Allan James Vestal
@ajv.bsky.social
Journalism, code & politics. Food idiot acolyte and ALX ward system anti-apologist.
(Crunchin' those numbers — and probably something with bacon on it too.)
He/Him.
(Crunchin' those numbers — and probably something with bacon on it too.)
He/Him.
Wow. I wasn't quite willing to believe DDHQ's call (hadn't seen the percent of precincts reporting) but that's a stunning result out of Tarrant.
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Wow. I wasn't quite willing to believe DDHQ's call (hadn't seen the percent of precincts reporting) but that's a stunning result out of Tarrant.
My kingdom for better Bsky search functionality.
How am I supposed to find the best seasons (series, fine) of that one British show that someone took the time to rank for me?
(These must be universal problems, right?)
How am I supposed to find the best seasons (series, fine) of that one British show that someone took the time to rank for me?
(These must be universal problems, right?)
January 30, 2026 at 5:04 AM
My kingdom for better Bsky search functionality.
How am I supposed to find the best seasons (series, fine) of that one British show that someone took the time to rank for me?
(These must be universal problems, right?)
How am I supposed to find the best seasons (series, fine) of that one British show that someone took the time to rank for me?
(These must be universal problems, right?)
“The night everything at DCA finally went wrong” sure looks like the kind of careful, meticulously-sourced story I wanted to read about this disaster.
The level of background knowledge is clear. As is the understanding of the human toll.
I hope it gets widely recognized in journalism circles.
The level of background knowledge is clear. As is the understanding of the human toll.
I hope it gets widely recognized in journalism circles.
For the last few months, I've been working on a story about January's crash near Washington, D.C. What I learned was that it was simply an accident waiting to happen.
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong (via @theaircurrent.com) theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf...
Special Report: The night everything at DCA finally went wrong
D.C. midair crash was the result of a complete collapse of the protections designed to keep aviation safe — and the institutions that design and maintain them
theaircurrent.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:16 AM
“The night everything at DCA finally went wrong” sure looks like the kind of careful, meticulously-sourced story I wanted to read about this disaster.
The level of background knowledge is clear. As is the understanding of the human toll.
I hope it gets widely recognized in journalism circles.
The level of background knowledge is clear. As is the understanding of the human toll.
I hope it gets widely recognized in journalism circles.
A Food Idiot’s Thanksgiving, Part II: Leftover mashed potatoes Boxty (potato pancake) with sour cream, caramelized apples, cranberry gastrique (well, kinda) and sage-butter crisped French fried onions.
November 30, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A Food Idiot’s Thanksgiving, Part II: Leftover mashed potatoes Boxty (potato pancake) with sour cream, caramelized apples, cranberry gastrique (well, kinda) and sage-butter crisped French fried onions.
A Food Idiot’s Thanksgiving, Part I:
Stuffing–Turducken* waffle with sage-infused maple syrup, gravy, crisped lemon-pepper turkey skin and pecan gremolata.
With apologies to my long-suffering wife (and my parents’ waffle iron) this took my love of turkey dressing to an even higher level.
Stuffing–Turducken* waffle with sage-infused maple syrup, gravy, crisped lemon-pepper turkey skin and pecan gremolata.
With apologies to my long-suffering wife (and my parents’ waffle iron) this took my love of turkey dressing to an even higher level.
November 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
A Food Idiot’s Thanksgiving, Part I:
Stuffing–Turducken* waffle with sage-infused maple syrup, gravy, crisped lemon-pepper turkey skin and pecan gremolata.
With apologies to my long-suffering wife (and my parents’ waffle iron) this took my love of turkey dressing to an even higher level.
Stuffing–Turducken* waffle with sage-infused maple syrup, gravy, crisped lemon-pepper turkey skin and pecan gremolata.
With apologies to my long-suffering wife (and my parents’ waffle iron) this took my love of turkey dressing to an even higher level.
Sir Alex, in the golden hour.
Someone tossed him a few berries. He was curious, but ultimately not interested.
Someone tossed him a few berries. He was curious, but ultimately not interested.
August 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Sir Alex, in the golden hour.
Someone tossed him a few berries. He was curious, but ultimately not interested.
Someone tossed him a few berries. He was curious, but ultimately not interested.
Juror instructions
City of Alexandria
Late 2023 C.E.
City of Alexandria
Late 2023 C.E.
July 12, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Juror instructions
City of Alexandria
Late 2023 C.E.
