Steven Rodas
@stevenrodas.bsky.social
environmental reporter for NJ.com and @starledger.bsky.social. Born/raised/reside in Jersey City, NJ. Syracuse University alum.
https://www.nj.com/user/srodas/posts.html
https://www.nj.com/user/srodas/posts.html
Pinned
Steven Rodas
@stevenrodas.bsky.social
· Mar 13
Dammed if you do
This N.J. town declared war on its beaver neighbors. Boy did they misunderstand the enemy.
projects.nj.com
Project for @starledger.bsky.social and @nj.com: BEAVERS!
I spent over a year tracing the history of the beaver in #NewJersey and centering the war one small suburban town has had with the rodents. edt: @jessbeym.bsky.social, illustrations from @halseyberryman.bsky.social projects.nj.com/beavers/
I spent over a year tracing the history of the beaver in #NewJersey and centering the war one small suburban town has had with the rodents. edt: @jessbeym.bsky.social, illustrations from @halseyberryman.bsky.social projects.nj.com/beavers/
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, families in 13 towns will not get home elevations like initially thought bc #NewJersey says FEMA would consider too costly.
“They’re having another program pulled out from under them,” said Amanda Devecka-Rinear of the New Jersey Organizing Project.
“They’re having another program pulled out from under them,” said Amanda Devecka-Rinear of the New Jersey Organizing Project.
69 N.J. homes need a lifeline to save them from Mother Nature. It’s not coming.
Families eager to elevate in 13 towns were told by the state this FEMA program will not help them after all.
www.nj.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:46 PM
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, families in 13 towns will not get home elevations like initially thought bc #NewJersey says FEMA would consider too costly.
“They’re having another program pulled out from under them,” said Amanda Devecka-Rinear of the New Jersey Organizing Project.
“They’re having another program pulled out from under them,” said Amanda Devecka-Rinear of the New Jersey Organizing Project.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
As a historian of science, I was raised to think rejecting science was a pathology of anti-democratic governments. Well, this might be the proof of that.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/c...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/c...
Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:42 PM
As a historian of science, I was raised to think rejecting science was a pathology of anti-democratic governments. Well, this might be the proof of that.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/c...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/c...
breaking for @starledger.bsky.social, the death toll from the extreme cold weather that has hammered #NewJersey for weeks has risen to 17, state officials told me.
At least 17 deaths linked to N.J.’s extreme cold and snow, state says
The death toll was recorded before temps dipped to dangerous levels again over the weekend.
www.nj.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
breaking for @starledger.bsky.social, the death toll from the extreme cold weather that has hammered #NewJersey for weeks has risen to 17, state officials told me.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
The spreadsheet covers roughly 5 years (ending 3/2023) and includes disciplinary outcomes tied to alleged unauthorized database access, improper use or disclosure of information, and stalking or harassment.
The records don’t include much context about the underlying misconduct
The records don’t include much context about the underlying misconduct
February 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
The spreadsheet covers roughly 5 years (ending 3/2023) and includes disciplinary outcomes tied to alleged unauthorized database access, improper use or disclosure of information, and stalking or harassment.
The records don’t include much context about the underlying misconduct
The records don’t include much context about the underlying misconduct
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spoke with various meteorologists including @cupajoe.live, as well as well experts from ASU, Georgia Southern and TCNJ about the glut of amateur forecasters these days and the real dangers of #weather misinformation (especially during extreme weather periods!)
Everyone is suddenly a weather expert. It’s making this brutal winter so much worse.
Amateur weather forecasters "are destroying the profession," one meteorologist said.
www.nj.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spoke with various meteorologists including @cupajoe.live, as well as well experts from ASU, Georgia Southern and TCNJ about the glut of amateur forecasters these days and the real dangers of #weather misinformation (especially during extreme weather periods!)
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Climate reporters are some of the kindest, most selfless, and most hardworking people around.
We need MORE of their work, not less. I'm grateful to everyone who has read and subscribed to support any kind of climate coverage over the years, ours or another newsroom's. Thanks for not turning away.
