Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

sam

@wisconsam.bsky.social

590 followers 280 following 500 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 · 3d

My latest story dives into how structural and social transphobia make trans people more vulnerable to disaster and also shares lessons in community care

Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 3d

After a hurricane, many people worry about losing power. For trans Floridians, it can mean losing access to lifesaving medication and navigating hostility at disaster shelters. But one woman’s hurricane response team is stepping in:

When a hurricane hits, she shows up for those left behind » Yale Climate Connections

Trans advocate Jasmine McKenzie is building a lifeline for Black and trans Floridians who often can’t safely access disaster services from FEMA or religious organizations.

yaleclimateconnections.org

8 14

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 13h

and, importantly, coal has a white working-class narrative. But the coal itself is femininized, something to be owned and exploited

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 13h

there's a lot of great academic research about this, but I really haven't figured out how to make it work in a journalism context, though i'm definitely still trying.

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 13h

I do think it's underdiscussed just how much climate denial today is performative white masculinity

BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 13h

a lot of people want to read Trump and team's fossil fuel obsession as being about *money* but while there is of course a corruption element, it's primarily pure culture war stuff. even many of the big fossil fuel companies want to get into renewables because it's so obviously the future.

Brandon Bishop @brandontbishop.bsky.social · 13h

Coal production and employment in Wyoming has steadily been declining, much like the rest of the industry in the US.

Coal is a dead industry.

(Chart from here: www.uwyo.edu/cbea/wyoming... )

12 77 330

Reposted by sam

Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 13h

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 · 14h

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

4 110 170

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 15h

Thank you!

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 16h

Ah, thank you!!

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 18h

Reupping oldie but (I think) a goodie in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day. I think about the Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu and how to make reciprocity a priority in my reporting all the time.

@climateconnections.bsky.social
yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/06/by-p...

By paying attention, tribes in the Northwoods are leading the way on climate change » Yale Climate Connections

Anishinaabe tribes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are adapting to climate change by prioritizing relationship-building and observation of the land.

yaleclimateconnections.org

7 10

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 2d

No, I don’t have any other information but I wish I did

1 2

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 2d

Didn’t know Wisconsin sheriffs were supporting ICE at Broadview! Unacceptable and inhumane.

unraveled @unraveledpress.com · 2d

This one includes a sheriff's van from Indiana—not uncommon to see sheriff's departments from Indiana and Wisconsin assisting with transport here.

1 4 2

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 3d

tbh, the number one thing I hope that my reporting shows is how much I love and believe in people.

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 3d

My latest story dives into how structural and social transphobia make trans people more vulnerable to disaster and also shares lessons in community care

Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 3d

When a hurricane hits, she shows up for those left behind » Yale Climate Connections

Trans advocate Jasmine McKenzie is building a lifeline for Black and trans Floridians who often can’t safely access disaster services from FEMA or religious organizations.

yaleclimateconnections.org

8 14

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 4d

Did the wisconsin historical society’s LGBTQ+ walking tour of Madison and loved it

Reposted by sam

Gender Justice @genderjustice.us · 6d

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 · 7d

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

sam @wisconsam.bsky.social · 7d

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 · 7d

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

Yale Climate Connections @climateconnections.bsky.social · 7d

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

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

1 2

Reposted by sam

Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 10d

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 · 12d

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

3 8

Reposted by sam

Mark Gongloff @markgongloff.bsky.social · 13d

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 · 14d

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 · 17d

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 · 17d

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 · 26d

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

4 480 1.1K

Reposted by sam

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 19d

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 · 19d

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 · 21d

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