Brian Leech
@brianleechphd.bsky.social
Historian of American West, Midwest, environmental history, mining, energy, food, animals. Currently working on a book about the history of U.S. speed limits & another book about mining in popular culture. https://brianleechphd.net
Glad to see a judge overturn the decision to close the Iowa City branch of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s archives, which seems to have come before the Iowa Department of Administrative Services could enact a plan to completely dispose of 60% of the archive’s holdings.
Iowa City Historical Society closure overturned after yearlong battle
A Johnson County judge recently ordered the State Historical Society of Iowa to reopen its Iowa City branch after a yearlong legal battle.
qconline.com
September 29, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Glad to see a judge overturn the decision to close the Iowa City branch of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s archives, which seems to have come before the Iowa Department of Administrative Services could enact a plan to completely dispose of 60% of the archive’s holdings.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Very cool! The Medieval Academy of America & @uchicagopress.bsky.social have kindly agreed to temporarily lift the paywall on a short essay I published a few months ago: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/.... Dating, dating, dating. Vital for the historian; essential for interdisc. dialogue.
The Future of Time: Methodological Dialogues between Philology, Archaeology, and Genomics | Speculum: Vol 101, No 1
www.journals.uchicago.edu
September 24, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Very cool! The Medieval Academy of America & @uchicagopress.bsky.social have kindly agreed to temporarily lift the paywall on a short essay I published a few months ago: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/.... Dating, dating, dating. Vital for the historian; essential for interdisc. dialogue.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Join us for our first event of the year, a talk with Henry Jenkins and Robert Kozinets about their book series, Frames of Fandom, on Tues, Oct. 16 at 9am/12pm/5pm. Register here: tinyurl.com/faasframesev.... A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.
September 21, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Join us for our first event of the year, a talk with Henry Jenkins and Robert Kozinets about their book series, Frames of Fandom, on Tues, Oct. 16 at 9am/12pm/5pm. Register here: tinyurl.com/faasframesev.... A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Another hoard of Viking coins is found, this time in Finland: www.livescience.com/archaeology/... #MedievalSky
Finland's largest Viking Age silver hoard discovered by metal detectorist — and it has thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry
The largest Viking Age silver hoard ever found in Finland was unearthed by a metal detectorist north of Helsinki.
www.livescience.com
September 12, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Another hoard of Viking coins is found, this time in Finland: www.livescience.com/archaeology/... #MedievalSky
Reposted by Brian Leech
According to a meeting I was in, UMass estimates that if the capacity of these tools were maxed out by student, faculty, staff users, the total cost to the university would be $130,000/day, or about $47 million / year.
September 11, 2026 at 2:25 PM
According to a meeting I was in, UMass estimates that if the capacity of these tools were maxed out by student, faculty, staff users, the total cost to the university would be $130,000/day, or about $47 million / year.
Reposted by Brian Leech
This piece was fascinating, getting at a point I'd never considered: bin-Laden's entire concept about what 9/11 would do to America was just... wrong. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
September 11, 2026 at 3:51 PM
This piece was fascinating, getting at a point I'd never considered: bin-Laden's entire concept about what 9/11 would do to America was just... wrong. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
My community is awash in car washes. Here in the Midwest they use a lot of salt on the roads during snowy periods, so there is a reason to wash your car during the winter/spring, but I honestly can’t figure out if there’s another reason to wash a car on a regular basis…doesn’t rain work?
September 11, 2026 at 9:51 PM
My community is awash in car washes. Here in the Midwest they use a lot of salt on the roads during snowy periods, so there is a reason to wash your car during the winter/spring, but I honestly can’t figure out if there’s another reason to wash a car on a regular basis…doesn’t rain work?
Reposted by Brian Leech
"Pitching, Pitfalls, Soundbites and Historians: Lessons from the Lake Ontario Naming Dispute" is a conversation between our two editors @maryeb.bsky.social and @danielmacfarlane.bsky.social about Macfarlane's recent Lake Ontario media attention.
niche-canada.org/2026/09/05/p...
#envhist #cdnhist
niche-canada.org/2026/09/05/p...