City of Alexandria
Late 2023 C.E.
Quoting the Congressman for the area in and around DCA Airport.
Ardently hoping for the best, for all loved ones who are involved.
Ardently hoping for the best, for all loved ones who are involved.
From American Airlines: "American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA... If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215."
January 30, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Quoting the Congressman for the area in and around DCA Airport.
Ardently hoping for the best, for all loved ones who are involved.
Ardently hoping for the best, for all loved ones who are involved.
To clarify: NBC News is citing an Army official that three people were aboard the Blackhawk. They have not characterized their conditions
Thanks. There may well have been an escortee on board, but there is nothing to suggest either way.
WRC cites DoD statement that there were three people on board the Blackhawk.
WRC cites DoD statement that there were three people on board the Blackhawk.
January 30, 2025 at 4:09 AM
To clarify: NBC News is citing an Army official that three people were aboard the Blackhawk. They have not characterized their conditions
(If memory serves, I could be wrong) Evidently they tried to land on 1 but were doing a second approach.
January 30, 2025 at 3:43 AM
(If memory serves, I could be wrong) Evidently they tried to land on 1 but were doing a second approach.
Best capture of the footage aired by WRC:
January 30, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Best capture of the footage aired by WRC:
WRC has footage from EarthCam. The crash (and flash of light) appears to be over the Maryland side of the Potomac.
Searching for a picture on their footage. But this looks like a fireball, leading to a bunch of pieces, that broke apart.
Searching for a picture on their footage. But this looks like a fireball, leading to a bunch of pieces, that broke apart.
January 30, 2025 at 3:15 AM
WRC has footage from EarthCam. The crash (and flash of light) appears to be over the Maryland side of the Potomac.
Searching for a picture on their footage. But this looks like a fireball, leading to a bunch of pieces, that broke apart.
Searching for a picture on their footage. But this looks like a fireball, leading to a bunch of pieces, that broke apart.
“But how will I know we’re back in Alexandria?”
December 31, 2024 at 12:07 AM
“But how will I know we’re back in Alexandria?”
Oh good! Finally someone On Here who’s specifically seeking the type of content I post.
December 15, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Oh good! Finally someone On Here who’s specifically seeking the type of content I post.
ALXsky folks: thanks for all the support and good questions on the 🧵 last night!
I’ll be answering all the ?s over the next couple days. (Bravo @martaschantz.bsky.social & @alexgoyette.bsky.social for the Shirlington research!)
But also: Office hours @ Port City this afternoon? Got even more maps…
I’ll be answering all the ?s over the next couple days. (Bravo @martaschantz.bsky.social & @alexgoyette.bsky.social for the Shirlington research!)
But also: Office hours @ Port City this afternoon? Got even more maps…
November 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM
ALXsky folks: thanks for all the support and good questions on the 🧵 last night!
I’ll be answering all the ?s over the next couple days. (Bravo @martaschantz.bsky.social & @alexgoyette.bsky.social for the Shirlington research!)
But also: Office hours @ Port City this afternoon? Got even more maps…
I’ll be answering all the ?s over the next couple days. (Bravo @martaschantz.bsky.social & @alexgoyette.bsky.social for the Shirlington research!)
But also: Office hours @ Port City this afternoon? Got even more maps…
Buckle up, nerds. It's Sunday night & I have a scary # of new followers thanks to the latest Twitter exodus.
Want them to know what they're in for, so here's some On Brand content to see who's wonky enough to wanna hang around.
I've got a Negroni by my side & QGIS + Excel fired up.
LFG.
[1/many]
Want them to know what they're in for, so here's some On Brand content to see who's wonky enough to wanna hang around.
I've got a Negroni by my side & QGIS + Excel fired up.
LFG.
[1/many]
November 11, 2024 at 12:39 AM
Buckle up, nerds. It's Sunday night & I have a scary # of new followers thanks to the latest Twitter exodus.
Want them to know what they're in for, so here's some On Brand content to see who's wonky enough to wanna hang around.
I've got a Negroni by my side & QGIS + Excel fired up.
LFG.
[1/many]
Want them to know what they're in for, so here's some On Brand content to see who's wonky enough to wanna hang around.
I've got a Negroni by my side & QGIS + Excel fired up.
LFG.
[1/many]
I AM SO SORRY ALEX.
I'm workshopping all these poasts and will have them up tomorrow I promise.
