Laura
@3deckerlaura.bsky.social
Housing, street safety, ultra-local politics. Somerville, MA
Reposted by Laura
I don't think transgender athletes are the problem facing girls and women in sports.
Investigators say former coach Sean Gardner created videos showing close-up images of at least 10 minors naked or undressing, which they recovered from his computers last year while investigating reports of sexual abuse.
Gardner has pleaded not guilty and has been jailed pending trial.
Gardner has pleaded not guilty and has been jailed pending trial.
Olympics Sports Watchdog Failed to Stop Mississippi Coach's Sexual Abuse, Women Allege
Two gymnasts who say they were sexually abused at an elite academy in Iowa filed lawsuits Monday against the sport’s oversight bodies.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I don't think transgender athletes are the problem facing girls and women in sports.
Reposted by Laura
Since 1995, Madrid's Metro has added 107mi (172km)
Since 1987, Boston's MBTA has added 4.3mi (6.9km)
Boston's system has 39.5mi of heavy rail and 26.7mi of light rail. Madrid has 184.3mi of heavy rail and 17.3mi of light rail - 3x more!
I wonder what it's like living in a functional society 🤔
Since 1987, Boston's MBTA has added 4.3mi (6.9km)
Boston's system has 39.5mi of heavy rail and 26.7mi of light rail. Madrid has 184.3mi of heavy rail and 17.3mi of light rail - 3x more!
I wonder what it's like living in a functional society 🤔
It would take 2 hours and 20 minutes to travel between Boston and Washington, D.C. at this speed.
This country is so behind, it's laughable.
This country is so behind, it's laughable.
December 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Since 1995, Madrid's Metro has added 107mi (172km)
Since 1987, Boston's MBTA has added 4.3mi (6.9km)
Boston's system has 39.5mi of heavy rail and 26.7mi of light rail. Madrid has 184.3mi of heavy rail and 17.3mi of light rail - 3x more!
I wonder what it's like living in a functional society 🤔
Since 1987, Boston's MBTA has added 4.3mi (6.9km)
Boston's system has 39.5mi of heavy rail and 26.7mi of light rail. Madrid has 184.3mi of heavy rail and 17.3mi of light rail - 3x more!
I wonder what it's like living in a functional society 🤔
Reposted by Laura
all a bit esoteric and it's not exactly a messaging winner, but: america is a religion, and a proselytizing one. that's what being a creedal nation means. come to america, endorse the principles of the declaration and the constitution: congrats, you are an american.
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
December 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
all a bit esoteric and it's not exactly a messaging winner, but: america is a religion, and a proselytizing one. that's what being a creedal nation means. come to america, endorse the principles of the declaration and the constitution: congrats, you are an american.
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
Reposted by Laura
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A massive problem today is the uneven distribution of shame. Some of us are running dedicated on-site shame servers 24/7 while others have no access to shame at all, even though they desperately need it. What we need to do is put shame in the cloud
beyond the data in the report (great!), lotta weird details in this one that make it hard to believe that boston city leadership is committed to this program
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/05/b...
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic From Cars to Bikes - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Mayor Wu has hard evidence that her bike lane projects are helping reduce traffic – but her administration is reluctant to share it.
mass.streetsblog.org
December 6, 2025 at 2:31 AM
beyond the data in the report (great!), lotta weird details in this one that make it hard to believe that boston city leadership is committed to this program
hey ISD what are we even doing here www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Ube desserts and ‘illegal’ sandwiches? This Somerville cafe is fighting to reopen
City officials said the cafe owners moved into the location without proper permitting.
www.wgbh.org
December 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
hey ISD what are we even doing here www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by Laura
I'm sorry, I just have to pop off again on that NYT e-bike piece.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
December 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I'm sorry, I just have to pop off again on that NYT e-bike piece.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
The fatality rate for e-bike injuries is 11%?? You're saying that one out of every 9 times someone hurts themselves on an e-bike, they die?
That is just so mind-blowingly incorrect, I don't know where to start.
Reposted by Laura
This clarity is so rare among the pundit class
I spoke to the New York Times in this great explainer piece by Charlie Savage
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This clarity is so rare among the pundit class
very funny to take the bus through this stretch multiple times this week, because while the T's website knows about this detour, it appears no one told the drivers and they're out there deciding to make it work
Once in effect, this detour will be in place 24 hours a day until Thursday, December 4, at approximately 4 p.m.
MBTA 83/87 outbound service (westbound to Porter Square) service will also be detoured. Visit mbta.com/bus for details.
MBTA 83/87 outbound service (westbound to Porter Square) service will also be detoured. Visit mbta.com/bus for details.
Bus | Schedules & Maps | MBTA
Schedule information for MBTA bus routes in the Greater Boston region, including real-time updates and arrival predictions.
mbta.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:45 AM
very funny to take the bus through this stretch multiple times this week, because while the T's website knows about this detour, it appears no one told the drivers and they're out there deciding to make it work
how did we left sf beat us
Big housing news in San Francisco today: the Board of Supervisors (their equivalent of City Council) votes to upzone the entire western half of the city. Currently much of the westside is houses. Commercial streets get a height boost.
Diagrams & maps below from sfplanning.org/sites/defaul...
Diagrams & maps below from sfplanning.org/sites/defaul...
December 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
how did we left sf beat us
Waiting for a bus at Davis since I don’t want to walk home in the rain, and I have seen multiple cargo bikes go by with small children in little tents
December 2, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Waiting for a bus at Davis since I don’t want to walk home in the rain, and I have seen multiple cargo bikes go by with small children in little tents
Reposted by Laura
Energy transitions can happen faster than we think:
In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.
