#COVID levels are so high, they’re hovering near 2020’s initial peak #WHO urges those at high risk to take any booster they can get their hands on

Fortune

COVID levels are so high, they're approaching 2020's initial peak, as the WHO urges those at high risk to take any booster they can get their hands on | Fortune

It’s yet another sign that while the official pandemic state may be over, the days of COVID are far from it.

From the ‘Death Star law’ to abortion: the new rightwing laws taking effect in Texas On Friday, the Republican-controlled legislature in #Texas will dump an avalanche of virulent new laws on the state’s 30 million residents, cementing its reputation as a hotbed of the far-right turmoil that is sweeping America. Hundreds of laws will come into effect as the product of the legislative session that Texas holds every two years. Among them are a number of highly controversial targeted bills that will have a seismic impact on some of the most vulnerable Texan communities. They include measures attacking the rights and #healthcare of #transgender Texans, undermining the autonomy of #progressive cities such as Houston, extending the state’s prohibition of #abortion, pushing back on efforts to combat rising heat amid the #climate crisis, and more

the Guardian

‘Death Star law’ to abortion: the new rightwing laws taking effect in Texas

Hundreds of new state laws come into effect on 1 September, including attacking trans rights, further limiting abortion and pushing back climate ef...

What Saved The 'Miracle House' In Lahaina? During renovations, Millikin installed a commercial-grade steel roof, something that definitely would have provided better protection from flying embers than shingles. At first, Millikin thought this might have made the biggest difference in why his home was spared. But Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, said it was likely the Millikins’ decision to dig out the existing landscaping directly surrounding the house and replace it with river stones that made the biggest difference. “What folks in the wildfire business call the zone zero or the #ember #ignition #zone, is kind of a key factor in whether homes do or do not burn down,” Wara said. Having nothing combustible in the 5 feet directly around a house is enormously important.

Honolulu Civil Beat

What Saved The 'Miracle House' In Lahaina? - Honolulu Civil Beat

The historic structure on Front Street is the last house standing in a neighborhood reduced to rubble.

Native plants have co-evolved with wildlife & provide food for insects Why native plants? Where native plants? Revel in the vernacular All plants are useful Cultivars, nativars, near-natives

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Native plants

Grow native plants as co-evolved with wildlife