Laura Bliss
@mslaurabliss.bsky.social
Editor and writer at Bloomberg Businessweek. Pulitzer finalist 2024. Cities, science, climate and maps. lbliss2@bloomberg.net
California has proposed new regulations to avoid landfill fires that would address some of the problems highlighted my and
@rachaeldottle.bsky.social's investigation into America's hot garbage problem for @bloomberg.com. Read about our impact here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@rachaeldottle.bsky.social's investigation into America's hot garbage problem for @bloomberg.com. Read about our impact here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
October 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
California has proposed new regulations to avoid landfill fires that would address some of the problems highlighted my and
@rachaeldottle.bsky.social's investigation into America's hot garbage problem for @bloomberg.com. Read about our impact here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@rachaeldottle.bsky.social's investigation into America's hot garbage problem for @bloomberg.com. Read about our impact here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Literal "hot garbage." @mslaurabliss.bsky.social (KSJ '23) and Rachael Dottle's reporting on US landfills is excellent, but what they found stinks
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... (article from July)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... (article from July)
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Literal "hot garbage." @mslaurabliss.bsky.social (KSJ '23) and Rachael Dottle's reporting on US landfills is excellent, but what they found stinks
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... (article from July)
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... (article from July)
National parks will remain open during the government shutdown, per NPS memo www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
National Parks Told to Remain Open During Shutdown Despite Risks
Sites were damaged when they remained open to the public during the last government shut down in 2018.
www.bloomberg.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:22 AM
National parks will remain open during the government shutdown, per NPS memo www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Holy shit:
Stateline spoke to nearly a dozen firefighters, agency staffers and contractors, who said that top officials assigned to the fire deployed the crews to a remote location under false pretenses so federal agents could check their immigration status.
www.hcn.org/articles/fir...
Stateline spoke to nearly a dozen firefighters, agency staffers and contractors, who said that top officials assigned to the fire deployed the crews to a remote location under false pretenses so federal agents could check their immigration status.
www.hcn.org/articles/fir...
Firefighters question leaders’ role in ICE raid near Bear Gulch Fire - High Country News
Firefighting veterans believe the management team overseeing fire crews played a key role in handing team members over to immigration authorities.
www.hcn.org
September 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Holy shit:
Stateline spoke to nearly a dozen firefighters, agency staffers and contractors, who said that top officials assigned to the fire deployed the crews to a remote location under false pretenses so federal agents could check their immigration status.
www.hcn.org/articles/fir...
Stateline spoke to nearly a dozen firefighters, agency staffers and contractors, who said that top officials assigned to the fire deployed the crews to a remote location under false pretenses so federal agents could check their immigration status.
www.hcn.org/articles/fir...
SCOOP: A federal employee at Yosemite National Park was fired last week after flying a trans pride flag from El Capitan earlier this year www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Yosemite Employee Fired After Flying Trans Pride Flag
Shannon “SJ” Joslin says they were fired for exercising freedom of speech.
www.bloomberg.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
SCOOP: A federal employee at Yosemite National Park was fired last week after flying a trans pride flag from El Capitan earlier this year www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
US trash dumps produce emissions that endanger residents—due to physical & chemical processes that are not well understood—but that neither federal nor state regulations adequately address, explain @mslaurabliss.bsky.social & @rachaeldottle.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... #sanitation
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... #sanitation
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
July 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
US trash dumps produce emissions that endanger residents—due to physical & chemical processes that are not well understood—but that neither federal nor state regulations adequately address, explain @mslaurabliss.bsky.social & @rachaeldottle.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... #sanitation
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... #sanitation
Reposted by Laura Bliss
long loud 👏👏👏👏👏 to @mslaurabliss.bsky.social for this literal and figurative garbage fires ... "or the industry’s preferred phrase is 'elevated temperature landfill,' or ETLF, which operators say has nothing to do with fire." www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
long loud 👏👏👏👏👏 to @mslaurabliss.bsky.social for this literal and figurative garbage fires ... "or the industry’s preferred phrase is 'elevated temperature landfill,' or ETLF, which operators say has nothing to do with fire." www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
As housing costs soar, running water has become a luxury in Portland, Phoenix and other wealthy US cities. Latest for @bloomberg.com with Klara Auerbach, gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Why Access to Running Water Is a Luxury in Wealthy US Cities
“Plumbing poverty” is surging in Houston, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon and other urban areas.