We need MORE of their work, not less. I'm grateful to everyone who has read and subscribed to support any kind of climate coverage over the years, ours or another newsroom's. Thanks for not turning away.
February 5, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Climate reporters are some of the kindest, most selfless, and most hardworking people around.
We need MORE of their work, not less. I'm grateful to everyone who has read and subscribed to support any kind of climate coverage over the years, ours or another newsroom's. Thanks for not turning away.
We need MORE of their work, not less. I'm grateful to everyone who has read and subscribed to support any kind of climate coverage over the years, ours or another newsroom's. Thanks for not turning away.
exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social that makes for a good snow day read. A small army of residents say their fervor for protecting the environment and after a probe by @nj.com, they saved a massive park reservation from becoming the home of a new 500-ft communication tower
Paving paradise for a payday? How a small N.J. group fought to keep their wilderness green.
Amid a probe by NJ Advance Media, Bergen County abruptly changed its tune over the fate of a 4,000-acre reservation.
www.nj.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:29 PM
exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social that makes for a good snow day read. A small army of residents say their fervor for protecting the environment and after a probe by @nj.com, they saved a massive park reservation from becoming the home of a new 500-ft communication tower
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Minnesota Public Radio is doing a great job. I donated yesterday! support.mpr.org/mpr-web
January 24, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Minnesota Public Radio is doing a great job. I donated yesterday! support.mpr.org/mpr-web
I was very glad to join @wnyc.org’s @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social! spoke with David Furst about @mikiesherrill.bsky.social freezing #NewJersey’s soaring utility rates and what it all actually means) Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/0dvc...
Gov. Sherrill's Utility Rate Freeze
open.spotify.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I was very glad to join @wnyc.org’s @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social! spoke with David Furst about @mikiesherrill.bsky.social freezing #NewJersey’s soaring utility rates and what it all actually means) Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/0dvc...
“Go back to Florida, you motherf—er!’”
It’s gotten, uh, testy at a series of Jersey Shore fishing holes.
mini-enterprise for @starledger.bsky.social that speaks to the larger conversation about open space and who gets a right to it in an ever-developing #NewJersey. h/t Andy Mills
It’s gotten, uh, testy at a series of Jersey Shore fishing holes.
mini-enterprise for @starledger.bsky.social that speaks to the larger conversation about open space and who gets a right to it in an ever-developing #NewJersey. h/t Andy Mills
‘Pissed off’ fishermen lose Jersey Shore beach access to bennies. Now they’re devastated and raising hell.
A small sticker has ignited a big uproar at this Jersey Shore destination.
www.nj.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
“Go back to Florida, you motherf—er!’”
It’s gotten, uh, testy at a series of Jersey Shore fishing holes.
mini-enterprise for @starledger.bsky.social that speaks to the larger conversation about open space and who gets a right to it in an ever-developing #NewJersey. h/t Andy Mills
It’s gotten, uh, testy at a series of Jersey Shore fishing holes.
mini-enterprise for @starledger.bsky.social that speaks to the larger conversation about open space and who gets a right to it in an ever-developing #NewJersey. h/t Andy Mills
Reposted by Steven Rodas
"On the wall next to it, a sign read: 'When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher wall.'"
@shannonheffernan.bsky.social and Julieta Martinelli for @themarshallproject.org/Latino USA/Futuro Investigates: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
@shannonheffernan.bsky.social and Julieta Martinelli for @themarshallproject.org/Latino USA/Futuro Investigates: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
The Small House Offering Aid in the Shadow of an ICE Detention Center
Amid rising ICE arrests, volunteers provide aid — a meal, a bed, gas money — to anyone visiting someone detained in remote rural Georgia.
www.themarshallproject.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
"On the wall next to it, a sign read: 'When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher wall.'"
