We need a new way of calling elections than reporters announcing victories with 1% of the vote in.
Tim Gruver
@timgruver.bsky.social
Reporter @washingtonobserver.bsky.social Sec. @spjwash.bsky.social. Words @Politico.com, @Pluribusnews.bsky.social, The Center Square, @Oregonian.com, @Metacritic.com
If you are an editor that wants a writer with lots of ideas, please for the love of god, hit me up.
Movies nowadays are just Jon Bernthal saying “Lemme tell you something” with three different haircuts.
“A Spokesman-Review reporter on West Trails Road and the Centennial Trail observed a man in a green shirt and backpack walking eastbound around between 1 and 2 p.m. Saturday.” www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
Investigators arrest 37-year-old man in connection to devastating Spokane County wildfires
A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly setting the Old Trails fire, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels announced Monday night.
spokesman.com
Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta and Oracle are spending so much on developing AI and delivering it to customers that they’re expected to bleed cash in the coming year, according to a Post analysis of data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
One chart shows the incredible reversal at American tech companies
The AI bet by the country’s leading firms is torching their cash.
washingtonpost.com
“People used (opioids) before we knew the dangers as well,” Axtman said. “I’m hoping we can get those people help.”
States Newsroom@statesnewsroom.com · 2d agoNorth Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Monday declared a public health emergency banning all kratom products and called a special session of the Legislature for September to further address enforcement. via @northdakotamonitor.com www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gov-...
Unions and the Washington GOP are courting would-be Supremes who stand to tilt our fair state's highest court in their direction.🏛️🗳️ The multi-million dollar contest could see an ICE lawyer seated in Olympia. We followed the 💸. #waleg washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/last-minut...
Last-minute money and more mischief
Plus Wilson takes on water in Seattle and Ferguson bends the knee as Spokane burns
washingtonobserver.substack.com
Things suck, but there are some damn good movies playing right now. www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
‘Spider-Man’ and ‘The Odyssey’ power biggest box office weekend in history
The two blockbusters together pulled in more than $400 million at the domestic box office this weekend.
nbcnews.com
🔥💨
Meredith Rawls@merrdiff.bsky.social · 3d agoYo Seattle SMOKE INCOMING. Worst likely Wed-Thu. Exposure to wildfire smoke harms your health—don't tough it out. Air purifiers are your friend. Many free apps show you local air quality (AQI). Exerting yourself outdoors when it's high is a bad call. Be safe! emeraldcityweather.com/heat-wildfir...
Todd Blanche on track for confirmation after Cornyn strikes Trump settlement deal
Todd Blanche on track for confirmation after Cornyn strikes Trump settlement deal
The Texas senator is a crucial vote on the attorney general nominee in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is set to vote Tuesday.
dlvr.it
I'm not sure folks have realized just how crazy the second half of 2026 and 2027 will be for global temperatures – on the back of a record-smashing El Niño event. Here is my latest estimate of where both years will end up compared to global temperatures since 1850.
Senator Bernie Moreno, Republican of Ohio, broke his silence on Sunday about allegations of domestic abuse his daughter has made against Representative Max Miller, saying in a statement that Miller was unfit for office.
Ohio Senator Calls Former Son-in-Law Accused of Abuse Unfit for Office
Senator Bernie Moreno, Republican of Ohio, broke his silence about allegations of domestic abuse his daughter has made against Representative Max Miller.
nyti.ms
The Spokesman is doing incredible reporting on this story. Follow them for critical info. @alexdugganreports.bsky.social www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...
'Never seen it this bad': Thousands evacuated in north Spokane as wildfire crosses river into city
A wildfire driven by high winds jumped the Spokane River Saturday afternoon, burning homes and quickly moving into the Indian Trail Neighborhood.
spokesman.com
I have countless loved ones are on the northside of Spokane. Not only is it NOT normal for the west to burn, this is actually fucking insane.
