Author Archives: Larry Sanderson

2025.03.04

Janet Moore and Elliot Hughes at the Star Tribune reports: “A Republican-led bill to bar transgender girls from competing on girls and women’s elementary and secondary school sports teams in Minnesota was hotly debated on the state House floor Monday before failing to pass.” Via MinnPost

US Senate Democrats block bill to ban trans athletes from women’s sports
Democratic senator says trans athletes ‘deserve an ally’ after Republican-led bill quashed in razor-sharp 51-45 vote
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/democrats-block-trans-athletes-bill

‘I have witnessed people’s lives change’: How to find the colours that are perfect for you
Megan Lawton
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250303-how-to-find-the-colours-that-are-perfect-for-you

US supreme court weakens rules on discharge of raw sewage into water supplies
Ruling by the court, which has a Republican super majority, undermines the 1972 Clean Water Act
Nina Lakhani
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/epa-ruling-sewage-water

$5 a dozen: major egg companies may be using avian flu to hike US prices, new report finds
The highly concentrated egg market may be contributing to soaring consumer prices – and the spread of the virus, data shared exclusively with the Guardian shows
Nina Lakhani
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/04/egg-prices-bird-flu-corporate-profits

California charges 30 officers over ‘gladiator fights’ at juvenile facility
Staff at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall alleged to have allowed or encouraged nearly 70 fights involving young detainees
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/california-juvenile-detention-gladiator-fights-charges

New York City officials urge vaccination after two measles cases confirmed
Highly contagious respiratory illness was declared eliminated in US in 2000 but new cases have now risen
Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/new-york-city-measles

Scientists aiming to bring back woolly mammoth create woolly mice
Genetically modified mice have traits geared towards cold tolerance, in step towards modifying elephants
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/04/genetically-modified-woolly-mice-mammoth

Federal layoffs hit the deep-red, rural US west: ‘Our public lands are under threat’
As layoffs under Trump bleed out, workers in the Mountain West fear devastating consequences for their communities
Cy Neff
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/trump-doge-federal-layoffs-national-parks

Midwestern cities fear fallout of Trump revoking Haitian residents’ status
Looming end of TPS could wreak havoc in Ohio urban areas revitalised by immigrants from the Caribbean country
Stephen Starr in Lima, Ohio
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/03/ohio-haitians-immigration-tps

Why Elon Musk is targeting a free tax-filing software package
Musk plans cost-cutting – and Americans will end up footing the bill; the business of immigration surveillance; and a fond farewell to Skype
Blake Montgomery
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/03/techscape-elon-musk-skype

2025.03.03

‘I’m selling the Nazi mobile’: Tesla owners offload cars after Musk’s fascist-style salutes Tesla once appeared the future of vehicles. Then Musk’s salutes and support at Trump’s inauguration left owners feeling ‘saddled with a symbol of hate’ Dara Kerr https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ng-interactive/2025/mar/02/tesla-owners-selling-musk

Mysterious and vulnerable: the secret lives of Australia’s giant worms Australia has a huge of diversity of worms on land, sand and sea such as the giant Gippsland earthworm which can stretch up to 3 metres Petra Stock https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/03/mysterious-and-vulnerable-the-secret-lives-of-australias-giant-worms

Earth’s strongest ocean current could slow down by 20% by 2050 in a high emissions future
Melting Antarctic ice is releasing cold, fresh water into the ocean, which is projected to cause the slowdown
Petra Stock
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/03/antarctic-circumpolar-current-slow-down-ice-melting-climate

Mine copper without destroying the planet? London-based project gives scientists hope Experts hope research can create greener methods of extracting the metal vital for renewable energy revolution and boom in electrical devices Robin McKie https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/mar/02/copper-scientists-london-energy-electrical

‘Gandalf’ accused of selling illegal medicinal cannabis in New Zealand
Outrage over targeting of one of New Zealand’s alleged ‘green fairies’ who provide cheaper medicinal cannabis without prescription
Eva Corlett in Wellington
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/03/gandalf-alleged-sale-medicinal-cannabis-new-zealand-charges-ntwnfb

From the simple to the spectacular: the 20 best dessert recipes to comfort and delight
From crumbles to cheesecake, sticky toffee to tiramisu – the sweetest ways to finish any meal
Compiled by Max Olesker
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/03/from-the-simple-to-the-spectacular-the-20-best-dessert-recipes-to-comfort-and-delight

