HillCool

The Future of Public History Rich Condon ponders the future of public history in today's environment of division and anti-intellectualism.

Many thanks to @civilwarmonitor.bsky.social for allowing me the space to share some thoughts on the current state, and possible future, of public history.

www.civilwarmonitor.com/the-future-o...

Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.

Federal employees are receiving renewed furlough notices, and this time, there’s no guarantee of back pay in them. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains it all here: buff.ly/Ildewii #FederalEmployees #Furlough #BackPay #shutdown

White House fires entire commission that reviews designs for federal buildings The White House has fired all six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the independent federal agency that reviews design plans for monuments, memorials, coins and federal buildings.

The White House has fired all six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the independent federal agency that reviews design plans for monuments, memorials, coins and federal buildings. n.pr/4ntG3PR

National Cat Day? That's everyday in our home. A good way to celebrate is to adopt a new best friend. Hint. Hint.
Sending you lots of love from our crew.
Jinx, Penny, Pippa, Butters.

OTD 1955: Larry Doby was traded to the White Sox after eight great seasons in Cleveland. Later Doby would become the 2nd Black MLB manager when the White Sox hire him in 1978. Also? Doby debuted with Cleveland vs the White Sox in 1947. Designate July 5 as Larry Doby Day @mlb.

Photo of a maple leaf with red, green, & yellow regions. It includes 4 extensive labels. Red: Anthocyanins- water-soluable pigments that give red, purple and blue colors. They are synthesized to protect the senescing leaves against light damage while allowing the last of the sugary leaf sap to be transported out of the leaves before they fall. Green: Chlorophyll- The main pigment that facilitates photosythesis in the chloroplasts of the leaves. It absorbs light in the blue and red sections of the visible light spectrum while reflection most of the green light. Yellow: Carotenoids- Accessory stable yellow & orange photosynthetic pigments that absorb light in the blue-green spectra and transfer it to the chloroplasts. Stem: Petiole- The leaf stem is a conduit 1) to the leaf for water and nutrients from the soil and 2) away from the leaf to the rest of the plant for carbohydrates produced in photosynthesis.

Autumn leaf analysis by Janet Davis.
Nothing is wasted, the tree absorbs the sugary nutrients before it drops its leaves. Then the fallen leaves become habitat and over-wintering locations for moths, butterflies, & other critters. By spring, most leaves become part of the soil. Nature is amazing!

Judge blocks shutdown layoffs after finding Trump's actions are likely illegal The Trump administration is leveraging the shutdown to declare "the laws don't apply to them anymore," judge says, adding, "they can't do that."

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from implementing any new or existing layoffs in relation to the shutdown, saying the cuts were likely illegal. buff.ly/kOQysWW

The Cost of Cutting Anthropology Out of U.S. National Parks A former National Park Service anthropologist reflects on the vital role of cultural anthropology to the agency’s mission.

The Cost of Cutting Anthropology Out of U.S. National Parks
www.sapiens.org/culture/nati...

Judge pauses shutdown layoffs at more than 30 federal agencies In a hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said the layoffs have brought a human cost that cannot be tolerated.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said the layoffs have brought a human cost that cannot be tolerated.

Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.

See the full results below:

Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!

I recently sat down with three leaders who are part of the @obamafoundation.bsky.social's alumni network to hear more about their work to strengthen democracy in Hungary and Poland. They’re an example for us all. Take a look:

Shut down but not silenced: Federal workers find their voice After months of layoffs and funding cuts by the Trump administration, the government shutdown has given some federal employees hope that their voices are finally being heard.

After months of layoffs and funding cuts by the Trump administration, the government shutdown has given some federal employees hope that their voices are finally being heard.

Believe it or not, Cuyahoga Valley National Park haters are real. clevelanddotcom's John Pana unpack the park's worst reviews so you don’t have to.

Video: John Pana, clevelanddotcom

On Tuesday, the Trump admin said furloughed feds were not guaranteed back pay. On Wednesday, it sent notices saying they were Just one day after taking a different argument, the Trump administration notes federal law guarantees back pay for employees sent home during a shutdown.

The Trump administration initially said furloughed federal workers weren’t guaranteed back pay. Within a day, it sent notices affirming that the 2019 law requires payment. Here's what happened: buff.ly/PmJyhK1 #FederalEmployees #Backpay #Shutdown

I recommend Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. It is a mystery to the very end and funny.

OMB deletes reference to law guaranteeing backpay to furloughed feds from shutdown guidance An Office of Management and Budget FAQ document now states that only excepted employees forced to work without pay are guaranteed backpay at the conclusion of a lapse in appropriations.

OMB quietly removed language from its #shutdown guidance that referenced the 2019 law guaranteeing retroactive pay to furloughed federal employees. buff.ly/P0AsxeZ

Sabal palmetto seeds in animal dung are ready to germinate. Photo by Scott Zona CCBYNC2.

Seed dispersal by animals swallowing the seeds is endozoochory. It’s fraught with difficulty. 1. Animals need to find the fruits. 2. Fruits should be taken only when ripe. 3. Taken only by the disperser (not by a seed predator). The results are worth the effort. #dispersal #Arecaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

Jane Goodall, we are sad to hear of the passing, today, 1 October 2025, of the remarkable Dr Jane Goodall 😢

It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing of the remarkable Dr. Jane Goodall, age 91, who died of natural causes in Los Angeles, CA while on her speaking tour in the United States.

Photo credit: Marko Zlousic #jane #goodall #JaneGoodall #drjanegoodall #wildlife #nature

Screen shot of red morning glory vine with a background of pine rocklands.

It is my screen saver and one of my favorites.

Adventureleggers is coming up for the 4th year in a row! Our FREE comic and book festival for kids is always the best time. This year we'll have tons of animal and plant encounters for the whole family. Sign up today: secure.qgiv.com/for/adventur...

Guardians relief pitcher Zak Kent was absolutely giddy about giving up a 3-run go-ahead homer to the Rangers first baseman Rowdy Tellez. The reason why? It allowed for his teammate Brayan Rocchio to do something awesome.

Read about it 👇🏼⚾️❤️

1clebaseballfan.substack.com/p/three-run-...

Photo of a vine creeping in long, straight paths across a sandy, sparsely vegetated habitat. Photo by Scott Zona CCBYNC2.

Ipomoea (642 spp.) has a global distribution, especially in the tropics. Ipomoea pes-caprae is found on tropical beaches worldwide. Its seeds have air pockets under the thick, hard seed coat that allow them to float for months, possibly longer. #dispersal #Convolvulaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱

THEY DID IT!

Oh, you thought the Guardians were going to lose on AL Central clinch day?

THE GUARDIANS HAVE MADE HISTORY‼️

Cleveland completes the largest divisional comeback ever, rallying back from a 15.5 game deficit to win the AL Central.

Guardians clinch, and Ramírez plants the flag.

Your Cleveland Guardians are going to the MLB Postseason