www.bloomberg.com
July 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
As housing costs soar, running water has become a luxury in Portland, Phoenix and other wealthy US cities. Latest for @bloomberg.com with Klara Auerbach, gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Absolutely incredible, groundbreaking piece of investigative reporting— these reporters deserve every single journalism award coming their way (there will be many!)
Gift link below in the QT (fyi kind of a long read, so save it for later if you must)
Gift link below in the QT (fyi kind of a long read, so save it for later if you must)
3/ For @bloomberg.com, @rachaeldottle.bsky.social and I dove into one dangerously hot landfill near LA that shows the problems that can arise as waste piles higher and deeper. “Garbage fire,” at the very least, is an apt metaphor for what we found. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
July 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Absolutely incredible, groundbreaking piece of investigative reporting— these reporters deserve every single journalism award coming their way (there will be many!)
Gift link below in the QT (fyi kind of a long read, so save it for later if you must)
Gift link below in the QT (fyi kind of a long read, so save it for later if you must)
AMERICA HAS A HOT GARBAGE PROBLEM. LITERALLY. A THREAD
1/ Last year, I spotted some data on LinkedIn that caught my attention. Fires at recycling facilities were skyrocketing as more vape pens, smartphones and electric toothbrushes enter America’s blue bins
1/ Last year, I spotted some data on LinkedIn that caught my attention. Fires at recycling facilities were skyrocketing as more vape pens, smartphones and electric toothbrushes enter America’s blue bins
July 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
AMERICA HAS A HOT GARBAGE PROBLEM. LITERALLY. A THREAD
1/ Last year, I spotted some data on LinkedIn that caught my attention. Fires at recycling facilities were skyrocketing as more vape pens, smartphones and electric toothbrushes enter America’s blue bins
1/ Last year, I spotted some data on LinkedIn that caught my attention. Fires at recycling facilities were skyrocketing as more vape pens, smartphones and electric toothbrushes enter America’s blue bins
Reposted by Laura Bliss
My colleagues @mslaurabliss.bsky.social and @rachaeldottle.bsky.social did a deep dive into the toxic landfill problem making communities across the US sick.
Free gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Free gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
My colleagues @mslaurabliss.bsky.social and @rachaeldottle.bsky.social did a deep dive into the toxic landfill problem making communities across the US sick.
Free gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Free gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Masterful, infuriating story from @mslaurabliss.bsky.social & @rachaeldottle.bsky.social. The insane part is the burning garbage & its impact on people. But they don't shy away from loads of important context, nuance & science! A+ explanatory journalism. Gift link www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick
Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.
www.bloomberg.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Masterful, infuriating story from @mslaurabliss.bsky.social & @rachaeldottle.bsky.social. The insane part is the burning garbage & its impact on people. But they don't shy away from loads of important context, nuance & science! A+ explanatory journalism. Gift link www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Missed this: the ghost of Gregory Ain may help some LA residents rebuild collectively, again
That's because, before the fire, the Yus and the Lansdowns lived on a block of almost identical homes.
The tract of 28 homes, known as the Park Planned homes, was designed by the Modernist architect Gregory Ain in 1946. It has a unique place in LA's architectural history...
The tract of 28 homes, known as the Park Planned homes, was designed by the Modernist architect Gregory Ain in 1946. It has a unique place in LA's architectural history...
May 16, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Missed this: the ghost of Gregory Ain may help some LA residents rebuild collectively, again
Reposted by Laura Bliss
IT'S ABOUT TIME
My heart is still beating so fast.
