1+ hour, 2+ min ago (473+ words) I'm angry at a really weak outcome," Brandon Wu, ActionAid USA's director of policy and campaigns said after COP30. I'm angry at the fossil fuel lobbyists roaming the venue freely, while the Indigenous activists were met with militarized repression. I'm angry at all the governments that aren't standing up for their people." Earlier this morning, we were informed by the presidency (of COP30) that there are about 80 countries who have put a red line on any mention of fossil fuels in the outcome from this meeting, this UNFCCC process, this COP." Two camps emerged: About 80 nations, including the world's major oil producers, rejected a roadmap from fossil fuels. Another group, also with about 80 countries, including Vanuatu, demanded its inclusion. With two conflicting red lines, consensus seemed impossible. Over 1,800 scientists who make up the'IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's leading…...

3+ hour, 33+ min ago (444+ words) As of this week, I have written 698 columns, each one stored on my hopefully reliable hard drive. If you divide 698 by 52, you get 13" years. In reality, I began writing these pieces in May 2004, which is more than 21 years ago. Here is the confession. Once in a while, due to travel or other obligations, I will recycle a column or use it as a template, updating it as the world evolves. As much as I would like to imagine you remember every word I have ever written and, upon recognizing a recycled paragraph, exclaim, "Honey, Scott ran this back in 2008," I know you do not. Now that the curtain is lifted, read on. We are in the season, that time at the end of the year when the focus turns to family, friends, abundance and gratitude. I have never understood why…...

5+ hour, 8+ min ago (258+ words) College of the Redwoods announced the launch of its new psychiatric technician program, with applications opening in February for the program's inaugural fall 2026 cohort. CR will accept 10 students into the first class. This new program is designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for licensure as psychiatric technicians in California. Graduates of the program will be prepared for employment in a wide range of settings, including private and state hospitals, developmental centers, and community mental health facilities. Enrollment in the program is limited to applicants accepted through a'merit-based process.'A physical examination, immunizations, drug testing, and a background check are required prior to full admission. For more information about the program or the application process, contact College of the Redwoods Health Occupations Department at [email protected] or 707-476-4216. Effective immediately, Teresa Conley, CFP, is Premier Financial Group's first chief executive officer…...

5+ hour, 18+ min ago (216+ words) I'm grateful for the support I receive personally. I'm thankful for having drinks or coffee with smart, engaged people with the intention of sorting some things out. The list includes John Richmond, Susan Seaman, Lynette Mullen, Gregg Foster, Peter Jermyn and others. I give thanks for those coffee spots where we meet, or alternatively for good bars, from those of the divey variety to the elegant. I'm super-thankful for my clients in my little consulting practice. I truly enjoy working with you, and also, you have no idea how much I appreciate paying the mortgage. I give thanks for the scrappy nature of businesses and organizations here. Of course, that represents the scrappy nature of the people within them. In 2025, this goes double for people who toil away in our essential nonprofit organizations. I'm grateful for people who have an…...

5+ hour, 46+ min ago (458+ words) There's a special kind of magic that settles over Old Town Eureka this time of year " the soft glow of holiday lights in every window, the smell of winter greenery drifting from doorways, and the warm hum of neighbors greeting neighbors as they wander from shop to shop. Old Town doesn't just look magical in December " it feels magical. It feels like home. One of the lights that has kept Old Town glowing for more than four decades is Belle Starr. Owned by Sue McIntyre, Belle Starr has been a cornerstone of Old Town style for 45 years. What began as a small clothing boutique has grown into a beloved community gathering place known for connection, creativity, and a genuine warmth that keeps people coming back. Sue's story is exactly the kind of story Choose Humboldt loves to tell. She and…...

8+ hour, 26+ min ago (660+ words) With a smile and clear conviction, greet your son warmly and invite him to begin his day with a calming exercise. Teach him some stretches, and do them together. Show him how to start off focused. Tell him what time you want him to come for breakfast. Remind him of what you need him to do, and leave. DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like my 8-year-old son doesn't listen to me unless I raise my voice. I hate that yelling has become our norm. It leaves me feeling frustrated and guilty, and I know it's probably affecting him too. Small things like getting dressed, brushing teeth or cleaning up toys can turn into a major confrontation, and I end up yelling just to get him to comply. I've tried reasoning calmly, offering choices and even giving rewards, but nothing seems to…...

8+ hour, 29+ min ago (605+ words) A blister is a fluid-filled sac that forms within the outermost layers of the skin. It can be caused by burns, frostbite, sunburn, disease, allergic reaction and, as you have experienced, repeated rubbing. Dear Doctors: I do a lot of hiking and camping, and when there is terrain that is rough, a lot of times I'll get a blister. How do you take care of that " are you supposed to pop it and drain it, or do you just cover it up? I've heard it's easy for a blister to get infected, and I want to avoid that. Dear Reader: A blister is a fluid-filled sac that forms within the outermost layers of the skin. It can be caused by burns, frostbite, sunburn, disease, allergic reaction and, as you have experienced, repeated rubbing. Known as friction blisters, these are by…...

8+ hour, 40+ min ago (293+ words) The Humboldt Literacy Project will host a series of free "Family Literacy Parties" featuring Sean's Shadows'at local libraries. Artist, musician and storyteller Sean Powers will present tales of folklore and fantasy using handcrafted shadow puppets and musical instruments from around the world. Attendees get to choose their own free book to keep after the event. Shows are planned for Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Blue Lake Library, 111 Greenwood Ave.; Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Trinidad Library, 380 Janis Court; Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Garberville Library, 715 Cedar St.; and Dec. 13 at the McKinleyville Library, 1606 Pickett Road. A "Baby Bookworms" event is planned for Wednesday from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the Arcata Library, 500 Seventh St. Join Ms. Sue with your infant and pre-walker in song, rhyme and one-on-one time on and under the parachute. This free gathering takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning before preschool storytime....

1+ day, 22+ hour ago (544+ words) Last week, Indigenous youth activists who were a part of the historic first descent of the undammed Klamath River participated at COP30. At the international climate summit at Belem in Brazil, they spoke to the power of dam removal. "We were some of the only people talking about dam removal," said 17-year-old Keeya Wiki, a resident of Ashland, Oregon, who grew up in Requa. She, along with two others who were part of the descent, told international attendees during panels and discussions about the extensive negative effects of sourcing power from dams, what she calls a "a false climate solution." Wiki, who is M'ori and Yurok, also spoke about how Indigenous people are disproportionally affected by hydropower. The group shared the Klamath River Accord, a declaration to protect free-flowing rivers and recognize dam removal as a solution for both the climate…...

1+ day, 22+ hour ago (306+ words) One of three local attendees (two from Hoopa High that will be covered next week), Walter Morton of McKinleyville High was selected to take part in the 2025 Native All-American football game to be held Dec. 14 in Minnesota in partnership with the National Football League and Minnesota Vikings. This honors him, according to a news release from the Native American Athletic Association, as "one of Indian Country's top 70 high school football players who maintain their grade point average and is seen as a leader for our next generation." "He's just a great kid, not only on the football field but for the Native youth," Benge said. "They can look up to him. For our program, this is just great that we have someone from our team representing our team and our McKinleyville community back in Minneapolis. It's awesome." Morton said he's…...