...At least the weather in Maine this week is. You might be thinking about climate change given the U.N.’s latest climate report this week, and the newsroom at Maine Public jumped to hear reactions across the state. We also looked at the psychological toll of climate anxiety, and the small steps you can take now if you’re wondering what you can do. You could also be thinking about the giant infrastructure bill that moved through the U.S. Senate this week. Even though that feels like a few news cycles ago by now...but that did happen on Monday!

I could not stop reading the BBC’s analysis of a tablet found on the battlefield in Libya and is believed to have belonged to a secret off-the-books Russian mercenary force called Wagner. It is an incredible read.

Lastly, I was saddened by the news of long-time "Talk of the Nation" host Neal Conan's passing. I had the chance to see Neal while he was on the air at the old NPR headquarters and get a wave from the studio years ago while on a tour. I then had the chance to help "Talk of the Nation" book a show when they visited a station I was working at. I always thought Neal was one of the most thoughtful voices on NPR and a great example of an engaged talk show host. Read more about his legacy below.

 

Stay chill,

Mark