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Koh Lipe: Thai Island Where Ocean Water Stays Swimming Pool Clear 80 Feet Down (Maria)

The author writes, “The longtail boat glides through water so clear you hesitate to step out. The seafloor 15 feet below looks close enough to touch. Your brain struggles to process what your eyes see: swimming pool clarity in the middle of the sea. Welcome to Koh Lipe, Thailand’s best-kept secret for crystal water. This tiny island earned the nickname ‘Maldives of Thailand.’ …The water clarity stems from marine park protection since 1974. Fishing bans preserve coral reefs that filter sediment naturally.”

More Redistricting Bad News for Republicans: Texas May Not Net Five GOP Seats Like They Planned (DonkeyHotey)

From CNN: “The Republican plans to pick off five Democratic-held congressional seats in Texas once seemed like a sure thing. Not anymore. President Donald Trump’s flagging approval ratings, particularly among Latinos, and strong Democratic performance in this year’s special elections have changed both parties’ assumptions. Now, the cushion the Texas GOP drew into its new map – Trump won every Republican-favored district by 10 points or more a year ago – seems like it might be too small. Democrats beat Trump’s 2024 results in five US House districts with special elections this year by at least 13 points. Over-performance at that level next year would flip three of the five new Texas seats to the Democratic column.”

Meta Shuts Down Global Accounts Linked to Abortion Advice and Queer Content (Sean)

From The Guardian: “Meta has removed or restricted dozens of accounts belonging to abortion access providers, queer groups and reproductive health organisations in the past weeks in what campaigners call one of the ‘biggest waves of censorship’ on its platforms in years. The takedowns and restrictions began in October and targeted the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp accounts of more than 50 organisations worldwide, some serving tens of thousands of people — in what appears to be a growing push by Meta to limit reproductive health and queer content across its platforms. Many of these were from Europe and the UK, however the bans also affected groups serving women in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.”

Private Equity Finds a New Source of Profit: Volunteer Fire Departments (Dana)

The author writes, “Rural departments have long relied on cheap software solutions to keep their operations running. But fire chiefs report sharp price increases as investors have entered the market.”

After NPR and PBS Defunding, FCC Receives Call To Take Away Station Licenses (Reader Jim)

From Ars Technica: “A conservative group yesterday urged the Federal Communications Commission to take licenses away from NPR and PBS stations and let other entities use the spectrum. The request came from the Center for American Rights (CAR), a nonprofit law firm that has played a prominent role in the news-distortion investigations spearheaded by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. ‘In the wake of the wind-down of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the end of federal funding for NPR and PBS, the Center respectfully suggests that the Commission open an inquiry that looks at the future of “public” broadcasting in that new environment,’ a Center for American Rights filing said.”

Pesticide Drift Is Catching Schools Off Guard. Lawmakers Want To Require Notice Before Spraying (Laura)

From Investigate Midwest: “More than 700 Illinois schools are within a quarter-mile of crop fields, yet state law doesn’t require pesticide applicators to notify them before spraying. Advocates say a new notification proposal would give educators and park staff time to move children indoors and reduce exposure.”

How Personalized Algorithms Trick Your Brain Into Wrong Answers (Mili)

The author writes, “Personalized algorithms may quietly sabotage how people learn, nudging them into narrow tunnels of information even when they start with zero prior knowledge. In [this] study, participants using algorithm-curated clues explored less, absorbed a distorted version of the truth, and became oddly confident in their wrong conclusions. The research suggests that this kind of digital steering doesn’t just shape opinions — it can reshape the very foundation of what someone believes they understand.”