Katie McCaskey
@katiemccaskey.bsky.social
Media & PR 🧪 FΔS - Federation of American Scientists (fas.org) - views all mine ❤️ emerging tech/innovation, active transportation, built/natural environment
"Describing [AI] 'superintelligence' or 'rogue models' ascribes agency to products rather than to the companies building them. This framing markets these companies’ products ... &, at the same time, helps the companies evade accountability for their actions." www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/22/1...
Don’t be fooled by this summer of AI hype
Breathless claims about AGI and new capabilities fall apart pretty quickly under scrutiny.
www.technologyreview.com
October 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
"Describing [AI] 'superintelligence' or 'rogue models' ascribes agency to products rather than to the companies building them. This framing markets these companies’ products ... &, at the same time, helps the companies evade accountability for their actions." www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/22/1...
No Metro, Yes Problems: Can RFK’s transportation plan be saved?: ggwash.org/view/105011/...
No Metro, Yes Problems: Can RFK’s transportation plan be saved?
The new Commanders stadium needs to be served by hardcore bus prioritization and world-class walkability and bikeability if DC wants a chance at avoiding a traffic nightmare every Sunday.
ggwash.org
September 30, 2026 at 7:27 PM
No Metro, Yes Problems: Can RFK’s transportation plan be saved?: ggwash.org/view/105011/...
Meta is the absolute worst
Meta is using a radical interpretation of a tax credit for “research and experimentation” to get billions of dollars off GPUs for its A.I. data centers. My latest with Jesse Drucker, @elitan.bsky.social and @mikeisaac.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/t...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/t...
How Meta Uses A.I. Data Centers to Avoid Billions in Federal Taxes (Gift Article)
Meta is exploiting a lucrative tax break intended to support research and experimentation. Its own accountants say the gambit is risky.
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Meta is the absolute worst
"If we made every neighborhood in the country five decibels quieter, that one change would spare Americans about 106,500 years of healthy life every year" ggwash.org/view/104939/...
Traffic noise can be deadly. Why don’t we act like it?
Road, rail, and aircraft noise is linked to about 6,330 premature cardiovascular deaths across the contiguous United States every year. That’s because around 94.5 million Americans, or close to one in...
ggwash.org
September 23, 2026 at 9:10 PM
"If we made every neighborhood in the country five decibels quieter, that one change would spare Americans about 106,500 years of healthy life every year" ggwash.org/view/104939/...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
New data release: the Digital Harms Tracker now has 1,600+ policies across all 50 US states.
Every policy links to incidents by harm domain and type. The goal is to learn across policies: where legal frameworks cluster. Geographic linking is on the roadmap.
digitalharmstracker.org #TechPolicy
Every policy links to incidents by harm domain and type. The goal is to learn across policies: where legal frameworks cluster. Geographic linking is on the roadmap.
digitalharmstracker.org #TechPolicy
Digital Harms Tracker | An Open Record of Digital Harm Incidents and Related Policy
Connecting documented digital harms to the policy response, for policymakers, researchers, and civil society.
digitalharmstracker.org
March 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
New data release: the Digital Harms Tracker now has 1,600+ policies across all 50 US states.
Every policy links to incidents by harm domain and type. The goal is to learn across policies: where legal frameworks cluster. Geographic linking is on the roadmap.
digitalharmstracker.org #TechPolicy
Every policy links to incidents by harm domain and type. The goal is to learn across policies: where legal frameworks cluster. Geographic linking is on the roadmap.
digitalharmstracker.org #TechPolicy
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
NEW: With the world now set to barrel past a key global warming goal, the United Nations’ top climate official took aim at AI goliaths for their growing share of emissions. By @lilipike.bsky.social and myself for @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Energy-Guzzling’ AI Must Rein in Its Emissions, Says UN Climate Chief
Leaders of AI firms are “on thin ice” with the public as energy costs rise, said Simon Stiell.
www.bloomberg.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:16 PM
NEW: With the world now set to barrel past a key global warming goal, the United Nations’ top climate official took aim at AI goliaths for their growing share of emissions. By @lilipike.bsky.social and myself for @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"How strong is that hate? There are more Americans who would favor a new nuclear power plant in their town than who would welcome a new A.I. data center." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/o...
Opinion | Railroads. Highways. Data Centers. One of Those Is Unlike the Others.
Neighbors of computing clusters don’t see any advantages, just costs.
www.nytimes.com
September 15, 2026 at 3:48 PM
"How strong is that hate? There are more Americans who would favor a new nuclear power plant in their town than who would welcome a new A.I. data center." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/o...
RIP Wendell Berry
www.economist.com/obituary/202...
www.economist.com/obituary/202...
