
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
what i mean is: most people who utilize medicaid — who are not children, the elderly or americans with severe disabilities — work! you can’t live off of medicaid because it is health insurance! these people are just mindlessly repeating anti-welfare language from the 1990s
May 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM
what i mean is: most people who utilize medicaid — who are not children, the elderly or americans with severe disabilities — work! you can’t live off of medicaid because it is health insurance! these people are just mindlessly repeating anti-welfare language from the 1990s
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
Great blog by my colleague Dr. Chanese Forté on severe harm done to the Navajo Nation by the US nuclear weapons program. While the current admin seeks to accelerate uranium mining, frontline communities are still undercompensated and under-supported by the government. blog.ucs.org/chanese-fort...
US Uranium Mining Legacy Still Harms the Navajo Nation
The United States needs to redress the wrongs done to the Navajo Nation as a result of uranium mining to build nuclear weapons.
blog.ucs.org
May 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Great blog by my colleague Dr. Chanese Forté on severe harm done to the Navajo Nation by the US nuclear weapons program. While the current admin seeks to accelerate uranium mining, frontline communities are still undercompensated and under-supported by the government. blog.ucs.org/chanese-fort...
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
"A concerted and well-funded effort is needed to mediate the harms caused by the nuclear weapons life cycle."
US Uranium Mining Legacy Still Harms the Navajo Nation
The United States needs to redress the wrongs done to the Navajo Nation as a result of uranium mining to build nuclear weapons.
blog.ucs.org
May 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
"A concerted and well-funded effort is needed to mediate the harms caused by the nuclear weapons life cycle."
“...at best it comes down to mismanagement and incompetence, and at worst, an intentional effort to downplay the complexities and challenges of the Sentinel program to make it appear like it would be the cheaper, easier option,"
www.defenseone.com/technology/2...
www.defenseone.com/technology/2...
Sentinel ICBM program needs brand-new silos, Air Force says
One expert says the revelation smacks of “mismanagement and incompetence.”
www.defenseone.com
May 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
“...at best it comes down to mismanagement and incompetence, and at worst, an intentional effort to downplay the complexities and challenges of the Sentinel program to make it appear like it would be the cheaper, easier option,"
www.defenseone.com/technology/2...
www.defenseone.com/technology/2...
April 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Kyle Ann Sebastian
“The past 100 days have been devastating but also clarifying,” writes Kate Anderson, director of the Food & Environment Program at the @ucsusa.bsky.social. “We have to move boldly toward the food and farm future we know is possible.”
Op-ed: Trump’s Disastrous First 100 Days for Food, Farming, and Fairness
A look back on this notable benchmark as the Trump Administration cuts funding for critical programs across the food system.
buff.ly
April 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“The past 100 days have been devastating but also clarifying,” writes Kate Anderson, director of the Food & Environment Program at the @ucsusa.bsky.social. “We have to move boldly toward the food and farm future we know is possible.”