Guy Oron
@guyoron.net
Seattle-based journalist and writer. Staff Reporter at Real Change. Views my own. Pronouns: he/they. Subscribe to my newsletter Gossip Guy for free! gossipguy.net
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Guy Oron
@guyoron.net
· Dec 30
Introducing the Seattle Sweeps Open Data Repository
Author’s note: 2024 — what a year. It’s been a lot. And yet we keep going. I’m deeply grateful to all of you for your support of Gossip Guy. Across a dozen posts, 240 of you have decided to subscribe ...
gossipguy.net
NEW: I’m excited to announce a new project I’ve been working on, the Seattle Sweeps Open Data Repository. This open-source data set contains records related to Seattle’s policies of displacement against unhoused people.
gossipguy.net/introducing-...
gossipguy.net/introducing-...
VIDEO: Seattle Starbucks workers are on strike right now, trying to achieve their first contract to secure a living wage, proper staffing and good working conditions.
I spoke to Emma Cox, a barista at the U District Starbucks who’s helping lead the picket line at her store.
I spoke to Emma Cox, a barista at the U District Starbucks who’s helping lead the picket line at her store.
November 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
VIDEO: Seattle Starbucks workers are on strike right now, trying to achieve their first contract to secure a living wage, proper staffing and good working conditions.
I spoke to Emma Cox, a barista at the U District Starbucks who’s helping lead the picket line at her store.
I spoke to Emma Cox, a barista at the U District Starbucks who’s helping lead the picket line at her store.
I had a great time chatting with @janehu.bsky.social and @shasti.bsky.social on @citycastseattle.bsky.social about the state of the Democratic party, the ongoing strike by Starbucks workers and how state politicians can better respond to attacks by ICE: megaphone.link/CC1258353158
The WA State Democratic Party on Katie Wilson, Starbucks Strikes, and ICE by City Cast Seattle
megaphone.link
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I had a great time chatting with @janehu.bsky.social and @shasti.bsky.social on @citycastseattle.bsky.social about the state of the Democratic party, the ongoing strike by Starbucks workers and how state politicians can better respond to attacks by ICE: megaphone.link/CC1258353158
Reposted by Guy Oron
How LLMs generate judgments
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
"driven by lexical and statistical associations rather than deliberative reasoning"
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
"driven by lexical and statistical associations rather than deliberative reasoning"
How LLMs generate judgments - Nature Computational Science
Nature Computational Science - How LLMs generate judgments
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
How LLMs generate judgments
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
"driven by lexical and statistical associations rather than deliberative reasoning"
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
"driven by lexical and statistical associations rather than deliberative reasoning"
King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay has responded to scrutiny over his appointment of Microsoft president Brad Smith, saying he condemns “any facilitation human rights violations committed in Gaza.” He pledged to continue to engage with major regional institutions like Microsoft.
November 20, 2025 at 5:24 AM
King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay has responded to scrutiny over his appointment of Microsoft president Brad Smith, saying he condemns “any facilitation human rights violations committed in Gaza.” He pledged to continue to engage with major regional institutions like Microsoft.
VIDEO: Moments from Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s election night speech on Nov. 4:
November 16, 2025 at 1:22 AM
VIDEO: Moments from Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson’s election night speech on Nov. 4:
Reposted by Guy Oron
In his final hours, Keith Gavin’s request for a halal final meal was denied by Alabama officials. "I’m a Muslim, I’m supposed to be eating halal food,” he told Bolts shortly before his execution last year. “There’s nothing else to eat but junk food.”
Before Executing a Muslim Man, Alabama Denied Many of His Final Religious Requests
Keith Gavin made a number of requests about his final moments, all stemming from his Islamic faith. But the prison largely ignored them, as it has with Muslim prisoners in the past.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
In his final hours, Keith Gavin’s request for a halal final meal was denied by Alabama officials. "I’m a Muslim, I’m supposed to be eating halal food,” he told Bolts shortly before his execution last year. “There’s nothing else to eat but junk food.”
