Jo Hofmann
@birdcmp.bsky.social
Birder, woodworker, recovering servant of public health, exFed, ID doc
Greetings from the only place to be in the first 2 wks of Hawktober. Last night saw swirls of Tree Swallows dotted w/ Common Nighthawks, invaded by the occasional Merlin or Peregrine.
This, you selfish shits, is why you get vaccinated for a “mild childhood illness”.
Josh Marshall@joshtpm.bsky.social · 3d ago
If you are part of an academic society or a professor of any kind, public statements that you do not condone Drexel cutting off the academy of natural sciences from the public of Philadelphia is very important right now. We need your voices. Urgently.
Has your school connected with a scientist yet this year? Skype a Scientist offers free connections with scientists for virtual Q&As with classrooms, libraries, clubs, and more! Sign up for a match at www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html 🖼️ by @hanfranstudio.bsky.social
How many more ways can they waste our time & money?
Kyle Griffin@kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 4d agoBREAKING WSJ: The Trump Justice Department is reviewing whether the special prosecutor's office that investigated Watergate committed misconduct. A revisionist historian went to DOJ HQ to present his case that Richard Nixon and his associates weren't treated fairly.
It’s hard to know which moron to hate the most in this administration. Every day in every way, they attempt to outdope one another.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 5d agoHegseth: "It's worth saying again so the fake news understands it. We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that -- no fatties no trannies no beardos no weirdos no wimps no radicals. Just warriors."
A list of people who honked in support of the Academy of Natural Sciences at yesterday's protest: A schoolbus A car full of kids A cop A mailman Cars full of people in business attire Cars full of people in work outfits Cars full of people in street clothes The PPA Philly supports the Academy.
The press coverage of the Academy of Natural Sciences has gone from "Oh how sad" to sounding like a hostage negotiation. Which maybe sounds bad, but elected leaders, the press, the people online, all saying "You don't have to do this, man" is better than mourning. share.inquirer.com/YTQg0s
Philadelphia shouldn’t give up on the Academy of Natural Sciences’ historic museum | Editorial
The Academy's 150-year-old building faces roughly $150 million in deferred maintenance costs. While that may seem daunting, it is not insurmountable.
share.inquirer.com
If anyone knows any leaders of Drexel Student groups, please have them contact me as soon as possible.
A good read on the the state of the academy as it stands today. We're in a pivotal moment right now. The academy board must accept the bridge funding or find another way to keep the museum open immediately. neighborhoodfundamentals.substack.com/p/the-academ...
The Academy Has an Offer. Does It Have the Authority to Take It?
A year of funding is on the table. What's unresolved is who actually gets to decide.
neighborhoodfundamentals.substack.com
Gee that’s helpful. “We’re seeing a movement away from clinical guidance, data, & working w/ states,” - Dr. Debra Houry, CDC’s chief medical officer who resigned in August 2025 ‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/h...
‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission (Gift Article)
The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.
nytimes.com
Literary icon Margaret Atwood has gifted $1M to #WesternU, honouring her longtime partner Graeme Gibson, BA'58, to establish the Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology - advancing research on how birds move, behave and adapt in a changing world. #AllinWesternU news.westernu.ca/2026/09/grae...
STAT: I worked on the CDC investigation of the anthrax letters. 25 years later, are we ready for the next biothreat? By Daniel Jernigan @statnews.com bit.ly/4z58oCp
Murray, Baldwin Lead Colleagues in Demanding Vought Abandon Any and All Plans to Exert Political Control Over NIH Funding bit.ly/3TTU0h 💥 @baldwin.senate.gov @murray.senate.gov
Hey Florida - just in time for your dengue outbreak.
Politics and Health 🗳️ 🩺@politicshealth.bsky.social · last wk.So fuc*ing infuriating and sad. The CDC used to be the crown jewel of the world's scientific firmament. Other countries came to us for help fighting deadly diseases. Its disease detectives learned what caused illness and helped change practices to prevent them. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/h...
If you care about keeping the Academy of Natural Sciences open to the public in Philadelphia, I need you to read and share this thread. Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
It really does look like the poster for a horror movie, doesn’t it?
Attention Philly Families! It is critical that we show Drexel and city government that our enthusiasm for the Academy of Natural Sciences is going strong! Bring your kids, friends, & neighbors down to the parkway on Saturday from 2-6pm. It's a kid-friendly rally to support the academy!
"White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants" [everybody up in arms, as they should be, but for those who have been paying close attention, this has pretty much already happened - the realization just hasn't sunk in yet] www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/s...
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
nytimes.com
If you're a Dem who thinks you'll gain something by going anti-trans, look at Gallup's "most important problem" and Fox News' "most important issue" polling and see where trans issues rank. Whoever told you going anti-trans is a savvy or necessary move spends too much time on X and should be fired.
This is what we have to look forward to.
Dorit Reiss@doritreiss.bsky.social · 2w ago"On September 9, the toll for children who have died from suspected or confirmed measles cases since March 15 passed 1,000, according to the Directorate General of Health Services of Bangladesh." www.npr.org/2026/09/09/g...
there’s also more you can do to save the Academy! you can write to your reps, put the pressure on Drexel’s president, and volunteer to educate others in Philly
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences
Don't mourn — organize. The museum's last public day is Sunday, Sept 27. Ten things you can do today.
save-the-academy.org
$9.5 Billion. That’s how much Trump paid Feds not to work. My >5 months on paid admin leave is barely a blip in the grand total. But I did see the waste first hand. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/u...
Federal Employees Were Paid $9.5 Billion Not to Work in 2025 Under DOGE Effort (Gift Article)
As part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s program to shrink the federal work force, paid administrative leave costs rose by 435 percent.
nytimes.com
I love that the sub-headline actually calls it the “health department.” Eugenics, anyone? Covid Vaccines Delayed for Half of U.S. Children www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/w...
Covid Vaccines Delayed for Half of U.S. Children (Gift Article)
The Health Department has not decided whether to provide the shots to states through the Vaccines for Children program, which serves uninsured and low-income families.
nytimes.com
i had to look this up and what do you MEAN it's true
worm@rfksbrainworm.bsky.social · 3w ago20% of all mammals are bats and I don't see anyone posting them. Give bats proper representation!
Will CDC count this one? Wut century is this?
@drjeannem.bsky.social · 3w ago#measles is preventable & can be especially devastating when acquired during adulthood as we’re tragically seeing in the current US outbreak @idsainfo.bsky.social @cidrap.bsky.social @ameracadpeds.bsky.social @acog.org edition.cnn.com/2026/09/13/h...