Reposted by Brenda Backman
More tornadoes and fewer meterologists make for a dangerous mix that is worrying US weather experts www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...
Could cuts push US weather service to the brink this tornado season?
The Storm Prediction Center had tallied 883 local tornado reports this year as of Monday - 35 per cent higher than average for this time of year.
www.euronews.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
More tornadoes and fewer meterologists make for a dangerous mix that is worrying US weather experts www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...
Reposted by Brenda Backman
ICE agents in Worcester, MA assaulting and arresting a 15-year-old girl after her mother was seized
May 9, 2025 at 6:15 AM
ICE agents in Worcester, MA assaulting and arresting a 15-year-old girl after her mother was seized
Reposted by Brenda Backman
A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond.
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
What DEI threatens isn’t merit. It’s monopoly.
Political science professor Hakeem Jefferson argues for DEI's importance to de-monopolizing universities.
stanforddaily.com
April 23, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A colleague at Stanford’s business school used The Stanford Daily to argue—poorly—against DEI. The piece was riddled with historical errors and left one searching for fact, so I broke my public writing hiatus to respond.
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
I hope you’ll read and share the piece.
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/22/w...
Reposted by Brenda Backman
Almost every line of this story would have been simply unbelievable a few months ago:
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them
Without scientist Kseniia Petrova’s expertise, no one can fully unlock the data’s potential, putting crucial advancements in early cancer detection at risk.
www.nbcnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Almost every line of this story would have been simply unbelievable a few months ago:
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Brenda Backman
When you send innocent people to a foreign gulag, you are not fighting terror. You are practicing it.
NEW! Sworn declarations filed last night confirm the Trump admin sent INNOCENT people to rot in prison El Salvador, including a professional soccer player jailed and tortured by the Maduro regime, who entered this country LEGALLY to seek asylum, and who has NO CRIMINAL RECORD in either country.
March 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
When you send innocent people to a foreign gulag, you are not fighting terror. You are practicing it.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
WTF?????
U.K. tourist Becky Burke finally returned home to Wales on Tuesday after spending 19 days in a U.S. ICE detention facility. Her parents relayed their daughter’s description of her release from ICE, saying how she was taken in “leg chains, waist chains and handcuffs,” which left her “traumatized.”
U.K. Tourist Returns Home in Chains Like ‘Hannibal Lecter’
Becky Burke was released in chains and handcuffs after spending 19 days in an ICE detention facility
www.thedailybeast.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
WTF?????
Reposted by Brenda Backman
A reminder to everyone to follow CYNC Verity @chattjazz.bsky.social -- an ex-pat living overseas (former military national security guy) who is giving us daily info on what foreign media is reporting about Trump and what's happening in the U.S. Because our media isn't reporting news we need.
@the-independent.com @craigunger.bsky.social If you wonder if Trump is an asset to Putin, wonder no more. In a despicable act, Trump shut down research and tracking of Russian war crimes and kidnapped Ukrainian children. Source: The Independent. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e... #HeroesNeeeded
March 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A reminder to everyone to follow CYNC Verity @chattjazz.bsky.social -- an ex-pat living overseas (former military national security guy) who is giving us daily info on what foreign media is reporting about Trump and what's happening in the U.S. Because our media isn't reporting news we need.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
THREAD: There’s a dire situation in Vietnam, at the largest Agent Orange spill in the country.
When Trump and Marco Rubio cancelled foreign aid, froze funding and began dismantling USAID, those who were cleaning up the Bien Hoa air base had to halt work. 1/
When Trump and Marco Rubio cancelled foreign aid, froze funding and began dismantling USAID, those who were cleaning up the Bien Hoa air base had to halt work. 1/
March 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
THREAD: There’s a dire situation in Vietnam, at the largest Agent Orange spill in the country.
When Trump and Marco Rubio cancelled foreign aid, froze funding and began dismantling USAID, those who were cleaning up the Bien Hoa air base had to halt work. 1/
When Trump and Marco Rubio cancelled foreign aid, froze funding and began dismantling USAID, those who were cleaning up the Bien Hoa air base had to halt work. 1/
Reposted by Brenda Backman
In a shocking turn of events, many of the people who said they wanted "free speech" actually just wanted to be the ones in charge of which speech is free.
UPDATE—Mahmoud's attorney says they do NOT know where he is.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
March 10, 2025 at 2:44 AM
In a shocking turn of events, many of the people who said they wanted "free speech" actually just wanted to be the ones in charge of which speech is free.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
THIS!!!! 🤯👇🤯👇
Scientists have just cured pancreatic cancer in some patients with personalized mRNA vaccines. Pancreatic cancer. And this Trump administration wants to throw it all away.
They’re throwing away a cure for cancer.
They’re throwing away a cure for cancer.
