A Bulgarian ghost town of good intentions By: Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Communication is a key enabler of the transition to a circular economy. It is about getting the buy in from the stakeholders, especially the public. A new study pulls back the curtain on Bulgaria’s public sector communication about the circular economy, and the picture it reveals is less a vibrant hub of green innovation and more a meticulously planned but eerily empty town square. The findings, distilled into the dimensions of space, agenda, language, and tools, expose a critical paradox: the infrastructure for communication exists, but the meaningful, mobilizing conversation is absent. First, the […]

A Bulgarian ghost town of good intentions #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #PublicCommunication #Bulgaria #GreenInnovation

Witness and congresswoman clash over whether U.S. is 'at war' during testimony A witness and a congresswoman sparred over whether U.S. language should describe current hostilities as a war, with the witness calling the situation a "kinetic" or "armed" conflict and the congresswoman pressing for clearer, unambiguous phrasing amid reported service-member casualties.

A heated clash erupted between a witness and a congresswoman over the critical question: Are we at war?

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#US #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #WashingtonDCTestimony #MilitaryEscalation

Charleston County committee says resilience work must move from plans to on-the-ground action Committee members reviewed outcomes from a November symposium and a February accelerator workshop and identified coordination, data gaps and a "trust deficit" as barriers to implementing resilience plans; the collaborative will reconvene in May to train staff on vulnerability-assessment data and set measurable actions.

Charleston County is shifting gears from planning to action, tackling barriers like jurisdictional coordination and public trust to enhance resilience against climate risks.

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#CharlestonCounty #SC #CitizenPortal #ResiliencePlanning #CommunityTrust #PublicCommunication

Freeport staff outline $6+ million 2026 street, water and sewer program; council urged to support scheduling and coordination Public works laid out an extensive 2026 construction program including water-main replacements, street reconstructions, sewer lining, ADA ramp work and bridge repairs across the city. Staff asked for council support on scheduling, communications and budgeting as bids and construction begin in spring.

Freeport is gearing up for a monumental $6+ million construction and maintenance plan in 2026, targeting everything from water-main replacements to bridge repairs!

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#FreeportStephensonCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #InfrastructureDevelopment #CommunitySafety

Richland County discusses demolition plans after campus water damage, debates notification protocol County administrators reported significant water-pipe damage at the county campus, said demolition planning has started and asked the board how and when staff should notify supervisors about incidents that may draw public concern.

Richland County is gearing up for major changes as demolition plans kick off after severe water damage, sparking a heated debate on how to better communicate with the public.

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#RichlandCounty #WI #RichlandCountyCampus #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #CommunityInput

Residents and lawmakers press county to protect immigrant residents after ICE pickup; calls for clear communications Multiple public commenters and legislators discussed the recent ICE arrest of a local resident, urged protection of undocumented community members under Tompkins County's sanctuary policy, and asked for clearer communications between the sheriff's office, jail and federal agencies.

Community voices are rising in Tompkins County as residents and lawmakers unite to demand stronger protections for undocumented residents following a controversial ICE arrest.

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#TompkinsCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #ImmigrationProtection #CommunitySanctuary #PublicCommunication

Franklin staff reports 2025 development activity: 6,658 permits, $865 million construction value City planning staff told the Board Franklin issued 6,658 permits in 2025 (1,057 building permits, 5,022 trade permits); impact fee collections included $6.3M in road fees, $4.7M sewer and just over $1M water; staff reported 798 new dwelling units permitted (239 single‑family, 39 townhomes, 520 multifamily) and total construction value of $865.2M.

Franklin City reported a staggering 6,658 permits issued in 2025, driving a total construction value of $865.2 million and showcasing a booming development landscape!

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#FranklinCityWilliamsonCounty #TN #FranklinCityPlanning #CitizenPortal #ImpactFees #PublicCommunication

Parent alleges district suppressed school outage communications; board asked for accountability A parent told trustees the district withheld notifications to Roy Gomm families during a November power outage and called for names, reasons and an apology; the claim was made during public comment and was not resolved at the meeting.

