EnviroPolitics Blog

LA Times gains record online readership with wildfire coverage

From NiemanLab

From the beginning of the ongoing crisis that has claimed the lives of 34, the L.A. Times has made its wildfire coverage free. The newspaper saw record-breaking readership with traffic to the website peaking on Wednesday, Jan. 8 — the day after the fires began, a Times spokesperson confirmed. Overall, traffic was up 800% from the past 30-day average and new subscriptions were up over 259% compared to that same period.

The L.A. Times entered the new year with about 650,000 paid readers — a figure that combines print, digital, and third-party platforms like Apple News — including 275,000 direct digital subscribers. (An estimated 20,000 subscribers canceled over its decision to not endorse in the 2024 presidential race.) L.A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong announced in December that getting 400,000 direct digital subscriptions — representing about 1% of California’s 40 million residents — is a primary goal for the newsroom.

The Times had its “most subscriber visits ever” on January 8. And readers stuck around. Site recirculation — when readers come to the L.A. Times site for one story and then stay to read other coverage — was up 1,500% compared to the previous month-long average. Video coverage, in particular, did well with video plays up by 1,800% compared to the previous month.

The top two stories — both un-paywalled — were the main coverage from the fire’s first days “Fast-moving fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar prompt evacuations, school closures” and the explainer “Fire hydrants ran dry as Pacific Palisades burned. L.A. city officials blame ‘tremendous demand.’

Read the full story here

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Newly elected congresswoman from NJ names senior staff

By Insider NJ | January 13, 2025, 12:33 pm | in Caucus Room

As the 119th Congress begins, Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) announced the members of her senior staff team who will help lead the office in delivering for the people of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.

“I am proud to welcome this group of talented and dedicated public servants to Team McIver,” said Rep. McIver. “They each bring a unique passion and skill set to our diverse team. I look forward to working together to create real change for the people at home in NJ-10.”

The senior staff appointments are:

Noelle Rosellini, Chief of Staff

Rosellini brings nearly a decade of experience in communications, management, and political advance to her role as chief of staff. An alum of presidential and high-profile Senate and House races across the country, Rosellini has also served progressive leaders on Capitol Hill, helping launch Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s communications operation in her first term and advising Rep. Jimmy Gomez as deputy chief of staff. Originally from State College, Pennsylvania, she is excited to serve the people of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.

Imani Hamm, District Director

Hamm is a seasoned political professional with over seven years of experience in government, political strategy, and public affairs. Hamm began her career in Governor Phil Murphy’s office and later served as the Essex County political director in his second gubernatorial campaign. Following her work with Governor Murphy, Imani spent three years working in government affairs, advocating for key policy issues at the state level. Most recently, she served as the deputy campaign manager for McIver. A Montclair, New Jersey native, she earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University.

Layla A. Brooks, Legislative Director

Brooks is a proud HBCU alumna and George Washington University graduate. She is an experienced congressional staffer and policy expert with five years of diverse experience on Capitol Hill. Her holistic view to policy combines bicameral committee and personal office experience to build on many big wins in the legislative space. Previously, she served on the legislative teams of Reps. Troy A. Carter, Sr., Nikema Williams, Senate Environment and Public Works, Senate Rules and Administration, and House Homeland Security Committee, and she is an alumna of the UNCF Walton Family Foundation K-12 Education Fellowship.

Taylor Deacon, Communications Director

Deacon is an experienced congressional staffer and media aficionado. Her dynamic approach to communications combines public relations best practices and veteran hill strategies to build a brand and deliver results. She previously served on the communications teams of Reps. Don Davis, Dean Phillips, and Julia Brownley. Before her work on Capitol Hill, she was with ROKK Solutions and the North Carolina Democratic Party.

McIver was sworn into the U.S. House on September 23, 2024, following a special election. This new 119th Congress will be her first full term in federal office. In 2018, she was elected as the youngest woman ever to the Newark City Council where she proudly served as council president for seven years. She is a member of the House Small Business and Homeland Security Committees.

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Great Swamp group names Bill Kibler as new Exec Director

The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Bill Kibler as the new Executive Director effective January 6, 2025.

Kibler brings over 25 years of experience in environmental conservation, most recently serving as Director of Policy at Raritan Headwaters Association. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the South Branch Watershed Association From 2005 until Raritan Headwaters Association was created in 2011.

“Bill has a stellar reputation in the environmental non-profit community,” said David Naidu, Board Chair. “His expertise in policy, conservation, and management will be instrumental in guiding the organization into the future.”

A long-time environmental advocate, Kibler has a BS in Environmental Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as a Corps of Engineers Officer in Alaska where he worked on the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez disaster and in the Persian Gulf War. After graduating from the Syracuse University College of Law, he specialized in environmental, land use, and international law.

“I’m passionate about the mission of the Great Swamp Watershed Association,” stated Kibler. “GSWA has a storied history as an advocate for the Great Swamp and its communities and I’m excited and incredibly proud to join this talented team.”

Kibler is an avid fly fisher and enjoys kayaking and hiking. He is a long-time volunteer firefighter and EMT and serves his community as chief of the Califon Fire Company.

If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for a full month.

