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brooklynite
brooklynite's Journal
brooklynite's Journal
December 29, 2021
New, independent digital outlets and nonprofits have begun to fill some of the gap left by fading local newspapers. Limited resources and the pandemic have driven many toward providing community news, information and services rather than traditional accountability journalism.
Why it matters: "It's not just about a legal or structural shift, but it also represents a shift in how the mission of journalism is changing," said Emily Roseman, research director & editor at the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN).
* "The decline of local newspapers has not just led to more government corruption and waste, but also polarization and misinformation," said Steven Waldman, president and co-founder of Report for America, a local journalism nonprofit.
By the numbers: There are now more than 700 independent local news startups in the U.S. and Canada, according to Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION), a trade organization.
* LION now has over 400 paying members, up from 177 at the start of the pandemic, executive director Chris Krewson told Axios.
* By comparison, at least 100 newspapers have closed during COVID, said Penny Abernathy, a visiting professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
* Without additional government support, the U.S. could lose 100 more newspapers next year and another 500 over the next five years, she estimates.
New era for local journalism
AxiosNew, independent digital outlets and nonprofits have begun to fill some of the gap left by fading local newspapers. Limited resources and the pandemic have driven many toward providing community news, information and services rather than traditional accountability journalism.
Why it matters: "It's not just about a legal or structural shift, but it also represents a shift in how the mission of journalism is changing," said Emily Roseman, research director & editor at the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN).
* "The decline of local newspapers has not just led to more government corruption and waste, but also polarization and misinformation," said Steven Waldman, president and co-founder of Report for America, a local journalism nonprofit.
By the numbers: There are now more than 700 independent local news startups in the U.S. and Canada, according to Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION), a trade organization.
* LION now has over 400 paying members, up from 177 at the start of the pandemic, executive director Chris Krewson told Axios.
* By comparison, at least 100 newspapers have closed during COVID, said Penny Abernathy, a visiting professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
* Without additional government support, the U.S. could lose 100 more newspapers next year and another 500 over the next five years, she estimates.
December 29, 2021
Read more: https://www.axios.com/biden-putin-phone-call-russia-ukraine-8de373e8-edfb-4a36-a48b-8018312ca2ca.html
Biden to hold second call with Putin ahead of U.S.-Russia security talks
Source: Axios
President Biden will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday afternoon, ahead of a series of diplomatic talks in January over Russia's military buildup on its border with Ukraine.
Why it matters: The call, announced Wednesday by the White House, will mark the second time the two leaders have spoken this month. Putin has laid out a series of maximalist demands for scaling back U.S. and NATO activity in Europe, warning that the alliance's expansion may leave Russia with no choice but to invade Ukraine.
The big picture: The U.S. and Russia agreed this week to hold talks on Jan. 10, followed by meetings of the Russia-NATO Council on Jan. 12 and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Jan. 13.
The U.S. and its European allies have threatened Russia with unprecedented sanctions and an increased troop presence on NATO's eastern flank if Putin moves forward with an invasion of Ukraine.
Why it matters: The call, announced Wednesday by the White House, will mark the second time the two leaders have spoken this month. Putin has laid out a series of maximalist demands for scaling back U.S. and NATO activity in Europe, warning that the alliance's expansion may leave Russia with no choice but to invade Ukraine.
The big picture: The U.S. and Russia agreed this week to hold talks on Jan. 10, followed by meetings of the Russia-NATO Council on Jan. 12 and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Jan. 13.
The U.S. and its European allies have threatened Russia with unprecedented sanctions and an increased troop presence on NATO's eastern flank if Putin moves forward with an invasion of Ukraine.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/biden-putin-phone-call-russia-ukraine-8de373e8-edfb-4a36-a48b-8018312ca2ca.html
December 29, 2021
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/28/fda-antigen-tests-reduced-sensitivity-omicron-526217
FDA: Antigen tests may have reduced sensitivity detecting Omicron
Source: Politico
Covid-19 antigen tests may be less capable of detecting the fast-spreading Omicron variant, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned on Tuesday.
The new warning is based on preliminary studies by the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative using patient samples with live virus — analysis that “represents the best way to evaluate true test performance in the short-term,” according to FDA.
“Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,” the FDA said on Tuesday.
Omicron's large number of mutations have raised the possibility that it could evade protections against Covid that had come through vaccines and treatments like some monoclonal antibodies. The FDA noted the presence of mutations in the virus can diminish test performance depending on the sequence of the variant, the design of the test and the prevalence of the variant in the population.
The new warning is based on preliminary studies by the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative using patient samples with live virus — analysis that “represents the best way to evaluate true test performance in the short-term,” according to FDA.
“Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,” the FDA said on Tuesday.