A parent has raised serious concerns about the district's lack of communication during a power outage at Roy Gomm Elementary, demanding accountability and transparency from school leaders.

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#NV #CivicAccountability #CrisisManagement #EducationTransparency #PublicCommunication

Dignity Index workshop at Hinckley Institute teaches students to score contempt and dignity in public talk Presenters from Project Unite and the Dignity Index led a University of Utah workshop demonstrating an 8‑point scale for identifying contempt and dignity in moments of disagreement, using real social posts, a Ted Lasso clip and campus role‑play to practice interventions.

Measuring how we communicate can bridge the divide in our polarized society—are you ready to transform contempt into dignity?

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#UT #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #CivicDialogue #PolarizationReduction

Johnston County presses ahead on CIP, DSS building and judicial annex as growth strains current space Commissioners said population growth and service demand are stretching county facilities and prioritized finalizing the capital improvement plan, completing DSS building design/site work and moving the judicial annex design forward. They emphasized metrics and public communication to explain needs and costs to residents.

Johnston County is facing a pressing need for new facilities as rapid population growth strains current services, prompting commissioners to prioritize urgent capital improvement plans.

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#JohnstonCounty #NC #CapitalImprovement #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

Mayor defends snow‑removal operations; city cites $65,000 emergency costs and loss of FEMA reimbursement eligibility Mayoral remarks and the administrator's report described storm response, contractor usage and new FEMA thresholds that mean recent snow‑removal costs will come from the city budget; council and residents pressed on staffing, alternate‑side enforcement and transparency in procurement.

The mayor reveals the city's snow-removal strategy amid a $65,000 emergency cost and new FEMA rules, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the burden.

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#PassaicCityPassaicCounty #NJ #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #PublicCommunication #FiscalTransparency #PassaicCitySnowRemoval

Parametrix presents transportation resiliency plan focused on wildfire evacuation; commissioners press for coordination and public communication Parametrix presented a transportation-resiliency memo that maps critical corridors, vulnerabilities to wildfire and smoke, and short-term actions such as vegetation management and coordination with emergency agencies; commissioners pressed for evacuation-center identification, public alerts, and cross-jurisdictional coordination.

Liberty Lake is taking proactive steps to ensure residents' safety during wildfires by mapping critical evacuation routes and enhancing emergency response plans.

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#LibertyLakeSpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #PublicCommunication #WildfireResilience

Springfield residents urge council to ease rising property-tax burden for seniors Several residents told the City Council that rapid property-value growth and higher bills are squeezing seniors and working families; speakers urged simpler senior exemption qualifications, better online access to benefit programs and consideration of tax-stabilization at retirement.

Springfield residents are sounding the alarm as soaring property taxes threaten the financial stability of seniors and families alike—will the City Council respond in time?

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#SpringfieldCityHampdenCounty #MA #SeniorExemption #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

Parents ask CUSD 200 board for clear written policy and public guidance on immigration enforcement near schools Three community members urged the board to adopt a transparent policy and public communication about how the district will respond if immigration enforcement (ICE/CBP) operates near school property, citing local worry, petitions and a statutory deadline they said applies.

Community members are demanding clear policies from the CUSD 200 board to protect students from the impacts of immigration enforcement near schools.

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#IL #EducationPolicy #PublicCommunication #CitizenPortal

Residents tell Chester council new trash hauler missed recycling, city promises follow‑up Multiple residents told council the new hauler missed recycling pickups and commingled recycling with trash; Public Works Director Andrew Haman and Recycle Coordinator Melber Rothwell acknowledged dozens of complaints, described outreach and tagging protocols, and directed residents to file formal complaints via the municipal switchboard for tracking.

Chester residents are frustrated as their new trash hauler has repeatedly missed recycling pickups, leaving many to wonder if their recyclables are being properly managed.