#envhist #cdnhist
Pitching, Pitfalls, Soundbites and Historians: Lessons from the Lake Ontario Naming Dispute
After a controversial presidential proposal regarding Lake Ontario, historian Dan Macfarlane gained sudden media attention, sharing advice on handling press.
niche-canada.org
September 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
"Pitching, Pitfalls, Soundbites and Historians: Lessons from the Lake Ontario Naming Dispute" is a conversation between our two editors @maryeb.bsky.social and @danielmacfarlane.bsky.social about Macfarlane's recent Lake Ontario media attention.
niche-canada.org/2026/09/05/p...
#envhist #cdnhist
niche-canada.org/2026/09/05/p...
#envhist #cdnhist
Reposted by Brian Leech
Awesome looking position at WPI #envhist #histsci #exploration
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_Ex...
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_Ex...
Assistant Teaching Professor in Histories of the Environment, Science, and Technology
JOB TITLE Assistant Teaching Professor in Histories of the Environment, Science, and Technology LOCATION Worcester DEPARTMENT NAME Humanities & Arts DIVISION NAME Worcester Polytechnic Institute -...
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
September 9, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Awesome looking position at WPI #envhist #histsci #exploration
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_Ex...
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_Ex...
Reposted by Brian Leech
I am not a member of the AHA, but I agree it’s worth reading this statement, in dialogue w/ the original Chronicle piece.
This section of the AHA statement seems to corroborate, not refute, one of the core criticisms. They agree the lobbying firm advised them on how to handle members’ activism.
This section of the AHA statement seems to corroborate, not refute, one of the core criticisms. They agree the lobbying firm advised them on how to handle members’ activism.
September 11, 2026 at 12:51 AM
I am not a member of the AHA, but I agree it’s worth reading this statement, in dialogue w/ the original Chronicle piece.
This section of the AHA statement seems to corroborate, not refute, one of the core criticisms. They agree the lobbying firm advised them on how to handle members’ activism.
This section of the AHA statement seems to corroborate, not refute, one of the core criticisms. They agree the lobbying firm advised them on how to handle members’ activism.
Reposted by Brian Leech
If you read or shared that Chronicle piece on the AHA's hiring of lobbyists, I recommend reading the AHA's response.
The AHA’s Government Relations Work: An Update for Members - AHA
For many years, the AHA has believed that its advocacy works best when it is informed by experts in governmental affairs work. We have always been open about these partnerships, but as misinformation ...
www.historians.org
September 11, 2026 at 12:09 AM
If you read or shared that Chronicle piece on the AHA's hiring of lobbyists, I recommend reading the AHA's response.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Laying off your soccer reporter when Lionel Messi is playing in your city is a sorry state of affairs.
For those who haven't heard yet, the Miami Herald's corporate owners at McClatchy today laid off the paper's superb veteran soccer reporter Michelle Kaufman.
An utter disgrace, and an enormous disservice to fans of the local soccer team that draws a lot of media interest in town and worldwide.
An utter disgrace, and an enormous disservice to fans of the local soccer team that draws a lot of media interest in town and worldwide.
September 10, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Laying off your soccer reporter when Lionel Messi is playing in your city is a sorry state of affairs.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Good lord www.poynter.org/business-wor...
September 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Good lord www.poynter.org/business-wor...
Reposted by Brian Leech
Before her death gets too far in the rearview, I wanted to share some thoughts on Dolly Parton. She was a great star but also one of country's key musical innovators. "Beyond being merely idolized, Dolly Parton was cherished." At No Fences Review
Dolly Parton, 1946 - 2026
David considers Parton’s musical influence and what was, maybe, more important
nofencesreview.substack.com
September 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Before her death gets too far in the rearview, I wanted to share some thoughts on Dolly Parton. She was a great star but also one of country's key musical innovators. "Beyond being merely idolized, Dolly Parton was cherished." At No Fences Review
Reposted by Brian Leech
As I keep explaining to my students: federal judges have law clerks who pull the motion and immediately begin pulling the cites to read them. So, you will find an AI cite pretty quickly. The same thing is happening in law review land as well.
