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brettchase.bsky.social

@brettchase.bsky.social
544 followers 217 following 78 posts

Environmental reporter with @chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/authors/brett-…

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Reposted by @brettchase.bsky.social
Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 20h
The Cubs have one chance Wednesday to prove that resilience is the defining feature they believe it to be and keep their season going another night.
chicago.suntimes.com
Cubs look to summon much-discussed resilience to extend season past Wednesday: ‘It’s what we’re made of’
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 18/09/2026
The power is back on in Gary, Indiana, but residents say they're still facing issues like mold and anxiety over what happens during the next big storm. “Even though lights came on, people’s bank accounts didn’t bounce back,” Rev. Eric Boone said.
chicago.suntimes.com
A month after historic power outage in Gary, mom of 4 still hopes for relief
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Everyone hates data centers, right? The agency that manages our sewer water in Chicago sees a way to make money off them. chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Hatred for data centers is sky high, but this local government agency sees dollar signs
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District would like to sell recycled sewer water to big data centers that support artificial intelligence. Revenue could be millions of dollars a year.
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Reposted by @brettchase.bsky.social
Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 14/09/2026
Renewable sources provide two-thirds of Iowa’s power, but growing demand is fueling a short-term return to coal.
insideclimatenews.org
As Power Demand Rises, a Clean-Energy State Falls Back on Coal - Inside Climate News
To meet surging electricity demand, Iowa utilities are increasingly turning to polluting coal plants that had been operating well below capacity.
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 15/09/2026
USAID was one of the world’s largest environmental donors. A new analysis finds that its demise led to spikes in illicit activity, backsliding on climate efforts and programs gutted in dozens of countries.
insideclimatenews.org
How the End of USAID Eroded Global Environmental Goals - Inside Climate News
An analysis finds the cancellation of $1 billion in annual funding weakened protections around the world and undermined U.S. interests.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 16/09/2026
Studies show educating people in prison leads to better outcomes when they get out. But demand far outpaces available classes.
chicago.suntimes.com
More people than ever are trying to get into college classes in Illinois prisons. It hasn't gotten easier.
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 09/09/2026
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe as human-caused climate change accelerates. But people rarely make this link in the wake of a weather disaster, research shows.
insideclimatenews.org
Many People Aren’t Connecting the Dots Between Climate Change and Extreme Weather - Inside Climate News
Scientific evidence has never been stronger. Why aren’t more people making the link?
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 03/09/2026
Did your state’s power plants increase or decrease their electricity generation in the first half of the year, and how much? And, solar passes coal in Texas.
insideclimatenews.org
These States Are Leading the Electricity Generation Boom - Inside Climate News
Texas saw the greatest increase in the first half of 2026, while California’s production plummeted.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 02/09/2026
The Gary power debacle is a warning of what can go wrong with the electric system as extreme weather fueled by climate change upends disaster planning.
chicago.suntimes.com
ComEd customers pay billions to keep the lights on during storms. Will it be enough?
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 02/09/2026
Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus pose a serious public health threat. Here’s a rundown of repellents that work and steps to take to avoid backyard bites.
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago just had its first West Nile death of the year. Here’s how to protect yourself.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 02/09/2026
The name of the person was not released in a Tuesday statement from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicagoan dies of West Nile virus
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 29/08/2026
Health officials said Friday that all four cases were identified in adults.
chicago.suntimes.com
Suburban Cook County reports first 4 West Nile virus cases of 2026
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Chicago Sun-Times Guild @cstguild.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Join us in demanding no layoffs due to AI from Chicago Public Media! Emails for CPM’s management are in the reply ⬇️
White text on black background with the Sun-Times Guild logo faintly behind it:

Chicago Public Media wants the "flexibility" to be able to lay off union journalists if it thinks our work can be replaced by Al.

We demand no Al layoffs during our next contract.

