PopSci: “For most folks, the word “prepper” evokes an image of someone who’s got way too much time on their hands at best, and who spends way too much time following conspiracies on the Internet at worst. But while you might not want to fill a backyard bunker with canned food (or, frankly, need to), the truth is that you’re almost certainly overdue for a little prepping. In the age of climate-change-fueled wildfires and pandemic lockdowns, you at least need a shelter in place (SIP) kit—and maybe a go-bag, too. Trust me, I know that can sound intimidating! But far from making you dwell on scary possibilities, being prepared for the worst can actually free up your mind to enjoy life. By the time you finish reading this, you’ll know everything you need to know to start prepping—and stop worrying.”
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Category Archives: Food and Nutrition
Federal Worker Layoffs Climb Toward 250,000 as Deadline Looms
Bloomberg Law: “The Trump administration’s push to drastically shrink the federal government shifts to a new gear Thursday, when agencies face a deadline to submit plans for large-scale layoffs and budget cuts. With them, the list of government job cuts that for weeks had been measured in the tens of thousands — and included retirements,… Continue Reading
Mapped: How Much U.S. States Rely on Imports from Canada, Mexico, and China
Voronoi – “What We’re Showing – This map illustrates the top trading partner of every U.S. state as of November 2024. The data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Key Takeaways Canada, Mexico, and China are the top trade partners for 42 states. The U.S. imports about $900 billion in goods from Canada and… Continue Reading
Website tracking how many people have lost their jobs because of the USAID Stop-Work Order
US AID STOP WORK – Tracking. Informing: “As of February 19, 2025, 55K confirmed, 100K+ estimated globally – these are the confirmed jobs lost from USAID and their implementing partners who have had to lay off or furlough employees due to the funding freeze. The confirmed number is based on 83 organizations. These numbers are… Continue Reading
Metals in Wildfire Suppressants
Metals in Wildfire Suppressants. Marella H. Schammel, Samantha J. Gold, and Daniel L. McCurry. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2024, 11, 11, 1247-1253. Open Access Publication Date (Web): October 30, 2024. Pages 1136-1259. ABSTRACT: Frequent and severe wildfires have led to increased application of fire suppression products (long-term fire retardants, water enhancers, and Class A foams)… Continue Reading
Scientists Say They’ve Found the Perfect Way to Boil an Egg
Smithsonian Magazine – “Boiling an egg is not as straightforward as it might seem, because the egg yolk and the egg white cook at two different temperatures. If the white is perfectly cooked, the yolk is overdone and chalky. But if the yolk is perfectly cooked, the white (also called the albumen) does not solidify… Continue Reading
Recent CRS and GAO Reports Highlight Key Issues of Trump Administration
2/3 – USAID Under the Trump Administration (CRS) 2/3 – No More Deference: Sixth Circuit Relies on Loper Bright to Strike Down Net Neutrality Rules (CRS) 2/3 – Food Safety: Status of Foodborne Illness in the U.S. (GAO) 2/4 – Recent White House Actions on Immigration (CRS) 2/6 – Federal Workforce Downsizing: Voluntary and Involuntary… Continue Reading
CRS confirms the president does not have authority to abolish or move USAID
Congressional Research Service Update – USAID Under the Trump Administration: “Because Congress established USAID as an independent establishment (defined in 5 U.S.C. 104) within the executive branch, the President does not have the authority to abolish it; congressional authorization would be required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID. The Secretary of State established USAID as… Continue Reading
Mapped: The Top Import Partner of Every U.S. State
Visual Capitalist: “The Trump administration is imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico [this is on hold for one month – maybe] and Canada, along with a 10% tariff on imports from China. The U.S. President says he wants strong action to halt the flow of the opioid fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into… Continue Reading
Career civil service across the government fired, programs suspended – list continues to grow
Via LLRX – Career civil service across the government fired, programs suspended – list continues to grow – Democracy, the Constitution, the Federal Government – All At Risk. Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025 Donald Trump has rapidly implemented key recommendations of Project 2025 using actions executed by non career government personnel as well conservative… Continue Reading
States struggle to curb food waste despite policies
State-level policies alone are insufficient to meet the federal food waste reduction goal in the United States, Nature Food (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-01092-w – PHYS.org: “…The United States generates more food waste than all but two countries. To address this, the federal government set a goal to cut food waste in half by 2030 compared to 2016… Continue Reading
Sorry, but Your Paper Straw Is Covered in Forever Chemicals
Food & Wine – Here’s What to Use Instead – “If you’re concerned about your exposure to forever chemicals, you may want to ditch your paper straw. In 2023, researchers from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, published a study in the journal Food Additives & Contaminants reviewing 39 different brands of straws made from five materials: paper, bamboo,… Continue Reading