Wendell Berry urged Americans to think little, local and deep
The agrarian writer, poet and activist died on August 31st, aged 92
www.economist.com
September 14, 2026 at 8:55 PM
RIP Wendell Berry
www.economist.com/obituary/202...
www.economist.com/obituary/202...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
25 years ago this moment I was sitting on the runway at National Airport waiting to take off. I remember the flight was about 6 minutes late. We took off at 8:46 AM — the same moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center. When we landed an hour later, the world would never be the same again.
September 11, 2026 at 12:27 PM
25 years ago this moment I was sitting on the runway at National Airport waiting to take off. I remember the flight was about 6 minutes late. We took off at 8:46 AM — the same moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center. When we landed an hour later, the world would never be the same again.
"Your feelings about AI on the job are likely determined by how much power you have in the workplace. [... you need ...] power over how to decide when (& not) to use it, & enough power to feel adequately insulated from job replacement, surveillance, or degradation." Brian Merchant BloodInTheMachine
September 10, 2026 at 4:11 PM
"Your feelings about AI on the job are likely determined by how much power you have in the workplace. [... you need ...] power over how to decide when (& not) to use it, & enough power to feel adequately insulated from job replacement, surveillance, or degradation." Brian Merchant BloodInTheMachine
“All outdoor light at night, regardless of source or intensity, is a pollutant with potential impacts on human health,” Darksky wrote in the study.
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-light-pol...
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-light-pol...
Lights Out: Study Finds Wards 7, 8 Disproportionately Affected by Light Pollution
A Darksky International study shows Wards 7 and 8 face disproportionate light pollution, exceeding roadway illumination standards.
www.washingtoninformer.com
September 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
“All outdoor light at night, regardless of source or intensity, is a pollutant with potential impacts on human health,” Darksky wrote in the study.
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-light-pol...
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-light-pol...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
Floodlight and PBS traveled to Texas to investigate one of the nation’s highest-profile AI data centers and the giant gas-powered turbines fueling it.
Using special thermal drone footage, we saw what the data centers don't want you to see:
Using special thermal drone footage, we saw what the data centers don't want you to see:
We Saw What AI Data Centers Don't Want You to See
We investigated one of the world’s largest AI data centers, using thermal drone footage to reveal the hidden pollution powering the AI boom. As companies race to build the future of artificial…
www.youtube.com
August 7, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Floodlight and PBS traveled to Texas to investigate one of the nation’s highest-profile AI data centers and the giant gas-powered turbines fueling it.
Using special thermal drone footage, we saw what the data centers don't want you to see:
Using special thermal drone footage, we saw what the data centers don't want you to see:
oh, sure, let's put all the data center agreements behind NDAs so the public won't know what's been sold off & the potential harms
E.P.A. Moves to Curb Public Input on Air Pollution Permits for Data Centers
Under the proposal, states would no longer need to provide public notice or solicit comments on air pollution permits for data centers and other projects.
www.nytimes.com
August 26, 2026 at 1:29 PM
oh, sure, let's put all the data center agreements behind NDAs so the public won't know what's been sold off & the potential harms
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
Over the past year and a half, at least 28 federal datasets have been deleted and another 338 data collections have been modified, part of the Trump administration's aggressive campaign to wipe all mentions of data findings that do not align with the president's priorities.
August 18, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Over the past year and a half, at least 28 federal datasets have been deleted and another 338 data collections have been modified, part of the Trump administration's aggressive campaign to wipe all mentions of data findings that do not align with the president's priorities.
excited to see the results from this pilot program to cool streets www.popville.com/2026/08/ddot...
“DDOT Launches the Cool Corridors Pilot to Fight Urban Heat, Help Keep Neighborhoods Cooler and Strengthen Climate Resilience Across the District” - PoPville
From DDOT: "The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is pleased to announce the launch of the Cool Corridors pilot study, a new and environmentally friendly effort to cool District streets and...
www.popville.com
August 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM
excited to see the results from this pilot program to cool streets www.popville.com/2026/08/ddot...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
This child should have been able to walk, bike, or scoot in what is essentially their home’s parking area without being hit by a speeding driver.
A driver who has shown clear disdain for the law and is a danger to others.
A driver who has shown clear disdain for the law and is a danger to others.
Seems like it should be a minimum for any story about a driver hurting someone that the writer look up and share if there are unpaid tickets associated with the vehicle.
A boy is seriously injured because this vehicle and its driver shouldn’t be on the road. www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/5...
A boy is seriously injured because this vehicle and its driver shouldn’t be on the road. www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/5...
July 27, 2026 at 7:46 PM
This child should have been able to walk, bike, or scoot in what is essentially their home’s parking area without being hit by a speeding driver.
A driver who has shown clear disdain for the law and is a danger to others.
A driver who has shown clear disdain for the law and is a danger to others.
