Blissful Friday the thirteenth! Go forged some spells or purchase a lotto ticket.
Signal of the occasions: Yesterday morning, somebody reprogrammed a lighted street signal close to the Aurora bridge. Sometimes, it’s the kind of signal that may learn one thing like “Proper lane closed.” However yesterday, it learn: “One much less CEO. Many extra to go.” It was gone by the point the solar got here up.
🚧✨ A hanging building check in East Queen Anne, Seattle, reads: “One much less CEO, Many extra to go.” We’re asking native authorities how this might occur. What are your ideas? @komonews pic.twitter.com/M5fZC24djs
— KOMO PHOTOG OLEN (@olenhogenson) December 12, 2024
Insurers are spooked: Floridian Briana Boston, annoyed after a denied medical declare, allegedly dropped the phrase “Delay, deny, depose. You individuals are subsequent” on a name with Blue Cross Blue Defend, which additionally simply occurs to match the precise phrases inscribed on the bullets that killed a sure medical insurance CEO. Authorities swooped in, charging her with threats of terrorism, although Boston insists she owns no weapons and was simply venting about, you already know, the standard for-profit healthcare nonsense.
Climate (and house): Nonetheless moist, although it seems like we’d get some solar on Sunday. If we get a break within the climate, although, don’t neglect to search for. Tonight and early Saturday morning, we’ll be within the peak of the annual Geminid meteor bathe. NASA recommends that we discover an space with much less mild air pollution so we will watch the greenish streaks throughout the sky. There needs to be about one each minute, so get thee to the woods.
Tis the Season: We have now our first anti-trans laws out of Olympia, simply in time for the vacations. Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen previewed two payments this week: one to ban gender-affirming care for youths, and one to maintain trans inmates convicted of a intercourse offenses out of gender-affirming housing. You’ll be able to learn extra about it from Vivian right here.
The final initiative standing: Keep in mind the 4 initiatives on November’s poll that had been all paid for by rich anti-tax bro Brian Heywood? We voted most of them down (yay!), however I-2066—an electrification ban that they claimed was a repeal of a non-existent fuel ban—made it by by a slim margin (boo). Now, King County, the Metropolis of Seattle, and a bunch of local weather activists are suing the State of Washington, saying the initiative is unconstitutional.
Misconduct and scandal at youth facility: At Inexperienced Hill College in Chehalis (“college,” in fact, being a euphemism for a maximum-security facility for folks ages 17 to 25), police are searching for expenses in opposition to two staff accused of sending “suggestive” selfies and smuggling contraband for inmates with cell telephones, including to a whopping 21 prison referrals this yr (up from only one final yr). The power’s woes embrace drug overdoses, overcrowding, and a rising checklist of misconduct allegations, prompting Gov. Inslee to pitch opening a brand new facility for older youth. In the meantime, Chehalis Police Chief Randy Kaut says he’s involved that Inexperienced Hill directors have merely stopped reporting crimes to his division, whereas the DCYF who runs the ability, insists its “additional sources” for investigations are working—we’re gonna name bullshit on that.
Light Large: Over in Oak Harbor, Jeff Pangburn, a 6-foot-10 “mild big” who’s been dwelling within the woods for 15 years, is called the friendliest face with the most important toes on the town. Just lately, when a automobile crashed close to his makeshift dwelling, he tried—and heartbreakingly failed—to save lots of a younger driver from a fiery wreck. The group is now rallying to assist Jeff commerce his forest digs for an RV whereas he’s out right here asking, “Can we repair the crash-prone intersection already?”
Perhaps it’s Santa’s surveillance? CNN stories: “[New Jersey] residents have reported seeing drones the scale of small automobiles flying round at evening; officers are not sure in the event that they’re seeing something uncommon, or if these are drones in any respect.” John Kirby, spokesman for the Division of Homeland Safety and White Home safety mentioned most of the sightings are literally “manned plane” and that there’s “no proof presently” that the mysterious sightings “pose a nationwide safety or a public security risk or have a overseas nexus.” Positive!
Vaccines, who wants ‘em? RKF’s lawyer, Aaron Siri, is petitioning the federal government to revoke FDA approval of the Polio vaccine. Siri has been a key participant in serving to ol’ Bob decide well being officers for the incoming Trump administration. In his free time, he’s been waging a warfare in opposition to, nicely, science. He’s filed a petition to halt the distribution of 13 different vaccines, challenged Covid vax mandates across the nation, and deposed a few of our most outstanding vaccine scientists.
Talking of RFK: In October, he threatened to fireside FDA staff for “aggressive suppression” of merchandise similar to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, “sunshine” (lol what), and uncooked milk. Uncooked milk is particularly dangerous proper now. This week two cats in Los Angeles died “from consuming recalled uncooked milk,” based on Los Angeles TV information station KTLA. Public officers suspect H5 chicken flu was current within the milk. RFK is gonna get us all killed, isn’t he.
Extra lawsuits for Diddy: On Thursday, three males filed complaints alleging that Diddy “‘personally provided’ them alcoholic drinks which made them unconscious, earlier than they are saying he raped them,” stories the BBC. Diddy’s legal professionals mentioned the fits are “stuffed with lies.” Greater than 30 civil instances have been filed in opposition to Diddy, and Thomas Giuffra, the lawyer who filed yesterday’s complaints, says “greater than 60 folks have reached out to his workplace with claims.” One other lawyer representing a few of Diddy’s alleged victims says the potential variety of instances “might be within the 300 vary.”
Cruelty Can’t Wait: Republicans have already introduced plans to take a giant slice out of social safety-net applications, concentrating on Medicaid, meals stamps, and money help, which disproportionately assist girls and youngsters. Their pitch? Reducing these applications promotes “household values” and “self-sufficiency”—as a result of nothing says empowerment like fewer groceries and unaffordable healthcare. Advocates argue these cuts will entice girls in poverty, harmful conditions, and worse, whereas analysis reveals work necessities and compelled “household values” do little to unravel systemic points. In the meantime, states will probably be left holding the bag, and spoiler alert: it’s empty.
Daniel Penny’s first public look: Proving but once more that he claims G.O.A.T standing amongst assholes, J.D. Vance is bringing Daniel Penny, freshly acquitted for the killing of Jordan Neely on a NYC subway, as his VIP visitor to the Military-Navy sport, becoming a member of President-elect Trump and different members of his soon-to-be cupboard. Vance celebrated Penny for his “spine.”
A deal with in your morning: I heard Aldous Harding for the primary time on a dwell KEXP efficiency that’s additionally 100% value your time. I’ve by no means seen somebody who may be so completely unsettling and so charming on the similar time. Each six months, I keep in mind this video exists and I watch it on repeat.