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#ChesterDelawareCounty #PA #ChesterRecycling #WasteManagement #PublicCommunication #CivicEngagement

A fact file of Tianyulong with a drawing oc it in the centre, surrounded by facts and labels, with a time scale on the right.

A fact file of Darwinopterus with a drawing of it in the centre, surrounded by facts and labels, with a time scale on the right.

A fact file of Oregramma with a drawing of it in the centre, surrounded by facts and labels, with a time scale on the right.

A fact file of Caytonia with a drawing of a tree on the right, and the leaves and reproductive organs on the left, surrounded by facts and labels, with a time scale on the right.

Hiya, I have 4 more school fact file sheets for #FossilFriday:
#Tianyulong, #Darwinopterus, #Oregramma, and #Caytonia! These are really relaxing to do, and I plan on doing more plants next!
I hope you like them!
#paleontology #paleobotany #paleoart #sciart #scicomm #schoolwork #publiccommunication

NG North America outlines plan to remove 100 turbines, repower Prairie Hill wind project in Limestone County NG North America told Limestone County commissioners it will decommission 100 underperforming turbines at the Prairie Hill project and replace them with 63 larger turbines over 2026–27, using controlled blasts for felling and onsite recycling, while assuring ongoing public notifications and local tax commitments.

NG North America is set to transform the Prairie Hill wind project by replacing 100 outdated turbines with 63 powerful giants, making a significant impact on local taxes and the environment!

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#LimestoneCounty #TX #RenewableEnergy #LocalEconomicImpact #PublicCommunication

Mercer Island school leaders, legislators press for funding fixes as enrollment drops Board and legislators discussed declining enrollment, levy and bond challenges and legislative budget options including a hold‑harmless approach and experience‑factor updates to blunt a funding drop tied to roughly 8,000 fewer students statewide.

Mercer Island school leaders are sounding the alarm as falling enrollment threatens vital funding, pushing for urgent legislative action to protect education resources.

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#WA #EducationFunding #PublicCommunication #CitizenPortal #TeacherCompensation

Residents press Watertown board on audits, FOIL fees and legal costs Public commenters urged greater transparency after the single audit and raised a specific complaint that a FOIL request had been quoted a $1,300 charge; the board approved the single audit but citizens pressed for clearer communication and stronger fiscal oversight.

Residents are demanding answers on costly FOIL fees and questionable audit findings from the Watertown board, raising concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility.

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#NY #FiscalOversight #NewYorkTransparency #AuditAccountability #PublicCommunication #CitizenPortal

Utah committee delays USDB governance rule until after legislative session, pledges clearer public messaging The committee postponed changes to admin rule R277-800 governing the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind until after the legislative session and directed staff to publish a clear explanation of the current interim structure on USBE and USDB websites.

Utah's education committee has hit the pause button on crucial governance changes for the Schools for the Deaf and Blind, promising clearer communication as they navigate leadership adjustments.

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#UT #EducationReform #PublicCommunication #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Bedford teachers’ union announces vote of no confidence; public calls for superintendent resignation Members of the Bedford Education Association told the Board of Education they unanimously voted a no-confidence motion on Nov. 17 and urged leadership changes, citing personnel-handling, communication failures, and a punitive work environment; the board said personnel matters cannot be debated in public and later moved to executive session.

The Bedford Education Association has issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in the superintendent, sparking a heated debate over leadership and staff treatment that has left the community divided.

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#BedfordCitySchoolDistricts #OH #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

Delray Beach Manager: $148M Revenue Bond Closed; Water projects move toward groundbreaking City Manager Moore told commissioners the city closed a $148 million revenue bond underwritten by Bank of America Securities and announced construction recommendation items will be presented Dec. 8 to finalize a groundbreaking for the new water treatment plant; staff also updated several waterfront projects and a recent backflow fix.

