This is a David vs. Goliath story with the City acting as a go between. We need YOUR help. Remember, the City works for US as well as the AutoCenter. There is common ground. But we can't get there when the City appears to be covering up its mistakes by sweeping this under the rug.  If inclined, join because you don't like looking at the sign and don't think it "beautifies" the city. It was a bait and switch to the public and city council (at that time). The design changes made out of public view (post approval process) were deceitful and dishonest. We expect more from our city representatives.  I am the one who "discovered" that the land was not owned by the sign owner. It took us a year to get a clear answer from the City as to who actually owned it (the City) and how much they were being paid to transfer public land into private hands (an application fee is all). IF the city signs it over to the sign owner, it lessens their leverage to initiate change. The change we are asking for. We already have plenty of night sky blocking light coming from the AutoCenter. This sign profits a few. I know I'd be fuming if I bought a $1.3 million house up on the hill and had to look at this! Oh wait, that happened to me in my little Craftsman home. I see this thing from my bedroom window!  As for the sign owner, well... they have their own agenda and are probably happy with the current outcome. Might explain why in the four years we've been asking, the owner NEVER agreed to meet with us! 

Disaster relief and weather forecasting shouldn't be partisan issues. Politicizing disaster response and spreading lies about FEMA's role undermines public trust in a vital federal agency–and this disinformation can be life-threatening during natural disasters.  The devastating wildfires raging across Southern California have already killed multiple people and displaced tens of thousands from their homes. Residents are grieving as entire communities—childhood homes, schools, parks, and small businesses—are engulfed in flames.  But instead of coming together to demonstrate swift and bipartisan action to address the crisis and support families on the ground as they fight to survive and rebuild, Trump and his MAGA loyalists are spreading lies and attacking those who are actually working to address the crisis. And this isn't the first time. Last year in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Republicans like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene spread fringe disinformation accusing the government and Democrats of controlling the weather, making it difficult—and even dangerous—for meteorologists to deliver lifesaving information ahead of climate disasters. Meteorologists said that climate conspiracy theories and threatening messages flooded their inboxes. Instead of being able to focus solely on delivering lifesaving weather forecasts ahead of natural disasters, meteorologists had to debunk GOP-proliferated conspiracy theories about the government controlling the weather, and are even receiving death threats for doing their job. FEMA workers have also been targeted by right-wing harassment and abuse. In Hurricane Helene's aftermath, Donald Trump falsely accused FEMA of stealing donations and diverting disaster aid to migrants. Threats of truckloads of militia members "hunting FEMA" forced FEMA and U.S. Forest Service workers to pause their lifesaving recovery efforts to relocate workers out of fear for their safety. Survivors of natural disasters who urgently need assistance are refusing FEMA's help because of this disinformation.  Conservative-led disinformation campaigns against our disaster relief workers and meteorologists are threatening public safety and undermining public trust in our lifesaving institutions. In times of crisis, our elected officials should be working to deliver aid and recovery–not spreading conspiracy theories on social media. Politicizing disaster response efforts for political points at the expense of real people who are suffering after natural disasters is unacceptable. Add your name to the petition to demand Trump and Republicans stop their life-threatening disinformation campaign and put people first! Photo credit: Salon / Getty Images

The office of Heat Ready Phx has started a new initiative called, “Sidewalk Shade Project.” While this initiative is well-meaning in that it intends to solve issues of heat in Phoenix, Arizona, it will not realize this solution since it ignores what is more basic to us. And that is this: The best thing we can do to solve shade and heat issues in Phoenix, Arizona is to plant more native trees. These structures they want to put up will only radiate more heat and become a breeding ground for vandalism, abuse, and overall wear and tear. They will make our beautiful city corners and streets look more barren and more tacky. These structures will not solve the issue of heat and shade, but native trees will. Trees naturally cool the environment, provide shade and improve overall quality of life. Essentially, where there is life, you are sure that there are trees nearby. If we want to fix our problem of heat, air quality, and shade, it is most natural to the majority of us, Phoenicians, that we should promote the planting of more trees. Moreover, if our streets were filled with trees that provide more shade, our streets would be cooler and much prettier. 

It is important for the ninth graders to participate in my campaign, as it is unjust that we are excluded from the highschoolers' recreational activities despite being acknowledged as members of the school community. By rallying others to our cause, we can convey to the higher authorities that our desire for inclusion is not isolated but rather a collective sentiment. Together, we can effect change and secure our rightful participation in a broader array of activities at the highschool.

We all play on these fields and our kids are exposed to these chemicals for extended periods of time all year long. Let’s not wait for more studies that show the dangers of turf fields. Let’s get ahead of this!