Omicron's large number of mutations have raised the possibility that it could evade protections against Covid that had come through vaccines and treatments like some monoclonal antibodies. The FDA noted the presence of mutations in the virus can diminish test performance depending on the sequence of the variant, the design of the test and the prevalence of the variant in the population.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/28/fda-antigen-tests-reduced-sensitivity-omicron-526217
December 29, 2021
Every day I get an email from someone saying they're going to beat MTG. I won't give them a penny. I'm under no illusions that she isn't actually popular in her district (R+28) and a shoe-in to win next year.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Holds Big Lead for Re-Election
Political WireAn internal poll provided to the Washington Examiner shows Rep. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) with “an enormous lead in her 2022 midterm election primary” and “53% would back her regardless of who challenges.”
Greene holds a stunning 68% to 10% favorable rating, according to the poll.
Greene holds a stunning 68% to 10% favorable rating, according to the poll.
Every day I get an email from someone saying they're going to beat MTG. I won't give them a penny. I'm under no illusions that she isn't actually popular in her district (R+28) and a shoe-in to win next year.
December 29, 2021
Looks like we got out just before everything fell apart.
COVID and snow force hundreds more flight cancellations at Sea-Tac Airport
Seattle TimesFor yet another day, travelers anxious to fly to or from the Seattle area faced cancellations, delays, lost luggage, unexpected hotel stays and mounting frustration with the way airlines were coping — or not coping — with winter weather and pandemic-related staffing issues.
Since the snow began coming down Sunday, more than 1,000 flights into and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have been canceled with hundreds more delayed. With another storm forecast for Seattle later this week, and airline industrywide staffing shortages unresolved, many travelers were bracing for days more of delays and disappointment.
“It’s just staggering,” said Jason Maddocks, a Seattle resident who has been marooned with his wife, Amy, in a Houston hotel at their own expense since their Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle was canceled Sunday — and hopes to be on a rebooked flight Wednesday.
As of late Tuesday, airlines had canceled 258 flights into or out of Sea-Tac Airport, or roughly a quarter of all flights scheduled Tuesday, according to the website FlightAware.com. Another 170 flights scheduled for Wednesday and 172 Thursday flights had also been canceled, according to the flight-tracking site.
Since the snow began coming down Sunday, more than 1,000 flights into and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have been canceled with hundreds more delayed. With another storm forecast for Seattle later this week, and airline industrywide staffing shortages unresolved, many travelers were bracing for days more of delays and disappointment.
“It’s just staggering,” said Jason Maddocks, a Seattle resident who has been marooned with his wife, Amy, in a Houston hotel at their own expense since their Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle was canceled Sunday — and hopes to be on a rebooked flight Wednesday.
As of late Tuesday, airlines had canceled 258 flights into or out of Sea-Tac Airport, or roughly a quarter of all flights scheduled Tuesday, according to the website FlightAware.com. Another 170 flights scheduled for Wednesday and 172 Thursday flights had also been canceled, according to the flight-tracking site.
Looks like we got out just before everything fell apart.
December 29, 2021
My niece has tested positive for COVID
Family fully vaxed and boosted. Brother a pediatrician. Went off for a week of skiing in Canada. Everyone in the same van, so I thinks the odds are high for additional infections.
December 28, 2021
Betty White Reveals Her Secrets to a Happy Life at 100: 'I'm So Lucky to Be in Such Good Health'
[link: https://people.com/tv/betty-white-reveals-her-secrets-to-long-happy-life-at-100-exclusive/|People]
Betty White is gearing up to celebrate her centennial birthday on Jan. 17!
In this week's cover story, White tells PEOPLE exclusively how she feels about turning 100 years old. "I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age," says the veteran actress. "It's amazing."
According to White, being "born a cockeyed optimist" is the key to her upbeat nature. "I got it from my mom, and that never changed," she says. "I always find the positive."
As for her diet, White jokes: "I try to avoid anything green. I think it's working."
In this week's cover story, White tells PEOPLE exclusively how she feels about turning 100 years old. "I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age," says the veteran actress. "It's amazing."
According to White, being "born a cockeyed optimist" is the key to her upbeat nature. "I got it from my mom, and that never changed," she says. "I always find the positive."
As for her diet, White jokes: "I try to avoid anything green. I think it's working."
December 27, 2021
Back on the Nice List...
https://twitter.com/chrisbastianbkl/status/1475509091212697601
December 26, 2021
Seattle hit with overnight snowstorm (3-5 in)...
…a condition for which it is generally unprepared. We are supposed to fly out this afternoon.
Buses have been re-routed away from the area we’re staying in because of the snow.
Care shares are charging $90 because of the snow.
My SIL can’t drive us because she’s in COVID quarantine.
Walking to the train will be in 28 deg weather down a steep hill with unshoveled sidewalks.
Wish me lunch.
Profile Information
Name: Chris BastianGender: Male
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Home country: USA
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 94,519