Thank you @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
Thank you @bloomberg.com and especially the CityLab team @kristoncapps.bsky.social @nicflatow.bsky.social and David Dudley
Stories here! www.bloomberg.com/features/des...
Thank you @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
Thank you @bloomberg.com and especially the CityLab team @kristoncapps.bsky.social @nicflatow.bsky.social and David Dudley
Stories here! www.bloomberg.com/features/des...
May 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
IT'S ABOUT TIME
Reposted by Laura Bliss
Really great reporting by @mslaurabliss.bsky.social It seems the Park Planned homeowners intend to rebuild en masse fairly close to Ain's original plans. This will be amazing.
In the wake of major disasters, homeowners are largely left on their own to navigate the complicated roadmap to recovery -- if they can afford to rebuild. So when I happened to connect with Kim Yu on a reporting trip to LA in late January, I was immediately struck by her community-minded approach.
April 2, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Really great reporting by @mslaurabliss.bsky.social It seems the Park Planned homeowners intend to rebuild en masse fairly close to Ain's original plans. This will be amazing.
In the wake of major disasters, homeowners are largely left on their own to navigate the complicated roadmap to recovery -- if they can afford to rebuild. So when I happened to connect with Kim Yu on a reporting trip to LA in late January, I was immediately struck by her community-minded approach.
March 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In the wake of major disasters, homeowners are largely left on their own to navigate the complicated roadmap to recovery -- if they can afford to rebuild. So when I happened to connect with Kim Yu on a reporting trip to LA in late January, I was immediately struck by her community-minded approach.
“On paper, I do school programs and run the visitor center,” says Alex Wild, who was fired on Feb. 14 from his role as an interpretive park ranger at Devils Postpile National Monument. “But I am also the only EMT, and I run the entire search and rescue and medical services program in the park.”
Trump Job Cuts Threaten Safety at National Parks, Workers Say
An axed custodian warns that the condition of the parks is “not going to be pretty.”
www.bloomberg.com
February 21, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“On paper, I do school programs and run the visitor center,” says Alex Wild, who was fired on Feb. 14 from his role as an interpretive park ranger at Devils Postpile National Monument. “But I am also the only EMT, and I run the entire search and rescue and medical services program in the park.”
The US Army Corps is building an $1 billion underwater defense system complete with shock waves, bubble curtains and screeching acoustic noises to protect the Great Lakes against its arch nemesis: Invasive carp. New from me; gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘It’s Hell for the Fish’: The US Has a Billion-Dollar Plan to Halt a Carp Invasion
Officials are weaponizing Midwest waterways to prevent a disruption of the region’s fishing industry.
www.bloomberg.com
December 13, 2024 at 8:56 PM
The US Army Corps is building an $1 billion underwater defense system complete with shock waves, bubble curtains and screeching acoustic noises to protect the Great Lakes against its arch nemesis: Invasive carp. New from me; gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Laura Bliss
this. @mslaurabliss.bsky.social nails it
tariffs will increase construction prices.
developers will likely clamor to repeal energy codes updates too as high performance products (HVAC) $$ will go up
+ project 2025 is only going to exacerbate the housing crisis
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
tariffs will increase construction prices.
developers will likely clamor to repeal energy codes updates too as high performance products (HVAC) $$ will go up
+ project 2025 is only going to exacerbate the housing crisis
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump’s a Developer, But Don’t Expect Him to Solve the Housing Crisis
The incoming president’s messaging on housing has been muddled by his support for tariffs and deportations, which would make it costlier to build.
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2024 at 6:20 AM
this. @mslaurabliss.bsky.social nails it
tariffs will increase construction prices.
developers will likely clamor to repeal energy codes updates too as high performance products (HVAC) $$ will go up
+ project 2025 is only going to exacerbate the housing crisis
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
tariffs will increase construction prices.
developers will likely clamor to repeal energy codes updates too as high performance products (HVAC) $$ will go up
+ project 2025 is only going to exacerbate the housing crisis
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...