Congress has the power to make sure that our neighbors in states impacted by category 4 Hurricane Helene and incoming Hurricane Milton get the funding needed for rescue efforts to save lives, basic necessities like water, food, and prescriptions, and rebuilding their communities, homes, roads, businesses, and infrastructure. Congress is currently out of session through November 12, but relief can't wait. So we have to come together to make sure they return and get it done—because hundreds of thousands of impacted people are counting on the lifesaving resources that Congress can deliver. Just last week, Congress passed a bill that would fund the government through December, but despite forecasted hurricanes and wildfires raging, it left out billions of dollars that were requested for supplemental disaster funding—which would’ve been available now to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Frustrated by underfunded disaster relief, Representative Kathy Castor of Florida said, “The right-wingers here, the MAGA crowd, even after disasters happen, they have opposed disaster aid for communities in need.” It's completely unacceptable. FEMA’s disaster relief fund is already depleted and is currently at a nearly $2 BILLION deficit, forcing them to hold back billions of dollars in rebuilding projects to support more lifesaving work.6 But this was avoidable. FEMA should have the funding it needs to provide relief to our communities, which are enduring one climate catastrophe after another. Disaster funding should never be a partisan issue. Our communities that have been harmed by Hurricane Helene can’t wait until Congress is back in session in November; they need relief right now. Congress must come back and pass supplemental disaster funding NOW. Will you sign the petition?

Reject Xcel Energy's 20-year extension request for the Monticello nuclear power plant. • The plant is 53 years old, making it one of the three oldest in the US. • The 2022 leak of 829,000 gallons of radioactive tritium and other carcinogens poses a threat to: • The Mississippi River, a drinking water source for 20 million people. • The environment and wildlife. • The food chain through irrigation of crops. • Tritium exposure, especially during pregnancy, is linked to: • Cancers in newborns. • Pregnancy loss. • Birth abnormalities. We say NO! NO to the deadly radioactivity harming our children, environment, drinking water, and food! NO to the extension request! We demand the safe shutdown of the Monticello plant!

New developers are constantly infringing on the natural habitat of the surrounding Belmont, NC, area without addressing roads, utilities, amenities and especially the natural habitat. Residents need to demand they plan better for current residents, future growth and including the natural wildlife.

We need to change the direction of this project before it’s too late to save taxpayer money and keep our children safe. 

Human-Bear Conflict is a Human Problem Not a Bear Problem Trash is the number one reason that bears are in our urban areas.  Residents of Glenwood Springs deserve to have the tools needed to reduce human-bear conflict and to keep both residents and bears safe.

 When one thinks of a pristine, natural river, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many in northwestern Michigan, that would be the Jordan River. From its remarkable scenic vistas in the hills of its headwaters, to the eagles and ospreys along the wide, marshy spreads of its mouth, the Jordan River fits that description perfectly. In fact, it was designated as Michigan’s first Natural River in 1972. Paddlers on the Jordan River can enjoy an entire day floating over the river’s crystal-clear waters, surrounded by endless balsam firs, birches, and cedars. Nay a trip has ever been made without sighting elusive fish under the ripples, timid wildlife behind the brush of the banks, and majestic birds flying the river corridor.  Hikers in the Jordan River Valley can stretch their legs in the 18+ hilly miles of the Jordan River Pathway, managed by the Department of Natural Resources and North Country Trail Association. Wild leeks cover the ground as the trail winds through upland forests of white spruce, maple, beech, and ash. The trail descends fast clear streams and hillsides to go through lowlands of black spruce, balsam fir, and white cedar with black, organic soils and chirping frogs. It goes along the River, along tributaries, natural springs coming out of the hills, and along a flooding caused by beaver dams.  Although the upper sections of the Jordan River have some current and ripples in the water, the river slows and spreads out near the mouth. This area, called the Jordan River Spreads, contains hundreds of acres of marshes and wetlands; basically a freshwater estuary. Herons, egrets, and other waterbirds wade through the rushes, sedges, and cattails of the expansive emergent marshes. The City of East Jordan is located just outside of the Spreads. 

Meteorologists are warning that we’re on track for another record-breaking season—just like 2020—when multiple hurricanes and tropical storms formed on the same day. Decades of climate research is clear: Big Oil’s emissions are raising sea surface temperatures, making storms more destructive than ever. Hurricane Beryl shattered records as the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic. It knocked out power for millions of people in Texas, during a deadly heatwave that claimed dozens of lives. The costs are staggering—up to $32 billion in damage—yet the fossil fuel industry continues to dodge responsibility for their role in creating these climate-fueled disasters. They profit, we pay. Some states have already taken bold action. In May, Vermont passed the Climate Superfund Act, becoming the first state in history to force Big Oil to pay for the damage their emissions have caused. And they aren’t alone. New York has passed its own Climate Superfund Act, and more states are following their lead. Now, it’s time for Congress to step up and pass federal legislation that will force these billionaire polluters to pay for the climate disasters they’ve fueled. American taxpayers are crushed by the costs of rebuilding homes, communities, and lives, all while Big Oil pollutes our planet and rakes in record profits. It’s time they’re held accountable. Sign the petition to demand Congress pass the Make Polluters Pay Act and force Big Oil to take responsibility for the destruction they’ve caused!