Ben Maas
@masbenmaas.bsky.social
Studying water quality for the state of Minnesota
Reposted by Ben Maas
Tires cause up to 90% of road microplastics, with the average tire losing 6- 9 pounds of rubber in a lifetime. Just how bad is the toxicity?
What Actually Happens To Tire Tread When It Wears Away, And Is It Harmful? - Jalopnik
www.jalopnik.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Tires cause up to 90% of road microplastics, with the average tire losing 6- 9 pounds of rubber in a lifetime. Just how bad is the toxicity?
Reposted by Ben Maas
The share of counties where 95% or more of kindergartners were vaccinated against measles has dropped from 50% before the pandemic to 28%, according to our analysis of public records from 44 states and the District of Columbia. At least 19,000 schools are now more vulnerable to outbreaks.
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The share of counties where 95% or more of kindergartners were vaccinated against measles has dropped from 50% before the pandemic to 28%, according to our analysis of public records from 44 states and the District of Columbia. At least 19,000 schools are now more vulnerable to outbreaks.
Reposted by Ben Maas
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
U.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.
Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Aimee Bock is the face of the Feeding our Future fraud scheme in Minnesota.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Court clears path to seize millions in assets from Feeding Our Future ringleader
A federal judge approved a preliminary order that could allow prosecutors to seize millions in cash, property and a Porsche from Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock.
www.mprnews.org
December 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Aimee Bock is the face of the Feeding our Future fraud scheme in Minnesota.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
TIL that Winona Ryder is from Winona, Minnesota!
...and that their name actually is Winona.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_...
...and that their name actually is Winona.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_...
Winona Ryder - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
TIL that Winona Ryder is from Winona, Minnesota!
...and that their name actually is Winona.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_...
...and that their name actually is Winona.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winona_...
Timeline serendipity
December 29, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Timeline serendipity
This is crazy! But did you know that Gatorade used glass bottles until 1998?? We don't have to drink microplastic
This bit of info was inspired by season 5 of 'Stranger Things', they showed the Gatorade in glass bottles.
Some info. on Gatorade bottle evolution: thirstpals.com/when-did-gat...
This bit of info was inspired by season 5 of 'Stranger Things', they showed the Gatorade in glass bottles.
Some info. on Gatorade bottle evolution: thirstpals.com/when-did-gat...
December 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This is crazy! But did you know that Gatorade used glass bottles until 1998?? We don't have to drink microplastic
This bit of info was inspired by season 5 of 'Stranger Things', they showed the Gatorade in glass bottles.
Some info. on Gatorade bottle evolution: thirstpals.com/when-did-gat...
This bit of info was inspired by season 5 of 'Stranger Things', they showed the Gatorade in glass bottles.
Some info. on Gatorade bottle evolution: thirstpals.com/when-did-gat...
"The federal RFS [Ethanol mandate] adds about 30 cents per gallon to the wholesale cost of gas, on average. Consumers pay more for each gallon and use more gas because of ethanol’s lower energy content, which leads to about 3% lower fuel efficiency for E10."
minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/23/e...
minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/23/e...
Ethanol mandate: bad for the economy, bad for the environment • Minnesota Reformer
None of this is the fault of Minnesota farmers, who operate under the incentives that the state and federal government have put into place.
minnesotareformer.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"The federal RFS [Ethanol mandate] adds about 30 cents per gallon to the wholesale cost of gas, on average. Consumers pay more for each gallon and use more gas because of ethanol’s lower energy content, which leads to about 3% lower fuel efficiency for E10."
minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/23/e...
minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/23/e...
“It's up to the private well owner to take care of their own health,” said Freshwater’s Carrie Jennings. “If you live in a city, your city is regulated and has to do that for you. But if you have your own well, it's up to you... and things can go wrong with wells.”
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Private well owners in Minnesota encouraged to test for arsenic, other contaminants
A group of nonprofits are holding free water screening clinics throughout the state for private well owners to test their water supplies. Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid and has been linked...
www.mprnews.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“It's up to the private well owner to take care of their own health,” said Freshwater’s Carrie Jennings. “If you live in a city, your city is regulated and has to do that for you. But if you have your own well, it's up to you... and things can go wrong with wells.”
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Ben Maas
High temperatures Christmas Day 1922 - the warmest on record (since 1895). Will Christmas 2025 be warmer? 🔥🎅
December 23, 2025 at 12:46 AM
High temperatures Christmas Day 1922 - the warmest on record (since 1895). Will Christmas 2025 be warmer? 🔥🎅
Get out there and enjoy the longer days, Minnesota! Only 182 days until we start to lose daylight again.
December 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Get out there and enjoy the longer days, Minnesota! Only 182 days until we start to lose daylight again.
Reposted by Ben Maas
Furgg Glacier and Matterhorn
1905 | 2022
📷 @glacionaut
1905 | 2022
📷 @glacionaut
December 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Furgg Glacier and Matterhorn
1905 | 2022
📷 @glacionaut
1905 | 2022
📷 @glacionaut
I am looking forward to the work I will be doing at the Minnesota DNR to better understand and protect Minnesota's water resources!