How to make the perfect Taiwanese scallion pancakes – recipe
Flaky, crunchy, moist in the middle … and totally irresistible
Felicity Cloake
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/03/how-to-make-the-perfect-taiwanese-scallion-pancakes-recipe-felicity-cloake

Scottish painter Jack Vettriano dies aged 73
Artist found dead at his apartment in Nice in southern France on Saturday, his publicist says
Lanre Bakare Arts and media correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/mar/03/scottish-painter-jack-vettriano-dies

2025.03.02

Tim Walz regrets getting ‘sucked in’ to addressing Trump’s pet-eating lies
Harris running mate discussed campaign missteps after saying he’ll run for third term as Minnesota governor
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/02/tim-walz-election-immigration

And the winner is … the rising generation of older female actors
With this year’s Oscars about to be handed out, Hollywood women of a certain age have never been more bankable or in demand. What’s behind the cultural shift?
Barbara Ellen
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/02/older-female-actors-hollywood-women-age-cultural-shift

Private spacecraft Blue Ghost lands on Moon
George Sandeman
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd9208qv1kzo

First, catch your (CGI) dragon: hope that visual effects breakthrough can reanimate UK film industry
Pioneering startup technology allows camera operators to see on-screen graphics while filming in real world, rather just imagining them
James Tapper
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/02/cgi-visual-effects-uk-film-industry-on-screen-graphics

A look at Minneapolis’ plan to redevelop Lake Street Kmart, reconnecting Nicollet Avenue
The plan includes a park, housing, a grocery store, and space for small businesses.
Dustin Nelson
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/minneapolis-unveils-plan-for-redeveloping-lake-street-kmart-reconnecting-nicollet-avenue

What is chemsex? Here’s what you need to know
Alexander Cheves Nikki Aye
https://www.out.com/health/what-is-chemsex#toggle-gdpr

2025.03.01

Future of George Floyd Square divides community, city leaders five years after murder
Some community members want the intersection turned into a pedestrian plaza, others want it to remain open to car traffic to help support nearby businesses.
by Katrina Pross
https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/george-floyd-square-development-minneapolis-city-council/

Kennedy Jr backtracks and says US measles outbreak is now a ‘top priority’ for health department
Health secretary earlier said outbreak was ‘not unusual’ but with first US measles death in decade steps up response
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/kennedy-jr-measles-outbreak-health-department

Email shows that Musk ally is moving to close office behind free tax filing program at IRS
Program is apparently being closed according to email from former Tesla engineer installed in GSA
Nick Robins-Early
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/musk-close-irs-free-filing-system

Tortured death of trans man in western New York echoes notorious 90s killing
Seven people have been arrested over ‘horrific’ death of Sam Nordquist, 24. A similar case in Wyoming once helped fuel the LGBTQ+ rights movement
Edward Helmore
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/sam-nordquist-killing-matthew-shepard

‘I was in shock’: DC gallery pulls exhibits of Black and LGBTQ+ artists amid Trump DEI crackdown
Art Museum of the Americas’ abrupt cancellation after anti-diversity order is ‘how fascism unfolds’, curator says
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/art-museum-of-americas-exhibit-trump-dei

Holidays at a one-time Communist luxury beach haven? Yugoslav resort built for Tito to rise from ruins
Revolutionary leader’s derelict Adriatic getaway is on verge of a new life after starring in Kate Winslet film and hit Mr Beast YouTube video
Kim Willsher in Kupari
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/01/communist-tito-yugoslav-adriatic-luxury-beach-resort

‘I don’t know whether I’d describe it as fun’: Aimee Lou Wood on the intensity of making The White Lotus
She is the Sex Education star now stealing the show in Mike White’s hit series and about to appear in a gritty new Netflix drama. It’s all she ever wanted – but somehow, this ‘sad and shy’ actor finds folding the washing more rewarding than fame
Zoe Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/mar/01/i-dont-know-whether-id-describe-it-as-fun-aimee-lou-wood-on-the-intensity-of-making-the-white-lotus

From Unforgiven to The Firm: Guardian writers pick their favourite Gene Hackman movies
After the death of the esteemed actor, writers highlight their favourite movies from a long and varied career
‘He let us hate him’: Gene Hackman had a rare power – he didn’t need to be liked
Radheyan Simonpillai, Andrew Pulver, Benjamin Lee, Charles Bramesco, Andrew Lawrence, Pamela Hutchinson, Scott Tobias and Jesse Hassenger
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/01/from-unforgiven-to-the-firm-guardian-writers-pick-their-favourite-gene-hackman-movies