Join us in demanding a fair contract and tell CPM what you think!
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 26/08/2026
NIPSCO filed one rate increase application on Aug. 11 — the day of the storms — and two more on Aug. 14 and Aug. 20, respectively, with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
chicago.suntimes.com
NIPSCO filed applications for customer rate increases amid storm that ravaged Northwest Indiana
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 27/08/2026
It also was the third-most watched regular-season game ever.
chicago.suntimes.com
Fever-Sky game averages 3.31M viewers, most-watched regular-season WNBA game since 1997
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Alcalde y Concejo Municipal de Stickney se oponen a construcción de centro de datos en Hawthorne Race Course chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Alcalde y Concejo Municipal de Stickney se oponen a construcción de centro de datos en Hawthorne Race Course
Un informe identifica al comprador de la pista de carreras como un promotor inmobiliario de centros de datos, mientras que los fideicomisarios del pueblo votan a favor de una moratoria.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 21/08/2026
A report identifies the race track buyer as a data center developer, while village trustees vote for a moratorium.
chicago.suntimes.com
Stickney mayor, board oppose data center at Hawthorne horse racing site
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 21/08/2026
The Chicago Department of Public Health released new data Thursday showing HIV infections decreased by about 38% last year. The data comes as community groups continue to push for the city to restore funding for HIV prevention efforts.
chicago.suntimes.com
After spike in HIV cases in Chicago, new data shows a decrease in new infections
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 21/08/2026
NIPSCO, which serves all of Gary, said more than 61% of its customers remained without power Thursday. The utility company announced power would be fully restored in the city by Tuesday, but residents say the company has repeatedly pushed back the restoration date.
chicago.suntimes.com
'Just turn the lights on:' Gary residents endure historic power outage that nears two-week mark
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 14/08/2026
South Deering neighborhood, known as Vet’s Park and Slag Valley, endured a lot before dozens of decomposed bodies were found at South Chicago Chapel funeral parlor.
chicago.suntimes.com
Funeral home shocker, pollution, mad bomber: Far South Side neighbors have been through a lot
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 11/08/2026
Data centers have drawn criticism locally and nationally because of their potential to drain water supplies and hike electric bills. Chicago's embrace of innovation shouldn't be at the expense of health or safety, Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
chicago.suntimes.com
Mayor Johnson wants City Council to pause data center expansion
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 07/08/2026
A funeral was in progress when police, acting on a tip, showed up at South Chicago Chapel, police said. Police had been told bodies at the South Deering funeral home were not being stored properly, according to a report obtained by the Sun-Times.
chicago.suntimes.com
57 decomposing bodies discovered at Far South Side funeral home
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 07/08/2026
Latasha Johnson had given the eulogy and ended her mother’s funeral service at the South Chicago Chapel when she and her family noticed Chicago police had blocked in their vehicles. Not long after, officers found dozens of decomposing bodies inside the funeral home.
chicago.suntimes.com
Families, neighbors sickened by discovery of dozens of bodies at South Side funeral home
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Chicago DOE @chicagodoe.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Environmental justice means taking action to protect communities from environmental harm, whenever and wherever it occurs. With this lawsuit against a polluting facility, the City of Chicago and State of Illinois are taking the next step to defend Southeast Siders' right to clean air.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson @mayorofchicago.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
When polluters fail to respond to compliance mandates, we will use every tool available to us to hold them accountable and ensure our residents are not subjected to environmental degradation. My administration stands ready to protect all Chicagoans, regardless of zip code, from harm.
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 07/08/2026
Smoke from wildfires is offsetting prenatal air quality gains from reduced emissions from cars, factories and other human sources, disproportionately affecting low-income, rural and Indigenous communities, new research shows.
insideclimatenews.org
Wildfire Smoke Is Now a Bigger Prenatal Threat Than Human Sources of Air Pollution - Inside Climate News
As regulations have reduced prenatal exposure to harmful emissions from vehicles and industry in recent years, smoke from climate-fueled wildfires is erasing air quality gains.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 06/08/2026
Pullman Innovations was featured in a 2023 Sun-Times investigation that found city citations did little to thwart polluters across Chicago. City inspectors described the facility as having a “very strong odor that could best be described as rotting fish/decay of flesh.”
chicago.suntimes.com
Illinois Attorney General, city of Chicago sue Pullman Innovations over overwhelming odors — years later
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
¿Están demoliendo el Hawthorne Race Course para construir un centro de datos? Cicero cree que sí chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
chicago.suntimes.com
¿Están demoliendo el Hawthorne Race Course para construir un centro de datos? Cicero cree que sí
Los funcionarios de Cicero consideraron este martes adoptar resoluciones para oponerse a dos supuestos centros de datos, uno en el histórico Hawthorne Race Course, que cerró recientemente tras 135 año...
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 27/07/2026
Cicero trustees will consider resolutions Tuesday to oppose two rumored data centers, one at the historic horse-racing venue in neighboring Stickney.
chicago.suntimes.com
Is Hawthorne Race Course being torn down for a data center? Cicero thinks so.
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Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere @tylerplariviere.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Hey Chicago Blue Sky Fam, this storm is pretty crazy if you see or know of major flooding or storm damage let me know and I’ll try to get out there for some photos!
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Lauren FitzPatrick @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Besides Obama, Chicago produced a second president, and he's about to turn 100. Also, he's really into the Deep Tunnel. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-hist...
chicago.suntimes.com
Besides Obama, Chicago produced a second president, and he's about to turn 100
Former Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus spent half his life in Chicago and ran the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes regional office before going home to serve his country.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 16/07/2026
The hazy smoke, which also carries a noticeable scent, has moved into the region from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
chicago.suntimes.com
Wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert for most of Chicago area
