Author: Leslie Eastman

Leslie Eastman

I am an Environmental Health and Safety Professional, as well as a science/technical writer for a variety of news and professional publications. I have been a citizen activist since 2009, and am one of the co-founders of the San Diego-based group, Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition.

Trump Green‑Lights Marijuana Drug Schedule Change, But Stops Short of Federally Legalizing Weed

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 20, 2025 5 Comments

In time for Christmas, Trump pushes marijuana down from the “naughty list” of Schedule I to the less‑restricted “nice list” of Schedule III....

“Polaris Dawn” Hero Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 19, 2025 7 Comments

It will be a very exciting time for Isaacman to take the helm. The Artemis II crewed orbit of the Moon is slated for early 2026....

Illinois Legalizes Assisted Suicide, and New York Will Likely Follow

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 19, 2025 78 Comments

Gov. Kathy Hochul is poised to sign the legislation. Meanwhile, participation in the "Medical Assistance in Dying" program is the 4th leading cause of death in Canada....

Ford Zaps Production of Big EV Trucks, Taking $19.5 Billion Hit

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 18, 2025 31 Comments

The F-150 Lightning is returning to what it was originally: A gas-powered workhorse....

Tennessee $7.4 Billion Smelter Deal Aims to Break China’s Grip on Critical Minerals

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 17, 2025 10 Comments

The plans are for the new facility to open in 2029 and that the Department of Defense would have a 40% stake in the company....

European Union Surrenders to Reality on 2035 Ban on Gas-Powered Cars

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 17, 2025 6 Comments

Allowing a mere 10% to be sold after 2035 may not seem like much, but I expect that percentage to steadily increase....

Utah’s Desert Yields Rare Earths Motherlode, Challenging China’s Grip on Critical Minerals

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 16, 2025 18 Comments

Andre Zeitoun, CEO and founder of Ionic Mineral Technologies: "A watershed moment for American resource independence.” ...

Continuing Cambodia–Thailand Clashes Leave 38 Dead, Border Towns Emptied Out

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 16, 2025 3 Comments

Thai bombing raids have struck near shelters for displaced people and about 50 miles away from the country’s key tourist spot of Angkor Wat....

Seismic Power Shift Looms as Bolivia May Rewrite Lithium Deals Involving China to Favor U.S.

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 15, 2025 7 Comments

Another golden opportunity for the Trump administration team to make a deal that secures the U.S. critical mineral supply chain....

Chinese Researchers Gene-Edit Fungus to Cook Up Chicken-Tasting “Meat Substitute”

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 15, 2025 17 Comments

Perhaps a sounder business strategy for Chinese researchers than playing around with the genomes of highly infectious bat coronaviruses....

Why Aren’t Polar Bears Going Extinct Like the “Experts” Said They Would?

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 13, 2025 33 Comments

Climate cultists are blaming accelerated evolution, which is possibly the most laughable explanation they could have offered....

Israeli Study Reports 100% One-Year Survival Using New Protocol for Advanced Hodgkin’s

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 13, 2025 14 Comments

‘A true revolution in Hodgkin lymphoma care.’...

FDA Expands Probe Into COVID Vaccine Linked Deaths to Cover Adults

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 11, 2025 6 Comments

In related news, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary claims Biden administration withheld data on heart risk from Covid vaccines....

Trump Signals He’s Ready to Step In as Thailand–Cambodia Conflict Intensifies

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 11, 2025 1 Comment

It does not appear either side plans on ending hostilities soon, mining and trade deals notwithstanding....

A New Monkeypox Strain Identified in England

Posted by Leslie Eastman on December 10, 2025 19 Comments

This strain appears to be a combination of Clade Ib (which causes more severe infections and is more readily spread) and Clade IIb (the one responsible for the "Pride Summer" global outbreak in 2022)....