River otters in Pa., 'Small Town Setup', John Black
Plus, Katy Perry's concerts are still happening.
Hello, dear readers,
Something’s off this June.
Pride feels quieter.
Businesses feel safer staying silent.
And while ICE is in full attack mode in Los Angeles, the broader response—from so-called allies across the country—feels muted at best.
It’s not just a vibe shift—it’s a warning sign of growing complacency and general acceptance of fascism.
In Los Angeles, ICE is ramping up—and barely anyone’s talking about it.
Trump’s fascist movement is marching forward in plain sight (and, funny enough, wearing face masks).
We’ve seen this before, but this time it’s elevated. And yet, too many people are acting like it’s not happening.
I get it—there’s “It’s not happening to me, so I am fine.” But there’s also a point where ignoring it starts to look like giving in and accepting that one day it will be you.
And then there’s Pride.
This year feels quieter.
Fewer flags in store windows.
Fewer Pride items on store shelves.
Even small businesses—places that say they lead with values—seem more muted.
It’s not just about merch. It’s about showing up. Being visible. Letting people know they’re not alone.
Pride should be very public.
Yes, even from big companies.
Because they have LGBTQ employees and customers.
When they show up, it creates space for others to show up.
And let’s not pretend Target gets points for tossing a few queer-themed items for sale after caving to fascism so fast. That’s not support. (I hope you are continuing to boycott Target.)
Supporting small businesses matters—but values matter, too.
If a place is quiet during Pride or silent while ICE destroys families, we should notice that. And we should think twice about where our money goes.
This isn’t about calling people out. It’s about calling attention in.
This is about staying awake. Staying engaged.
Pride doesn’t always have to be loud—but it should always be clear.
Same goes for resistance. Silence, in moments like these, sends a message—the wrong message.
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You otter read about this success story
Once all but wiped out by development, industry and trapping, North American river otters are making a comeback in Western Pennsylvania.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, wildlife teams released over 150 otters statewide, including 28 along the Youghiogheny River, some of which are believed to have repopulated the Conemaugh River.
Researcher Tom Serfass—and his canine partner Merlin, a Labrador retriever trained to locate otter latrine sites—is documenting signs of these semi‑nocturnal mammals along the Conemaugh and its tributaries.
Cameras set near these latrines have captured otters sliding through snow and using scent to communicate—a behavior that also aids scientific monitoring.
“It feels very good for me and other conservationists who are interested in our native wildlife,” Serfass told The Allegheny Front. “So, it’s a great environmental success story.”
In 2023, I shared in a Substack post news that Presque Isle State Park environmental education specialists had publicly announced otter sightings at the popular Erie-area peninsula.
Conservation efforts—most notably the Clean Water Act and targeted reintroduction programs—have helped in Pennsylvania, Serfass said. Similar efforts have taken place in 22 other states.
‘Small Town Setup’ misses mark by forcing real women into Hallmark movie tropes
Hallmark Channel’s “Small Town Setup” wants to be the real-life version of its most beloved movie plot: Big-city woman returns to her quaint hometown, realizes she’s missing love and finds it.
But what plays like a romantic fantasy in a movie script feels far more intrusive and problematic in reality.
The show, which airs only on Hallmark’s streaming service, is a cringeworthy framework that’s rooted in dated gender roles and small-town idealism masquerading as universal truth.
Read more of my thoughts here.
End of an icon on ‘Days of our Lives’
John Black’s death on “Days of our Lives” hit hard—not just because we lost a fictional hero but because of what it meant for the people who knew and loved Drake Hogestyn.
For nearly 40 years, John Black saved lives, beat the odds and always came home to “Doc”—his wife, Marlena Evans. But his final act of heroism—saving Bo—was one he wouldn’t survive.
John Black was the heartbeat of Salem—the other half of one of daytime’s most iconic couples, and a dependable constant through the wildest soap storylines imaginable. Watching him take his final breath wasn’t just painful—it felt personal.
The way he died was classic John Black: Heroic, self-sacrificing and driven by love for family.
Drake Hogestyn last appeared on the show in September and died a few weeks later following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, which he kept away from the public spotlight. “Days of our Lives” films about eight months ahead, so, at the time, Hogestyn was leaving the show for medical reasons.
Read more of my thoughts here.
Other things to know…
Here’s a look at other stories I’ve read recently:
Tracking Trump
RFK Jr. removes all members of CDC panel advising U.S. on vaccines (CNBC)
What Trump's national emergencies could mean for American democracy (NPR)
Gavin Newsom says Trump ‘manufactured’ crisis in Los Angeles (Time)
Economy
Vanishing immigration is the ‘real story’ for the economy and a bigger supply shock than tariffs, analyst says (Fortune)
Corporate layoffs have ramped up in recent weeks. Here are the companies making cuts (CNBC)
The U.S. economy is headed toward an uncomfortable summer (WSJ)
Pennsylvania
Elon Musk turned this once-popular Pennsylvania tourist destination into a ghost town (The Keystone)
5 years after George Floyd’s murder, Pa.’s police misconduct database remains full of loopholes (WESA)
Aging Pennsylvania power plant to keep running after Trump order on eve of shutdown (Penn Cap-Star via Inside Climate News)
Entertainment
Katy Perry reacts as fan storms stage during concert: 'What the hell is going on?!' (Entertainment Weekly)
Jamie Foxx cries in BET Awards speech about near-death health scare (USA Today)
Warner Bros. Discovery breakup cues Hollywood’s latest succession drama as two new companies take shape (Deadline)
And, finally…
