Prepare For The Storm
Tariffs at the checkout, smoke in our lungs, and democracy on the line
Here’s the week in five sharp hits. The White House is moving to curb mail-in voting while climate transparency takes another blow. Europe’s fire season keeps shattering records, and new science shows wildfire smoke is even deadlier than we thought. On the pocketbook front, Walmart says tariff costs are climbing, which means households will keep feeling the squeeze.
Trump targets mail-in ballots and voting machines ahead of 2026
A fresh Reuters report details plans for an executive order that would direct agencies to restrict mail-in voting and scrutinize voting machines before the 2026 midterms. Voting rights groups warn this would chill access and sow confusion for election officials who are already under pressure. The move fits a bigger pattern of tightening the rules that make it easier for everyday people to vote.
“Trump says he will sign order targeting mail-in ballots, voting machines ahead of 2026 elections.” Reuters
What to do about it: Check your voter registration today, set a reminder to request your ballot the first day it is allowed in your state, and ask a friend to do the same. If you can spare a few hours, sign up to be a poll worker or help your local election office with voter education.
2025 is on pace to break the UK wildfire record
Firefighters warn that 2025 is shaping up to be the UK’s worst wildfire year on record, as heat and drought prime the landscape to burn. The scale of the fires is not just a rural story. Smoke, health impacts, and emergency costs ripple into cities, straining services and budgets. This is the climate crisis landing in wealthy countries in real time.
“2025 on track to beat UK record for wildfires, warn firefighters.” The Guardian
What to do about it: Push your city or county to fund defensible space programs, community fire breaks, and clean air shelters. Back home, prep a go bag, review evacuation routes, and swap cheap masks for properly fitted N95s.
NASA won’t host the National Climate Assessment online
Space.com reports NASA says it has “no legal obligation” to host the United States’ primary climate assessment after the prior site went dark. Bottom line, the most widely used federal climate impact report gets harder for the public, planners, and journalists to access. That undermines transparency and local resilience planning when communities need it most.
takes place
Josh Dinner
What to do about it: Call your House and Senate reps and ask for a simple fix that requires an agency to host current and past National Climate Assessments. In the meantime, bookmark trusted archives and share mirrors with your local officials and school districts.
New research: wildfire smoke is far more toxic than we assumed
A Europe-wide analysis finds deaths from short-term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 have been underestimated by roughly 93 percent. The study takes place during a brutal fire season, with smoke affecting regions far from the flames. The health burden is not “somewhere else.” It is in our lungs, our schools, and our workplaces, especially for low-wage outdoor workers.
“Choking smoke spewed by wildfires is far more dangerous than previously thought.” The Guardian
What to do about it: Push your city and school board to install MERV-13 or better filters, create clean air rooms, and adopt smoke-day worker protections. At home, use a HEPA purifier and a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box to cut indoor PM during smoke events.
Walmart says tariff costs are rising each week
NPR reporting notes Walmart is seeing tariff costs climb week after week and expects that to continue through year-end. The retailer has cut prices in some categories to keep shoppers, but higher import costs still work their way into carts over time. This is what tariffs look like in daily life, especially for families already stretched by rent and utilities. VPM
“Tariff costs are rising ‘each week’ and will continue through the rest of the year.” VPM
What to do about it: Make a two-column list this month. In one, name three items you can swap to lower-cost or local options. In the other, pick two recurring purchases to bulk-buy with neighbors or a mutual aid group. Share the plan with a friend and compare savings.
The big picture
Democracy works when voting is easy and secure. Resilience works when science is accessible and communities plan with the best data. Health equity means clean air on smoke days, not just for those who can afford purifiers. And a fair economy should not hide new taxes in the grocery aisle. Let’s keep pushing for policies that protect people, not just profits.
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