"Kennedy's department cited seven articles, two of which were apparently made up entirely and three of which did not exist in the journals to which they were attributed..."
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Judge slams HHS for referencing fake studies generated by misuse of AI
The Department of Health and Human Services has suffered more than its share of AI-related humiliations. The list, alas, is still growing.
www.ms.now
September 9, 2026 at 11:48 AM
As I keep explaining to my students: federal judges have law clerks who pull the motion and immediately begin pulling the cites to read them. So, you will find an AI cite pretty quickly. The same thing is happening in law review land as well.
Reposted by Brian Leech
It’s absolutely unbelievable to me that, in 2026, with so many women working in sports media, we keep getting show shows that are entirely made up of men.
The Athletic Live premieres on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and will kick off with three livestreams every week before ramping up to five weeknight shows in late October.
The show will be co-hosted by @fourverts.bsky.social, Max Browne, Daniel Popper, Zach Harper and @kofie.bsky.social.
The show will be co-hosted by @fourverts.bsky.social, Max Browne, Daniel Popper, Zach Harper and @kofie.bsky.social.
September 8, 2026 at 12:40 AM
It’s absolutely unbelievable to me that, in 2026, with so many women working in sports media, we keep getting show shows that are entirely made up of men.
Reposted by Brian Leech
The U.S. FDA announced 46 recalls in August alone. That includes food products and drugs— a notable increase from August 2025 when it was 26 products.
That's why it's more important than ever to share links to sources, and to click through and read the article. The headline alone won't suffice.
That's why it's more important than ever to share links to sources, and to click through and read the article. The headline alone won't suffice.
You’re Not Hallucinating: The Amount of Recalled Food Is Skyrocketing
Here’s a list of every food item that faced a recall in August.
newrepublic.com
September 7, 2026 at 4:15 AM
The U.S. FDA announced 46 recalls in August alone. That includes food products and drugs— a notable increase from August 2025 when it was 26 products.
That's why it's more important than ever to share links to sources, and to click through and read the article. The headline alone won't suffice.
That's why it's more important than ever to share links to sources, and to click through and read the article. The headline alone won't suffice.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Happy 250th birthday, America! To celebrate the occasion, we're closing your oldest natural history museum.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/a...
#scicomm #Philadelphia
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/a...
#scicomm #Philadelphia
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University to close museum on Sept. 30
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will close its museum in Philadelphia on Sept. 30, 2026, NBC10 confirmed.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com
September 1, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Happy 250th birthday, America! To celebrate the occasion, we're closing your oldest natural history museum.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/a...
#scicomm #Philadelphia
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/a...
#scicomm #Philadelphia
Reposted by Brian Leech
Tragic: After nearly 200 years, Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences will close its museum Sept. 30. Its 19 million specimens & research remain—but the public loses a rare portal into Earth’s history, & generations of children (🤚hand raised as one) lose a place where scientific wonder begins.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is closing its museum after nearly two centuries
The closure does not affect the rest of the institution, which builds and maintains the collections and conducts research through departments such as the Patrick Center for Environmental Research.
www.inquirer.com
September 1, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Tragic: After nearly 200 years, Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences will close its museum Sept. 30. Its 19 million specimens & research remain—but the public loses a rare portal into Earth’s history, & generations of children (🤚hand raised as one) lose a place where scientific wonder begins.
Reposted by Brian Leech
In other news, the University of Manchester, where Rutherford conducted some of his most important experiments, has just joined the Consortium for History of Science, Technology & Medicine: www.chstm.org/news/univers...
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
August 30, 2026 at 7:08 PM
In other news, the University of Manchester, where Rutherford conducted some of his most important experiments, has just joined the Consortium for History of Science, Technology & Medicine: www.chstm.org/news/univers...
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
Reposted by Brian Leech
this report on gambling addiction among college students is brought to you by Draft Kings!
www.espn.com/sports-betti...
www.espn.com/sports-betti...
'We are broken': One family's fight against gambling addiction
For Amit, it all started with a college poker game. Now he's in recovery from a gambling addiction that consumed him and his parents.
www.espn.com
August 29, 2026 at 12:55 PM
this report on gambling addiction among college students is brought to you by Draft Kings!
www.espn.com/sports-betti...
www.espn.com/sports-betti...