Spokane Rising@spokanerising.com · 4d agoHoly crap. Level 3 (GO NOW!) zone now includes urban Spokane, south of Francis to Wellesley. Level 2 (GET SET!) zone now extends east of Division. Not to be alarmist, but at this rate, it’s not inconceivable that the Old Trails Fire merges with the Fairview Fire.
Pentagon ends leadership of Ukraine aid group as US distances from Europe
Pentagon ends leadership of Ukraine aid group as US distances from Europe
The move follows numerous changes the Trump administration has made to the decades-old alliance.
dlvr.it
The U.S. delegation at a global AIDS conference displayed a map of Africa that’s so wrong the State Department has been issuing apologies.
State Dept. apologizing for Africa map that mislabeled every country
The map, part of a presentation Sunday at the AIDS 2026 summit in Rio de Janeiro, purports to show six African countries that are receiving U.S. health funding. It gets each of them wrong.
washingtonpost.com
The Democratic Socialists of America has grown, yet Americans remain divided on its meaning. A new poll found less than half of all Americans say they would vote for a democratic socialist candidate. https://wapo.st/4wvuVXV
Gov. Tina Kotek announced on Thursday she is cancelling the sale of state-owned property in Salem where developers have plans to build a data center. It’s unclear whether Kotek can stop the data center.
Oregon Gov. Kotek stops state from selling land for Salem data center
Gov. Tina Kotek announced on Thursday she is cancelling the sale of state-owned property in Salem where developers have plans to build a data center.
opb.org
The federal government turned away a record number of document requests from the public and accumulated the highest-ever backlog of cases in fiscal year 2025, raising questions about compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
Federal Agencies Face Record Backlog of Public Records Requests
A Times analysis of 16 years of available federal data shows federal agencies lag in processing requests for government records.
nyti.ms
“Stewartson celebrated the final order, which referenced his comment in a footnote. “I’d like to commend the judge for including ‘googly-eyed Kremlin bitch’ in his ruling,” Stewartson wrote on X Tuesday.” newrepublic.com/post/213675/...
Kash Patel Loses Lawsuit Against Man Who Called Him “Googly-Eyed” Chud
A federal judge has thrown out the FBI director’s lawsuit against a blogger who called him a “googly-eyed Kremlin bitch.”
newrepublic.com
Believe it or not, this is why America relies on independent journalists to do just that!
Tim Gruver@timgruver.bsky.social · 6d agoAgencies funded by Congress and led by a White House appointee can rarely — if ever — hold either accountable.
Agencies funded by Congress and led by a White House appointee can rarely — if ever — hold either accountable.
The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com · 6d agoSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) is set to introduce legislation to create a new federal agency to investigate corruption. The bill is part of Democrats’ effort to articulate a legislative agenda ahead of the midterm elections. https://wapo.st/4fGLuJc
The packed race for the left lane in a host of Democratic primaries could leave this state senate race up for grabs. Two teachers want to write a new lesson plan for the Ds, but a Republican could eke out a win as Dems stretch their dollars. 🫏💸 washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/a-three-wa...
A three-way battle in the 42nd
Plus conservative mischief in the 43rd and a weird campaign against The Stranger
washingtonobserver.substack.com
A 15-year-old who was arrested for his suspected role in a deadly shooting at the Seattle Center on Sunday night was formally charged on Wednesday.
15-year-old Seattle Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree assault; prosecutors seek adult trial
A 15-year-old boy suspected of involvement in a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival Sunday has been charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
kuow.org
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” co-written with Miranda Lambert, has spent a 15th nonconsecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, passing “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. https://wapo.st/4vUZeGv
“According to court documents, their daughter at one point told Ms. Moreno, “Daddy kill you.” Domestic Abuse Allegations Rock an Ohio House Race www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/u...
Domestic Abuse Allegations Rock Max Miller’s Ohio House Race
Representative Max Miller, a Republican, is facing accusations of abuse from his ex-wife in a bitter family feud that might put his otherwise safe seat in play.
nytimes.com