Chris Otto (LNP | LancasterOnline)
@chrisottolnp.bsky.social
Professional journalist. Deputy Opinion Editor at LNP | LancasterOnline. Covering Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania.
Lancaster Public Library pitches library tax to Lancaster City Council lanc.news/4cl0Pye
Lancaster Public Library pitches library tax to Lancaster City Council
When: Lancaster City Council meeting, Aug. 3. Council Vice President John Hursh was absent.
lanc.news
A federal judge decried efforts to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as he reluctantly dismissed the seditious conspiracy case against members of the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group at the Trump administration's request. https://to.pbs.org/4ckAnVu
Judge criticizes Trump's Justice Department as he says he has no choice but to dismiss Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy case
The move Tuesday closes the book on the Jan. 6 cases that were wiped out with Republican President Donald Trump's sweeping pardons and commutations last year, freeing from prison people convicted of v...
to.pbs.org
Eight winters ago, Dave Costarella started his advocacy for homeless people in Lancaster city by driving around at night, finding people who sleep on the street and offering them essential items. lanc.news/4fOt49z
Lancaster community discusses relationship-based solutions to homelessness
Eight winters ago, Dave Costarella started his advocacy for homeless people in Lancaster city by driving around at night, finding people who sleep on the street and offering them essential
lanc.news
BLUMENTHAL: Judge Cook, who won the 2020 election? COOK: A joint session of Congress certified Joe Biden BLUMENTHAL: How many times have you rehearsed that answer with the White House? Who won the popular vote? COOK: So if you look at each state, the governor-- B: So you're unwilling to answer
Breaking news: A federal judge took the final step in allowing the Trump administration to terminate temporary protected status for 350,000 Haitians, meaning many are likely to lose their jobs and be at risk of deportation.
TPS for Haitians officially ends, putting thousands out of work and in limbo
A federal judge allowed the Trump administration to terminate temporary protected status for 350,000 Haitians, meaning they are likely to lose their jobs and be at risk of deportation.
washingtonpost.com
How much water do data centers really use, why do they use so much, and is it a problem? I talked to researchers and industry experts to understand the true water footprint of the AI boom: Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Why Do Data Centers Use So Much Fresh Water?
The artificial intelligence boom has inspired one of the largest infrastructure build-outs seen in decades: Tech firms are investing billions into constructing the data centers powering AI. This has m...
bloomberg.com
Approximately 350,000 Haitians and Syrians who have remade their lives in the U.S. are now at a crossroads. Their work permits and legal status have expired, yet their home countries haven't recovered from the crises that drove them to seek Temporary Protected Status. https://to.pbs.org/4hckHal
They lost their work permits and their legal status. Returning to Haiti is still ‘unimaginable’
Approximately 350,000 Haitians and Syrians who have remade their lives in the United States are now at a crossroads. Their work permits and legal status have expired, yet their home countries haven’t ...
to.pbs.org
The proposed deal is a temporary measure to ease US-Iran shipping tensions and could pave the way for renewed negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program after a previous agreement collapsed.
Regional officials told AP that Iranian and Omani negotiators have finalized a draft agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, pending approval from Iran's Supreme Leader.
This is called "gambling" or "betting," not "prediction." Media should use the correct terminology.
The Information@theinformation.com · 10h agoRobinhood generated $156 million from prediction markets in the second quarter, more than 10 times its total a year earlier. The business now brings in more revenue than stock or crypto trading. Read more insights: https://thein.fo/4xbhcFI
Pretty crazy that this news will get headlines in Japan tomorrow, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
The Defense Department’s policy chief is drafting a new U.S. nuclear strategy that emphasizes the possible use of shorter-range tactical weapons in case of a regional war with China or Russia, according to five people familiar with the plans. www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Pentagon drafting a new U.S. nuclear strategy in case of regional war with China or Russia, sources say
The classified strategy informs nuclear options for the commander in chief during crises.
nbcnews.com
The bipartisan association of governors is in the process of updating its internal policies on federalism. It will address pressing issues such as artificial intelligence regulation and the primacy of each state to control its own National Guard. From @stateline.org
Governors and lawmakers say they're getting serious about states' rights • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
State leaders of both parties say the federal government — including the president — wields too much power, and they want to see more authority returned to the states.
penncapital-star.com
EDITORIAL: Losing the federal discount that helps school districts supply buildings with internet service could mean districts would have to cut other services or raise school taxes. lancasteronline.com/opinion/edit...
E-Rate program helps Lancaster County students and school districts, and it shouldn't be cut [editorial]
THE ISSUE: The Federal Communications Commission, under the leadership of Chairman Brendan Carr, is reviewing the federal E-Rate program, which offers internet service at discounted rates to public sc...
lancasteronline.com
Current and former Lancaster County employees who worked as 911 dispatchers in the last three years are eligible to join a lawsuit against the county alleging unpaid overtime, a federal district judge ordered Monday. lanc.news/4yU912p
Judge allows more Lancaster County 911 dispatchers to join lawsuit
Current and former Lancaster County employees who worked as 911 dispatchers in the last three years are eligible to join a lawsuit against the county alleging unpaid overtime, a federal
lanc.news
“Pennsylvania voters truly don’t feel that either party are doing anything to address the data center issue,” Dastra said.
LNP | LancasterOnline@lancasteronline.bsky.social · yesterdayLancaster city resident Tony Dastra will appear on the ballot for Pennsylvania governor this fall. lanc.news/3SehsVF
In a conference call hosted by the White House Faith Office on July 30 with thousands of religious leaders around the country, Blanche said he was committed to achieving policy solutions so that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision “becomes permanent in every single state.”
