PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
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Polynesians Brought Exotic Trees to Hawaii. Now Race to Restore Them Is On (Maria)
The authors write, “For people around the world, the green leaves that sprouted from a scorched, 150-year-old banyan tree in the heart of devastated Lahaina symbolized hope following Maui’s deadly wildfire this summer. Teams rushed to flood its roots with water, hoping to save a magnificent tree. … Now, as Maui recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, one that left at least 98 people dead, a band of arborists, farmers and landscapers have set about trying to save Lahaina’s ulu, kukui nut and other culturally important trees, in some cases digging down to the roots of badly burned specimens to find live tissue that could be used to propagate new shoots.”
House Republicans Brush Aside Musk’s Primary Threats (Reader Jim)
From The Hill: “House Republicans are largely brushing aside Elon Musk’s threats to unseat members who supported the initial government funding measure he helped torpedo earlier this week. After the tech billionaire called for the backers of that bipartisan bill to be voted out in two years, some GOP members dismissed Musk’s tirade as simply part of the ‘game’ of Washington politics. But even those who seem unfazed by threats suggest some colleagues could have good reason to worry given Musk’s immense wealth, ties to President-elect Trump and growing influence in Congress.”
Where Is Congresswoman Kay Granger? (Reader Steve)
From The Dallas Express: “Amid the ongoing drama in D.C. with Congress furiously debating and voting on an interim spending bill a key question has arisen from constituents in Texas Congressional District 12, ‘Where is Congresswoman Kay Granger?’ … The Dallas Express attempted to reach her district and D.C. offices but calls went directly to voicemail. … We then visited her office in person hoping to understand how Congresswoman Granger planned to vote on the continuing resolution this afternoon. Upon arrival, we found the door locked, front door glass window covered, no one inside, and no sign of the office continuing to be occupied. … We then received a tip from a Granger constituent who shared that the Congresswoman has been residing at a local memory care and assisted living home for some time after having been found wandering lost and confused in her former Cultural District/West 7th neighborhood.”
‘I Will Not Take the Oath of Office’: CA Official Abruptly Resigns Fearing for Her Safety (DonkeyHotey)
The author writes, “A California official abruptly resigned Friday fearing for her safety. Nora Vargas serves as chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, where she has represented District 1 since 2021. Vargas made history that year when she became the first Latina, first immigrant and first woman of color in the board’s history. … Politico reported that Vargas was the recipient of intense criticism online after she supported plans that would prevent county resources from being used to support federal immigration enforcement.”
This Ohio-Hating Michigan Democrat Has Thoughts on Why Her Party Lost (Al)
The author writes, “Kristen McDonald Rivet won a tough House race in a heavily white, working-class area even as many Democrats in such places lost. In an interview, she warned against a ‘tone-deaf’ economic message.”
Lost Forever: The Slender-Billed Curlew Is Extinct (Dana)
From Search for Lost Birds: “There have recently been some incredible stories of lost birds being rediscovered. The Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon was photographed after 126 years, the Santa Marta Sabrewing was found after 76 years, the New Britain Goshawk was documented for the first time in 55 years, to name a few. Sadly though, not all lost birds can be rediscovered. This reality is highlighted by the recent publication of a study … concluding that the Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) is extinct.”
An AI Bot, a Silicon Valley Giant, and a Meme Walk Into a Bar… (Sean)
The author writes, “Imagine an AI bot, a Silicon Valley billionaire, and a meme coming together into the digital space. It’s a place where code mixes with capital, and algorithms and ambition move around a neon-lit screen. Here is the story that brings to fruition the combined genre of science fiction and that of a finance thriller.”
