Colleen Cronin
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
📤 391
📥 198
📝 98
ecoRI News reporter | reach out at colleen at ecoRI dot org
Street View, Coming to a River Near You
ecori.org/street-view-...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Street View, Coming to a River Near You - ecoRI News
Such maps will help all those who care about and advocate for rivers and waterways have the data they need to actually plan ways to improve them.
https://ecori.org/street-view-coming-to-a-river-near-you/
3 days ago
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ICYMI: Here's a rundown of what happened at the latest
@ripta.com
board meeting:
ecori.org/ripta-board-...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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RIPTA Board Approves Purchase of 25 Accessible Vans for Paratransit Service - ecoRI News
Unlike the past couple of meetings, few members of the public attended the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s most recent board meeting.
https://ecori.org/ripta-board-approves-purchase-of-25-accessible-vans-for-paratransit-service/
6 days ago
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I crunched the numbers, and only about half of the recycling tickets issued in PVD over the last few years are actually paid. Read more about why/how that happens:
ecori.org/lax-enforcem...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Lax Enforcement, Lack of Awareness Result in Poor Recycling Ticket Returns in Providence - ecoRI News
Recycling tickets come with a $50 fine, plus fees for paying online and additional fees for late payments.
https://ecori.org/lax-enforcement-lack-of-awareness-result-in-poor-recycling-ticket-returns-in-providence/
11 days ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Metcalf Institute
12 days ago
The
#ClimateMatters
spotlight continues with reporting on warming trends from
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
, a Metcalf alum writing for
@ecorinews.bsky.social
! Read about temp rise in RI: As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive
@climatecentral.org
ecori.org/as-they-beco...
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As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive - ecoRI News
Rhode Island hasn’t always needed to be ready for the consequences of extreme heat, but that time is coming to end as climate change ramps up.
https://ecori.org/as-they-become-more-common-heat-waves-will-also-be-more-destructive/
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Had a lot of fun learning about Cumberlandite (the official rock of RI) and its sister rock in Sweden for this
@ecorinews.bsky.social
story!
ecori.org/a-tale-of-sh...
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A Tale of 'Shared Magma' Bridging Rhode Island and Sweden - ecoRI News
The Swedish and Rhode Island rocks were formed billions of years ago and have almost identical geochemical compositions.
https://ecori.org/a-tale-of-shared-magma-bridging-rhode-island-and-sweden/
16 days ago
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Two-thirds of the spending included in the new STIP is allotted for roads and bridges.
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/state-planni...
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State Planning Council Approves New Transportation Improvement Plan Draft, with Bulk of Funding Going to RIDOT - ecoRI News
Rhode Island has a new road map for its transportation priorities after the State Planning Council approved the State Transportation Improvement Program 2026-2035.
https://ecori.org/state-planning-council-approves-new-transportation-improvement-plan-draft-with-bulk-of-funding-going-to-ridot/
19 days ago
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Despite some temporary funding funneling to
@ripta.com
, the agency is still implementing major cuts that will start at the end of the month. Read about how it will affect the folks that work and shop at this Narragansett plaza
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/riptas-servi...
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RIPTA's Service Cuts 'Affect People that Don't Have Options' - ecoRI News
RIPTA is planning to reduce service on 46 different lines.
https://ecori.org/riptas-service-cuts-affect-people-that-dont-have-options/
26 days ago
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Latest Blab Lab episode is out.
@pvdstreets.bsky.social
advocate 17yr old Cedric Ye chats with me about RIPTA, trains, and homework!
ecori.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Teen Transit Advocate Has Done His Homework - ecoRI News
Cedric Ye has become a fixture of the Rhode Island transit advocacy scene. He talked to ecoRI News reporter and Blab Lab host Colleen Cronin about the problems and opportunities […]
https://ecori.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e13b2166588ced0a86d845032&id=518bf7942e&e=cff4b92862
about 1 month ago
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ICYMI: Starting working on those high-knee exercises, RI-ers, you're going to have to start stomping if these numbers keep going up!
ecori.org/have-you-see...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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about 1 month ago
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While RI has spent decades and millions of $$$ erecting fish ladders, removing dams, and cleaning up its rivers to shore up dwindling river herring populations, they face major challenges out at sea.
ecori.org/are-rhode-is...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Are Rhode Island River Herring’s Problems Really Out at Sea? - ecoRI News
A foundational species, river herring sit at the bottom of the aquatic food chain, helping to feed larger animals.