@shannonheffernan.bsky.social and Julieta Martinelli for @themarshallproject.org/Latino USA/Futuro Investigates: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
@shannonheffernan.bsky.social and Julieta Martinelli for @themarshallproject.org/Latino USA/Futuro Investigates: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spoke with @newjerseypolitics.bsky.social , several nonprofits and gov’t officials about a heated proposal to build a gas pipeline under part of #NewJersey and New York. It comes after an election in which affordability and utility rates were dominant themes.
Can N.J. curb costs without selling its soul? A $1B pipeline shows the dilemma.
New Jersey's energy future is stuck between a pipeline and a hard place.
www.nj.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spoke with @newjerseypolitics.bsky.social , several nonprofits and gov’t officials about a heated proposal to build a gas pipeline under part of #NewJersey and New York. It comes after an election in which affordability and utility rates were dominant themes.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
#COP30
>5000 "lobbyists mingling with world leaders & climate negotiators [..] worked for at least 859 fossil fuel organizations including trade groups, foundations & 180 oil, gas & coal companies involved in every part of the supply chain from exploration & production to distribution & equipment"
>5000 "lobbyists mingling with world leaders & climate negotiators [..] worked for at least 859 fossil fuel organizations including trade groups, foundations & 180 oil, gas & coal companies involved in every part of the supply chain from exploration & production to distribution & equipment"
Exclusive by me: How thousands fossil fuel lobbyists got access to UN climate talks – and then oil and gas companies kept drilling
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How thousands of fossil fuel lobbyists got access to UN climate talks – and then kept drilling
Exclusive: Research shows oil, gas and coal firms’ unprecedented access to Cop26-29, blocking urgent climate action
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:06 PM
#COP30
>5000 "lobbyists mingling with world leaders & climate negotiators [..] worked for at least 859 fossil fuel organizations including trade groups, foundations & 180 oil, gas & coal companies involved in every part of the supply chain from exploration & production to distribution & equipment"
>5000 "lobbyists mingling with world leaders & climate negotiators [..] worked for at least 859 fossil fuel organizations including trade groups, foundations & 180 oil, gas & coal companies involved in every part of the supply chain from exploration & production to distribution & equipment"
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Good one from @stevenrodas.bsky.social here
A feel-good story about a small town rallying around an affable, stranded boater has taken an unexpected turn.
A bizarre shipwreck plagues this Jersey Shore town. Mysterious owner refuses to remove it.
A feel-good story about a small town rallying around an affable, stranded boater has taken an unexpected turn.
www.nj.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Good one from @stevenrodas.bsky.social here
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, New Jersey is kicking a group of families from the historic Island Beach State Park fishing shacks. Leave or possibly face eviction after Friday, despite an initial lease agreement. With great photos from Andrew Mills www.nj.com/ocean/2025/1...
N.J. kicks heartbroken families out of iconic Jersey Shore shacks. Demolition awaits.
“We’re just hoping the good Lord fixes everything and we can stay," said one 87-year-old resident.
www.nj.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, New Jersey is kicking a group of families from the historic Island Beach State Park fishing shacks. Leave or possibly face eviction after Friday, despite an initial lease agreement. With great photos from Andrew Mills www.nj.com/ocean/2025/1...
Reposted by Steven Rodas
This is a really ambitious and cool forestry project and uh...not sure where they are going to find the funding for it now?
Unburned: An Investigation - Bay Nature
To protect the Plumas National Forest and its communities from the next megafire, the Forest Service plans to burn it—intentionally. Can $274 million do the job?
baynature.org
September 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
This is a really ambitious and cool forestry project and uh...not sure where they are going to find the funding for it now?
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Here are the major ways federal/@realDonaldTrump environmental and energy policies and decisions have trickled down to #NewJersey since January (in no particular order)🧵1/
September 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Here are the major ways federal/@realDonaldTrump environmental and energy policies and decisions have trickled down to #NewJersey since January (in no particular order)🧵1/
Here are the major ways federal/@realDonaldTrump environmental and energy policies and decisions have trickled down to #NewJersey since January (in no particular order)🧵1/
September 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Here are the major ways federal/@realDonaldTrump environmental and energy policies and decisions have trickled down to #NewJersey since January (in no particular order)🧵1/
Reposted by Steven Rodas
I hope you understand that if you show up at a hospital with an infection no one has ever seen before that the US had somewhere you could call. That place would answer, offer testing you can’t get anywhere else and come visit you to solve if necessary.