Delray Beach has secured a $148 million revenue bond to kickstart a new water treatment plant, paving the way for exciting infrastructure developments!

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#DelrayBeachPalmBeachCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #DelrayBeachWaterProjects #EnvironmentalSustainability

Black Hawk County certifies Nov. 4 election results after staff handle phone outage and tout new electronic pull book The board certified combined city and school election outcomes from Nov. 4 after elections staff described a phone outage on election day, the improvised Google-number workaround, and the benefits of a new electronic pull-book system that reduced prep time from roughly 40 hours to under 10.

Black Hawk County's election staff overcame a major phone outage on election day, successfully implementing a new electronic pull-book system that slashed prep time from 40 hours to under 10!

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#BlackHawkCounty #IA #CivicTechnology #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

Advisory board narrows one‑page summary for blast‑complaint report, assigns data‑cleaning tasks Advisory board members agreed a one‑page public cover should show total complaints, total blasts, PPV metrics (average and max) and complaints by municipality; members assigned chart fixes, ZIP‑code scrubbing for city counts, and set deadlines for revised graphics.

The advisory board is on a mission to simplify blast-complaint data into an accessible one-page summary, tackling misinformation and ensuring accurate city representation.

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#MiamiLakesCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #MiamiLakesComplaints #DataTransparency

Parents press FCPS on Oakdale Middle staffing, background checks and communication after personnel removal Multiple parents raised concerns about a special-education assistant removed from Oakdale Middle School, asking how FCPS conducts background checks, how often staff are re-screened, why public communications were limited and what supports are available for affected students. District officials said investigations are ongoing, that prior employment

Parents demand clearer communication from FCPS after the removal of a special-education assistant, seeking transparency on staffing and student support.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #MarylandPublicSchools #PublicCommunication #CivicAccountability #EducationReform

Middleton officials outline costly wastewater upgrades as residents voice alarm over rising sewer bills Residents at the Nov. 5 Middleton City Council meeting pressed the council for clearer facts and relief after staff and council described a multi‑phase wastewater upgrade required by state regulators and estimated at tens of millions of dollars. Council and staff said the project is driven by DEQ/EPA mandates, that earlier estimates have changed, &

Middleton residents are raising alarms over skyrocketing sewer bills as city leaders grapple with costly wastewater upgrades mandated by state regulations.

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#MiddletonCanyonCounty #ID #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #FinancialHardship #EnvironmentalRegulations

Indian River County administratorscontract renewal draws split board and public criticism over timing and communication County Administrator brought a proposed three-year contract renewal to the Nov. 4 agenda; the proposal (no new salary increase) drew extended debate from commissioners and members of the public about timing, staff communication and the administrator'9s leadership. Supporters pointed to planning, utilities and infrastructure accomplishments; critics

The Indian River County Board is in the spotlight as a proposed contract renewal for the county administrator sparks heated debates over leadership, communication, and community trust.

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#IndianRiverCounty #FL #IndianRiverCountyAdministration #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication

Carpenters union caller urges clearer communication on county "community productive day" program A recorded public comment from a representative of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters praised the program's success and said instructors received conflicting messages about its future; caller urged inclusion of an instructor in future budget discussions.

Confusion reigns over the future of Hennepin County's community productive day program as instructors receive mixed messages about its funding and participation.

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#HennepinCounty #MN #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #CommunityParticipation #ProgramTransparency

Oakland leaders, residents clash over high utility bills as town details $25 million wastewater project Residents pressed the Town of Oakland for answers about recent $100–$400 utility bills while officials outlined a $25 million wastewater plant expansion, explained revenue sources and said bookkeeping and communication failures helped fuel confusion.

Residents demand answers as Oakland faces a storm of complaints over skyrocketing utility bills amidst a $25 million wastewater upgrade!

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#OaklandFayetteCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #PublicCommunication #FinancialTransparency #OaklandUtilities #WastewaterExpansion