https://ecori.org/are-rhode-island-river-herrings-problems-really-out-at-sea/
about 1 month ago
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We made a searchable table so that you can see how your route is impacted under the new plan, compared to to the prior proposal:
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about 1 month ago
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McKee to Redirect $3M in Federal Funds to RIPTA; Seeks Fare Increase, Administrative Cuts
ecori.org/mckee-to-red...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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McKee to Redirect $3M in Federal Funds to RIPTA; Seeks Fare Increase, Administrative Cuts - ecoRI News
The additional funding still leaves RIPTA with a $7 million deficit in the coming fiscal year.
https://ecori.org/mckee-to-redirect-3m-in-federal-funds-to-ripta-seeks-fare-increase-administrative-cuts/
about 1 month ago
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SCOOP: After several failed attempts at scheduling a meeting, Paolino referred to RIPTA as a “joke,” and said he would not attend future meetings on the hub, according to an Aug. 5 email obtained through a public records request and reviewed by
@ecorinews.bsky.social
.
ecori.org/while-ripta-...
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While RIPTA Held Service Cut Hearings, McKee’s Office Scheduled Bus Hub Discussions with Paolino - ecoRI News
RIPTA held public hearings last year and hired a firm to find a location for a new bus hub, though a final decision has not been made. The agency was urged to pause the plans to deal with RIPTA's budg...
https://ecori.org/while-ripta-held-service-cut-hearings-mckees-office-scheduled-bus-hub-discussions-with-paolino/
about 1 month ago
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To all the bug squashers out there: I want to know where you've seen spotted lantern flies in Rhode Island. DM or email me (
[email protected]
)
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
ecoRI News
about 2 months ago
Just a few days left to take advantage of early-bird pricing and save $15 on tickets to our 16th Zero-Trash Birthday Bash. 🎂🗑️♻️ Celebrate 16 years of good, clean environmental reporting.
www.eventbrite.com/e/1441262798...
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16th Zero-Trash Birthday Bash
Have a blast without the trash — while raising funds for ecoRI News' environmental reporting and watchdog journalism.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1441262798829
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If
@ripta.com
cuts move forward, this rider will likely need to withdraw from grad school... Read her story
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/ripta-servic...
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RIPTA Service Cuts Would Have Profound Effect on this Washington County Resident - ecoRI News
Samantha Maar, who doesn’t own a car, will likely defer graduate school if the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority moves forward with planned cuts to its service.
https://ecori.org/ripta-service-cuts-would-have-profound-effect-on-this-washington-county-resident/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Institute at Brown for Environment & Society (IBES)
about 2 months ago
IBES Professors Stephen Porder and Meredith Hastings spoke to
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
@ecorinews.bsky.social
about heatwaves, their effect on human and environmental health, and ways to minimize their harm. “We know what’s coming,” Porder said. “There’s no excuse for not preparing for it.”
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Want to know what this thing is??? Sorry you gotta to read the story to find out...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/device-allow...
about 2 months ago
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Slugging around Providence today in the heat? Check out our story about heat waves, why they are happening and how we could prevent their worst impacts in the future:
ecori.org/as-they-beco...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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As They Become More Common, Heat Waves Will Also Be More Destructive - ecoRI News
Rhode Island hasn’t always needed to be ready for the consequences of extreme heat, but that time is coming to end as climate change ramps up.
https://ecori.org/as-they-become-more-common-heat-waves-will-also-be-more-destructive/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Ted Nesi
about 2 months ago
TARGET 12: RIDOT budgeted $2 million to keep tow trucks on the Washington Bridge 24/7 The actual cost? $6.8 million so far - and rising fast Here's a closer look at why the budget was so far off and how much more taxpayers are set to spend in the future
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$6.8 million spent so far to keep tow trucks on Washington Bridge around the clock
RIDOT acknowledges the agency never updated its $2 million budget for towing, but says it has found the money from savings elsewhere.
https://www.wpri.com/target-12/6-8-million-spent-so-far-to-keep-tow-trucks-on-washington-bridge-around-the-clock/?1
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
ecoRI News
about 2 months ago
Old enough to drive! ecoRI News is turning 16, and we're celebrating with a zero-trash birthday bash on Sept. 18. Get your tickets by Aug. 22 and save $15.
ztb16.eventbrite.com
(TBH, if ecoRI News were a person, it probably wouldn't drive; it would take transit.)