Kelcie Moseley-Morris@kelciemmorris.bsky.social · yesterdayThe recording of Blanche's call with faith leaders hosted by the White House Faith Office was still live as of a few hours ago, but has since been taken down.
These troops -- who are generally very friendly and have no say in what they've been assigned to do -- are walking around in circles all day, around the perimeters of parks, up and down neighborhood streets, with hardly anything to do.
NOTUS Metro@notusmetro.bsky.social · yesterdayTrump’s decision to keep National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., through the end of his term will cost an additional $1.4 billion in tax dollars, according to budget estimates provided to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office and shared with NOTUS.
The company that proposed a data center in Columbia also explored a West Hempfield Township site earlier this year, but new rules under consideration by township supervisors could limit any data centers’ size and location. lanc.news/4w8ckjI
Proposed West Hempfield rules would limit any data center on old QVC property
The company that proposed a data center in Columbia also explored a West Hempfield Township site earlier this year, but new rules under consideration by township supervisors could limit any
lanc.news
Okay, so the same exact demands they’ve signaled since March.
FinTwitter@fintwitter.bsky.social · yesterdayIRAN HAS SIGNALED IT IS WILLING TO REOPEN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ BUT IS DEMANDING THE RIGHT TO COLLECT TRANSIT FEES, SECURITY GUARANTEES AGAINST FUTURE ATTACKS, AN END TO THE U.S. NAVAL BLOCKADE AND RELIEF FROM U.S. OIL SANCTIONS. - WSJ
The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office has identified human bones found along an island in the Susquehanna River five years ago as those of a Lewistown man who went missing nine years ago. lanc.news/3RNVPeI
Lancaster County Coroner ID's remains found in Susquehanna 5 years ago as missing Lewistown man
The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office has identified human bones found along an island in the Susquehanna River five years ago as those of a Lewistown man who went missing nine
lanc.news
The Pentagon’s deployment of National Guard troops to D.C. is set to cost an additional $1.4 billion through the end of the Trump administration, according to information reviewed by The Post. The estimate encompasses October 2026 through January 2029.
Trump’s National Guard deployment in D.C. set to cost additional $1.4 billion
The estimate, provided to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, covers the period from Oct. 1, 2026, through the end of the president’s term.
washingtonpost.com
The Warwick School Board plans to introduce a facility dog policy at its meeting Tuesday that includes a section on transportation that forbids a caretaker from leaving the dog unattended in a vehicle. lanc.news/4wa9FGv
Warwick to introduce facility dog policy nearly two months after Callie's death
The Warwick School Board plans to introduce a facility dog policy at its meeting Tuesday that includes a section on transportation that forbids a caretaker from leaving the dog unattended
lanc.news
Organizers behind the push to institute a countywide library tax in Lancaster County are hoping Tuesday will be the largest haul for gathering the signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot in November. lanc.news/3RMPuA0
Lancaster County library tax referendum organizers to gather signatures at National Night Out
Organizers behind the push to institute a countywide library tax in Lancaster County are hoping Tuesday will be the largest haul for gathering the signatures needed to get the issue
lanc.news
DHS has begun summoning Haitian immigrants in Ohio to check-in appointments with officers who are outfitting them with ankle monitors, in what appears to be a new enforcement effort after the Supreme Court allowed the end their humanitarian protections.
ICE begins outfitting Haitian immigrants with ankle monitors, attorneys say
Haitian immigrants in Ohio with temporary protected status are being called to ICE offices for check-ins after federal officials said their protections had ended.
washingtonpost.com
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a major hurdle in his push to permanently lead the Department of Justice. https://to.pbs.org/4bokHjU
Blanche wins support from GOP holdouts after vowing to scrap 'anti-weaponization fund'
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cleared a major hurdle in his push to permanently lead the Department of Justice. He reached a deal with two GOP senators who had said they would block his nominat...
to.pbs.org
This is ridiculously scary. Yes, we are currently talking about ballrooms and reflecting pools and inflation and Iran and Venezuela and Epstein and crypto grift and the moral rot of the GOP. But all that is going to be forgotten soon. Shit is about to get real, as they say.
Zeke Hausfather@zekehausfather.com · 3d agoI'm not sure folks have realized just how crazy the second half of 2026 and 2027 will be for global temperatures – on the back of a record-smashing El Niño event. Here is my latest estimate of where both years will end up compared to global temperatures since 1850.
'Nightmare situation': At least 700 structures destroyed in Washington wildfires - ABC News abcnews.com/US/destructi...
'Nightmare situation': At least 700 structures destroyed in Washington wildfires
Although fire weather conditions have greatly improved across the Pacific Northwest, poor air quality will continue due to the wildfire smoke across the region.
abcnews.com
America’s concentration camps must be shut down now They are sites of horror: torture, rampant spread of infectious diseases, inadequate sanitation, hygiene, & medical care, & a mounting death toll Just as “better training of guards” wasn’t the answer to Auschwitz, you can’t “reform” these camps
Shawn Connery @shawnconnery.bsky.social · 2d agoImmigrant Held at Delaney Detention Center Has Died, Officials Say The mayor of Newark identified the dead man as Edwin Lopez-Cornejo. The federal New Jersey center has been the focus of intense scrutiny for its treatment of detainees. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/n...