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
As usual, ProPublica delves into an emerging, crucial situation and explains to us that it's even worse than we imagined.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@standupforscience.net
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@standupforscience.net
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
How Trump’s “America First” Administration Could Shut U.S. Scientists Out of the Next Nobel-Worthy Discovery
A proposed White House rule would give political appointees unprecedented control over scientific funding. One physicist, who helped discover the Higgs boson, explains how the rule would’ve stifled th...
www.propublica.org
July 27, 2026 at 7:56 PM
As usual, ProPublica delves into an emerging, crucial situation and explains to us that it's even worse than we imagined.
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@standupforscience.net
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
@defendpublichealth.bsky.social
@standupforscience.net
www.propublica.org/article/fede...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
The Sloan Foundation recently supported a @scientistsorg.bsky.social event that asked what it takes to design initiatives centered on big, challenging goals that lead us to better science, and why many previous "moonshots" have fallen short.
Read the takeaways: fas.org/publication/...
Read the takeaways: fas.org/publication/...
July 20, 2026 at 7:52 PM
The Sloan Foundation recently supported a @scientistsorg.bsky.social event that asked what it takes to design initiatives centered on big, challenging goals that lead us to better science, and why many previous "moonshots" have fallen short.
Read the takeaways: fas.org/publication/...
Read the takeaways: fas.org/publication/...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
Even with an 80 year legacy, we’re still making history. Congratulations to FAS*United for ratifying the first collective bargaining agreement (and forming the first union) in FAS history.
July 21, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Even with an 80 year legacy, we’re still making history. Congratulations to FAS*United for ratifying the first collective bargaining agreement (and forming the first union) in FAS history.
@dexdigi.bsky.social hey, have a story that might interest you, what's your preferred submission route? Hint: it involves disappearing federal data
July 20, 2026 at 7:33 PM
@dexdigi.bsky.social hey, have a story that might interest you, what's your preferred submission route? Hint: it involves disappearing federal data
Never met her but this makes me sad - what a loss mass.streetsblog.org/2026/07/10/l...
Louisa Gag, Longtime Street Safety Advocate, Identified as Thursday's Homicide Crash Victim - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Family members have identified the victim of Thursday morning's homicide crash near Roxbury Crossing as Louisa Gag, a longtime street safety advocate and transportation planner at Boston's City Hall.
mass.streetsblog.org
July 10, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Never met her but this makes me sad - what a loss mass.streetsblog.org/2026/07/10/l...
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
Cars are one of the reasons why cities get so much hotter.
An average gasoline car can produce 3.9 MJ of waste heat for *every kilometre* it drives.
That’s enough to raise the temperature of a 665 sqft apartment twenty degrees centigrade.
An average gasoline car can produce 3.9 MJ of waste heat for *every kilometre* it drives.
That’s enough to raise the temperature of a 665 sqft apartment twenty degrees centigrade.
Exhaust Pipes Are Making Heat Waves Much, Much Worse - Streetsblog Massachusetts
The long-term climate impacts of the climate pollution from cars and trucks are well documented, but the daily short-term effects of the wasted heat energy radiating from engine blocks and exhaust pip...
mass.streetsblog.org
July 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Cars are one of the reasons why cities get so much hotter.
An average gasoline car can produce 3.9 MJ of waste heat for *every kilometre* it drives.
That’s enough to raise the temperature of a 665 sqft apartment twenty degrees centigrade.
An average gasoline car can produce 3.9 MJ of waste heat for *every kilometre* it drives.
That’s enough to raise the temperature of a 665 sqft apartment twenty degrees centigrade.
Reposted by Katie McCaskey
New at Can We Still Govern: DOGE failed. The civic tech community DOGE displaced have been having frank conversations about what they did right and wrong, and what should come next.
From Merici Vinton, who led the building of Direct File. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-did-c...
From Merici Vinton, who led the building of Direct File. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-did-c...
What Did Civic Tech Learn in the Last Decade?
Some Insights About How to Use Tech in Government – and What Comes Next
donmoynihan.substack.com
July 9, 2026 at 12:22 PM
New at Can We Still Govern: DOGE failed. The civic tech community DOGE displaced have been having frank conversations about what they did right and wrong, and what should come next.
From Merici Vinton, who led the building of Direct File. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-did-c...
From Merici Vinton, who led the building of Direct File. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-did-c...
Dangerous heat is coming to more parts of the country than ever. @scientistsorg.bsky.social has compiled a library of remediation strategies and policies.
www.governing.com/resilience/a...
www.governing.com/resilience/a...
A Toolkit for Surviving Extreme Heat
Dangerous heat is coming to more parts of the country than ever. The Federation of American Scientists has compiled a library of remediation strategies and policies.
www.governing.com
July 9, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Dangerous heat is coming to more parts of the country than ever. @scientistsorg.bsky.social has compiled a library of remediation strategies and policies.
www.governing.com/resilience/a...
www.governing.com/resilience/a...