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 16/07/2026
Justin Harbison, aka the "Sewer Monster," helps reduce mosquito populations that might carry the West Nile virus by treating Chicago-area sewers with insecticides aimed at killing recently hatched larvae before they become blood suckers.
chicago.suntimes.com
Mosquitoes biting? The ‘Sewer Monster’ is on the case.
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Lauren FitzPatrick @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know. chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026... @brettchase.bsky.social and Mohammad Samra have more
chicago.suntimes.com
‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know.
The hazy smoke, which also carries a strong smell, has moved in from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 11/07/2026
The nearly 8 billion-gallon Thornton reservoir, which helps prevent flooding, was nearly full this week. The sewer water is slowly being pumped out but it will be weeks before the south suburban quarry is dry again.
chicago.suntimes.com
Deep Tunnel reservoir will take at least a month to drain
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
This morning, I kicked off a conversation about mosquito season and how to protect yourself on @wbez.org with @pksmid.bsky.social and @maryldixon.bsky.social Give it a listen here. www.wbez.org/say-more-wit...
wbez.org
They’re spreading irritation – and even disease – across Illinois
According to Orkin Pest Control, Chicago is ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in mosquito activity over the last year. Yuck.
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Lo que significa que el sistema de túneles de Chicago esté al límite tras las fuertes lluvias del fin de semana chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Lo que significa que el sistema de túneles de Chicago esté al límite tras las fuertes lluvias del fin de semana
El Deep Tunnel fue construido para contener las aguas de inundación de Chicago, proteger los ríos de la zona y el Lago Michigan. Ahora existe el riesgo de que los suburbios se inunden y las alcantaril...
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 08/07/2026
Mayor Johnson lauds a $12 million pilot project to build underground storage in Austin aimed at capturing floodwater before it overwhelms outdated sewers. The city hopes the concept can be a model for other neighborhoods.
chicago.suntimes.com
Underground storage project aims to fix chronic flooding in Chicago
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Lauren FitzPatrick @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
11! Billion! Gallons! Of Water! @brettchase.bsky.social tells all // Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s floodwater, protect area rivers and Lake Michigan. Now, there's a risk that suburbs will flood and sewers will overflow into...
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Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere @tylerplariviere.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
PHOTOS: Deep Tunnel has never reached its limit. After weekend's heavy rains, it’s almost full. Here's what that means.
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Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere @tylerplariviere.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
You can read more from @brettchase.bsky.social here at the Chicago Sun-Times. chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago's Deep Tunnel anti-flooding system nearly full after days of heavy rain
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s flood water, protect area rivers and Lake Michigan. Now, there's a risk that suburbs will flood and sewers will overflow int...
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 06/07/2026
The massive system of tunnels and reservoirs was built to contain Chicago’s flood water. After more than 8 inches of rain over the past 30 days, the system is nearing capacity.
chicago.suntimes.com
Deep Tunnel has never reached its limit. After a weekend of heavy rains it’s almost full
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 17/06/2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration says it will spend more than $520 million to fix homes and the sewer infrastructure needed to help prevent future floods. Residents are growing impatient.
chicago.suntimes.com
West Side residents wait for city’s help with aging sewers, homes damaged in 2023 floods
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 16/06/2026
Despite hostile efforts from the White House to slow the transition, clean energy is showing resilience.
insideclimatenews.org
Trump Administration Abandons Fight Against Wind Energy as Clean Energy Output Surges - Inside Climate News
The clean energy sector is showing resilience despite challenges thrown at it by a hostile White House, a recent report found. A string of legal victories has further dampened the Trump administration...
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 13/06/2026
In Englewood, more than 900 people were without power Friday after two days of strong winds and punishing weather that downed trees citywide. Elsewhere, Merrillville, Indiana, suburban Bartlett and downstate communities were hit by destructive tornadoes Thursday.
chicago.suntimes.com
More than 100,000 ComEd customers still without power after severe storms
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
ComEd ofrece hasta $500 a pequeños negocios para pagar sus facturas de luz cada vez más altas chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
chicago.suntimes.com
ComEd ofrece hasta $500 a pequeños negocios para pagar sus facturas de luz cada vez más altas
El programa de $2.5 millones se creó después de que el crecimiento de los centros de datos de inteligencia artificial ocasionó el incremento de los precios de electricidad por segundo año consecutivo.
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 06/06/2026
Mangroves may increasingly “drown” as sea levels rise, a new study suggests, which has major consequences for the climate.
insideclimatenews.org
Mangrove Forests Fight Climate Change—But Climate Change Is Fighting Back - Inside Climate News
Mangroves store vast amounts of climate-warming carbon. Sea level rise may push them past the brink, according to a new study.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 08/06/2026
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma. Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply. (Published Oct. 2025 with @readfrontier.bsky.social)
propublica.org
Toxic Wastewater From Oil Fields Keeps Pouring Out of the Ground. Oklahoma Regulators Failed to Stop It.
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drin...
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brettchase.bsky.social @brettchase.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Residentes de Pilsen advierten sobre aire tóxico de trituradora de metales y piden demorar permiso nuevo chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2026/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Residentes de Pilsen advierten sobre aire tóxico de trituradora de metales y piden demorar permiso nuevo
Sims Metal procesa autos en desuso y otros objetos mediante una gran operación de triturado, lo que genera humo y ruido. Los residentes se preocupan por la contaminación del aire.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 04/06/2026
ComEd is offering payments of up to $500 for small business customers who can’t pay their electric bills following two years of price spikes related to data center growth. The grant applications will be available June 15 on a first-come basis.
chicago.suntimes.com
ComEd to offer up to $500 for small businesses struggling to pay electric bills
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