Reposted by Brian Leech
A shocking #envhist of live lizards as fashion accessories:
“a live chameleon [actually green anole] fastened to a gold pin by a slender gold chain,” a kind of “animate breast pen” that was “to be worn in the bosom of a lady’s dress.”
😱
markvbarrowjr.substack.com/p/when-women...
“a live chameleon [actually green anole] fastened to a gold pin by a slender gold chain,” a kind of “animate breast pen” that was “to be worn in the bosom of a lady’s dress.”
😱
markvbarrowjr.substack.com/p/when-women...
When Women Wore Live Lizards
How a turn-of-the-century Florida tourist novelty became one of America's strangest fashion crazes and inspired an unlikely alligator sequel.
markvbarrowjr.substack.com
August 23, 2026 at 10:53 AM
A shocking #envhist of live lizards as fashion accessories:
“a live chameleon [actually green anole] fastened to a gold pin by a slender gold chain,” a kind of “animate breast pen” that was “to be worn in the bosom of a lady’s dress.”
😱
markvbarrowjr.substack.com/p/when-women...
“a live chameleon [actually green anole] fastened to a gold pin by a slender gold chain,” a kind of “animate breast pen” that was “to be worn in the bosom of a lady’s dress.”
😱
markvbarrowjr.substack.com/p/when-women...
Reposted by Brian Leech
Hey folks, this hasn’t gotten much attention, but remember those proposed OMB rule changes we all commented on recently? There’s a new attempt to sneak them just for NSF. We have three days to comment. Please don’t sleep on this!
Three more days to comment on NSF's attempt to smuggle in OMB's already-rejected policies of terminating any grant without cause, gutting civil rights obligations and restricting international collaborations. Submit your comment today! Then call your representatives. 🧪
My comment on NSF-2026-OTR-0001, NSF's obsequious gutting of their own procedures, replacing them with OMB's proposed rules undermining federal grantmaking with their ideological agenda.
Need guidance on commenting? @standupforscience.net has you covered: fight2win.standupforscience.net #NSF
Need guidance on commenting? @standupforscience.net has you covered: fight2win.standupforscience.net #NSF
August 21, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Hey folks, this hasn’t gotten much attention, but remember those proposed OMB rule changes we all commented on recently? There’s a new attempt to sneak them just for NSF. We have three days to comment. Please don’t sleep on this!
Reposted by Brian Leech
Preregistration for our joint conference with @aaslh.org next month will be closed after this Friday, August 21! Lock in the best available rate by registering today: ncph.org/conference/2.... After August 21, you’ll only be able to register onsite in Providence at an increased rate.
August 19, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Preregistration for our joint conference with @aaslh.org next month will be closed after this Friday, August 21! Lock in the best available rate by registering today: ncph.org/conference/2.... After August 21, you’ll only be able to register onsite in Providence at an increased rate.
Reposted by Brian Leech
Article on UT changing its Gen Ed focuses on culture war: www.chronicle.com/article/repu....
But a news article in the key Higher Ed venue never mentions why Gen Ed has expanded massively is students don't take electives. They take required courses & for a class to "make" it must have a Gen Ed.
But a news article in the key Higher Ed venue never mentions why Gen Ed has expanded massively is students don't take electives. They take required courses & for a class to "make" it must have a Gen Ed.
Republicans Want Colleges to Emphasize Western Civ. UT-Austin Plans to Do Just That.
A controversial state law prompted a faculty-led review of the university’s core curriculum, which came up with new emphases like “Western Civilization” and “Great Questions of Human Life.”
www.chronicle.com
August 17, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Article on UT changing its Gen Ed focuses on culture war: www.chronicle.com/article/repu....
But a news article in the key Higher Ed venue never mentions why Gen Ed has expanded massively is students don't take electives. They take required courses & for a class to "make" it must have a Gen Ed.
But a news article in the key Higher Ed venue never mentions why Gen Ed has expanded massively is students don't take electives. They take required courses & for a class to "make" it must have a Gen Ed.