September 1, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I hope you understand that if you show up at a hospital with an infection no one has ever seen before that the US had somewhere you could call. That place would answer, offer testing you can’t get anywhere else and come visit you to solve if necessary.
Special report for @starledger.bsky.social: Landfills!
Ten of #NewJersey’s 12 major landfills want to expand or have already begun to enlarge. Together, they are set to grow by 89 million cubic yards, which equals more than 27,000 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of new garbage.
Ten of #NewJersey’s 12 major landfills want to expand or have already begun to enlarge. Together, they are set to grow by 89 million cubic yards, which equals more than 27,000 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of new garbage.
N.J. is full of trash and landfills. Can families win the high-stakes war over their stench?
The Garden State's about to be stuffed with more people and more garbage than ever, setting up a high-stakes collision.
www.nj.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Special report for @starledger.bsky.social: Landfills!
Ten of #NewJersey’s 12 major landfills want to expand or have already begun to enlarge. Together, they are set to grow by 89 million cubic yards, which equals more than 27,000 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of new garbage.
Ten of #NewJersey’s 12 major landfills want to expand or have already begun to enlarge. Together, they are set to grow by 89 million cubic yards, which equals more than 27,000 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of new garbage.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
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...
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spent several weeks with one Newark family, speaking about the intersection of violence and heavy emissions. In #NewJersey, people like Koabie Mincey have reckoned with crime for years. It can make asthma worse, new research shows.
He grew up in a neighborhood of violence. An N.J. man’s struggle to breathe.
Crime and respiratory health are more connected than people realize, a Rutgers University expert said.
www.nj.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
new for @starledger.bsky.social, I spent several weeks with one Newark family, speaking about the intersection of violence and heavy emissions. In #NewJersey, people like Koabie Mincey have reckoned with crime for years. It can make asthma worse, new research shows.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Houston’s NWS office has lost its head meteorologist and has 11 vacancies. The shortages stem from federal cuts that slashed roughly 10% of NOAA’s staff.
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Staff vacancies hit Texas weather offices as they brace for a busy hurricane season
Houston’s National Weather Service office has lost its head meteorologist amid a federal requirement to cut 10% of NOAA’s staff.
www.texastribune.org
June 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Houston’s NWS office has lost its head meteorologist and has 11 vacancies. The shortages stem from federal cuts that slashed roughly 10% of NOAA’s staff.
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, I spent a day at one of the largest sewage plants in #NewJersey and learned about how it’s preparing for something you wouldn’t necessarily think about each time you take a bathroom break: rising sea levels. Why a massive flood wall may be the answer.
Don’t want sewage seeping into your basement? We need a mile-long wall, plant says.
The floodwall could cost as much as $70 million.
www.nj.com
June 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM
mini-exclusive for @starledger.bsky.social, I spent a day at one of the largest sewage plants in #NewJersey and learned about how it’s preparing for something you wouldn’t necessarily think about each time you take a bathroom break: rising sea levels. Why a massive flood wall may be the answer.
Reposted by Steven Rodas
Gardening is about love, and Ryan Krugman wrote a beautiful story about rooftop gardens in NY. Read and share!
insideclimatenews.org/news/2406202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2406202...
A New York Rooftop Blossoms with Lessons About Food Literacy - Inside Climate News
The Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project grows more than beans and greens. It is an open-air classroom about nutrition high in the sky between Port Authority and the Lincoln Tunnel.
insideclimatenews.org
June 25, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Gardening is about love, and Ryan Krugman wrote a beautiful story about rooftop gardens in NY. Read and share!
insideclimatenews.org/news/2406202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2406202...