Exclusive: NIH officials have advised scientists to remove reference to mRNA vaccines from their grant applications, in expectation the Trump administration intends to abandon most research in the field.
By @arthurallen202.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
By @arthurallen202.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
March 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
THIS!!!! 🤯👇🤯👇
Reposted by Brenda Backman
Lawyers representing plaintiffs say that they understand that *right now* the US gov't has loaded hundreds of Venezuelans onto planes and is about to deport them to El Salvador, possibly to prisons
March 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Lawyers representing plaintiffs say that they understand that *right now* the US gov't has loaded hundreds of Venezuelans onto planes and is about to deport them to El Salvador, possibly to prisons
Reposted by Brenda Backman
Trump: Gutting National Parks—And Hiding the Evidence
National parks hit 331M visits, but Trump officials don’t want you to know. A leaked memo bans the Park Service from promoting the numbers—while firing rangers, closing visitor centers, and cutting safety.
This won’t go well—we love our parks.
National parks hit 331M visits, but Trump officials don’t want you to know. A leaked memo bans the Park Service from promoting the numbers—while firing rangers, closing visitor centers, and cutting safety.
This won’t go well—we love our parks.
March 7, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Trump: Gutting National Parks—And Hiding the Evidence
National parks hit 331M visits, but Trump officials don’t want you to know. A leaked memo bans the Park Service from promoting the numbers—while firing rangers, closing visitor centers, and cutting safety.
This won’t go well—we love our parks.
National parks hit 331M visits, but Trump officials don’t want you to know. A leaked memo bans the Park Service from promoting the numbers—while firing rangers, closing visitor centers, and cutting safety.
This won’t go well—we love our parks.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
NEW: I helped Brian Krebs trace the background of one of Elon Musk's top loyalists, Branden Spikes, head of IT at X, who spent 2 mo at DOGE. Spikes and his ex-wife were involved with Russian diaspora websites and groups linked to pro-Kremlin KSORS players, Russian state media while he was at SpaceX.
March 7, 2025 at 12:56 AM
NEW: I helped Brian Krebs trace the background of one of Elon Musk's top loyalists, Branden Spikes, head of IT at X, who spent 2 mo at DOGE. Spikes and his ex-wife were involved with Russian diaspora websites and groups linked to pro-Kremlin KSORS players, Russian state media while he was at SpaceX.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
🚨 BREAKING
Transportation Secretary clashing with Musk
In a meeting Sean Duffy said, "What am I supposed to do? I have multiple plane crashes to deal with now, and your people want me to fire air traffic controllers?"
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/u...
Transportation Secretary clashing with Musk
In a meeting Sean Duffy said, "What am I supposed to do? I have multiple plane crashes to deal with now, and your people want me to fire air traffic controllers?"
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/u...
Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk
Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
🚨 BREAKING
Transportation Secretary clashing with Musk
In a meeting Sean Duffy said, "What am I supposed to do? I have multiple plane crashes to deal with now, and your people want me to fire air traffic controllers?"
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/u...
Transportation Secretary clashing with Musk
In a meeting Sean Duffy said, "What am I supposed to do? I have multiple plane crashes to deal with now, and your people want me to fire air traffic controllers?"
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/u...
Reposted by Brenda Backman
go.bsky.app/BuBP3Ss
🦋FRIDAY FOLLOWS 🦋
Dear Friends
I am honored to share with you my latest and biggest Starter Pack
If you're new to BlueSky, this is the BEST of the BEST.
President Biden told us, WE MUST BE THE KEEPERS OF THE FLAME 🔥
THESE PEOPLR ARE. ALL VETTED. ALL GREAT
Thank you 💙
🦋FRIDAY FOLLOWS 🦋
Dear Friends
I am honored to share with you my latest and biggest Starter Pack
If you're new to BlueSky, this is the BEST of the BEST.
President Biden told us, WE MUST BE THE KEEPERS OF THE FLAME 🔥
THESE PEOPLR ARE. ALL VETTED. ALL GREAT
Thank you 💙
March 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
go.bsky.app/BuBP3Ss
🦋FRIDAY FOLLOWS 🦋
Dear Friends
I am honored to share with you my latest and biggest Starter Pack
If you're new to BlueSky, this is the BEST of the BEST.
President Biden told us, WE MUST BE THE KEEPERS OF THE FLAME 🔥
THESE PEOPLR ARE. ALL VETTED. ALL GREAT
Thank you 💙
🦋FRIDAY FOLLOWS 🦋
Dear Friends
I am honored to share with you my latest and biggest Starter Pack
If you're new to BlueSky, this is the BEST of the BEST.