Melek Erdal’s recipes for börek cake and yoghurt soup
Greek and Turkish flavours flourish in a spinach and feta filo pie and yoghurt and spinach soup with fried bulgur dumplings
Melek Erdal
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/01/borek-cake-and-yoghurt-soup-recipes-melek-erdal

Tickled pink: rhubarb growers see explosion in demand for Yorkshire crop
Despite wet weather hitting yields, supermarkets are reporting a doubling in rhubarb sales compared to last year
Robyn Vinter North of England correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/mar/01/tickled-pink-rhubarb-growers-see-explosion-in-demand-for-yorkshire-crop

Sydney Mardi Gras parade 2025 – in pictures
All the colour, costume and camp of the 47th edition of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Jim Powell
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/gallery/2025/mar/01/sydney-mardi-gras-parade-2025-in-pictures

AR

So, who in Minneapolis would pay £10,000 for a Lord Byron mourning ring? Inquiring minds wanna know.

Gold Ring Containing Lord Byron's Hair Worth Five Figures | FULL EPISODE | BBC Antiques Roadshow UK

2025.02.28

For one Minnesotan, a new heat pump brings comfort and savings Even in one of the coldest cities in the U.S., Kathy Palmer’s heat pump helps displace gas heating, lowers heating bills, and makes her home more comfortable.
by Alison F. Takemura
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2025/02/for-one-minnesotan-a-new-heat-pump-brings-comfort-and-savings/

‘Come back strong’: 19 Bar reopens in Minneapolis nearly a year after major fire
Nicole Ki
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/27/19-bar-reopens-in-minneapolis-after-major-fire

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns to Minneapolis after 5-year hiatus
Nick Halter
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/27/st-patricks-parade-returns-minneapolis-columbia-heights

Senate GOP demands Walz apology for ‘fascists and Nazis’ comment; Walz says he was talking about actual neo-Nazis
Gov. Walz said his comments, which Senate Republicans posted to social media, were not about President Trump or Republican voters.
Author: Danny Spewak
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/senate-gop-demands-walz-apology-for-fascists-and-nazis-comment/89-9a40b189-5c5f-4977-b3b9-c59de7bea4b5?ref=exit-recirc

Preserving your family’s immigration journey: Where to start
Last week, Sahan Journal and MPR News hosted a live community conversation, titled “My family immigration story — and yours” — about how artists, historians and community leaders record and preserve their community history.
by Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/minnesota-family-immigration-history/

‘They’ve lost my trust’: consumers shun companies as bosses kowtow to Trump
Americans are using their wallet to hurt where it matters – including during Friday’s planned ‘economic blackout’
Lauren Aratani in New York and Guardian community team
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/28/trump-consumer-protests-companies

Disney’s Snow White to Mickey 17: 10 of the best films to watch this March
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250227-10-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-march

‘I was born to be an actor’: Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen
Christopher Luu
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-derek-jacobi-influential-interview-katty-kay

Is there no such thing as Italian cuisine?
Thomas Fabbri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250227-is-there-no-such-thing-as-italian-cuisine

Jim Gaffigan, Italian Flicks, Queer Soup Night: This Week’s Best Events
Plus fiber arts, art books, and A Bar of Their Own turns one.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/jim-gaffigan-italian-flicks-queer-soup-night-this-weeks-best-events

2025.02.27

The quiet Massachusetts towns that sparked a revolution
Annika S Hipple
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-the-quiet-massachusetts-towns-that-sparked-a-revolution

Edward II: Did a gay love affair spark a 14th-Century royal crisis?
Nick Levine
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-edward-ii-did-a-gay-love-affair-spark-a-14th-century-royal-crisis

Stonehenge-like circle unearthed in Denmark may have links to UK
Archaeologists suggest ‘woodhenge’ was built between 2600 and 1600BC on similar axis to English stone circle
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/26/stonehenge-circle-unearthed-denmark-woodhenge

‘It’s been a lifesaver’: millions risk going hungry as Republicans propose slashing food stamps
Snap helps more than 42 million people, and is considered the country’s most effective tool to fight hunger
Victoria Namkung
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/snap-foodstamps-republicans-propose-cuts

Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
Researchers believe personal stories are more persuasive than facts alone in addressing vaccine skepticism
Adrienne Matei
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/feb/27/how-anti-vax-parents-changed-their-minds

Jeff Bezos is muzzling the Washington Post’s opinion section. That’s a death knell Margaret Sullivan https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion

Trump administration memo orders Pentagon to identify and fire transgender members of US military
Memo says ‘service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the military’ in Trump’s latest attack on trans rights
Chris Stein and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/transgender-us-military-personnel-pentagon-memo-stood-down-trump-administration

Gene Hackman and wife’s deaths ‘suspicious enough’ for investigation, warrant says
Warrant raises questions about scattered pills, after Betsy Arakawa’s body had ‘mummification in hands’
Ed Pilkington
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-investigation

Obituary
Gene Hackman obituary
Prolific Hollywood character actor who won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven
Brian Baxter
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-obituary

Michelle Trachtenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl actor, dies aged 39
The actor was found at a New York apartment on Wednesday, with the cause of death unknown but not being treated as suspicious
Benjamin Lee
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/26/michelle-trachtenberg-dead

2025.02.26

First measles death reported in west Texas as outbreak worsens Highly contagious disease spreads across nine counties in region where 14% of children are exempt from vaccination
Ed Pilkington and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/texas-measles-outbreak-cases

Fresh doubt cast on authenticity of Rubens painting in National Gallery
Exclusive: Art historian points to ‘bad craftsmanship’ in supposedly 17th-century work entitled Samson and Delilah
Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/26/fresh-doubt-cast-on-authenticity-of-rubens-painting-in-national-gallery-samson-and-delilah

‘Homegrown’ Swedish battery startup admits importing vital components
Northvolt, which claims to run Europe’s first homegrown gigafactory, admits it depends on Chinese suppliers for cathode active material
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/26/homegrown-swedish-battery-startup-admits-importing-vital-components

A White Lotus actor’s guide to Thailand Mayra Peralta https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-a-white-lotus-actors-guide-to-thailand

Koh Mak: The tiny island that’s redefining travel to Thailand Ron Emmons https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250220-koh-mak-the-tiny-island-thats-redefining-travel-to-thailand

2025.02.25

US threatens permanent visa bans on trans athletes based on sex markers Exclusive: State department memo directs officers to bar those deemed to misrepresent birth sex on applications Joseph Gedeon in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/visa-ban-transgender-athletes

How to change your settings to make yourself less valuable to Meta https://johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com/

Federal bill couples ending taxes on tips with banning sub-minimum wage Democrats in Nevada push bill that would provide further relief for tipped workers who can be paid as little as $2.13 Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/25/nevada-end-taxes-on-tips

Mars once had an ocean with sandy beaches, researchers say China’s Zhurong rover finds evidence of shoreline buried deep underground Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/24/mars-ocean-sandy-beaches-radar-data-suggests

Early poems about Merlin portray him as environmentalist, say scholars Re-examination of Welsh poems dating back to 10th century show Myrddin as prophet concerned by human interactions with nature Steven Morris https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars

Grace Slick on sex, drugs and Jefferson Airplane: ‘I was sober in the 80s. That was a mistake’
Tim Jonze
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/25/grace-slick-on-sex-drugs-and-jefferson-airplane-i-was-sober-in-the-80s-that-was-a-mistake

‘My life expectancy is short’: America’s most vulnerable – in pictures From train hoppers to addicts and prostitutes, Mark Laita’s photo series unpicks the complex life stories of those who exist on society’s fringe Mee-Lai Stone https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/feb/25/mark-laita-america-most-vulnerable-in-pictures

Seven planets to be visible in night sky for last time until 2040 Maddie Molloy https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd4z15r54o

2025.02.24

Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88 Much-loved singer known for Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, had suffered a stroke in 2016 Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Safi Bugel https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88

Mitch McConnell is retiring from US politics. Good riddance
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/24/mitch-mcconnell-is-retiring-from-us-politics-good-riddance

2,000 year old book about Roman emperors enters bestseller charts The Lives of the Caesars, translated from Latin by The Rest Is History podcast co-host Tom Holland, details everything from ancient policy failures to sex scandals Ella Creamer https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/24/book-sex-scandals-roman-emperors-bestseller-charts-the-lives-of-the-caesars-tom-holland

‘It stirred the people to breathless wonder and scalding abuse’: The tumultuous history of the Sydney Opera House Myles Burke https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-the-tumultuous-history-of-the-sydney-opera-house

‘The flying bum’: can a UK firm making huge airships finally get off the ground?Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world’s biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional plane Jasper Jolly https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/24/the-flying-bum-uk-firm-airships-airlander-hav

Larry's Blatherings

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