I'm workshopping all these poasts and will have them up tomorrow I promise.
November 10, 2024 at 5:10 AM
I AM SO SORRY ALEX.
I'm workshopping all these poasts and will have them up tomorrow I promise.
I'm workshopping all these poasts and will have them up tomorrow I promise.
Working on what may be my most esoteric skeet thread to date. Stay tuned tomorrow (and bonus points if you can identify anything in advance about these maps of Alexandria, Va.).
November 9, 2024 at 2:02 AM
Working on what may be my most esoteric skeet thread to date. Stay tuned tomorrow (and bonus points if you can identify anything in advance about these maps of Alexandria, Va.).
If folks are inclined to try out our pages over the next (# not found) hours or days, I’d definitely appreciate it.
No paywall, up-to-the-second results & analysis, plus tracking on 60 ballot measures, market reax and more.
And dark mode, if you’re into that.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
No paywall, up-to-the-second results & analysis, plus tracking on 60 ballot measures, market reax and more.
And dark mode, if you’re into that.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
2024 US Presidential Election Results | Live Map and Electoral Vote Counts
Track real-time results in the US presidential election — with live interactive maps, updates from swing states and the latest electoral vote totals.
www.bloomberg.com
November 5, 2024 at 10:39 PM
If folks are inclined to try out our pages over the next (# not found) hours or days, I’d definitely appreciate it.
No paywall, up-to-the-second results & analysis, plus tracking on 60 ballot measures, market reax and more.
And dark mode, if you’re into that.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
No paywall, up-to-the-second results & analysis, plus tracking on 60 ballot measures, market reax and more.
And dark mode, if you’re into that.
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Thank you @travisaniles.bsky.social. It’s a mountain of work getting to this point, and there’s about to be lots of individual threads to monitor, but it’s a real privilege to be able to do our small part in making order out of what’s unknown.
(Having the best team in the business helps, too.)
(Having the best team in the business helps, too.)
Will be thinking of @ajv.bsky.social and other journalists as they make ready to cover election results.
Hang in there, and let us know how we can help.
Hang in there, and let us know how we can help.
a man in a captain america costume is standing in the snow and says good luck .
Alt: a man in a captain america costume is standing in the snow and says good luck .
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2024 at 10:00 PM
Thank you @travisaniles.bsky.social. It’s a mountain of work getting to this point, and there’s about to be lots of individual threads to monitor, but it’s a real privilege to be able to do our small part in making order out of what’s unknown.
(Having the best team in the business helps, too.)
(Having the best team in the business helps, too.)
Has The Post done anything in the last 5 years to increase coverage of “the D.C. metro area” — or even sustain current coverage?
Or are we all just supposed to stay on the hook while our local media landscape worsens, bc falling subscription rates _only_ mean the lowest tier employees failed?
Or are we all just supposed to stay on the hook while our local media landscape worsens, bc falling subscription rates _only_ mean the lowest tier employees failed?
October 29, 2024 at 2:09 AM
Has The Post done anything in the last 5 years to increase coverage of “the D.C. metro area” — or even sustain current coverage?
Or are we all just supposed to stay on the hook while our local media landscape worsens, bc falling subscription rates _only_ mean the lowest tier employees failed?
Or are we all just supposed to stay on the hook while our local media landscape worsens, bc falling subscription rates _only_ mean the lowest tier employees failed?
Three months later, a Mushroom Party was had.
June 27, 2024 at 1:17 AM
Three months later, a Mushroom Party was had.
It's a little wild to me that the Vice Mayor of the city — running for mayor — seems on track to get 1,000 fewer votes than the tenth of eleven city council candidates earned.
Receipts in the alt text.
Receipts in the alt text.
June 19, 2024 at 1:30 AM
It's a little wild to me that the Vice Mayor of the city — running for mayor — seems on track to get 1,000 fewer votes than the tenth of eleven city council candidates earned.
Receipts in the alt text.
Receipts in the alt text.
State-run site blipped and said "mailed absentee" was in — but nothing changed numerically.
Maybe it will soon, though.
Maybe it will soon, though.
June 19, 2024 at 1:17 AM
State-run site blipped and said "mailed absentee" was in — but nothing changed numerically.
Maybe it will soon, though.
Maybe it will soon, though.
NBC 4 with the check mark in the ALX mayoral.
June 19, 2024 at 1:03 AM
NBC 4 with the check mark in the ALX mayoral.