December 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Energy transitions can happen faster than we think:
In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels.
In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.
Reposted by Laura
I’ve played a lot of simcity but I didn’t know you could go pro
November 27, 2025 at 12:51 AM
I’ve played a lot of simcity but I didn’t know you could go pro
Reposted by Laura
New post: a week of hectic back and forth with fire officials and city council over Berkeley street festivals brings out into the open a conflict in city halls across USA. Fire depts opposition to traffic calming and safety measures. Is there a solution?
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
The Fire Department vs. Traffic Safety Advocates
Street safety advocates are butting heads with fire officials. Swift fire response does not have to come at the cost of lives on the roadway.
darrellowens.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:41 AM
New post: a week of hectic back and forth with fire officials and city council over Berkeley street festivals brings out into the open a conflict in city halls across USA. Fire depts opposition to traffic calming and safety measures. Is there a solution?
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-fire-d...
Reposted by Laura
InFURiating that we all have to write/think/talk about vaccines this much, outside of celebrating new successes (HPV vax largely *eliminating* cervical cancer, my god), this shit was settled as one of the great scientific and public health triumphs EVER and now these dipshits are trying to ruin it
November 30, 2025 at 12:14 AM
InFURiating that we all have to write/think/talk about vaccines this much, outside of celebrating new successes (HPV vax largely *eliminating* cervical cancer, my god), this shit was settled as one of the great scientific and public health triumphs EVER and now these dipshits are trying to ruin it
Reposted by Laura
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
November 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
Reposted by Laura
Does anyone want a survivorship bias shortbread
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Does anyone want a survivorship bias shortbread
Reposted by Laura
Interesting new working paper that studies chains of movers after the construction of a new apartment building in Honolulu.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
uhero.hawaii.edu
November 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interesting new working paper that studies chains of movers after the construction of a new apartment building in Honolulu.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Paper finds that the project resulted in the opening up other, lower cost, housing on the island, benefiting the housing market overall.
Reposted by Laura
This should be the vision for post-McGrath in Somerville, not endless unusable “green” buffer spaces
Eyes on the Street: The Fall of a Freeway in Fall River -
Tearing down a blighted @massdot.bsky.social expressway opens up 19 acres of land for new housing next to Fall River's @mbta.com station:
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/26/e...
Tearing down a blighted @massdot.bsky.social expressway opens up 19 acres of land for new housing next to Fall River's @mbta.com station:
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/26/e...
Eyes on the Street: The Fall of a Freeway in Fall River - Streetsblog Massachusetts
The demolition of MassDOT's blighted Route 79 expressway opens up 19 acres of land for new housing next to Fall River's MBTA station.
mass.streetsblog.org
November 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This should be the vision for post-McGrath in Somerville, not endless unusable “green” buffer spaces
Reposted by Laura
Today, in Utah, homeowners *or renters* can simply buy a solar panel at Costco, take it home, and plug it in to a wall socket, like an appliance. It just sits there & trims about 15-20% off a residential power bill. If you move to another apt., you can take it with you.
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Today, in Utah, homeowners *or renters* can simply buy a solar panel at Costco, take it home, and plug it in to a wall socket, like an appliance. It just sits there & trims about 15-20% off a residential power bill. If you move to another apt., you can take it with you.
Reposted by Laura
🚶♂️Apply to join the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee! Seeking new members - learn more here:
mailchi.mp/7b3081532703...
mailchi.mp/7b3081532703...
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 AM
🚶♂️Apply to join the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee! Seeking new members - learn more here:
mailchi.mp/7b3081532703...
mailchi.mp/7b3081532703...
Reposted by Laura
Adding "duck master" to my list of aspirational careers.
These ducks are local celebrities and walk the red carpet daily
“We’ve got to march with purpose,” duck master Kenon Walker tells the ducks each morning in a pep talk.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Adding "duck master" to my list of aspirational careers.
Reposted by Laura
While I agree with the premise that kids shouldn't be operating vehicles that can go 30+ mph, let's also see Globe editorial board come out in favor of measures like speed and red light cameras, if the concern is safety: drivers kill 70+ pedestrians a year in MA.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/o...
Massachusetts laws haven’t kept up with e-bike technology, and children are paying the price - The Boston Globe
Children are riding powerful machines without adequate safeguards.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
While I agree with the premise that kids shouldn't be operating vehicles that can go 30+ mph, let's also see Globe editorial board come out in favor of measures like speed and red light cameras, if the concern is safety: drivers kill 70+ pedestrians a year in MA.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/o...
There’s a GLX joke in here somewhere
do you have any idea how much you have to piss somebody off to make them change their gauge
#Finland will begin to #Russia - proof its rail network, integrate with EU train infrastructure.
The Finnish government has announced the conversion of its rail network from Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to European standard (1,435 mm).
www.trenvista.net/en/news/flas...
The Finnish government has announced the conversion of its rail network from Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to European standard (1,435 mm).
www.trenvista.net/en/news/flas...
November 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
There’s a GLX joke in here somewhere
Reposted by Laura
This is a phenomenal example of how people advocating for the "character of the neighborhood" are often actually advocating to *change* the character to be less dense and more suburban. Which, if you go play with the city's n'hood GIS explorer, is what has happened all over Boston!
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This is a phenomenal example of how people advocating for the "character of the neighborhood" are often actually advocating to *change* the character to be less dense and more suburban. Which, if you go play with the city's n'hood GIS explorer, is what has happened all over Boston!