This news follows an impressive 2024 for GSWA. A highlight of the year in May was the launch of a groundbreaking new initiative, the Climate Change Learning Collaborative, in partnership with Ramapo College through a grant from the Department of Education. GSWA staff conducted extensive research and developed a series of innovative professional development workshops. These teacher education sessions for K-12 educators utilized both swamp, river, and classroom. It was built on GSWA’s water quality and biodiversity-focused mission to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate climate change science and education across all subjects. From August to December, nearly 200 teachers and 200 students throughout northern New Jersey participated in these content-based workshops and field experiences. GSWA is currently planning for an even more impactful second year of the grant.

GSWA would also like to acknowledge the departure of Sally Rubin, who served as Executive Director for the past 17 years, and made the decision to transition. “Sally Rubin leaves a lasting legacy of significant accomplishments such as preserving 155 acres within Great Swamp watershed,” said Naidu. “We thank her for her service for GSWA and wish her well in her future endeavors.”

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Van Drew drafts offshore wind freeze order at Trump’s request

By Benjamin J. Hulac, Washington Correspondent | NJ Spotlight News | January 13, 2025

WASHINGTON — For years, President-elect Donald Trump has furiously criticized renewable energy sources, including offshore wind farms.

To freeze the offshore wind industry, Trump asked Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) to draft an executive order — something presidents issue without action from Congress — on the topic, Van Drew said.

“I’ve spoken with the president about the wind turbines, and he told me to have my people draw up an executive order. We got it done in forty-eight hours,” Van Drew said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News last week. His office, Van Drew said, passed the text on to officials within the Trump transition team including Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Interior Department secretary.

The executive order would halt offshore wind activities for six months as the federal government reviewed the industry, Van Drew said.

“They liked it a lot, at an initial glance,” Van Drew said. “I expect an executive order in the first couple of months.”

Read the full story here

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NJ’s fraud watchdog quits after AP Press exposes double dipping

The embattled head of the New Jersey agency created to investigate waste, fraud and government abuse resigned after just days on the job following an Asbury Park Press report detailing her dual residency and second full-time, out-of-state job.

New Jersey State Commission of Investigation CEO Tiffany Williams Brewer, 51, submitted her resignation Friday morning, five days after the commission announced her appointment to lead the watchdog agency.

“While I remain dedicated to public service, the recent events, including the revelation of employee-driven mischaracterizations of my actions to the media, have created a toxic climate that dissuades me from continuing in this role,” Williams Brewer said. “I am disappointed that this environment, which undermines the integrity of the SCI, has necessitated my resignation.”

Williams Brewer was named to the new post on Monday after working as the SCI’s interim executive director for six months after the death of the commission’s former director, Chadd Lackey, who was killed in a car accident.

On Thursday, the Asbury Park Press reported that Williams Brewer purchased a 2,400-square-foot house in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and declared it her principal residence, according to property records from Prince George’s County. She also signed an owner occupancy affidavit stating she would live there for seven of the next 12 months.

Read the full story here

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New evacuations ordered as Palisades Fire moves toward Brentwood

*Photo by Loren Elliott for the New York Times*

From The Washington Post

The Palisades Fire, the largest of six active blazes in the Los Angeles region, shifted east on Friday night and triggered a new evacuation order that included much of the Brentwood neighborhood and parts of Encino. The new flare-up was a “significant development,” said L.A. County spokesman Jesus Ruiz, with the fire rapidly growing and moving in the direction of “a heavily populated area … we’re definitely concerned.”

The fires have killed at least 11 people and burned more than 37,000 acres — an area bigger than San Francisco — according to Cal Fire, with flames claiming more than 12,000 structures and displacing tens of thousands. The Palisades Fire is the largest at more than 21,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres. Those blazes are 8 percent and 3 percent contained, respectively.

Key updates:

The latest on the active Los Angeles wildfires

By Vivian Ho and Jintak Han, Washington Post

Here’s what to know about the six active fires in Los Angeles as of 3:00 a.m. local time. Spread and containment figures are from Cal Fire.

Palisades Fire (8 percent contained):The blaze has burned through more than 21,000 acres in and around Pacific Palisades and killed at least fivepeople. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said the fire has destroyed more than 5,300 structures since Tuesday. The fire is now spreading toward Brentwood, where the Getty Center is located.
Eaton Fire (3 percent contained): On the city’s east side, near Pasadena, the fire has killed at least six people and burned through 14,117acres. More than 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by this fire, officials said.
Kenneth Fire (50 percent contained): The fire in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas was first reported Thursday afternoon and has spread to 1,052 acres. A person was taken into custody Thursday afternoon on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire, but there was not enough evidence to charge them with a crime, Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said Friday.
Lidia Fire (98 percent contained):Firefighters have contained most of the fire since it emerged inAntelope Valley on Wednesday afternoon. According to Cal Fire, it has burned through 395 acres.
Hurst Fire (70 percent contained):In the north, near San Fernando, the fire has covered 771 acres.
Archer Fire (zero percent contained):The blaze broke out Friday morning in the Granada Hills area, northwest of downtown Los Angeles, during what officials described as “erratic winds.” It has burned about 19 acres so far.

For more detailed maps of how each fire is spreading, check here.

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