President Biden told us, WE MUST BE THE KEEPERS OF THE FLAME 🔥
THESE PEOPLR ARE. ALL VETTED. ALL GREAT
Thank you 💙
Reposted by Brenda Backman
That is the absolute truth! So horrible 🎯🎯
March 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
That is the absolute truth! So horrible 🎯🎯
Reposted by Brenda Backman
I wonder if Big Balls and his boss Numb Nuts know that the one of the largest supervolcanic systems on the planet lies beneath the northwest corner of Wyoming and someday will explode with the force of over a million Hiroshima fission bombs and that maybe volcanos are worth studying?
DOGE now shutting down volcano monitoring stations in Alaska and Hawaii as examples of big government overreach www.notus.org/health-scien...
DOGE Is Trying to Shutter Crucial Volcano Observatory Facilities
The Trump administration plans to terminate leases for buildings that are used to monitor active volcanoes close to population centers. Reductions in force could make relocating these facilities even ...
www.notus.org
March 8, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I wonder if Big Balls and his boss Numb Nuts know that the one of the largest supervolcanic systems on the planet lies beneath the northwest corner of Wyoming and someday will explode with the force of over a million Hiroshima fission bombs and that maybe volcanos are worth studying?
Reposted by Brenda Backman
🚨 This is important as this is some of the foundational weather data for initialization of all weather models, not just NOAA ones. In other words, even the ECMWF (Euro) models could see degraded performance over time if this becomes a regular issue. Very troubling stuff here.
More fallout from the indiscriminate NWS firings:
"Effective immediately, and until further notice, the [NWS] is temporarily suspending some weather balloon launches in Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine, due to a lack of Weather Forecast Office (WFO) staffing."
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
"Effective immediately, and until further notice, the [NWS] is temporarily suspending some weather balloon launches in Albany, New York, and Gray, Maine, due to a lack of Weather Forecast Office (WFO) staffing."
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
March 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
🚨 This is important as this is some of the foundational weather data for initialization of all weather models, not just NOAA ones. In other words, even the ECMWF (Euro) models could see degraded performance over time if this becomes a regular issue. Very troubling stuff here.
Reposted by Brenda Backman
🚨SPECIAL ELECTION - MINNESOTA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 40B🚨
Democrat: David Gottfried - @davidformn40b.bsky.social
Election Date: 🗓️THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH🗓️
Area: Twin Cities; Roseville, Shoreview (see map)
Note: This election will determine control of the MN House (D/R split vs. total R control)!
Democrat: David Gottfried - @davidformn40b.bsky.social
Election Date: 🗓️THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH🗓️
Area: Twin Cities; Roseville, Shoreview (see map)
Note: This election will determine control of the MN House (D/R split vs. total R control)!
March 7, 2025 at 12:53 AM
🚨SPECIAL ELECTION - MINNESOTA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 40B🚨
Democrat: David Gottfried - @davidformn40b.bsky.social
Election Date: 🗓️THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH🗓️
Area: Twin Cities; Roseville, Shoreview (see map)
Note: This election will determine control of the MN House (D/R split vs. total R control)!
Democrat: David Gottfried - @davidformn40b.bsky.social
Election Date: 🗓️THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH🗓️
Area: Twin Cities; Roseville, Shoreview (see map)
Note: This election will determine control of the MN House (D/R split vs. total R control)!
Reposted by Brenda Backman
Hey Peeps,
I've spent the last three days responding to a devastating apartment complex fire in Ukiah, California. We have over 40 families in dire need of aid.
If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross to help these families recover.
➡️ RedCross.org/donate/donation.html/
I've spent the last three days responding to a devastating apartment complex fire in Ukiah, California. We have over 40 families in dire need of aid.
If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross to help these families recover.
➡️ RedCross.org/donate/donation.html/
March 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Hey Peeps,
I've spent the last three days responding to a devastating apartment complex fire in Ukiah, California. We have over 40 families in dire need of aid.
If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross to help these families recover.
➡️ RedCross.org/donate/donation.html/
I've spent the last three days responding to a devastating apartment complex fire in Ukiah, California. We have over 40 families in dire need of aid.
If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross to help these families recover.
➡️ RedCross.org/donate/donation.html/
Reposted by Brenda Backman
When you watch the photos and realize you were not invited
March 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
When you watch the photos and realize you were not invited
Reposted by Brenda Backman
The Russian take-over of the American Government is almost complete.
Pete Hegseth just reportedly ordered the US military’s Cyber Command to “stand down” from all planning against Russia. Analysts have been ordered not to follow or report on Russian threats.
One inside source said, “Putin is on the inside now.”
One inside source said, “Putin is on the inside now.”
Trump administration retreats in fight against Russian cyber threats
Recent incidents indicate US is no longer characterizing Russia as a cybersecurity threat, marking a radical departure: ‘Putin is on the inside now’
www.theguardian.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
The Russian take-over of the American Government is almost complete.