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16th Zero-Trash Birthday Bash
Have a blast without the trash — while raising funds for ecoRI News' environmental reporting and watchdog journalism.
https://ZTB16.eventbrite.com
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Glad I was able to give the welcoming speech for today's Open Government Summit on behalf of @FiveFreedoms. I spoke on how APRA law is a floor not a ceiling and how appreciative I am when public records officers also use it that way.
2 months ago
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My first ever time on TV! Thanks
@elisherman.bsky.social
and
@kimkalunian.bsky.social
for being so kind and asking such great questions!
t.co/GSZDRFWSdR
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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https://www.wpri.com/behindthestory/behind-the-story-7-30-25-colleen-cronin-talks-recycling-violations-in-providence/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_Eli_Sherman
https://t.co/GSZDRFWSdR
2 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
ecoRI News
2 months ago
Our own
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
discussed her recent reporting on recycling violations in PVD on
@wpri12.bsky.social
with
@elisherman.bsky.social
@kimkalunian.bsky.social
.
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New: Data Shows Providence’s Lowest-Income Neighborhood Ticketed Most for Recycling Violations (25,000+ data points, two records requests, and a python script later
@ecorinews.bsky.social
)
ecori.org/data-shows-p...
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Data Shows Providence's Poorest Neighborhood Ticketed Most for Recycling Violations - ecoRI News
Providence's ordinance mandates that residents can only put recyclable waste in their recycling bins or face a $50 fine.
https://ecori.org/data-shows-providences-poorest-neighborhood-ticketed-most-for-recycling-violations/
2 months ago
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While many of his colleagues administered final exams and graded term papers last semester, Jameson Chace was at sea. Spoke to a
@salvereginauni.bsky.social
prof who just went out on a big voyage with
@noaa.gov
.
ecori.org/salve-regina...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Salve Regina Professor Awed By NOAA's Work on the Ocean - ecoRI News
While many of his colleagues administered final exams and graded term papers last semester, Jameson Chace was at sea.
https://ecori.org/salve-regina-professor-awed-by-noaas-work-on-the-ocean/
2 months ago
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Here's a chart that tracks populations in different freshwater environments over time:
public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
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3 months ago
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Are fish ladders effective at helping herring? I dug into this question and it is a lot harder to answer that you'd think:
ecori.org/how-helpful-...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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How Helpful Are Fish Ladders for Breeding Herring? - ecoRI News
To swim up the lower part of the Woonasquatucket River, spawning herring must traverse a series of fish ladders before they can reach their breeding grounds upstream.
https://ecori.org/how-helpful-are-fish-ladders-for-breeding-herring/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Ghost Rail enthusiast wife Daria
3 months ago
Turns out I’m not the only cranky local woman who wants better transit service.
@hypatian.org
spoke to
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
for
@ecorinews.bsky.social
last week
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Transit Riders Worried Their RIPTA Routes Will Be Cut - ecoRI News
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority scheduled public hearings for this summer to discuss cuts to service and fee increases.
https://ecori.org/transit-riders-worried-their-ripta-routes-will-be-cut/
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Here's the story!
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/flock-forest...
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3 months ago
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NEW: DEM wrote in with concerns about public records reform this session, so I decided to look at how many/what kinds of requests they get compared to others state agencies
ecori.org/state-agenci...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
3 months ago
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Pics from a Richmond hike last week that didn't make it into the story...
#haysentedfern
#holdontightspidermonkey
#forksORlittlerhody
3 months ago
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Source search: Looking to speak with folks who got to work from home or got the day off today/tomorrow from work because of the heat wave. Feel free to DM or email me (
[email protected]
)
3 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
John Marion
4 months ago
I ❤️ this piece by
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
about Zach Gauthier, who is a dogged advocate and wonderful guy.
ecori.org/mr-gauthier-...
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Mr. Gauthier Goes to Smith Hill to Support Public Transit - ecoRI News
Zach Gauthier has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He can’t drive, so he depends on RIPTA’s paratransit service for people with disabilities.
https://ecori.org/mr-gauthier-goes-to-smith-hill-to-support-public-transit/
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Mr. Gauthier Goes to Smith Hill to Support Public Transit My latest for
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/mr-gauthier-...