The team I am part of is the Groundwater Atlas Program, which assesses groundwater data for each county in the state of Minnesota.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groun...
The team I am part of is the Groundwater Atlas Program, which assesses groundwater data for each county in the state of Minnesota.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groun...
County Geologic Atlas (CGA) Series
Minnesota counties with geological and hydrogeologic atlases.
www.dnr.state.mn.us
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I am looking forward to the work I will be doing at the Minnesota DNR to better understand and protect Minnesota's water resources!
The team I am part of is the Groundwater Atlas Program, which assesses groundwater data for each county in the state of Minnesota.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groun...
The team I am part of is the Groundwater Atlas Program, which assesses groundwater data for each county in the state of Minnesota.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groun...
Ugh, I forgot about Ryan...
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Ugh, I forgot about Ryan...
Well, it is with mixed emotions that I inform you all that I have once again left academia and have started a new position with the MN DNR to study water quality for the state of Minnesota.
I enjoyed my 2.5 years at Metro State University, but it is on to the next adventure!
I enjoyed my 2.5 years at Metro State University, but it is on to the next adventure!
December 17, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Well, it is with mixed emotions that I inform you all that I have once again left academia and have started a new position with the MN DNR to study water quality for the state of Minnesota.
I enjoyed my 2.5 years at Metro State University, but it is on to the next adventure!
I enjoyed my 2.5 years at Metro State University, but it is on to the next adventure!
Reposted by Ben Maas
President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would eliminate all federal funding for Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the other eight regional climate science centers, which Congress began establishing in 2008.
Scientists warn federal funding cuts could undermine walleye recovery in Minnesota
The Trump administration froze grant money awarded to the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center in August and wants to cut its budget next year.
bit.ly
December 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would eliminate all federal funding for Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the other eight regional climate science centers, which Congress began establishing in 2008.
"Derek Vekich of Bovey filled in a wetland with more than 9,000 square feet of unpermitted fill near Trout Lake in Itasca County"
But 'We aLl WaNt ClEaN wAtEr'
www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-sto...
But 'We aLl WaNt ClEaN wAtEr'
www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-sto...
Bovey man fined more than $20,000 for stormwater and wetland violations
MPCA investigation determined Derek Vekich committed stormwater and wetland violations in 2024.
www.pca.state.mn.us
December 12, 2025 at 4:19 AM
"Derek Vekich of Bovey filled in a wetland with more than 9,000 square feet of unpermitted fill near Trout Lake in Itasca County"
But 'We aLl WaNt ClEaN wAtEr'
www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-sto...
But 'We aLl WaNt ClEaN wAtEr'
www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-sto...
I did such a good job clearing snow around the mailboxes this morning the mail delivery person thanked me.
December 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I did such a good job clearing snow around the mailboxes this morning the mail delivery person thanked me.
I guess it is time that I stop using Times New Roman as my font of choice...
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I guess it is time that I stop using Times New Roman as my font of choice...
Reposted by Ben Maas
Students walked out of school at Burnsville High School in Minnesota to protest Trump’s ICE gestapo terrorizing their community….the kids are alright 💪!
"NO MORE ICE! NO MORE ICE!"
"NO MORE ICE! NO MORE ICE!"
December 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Students walked out of school at Burnsville High School in Minnesota to protest Trump’s ICE gestapo terrorizing their community….the kids are alright 💪!
"NO MORE ICE! NO MORE ICE!"
"NO MORE ICE! NO MORE ICE!"
With today's snow, I think the cross ski trails will be in great condition across central and northern Minnesota!
a person skiing with a cat on a leash in the snow
ALT: a person skiing with a cat on a leash in the snow
media.tenor.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
With today's snow, I think the cross ski trails will be in great condition across central and northern Minnesota!
Reposted by Ben Maas
“The National Wildlife Health Center in Madison is the only center in the country dedicated to preventing and detecting wildlife disease. Research at the facility, which has already lost about 30% of staff, includes bird flu, chronic wasting disease and more.”
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
Trump budget jeopardizes 3 U.S. science research centers in Wisconsin
The fate of the centers isn't sealed, since Congress ultimately has the power to assign funds. But until a decision is made, scientists are uneasy.
www.jsonline.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
“The National Wildlife Health Center in Madison is the only center in the country dedicated to preventing and detecting wildlife disease. Research at the facility, which has already lost about 30% of staff, includes bird flu, chronic wasting disease and more.”
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
www.jsonline.com/story/news/2...
Reposted by Ben Maas
Wow! Pretty impressive. Source: Electrek
search.app/JKqTf
search.app/JKqTf
Tern’s NYC delivery e-bike fleet crosses 1 million miles, with some bikes rolling past 30k
Urban e-bike maker Tern just hit a major milestone in one of the toughest proving grounds on the planet: New...
search.app
December 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Wow! Pretty impressive. Source: Electrek
search.app/JKqTf
search.app/JKqTf
The 'U' used to be a proper campus...
Memorial Stadium (1920s)
1910 University Ave. SE
Source: Hennepin County Library.
1910 University Ave. SE
Source: Hennepin County Library.
December 7, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The 'U' used to be a proper campus...