Author archives

Visualizing Abortion Restrictions

FiveThirtyEight – Undue Burden How abortion restrictions have become obstacles for women across the U.S. By Anna Wiederkehr and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux. Illustrations by Nicole Rifkin “Abortion is a constitutional right — at least for now. But for many women, it’s a right that comes with an asterisk. Under current law, states can’t ban abortion until …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Courts, Government Documents, Health Care, Legal Research

How to turn your smartphone into a flatbed scanner to sign forms or digitize text

Yahoo Finance: “You may have a flatbed scanner at home or perhaps one of those “all in one” printer/scanner/copier machines, but did you know your smartphone’s camera can also double as a flatbed scanner? It’s not only fast and convenient to scan something when away from your computert, but the quality is surprisingly good, thanks …

Subjects: Knowledge Management

Unchecked global emissions on track to initiate mass extinction of marine life

Princeton University: “As greenhouse gas emissions continue to warm the world’s oceans, marine biodiversity could be on track to plummet within the next few centuries to levels not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs, according to a recent study in the journal Science by Princeton University researchers.  The paper’s authors modeled future marine biodiversity …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Environmental Law

World’s reptiles comprehensively assessed – IUCN Red List

“Comprehensive Study of World’s Reptiles: More Than One in Five Reptile Species are Threatened with Extinction. Many Likely Benefit From Efforts to Save Other Animals:  Conservation efforts for other animals have likely helped protect many reptile species, according to a new study led by NatureServe, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Conservation …

Subjects: Climate Change, Environmental Law

Plastics Recycling ‘Does Not Work,’ Environmentalists Stress as U.S. Recycling Rates Drop to 5%

EcoWatch: “A new report shows that U.S. plastic recycling rates have declined from about 8.7% to between 5% and 6%, revealing the challenges and shortcomings of the country’s waste management infrastructure and policies. Environmental organizations Last Beach Clean Up and Beyond Plastics issued the report, which found a decline in recycling rates since 2018, the …

Subjects: Climate Change, Environmental Law, Government Documents, Legal Research

Federal Agencies’ Use of Open Source Data and Related Threat Products Prior to January 6, 2021

GAO – Capital Attack – Federal Agencies’ Use of Open Source Data and Related Threat Products Prior to January 6, 2021: “Several federal agencies used “open source” data—social media posts and other publicly available information—to obtain information about the potential for violence at the U.S. Capitol prior to January 6, 2021.Agencies developed reports for situational …

Subjects: Congress, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Social Media

Next battle over access to abortion will focus on pills

AP: “It took two trips over state lines, navigating icy roads and a patchwork of state laws, for a 32-year-old South Dakota woman to get abortion pills last year. For abortion-seekers like her, such journeys, along with pills sent through the mail, will grow in importance if the Supreme Court follows through with its leaked …

Subjects: Courts, Government Documents, Health Care, Legal Research, Medicine

EveryLibrary launches the Banned Book Store

“EveryLibrary is excited to launch the Banned Book Store at bannedbookstore.co as the most comprehensive list of currently banned and challenged books in the United States.  Many of the book challenges come from individuals who have never read the books and who have been encouraged by national right wing organizations to present excerpts out of context …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Free Speech, Legislation, Libraries

FY2023 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability

CRS Report – FY2023 Budget Documents: Internet and GPO Availability Updated May 4, 2022: “Every year the President submits a series of volumes to Congress containing the President’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. The President’s submission is required on or after the first Monday in January, but no later than the first Monday …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Internet, Legal Research