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Mr. Gauthier Goes to Smith Hill to Support Public Transit - ecoRI News
Zach Gauthier has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. He can’t drive, so he depends on RIPTA’s paratransit service for people with disabilities.
https://ecori.org/mr-gauthier-goes-to-smith-hill-to-support-public-transit/
4 months ago
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🍓🍓🍓 Recently went to the Strawberry Thanksgiving, hosted by the Tomaquag Museum! Read all about it...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/narragansett...
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Tomaquag Museum's Annual Strawberry Thanksgiving Brings Family, Community Together - ecoRI News
The event is one of 13 celebrations held for each moon of the year.
https://ecori.org/narragansett-tribes-annual-strawberry-thanksgiving-brings-family-community-together/
4 months ago
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Great budget summary from
@nancyklavin.bsky.social
. For context on
@ripta.com
, this plan still leaves them at a $17M deficit, similar to last year's hole which would have led to major cuts to fixed-route service (which you can read a little bit about at the link)
ecori.org/riders-beg-r...
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4 months ago
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The Narragansett Bay Estuarine Research Reserve has been open for decades, but federal funding issues threaten its mission of study, education, and stewardship.
ecori.org/prudence-isl...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
4 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Institute at Brown for Environment & Society (IBES)
5 months ago
IBES Professor Stephen Porder spoke to
@colleen-cronin.bsky.social
@ecorinews.bsky.social
about the history of composting, "not[ing] that for most of human history, composting was the rule and not the exception."
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"It has got to be passed on." Wrote about the history of composting in RI — and its future, for
@ecorinews.bsky.social
.
ecori.org/whats-old-is...
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What's Old Is New Again: Age-Old Practice of Composting Gains Traction in R.I. - ecoRI News
Indigenous people practiced composting here long before white settlers arrived.
https://ecori.org/whats-old-is-new-again-age-old-practice-of-composting-gains-traction-in-r-i/
5 months ago
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Nurdle Alert!!! If you don't know what a "nurdle" is, you're just going to have to read my story
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/nurdle-alert...
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Nurdle Alert: Rhode Islanders Participate in International Plastic Pellet Survey - ecoRI News
Manufacturers use the tiny plastic pellets to make the various plastic products they sell.
https://ecori.org/nurdle-alert-rhode-islanders-participate-in-international-plastic-pellet-survey/
5 months ago
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Had so much fun at the RI Press Awards banquet last week (
@ecorinews.bsky.social
's first time and mine) and honored to have placed!
5 months ago
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Burrillville Turf Field Update: The town's planning board has voted down the artificial grass field...
ecori.org/planning-boa...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Planning Board Votes Down Burrillville Artificial Turf Field at High School - ecoRI News
Opponents argued the field would leach toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances substances into the environment.
https://ecori.org/planning-board-votes-down-burrillville-artificial-turf-field-at-high-school/
5 months ago
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Some journalists are recognized by the Pulitzer Prize Board, others are recognized on Facebook marketplace....
5 months ago
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Looking to chat with folks who are participating in Bike to Work month, which starts Thursday! DM or email me (
[email protected]
) if you'd like to chat... I will be trying it, at least for part of the month, myself, so stay tuned!
5 months ago
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Hanging at the Community Climate Leaders Conference today at Bentley University. Come say hi, if you're here!
5 months ago
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“Just because numbers are falling doesn’t mean that it’s gone.”
ecori.org/avian-flu-ca...
@ecorinews.bsky.social
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Avian Flu Cases Down in Rhode Island, But Concerns Linger - ecoRI News
There haven’t been any reported cases of H5N1 in domestic flocks in Rhode Island.
https://ecori.org/avian-flu-cases-down-in-rhode-island-but-concerns-linger/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Bill Bartholomew
5 months ago
good reporting here:
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Had a chance to speak with Lorén Spears, ED of the Tomaquag Museum, about her upcoming induction into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame!
@ecorinews.bsky.social
ecori.org/tomaquag-mus...
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Tomaquag Museum’s Lorén Spears to Be Inducted into R.I. Heritage Hall of Fame - ecoRI News
The institution honors individuals who have brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence, or contributed to the history and heritage of the state.
https://ecori.org/tomaquag-museums-loren-spears-to-be-inducted-into-r-i-heritage-hall-of-fame/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Colleen Cronin
Institute at Brown for Environment & Society (IBES)
5 months ago
“We’re hemorrhaging the future of science in our country as we refuse to support things that have nothing to do with whatever AI buzzword the government, at the moment, seems to be using to filter these things out,” IBES Prof Stephen Porder told
@ecorinews.bsky.social
⤵️
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