Reposted by Guy Oron
💔 Alice Wong’s last words: “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
We can never thank Alice enough for fighting all the good fights and especially all the hard fights. We all learned so much from your brilliance, your courage, and your indefatigable leadership. We will never forget you.
We can never thank Alice enough for fighting all the good fights and especially all the hard fights. We all learned so much from your brilliance, your courage, and your indefatigable leadership. We will never forget you.
November 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
💔 Alice Wong’s last words: “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
We can never thank Alice enough for fighting all the good fights and especially all the hard fights. We all learned so much from your brilliance, your courage, and your indefatigable leadership. We will never forget you.
We can never thank Alice enough for fighting all the good fights and especially all the hard fights. We all learned so much from your brilliance, your courage, and your indefatigable leadership. We will never forget you.
Reposted by Guy Oron
Alice Wong, Presente. Thank you for everything.
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Alice Wong, Presente. Thank you for everything.
Reposted by Guy Oron
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump Administration to Drastically Cut Housing Grants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
NEW: With the election of Katie Wilson as mayor and Erika Evans as city attorney, voters shifted Seattle's political landscape to the left. What will this mean for public safety and the city's criminal legal system policies? Find out in my latest for @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/progressives...
boltsmag.org/progressives...
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety - Bolts
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
NEW: With the election of Katie Wilson as mayor and Erika Evans as city attorney, voters shifted Seattle's political landscape to the left. What will this mean for public safety and the city's criminal legal system policies? Find out in my latest for @boltsmag.org:
boltsmag.org/progressives...
boltsmag.org/progressives...
Israeli media is reacting to Katie Wilson’s win in Seattle with its typical flair, calling her the “Mamdani of the West Coast” and warning she will “legitimize anti-Israel organizations” calling Israel’s genocide in Gaza what it is.
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Israeli media is reacting to Katie Wilson’s win in Seattle with its typical flair, calling her the “Mamdani of the West Coast” and warning she will “legitimize anti-Israel organizations” calling Israel’s genocide in Gaza what it is.
Reposted by Guy Oron
Great reporting from @guyoron.net and astute summary of the core political conflict:
“It is that battle between establishment, centrist corporate Democrats and more progressive Democrats,” said @finchfrii.bsky.social , a Seattle-based political strategist.
“It is that battle between establishment, centrist corporate Democrats and more progressive Democrats,” said @finchfrii.bsky.social , a Seattle-based political strategist.
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety - Bolts
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Great reporting from @guyoron.net and astute summary of the core political conflict:
“It is that battle between establishment, centrist corporate Democrats and more progressive Democrats,” said @finchfrii.bsky.social , a Seattle-based political strategist.
“It is that battle between establishment, centrist corporate Democrats and more progressive Democrats,” said @finchfrii.bsky.social , a Seattle-based political strategist.
Reposted by Guy Oron
NEW in Bolts: In Seattle, voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
NEW in Bolts: In Seattle, voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
Reposted by Guy Oron
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety - Bolts
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
At noon, Bruce Harrell is expected to give a concession speech. Then at 2PM Katie Wilson will give remarks (presumably a victory speech)
Perhaps her first action as Seattle’s mayor-elect will be joining striking Starbucks workers at their picket outside the company’s flagship Reserve Roastery store.
Perhaps her first action as Seattle’s mayor-elect will be joining striking Starbucks workers at their picket outside the company’s flagship Reserve Roastery store.
With nearly all votes counted, progressive challenger Katie Wilson has won the election to be Seattle's next mayor. She is ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by a margin of 1,976 votes or 0.7%. There will be no automatic recount.
November 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
At noon, Bruce Harrell is expected to give a concession speech. Then at 2PM Katie Wilson will give remarks (presumably a victory speech)
Perhaps her first action as Seattle’s mayor-elect will be joining striking Starbucks workers at their picket outside the company’s flagship Reserve Roastery store.
Perhaps her first action as Seattle’s mayor-elect will be joining striking Starbucks workers at their picket outside the company’s flagship Reserve Roastery store.
With nearly all votes counted, progressive challenger Katie Wilson has won the election to be Seattle's next mayor. She is ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by a margin of 1,976 votes or 0.7%. There will be no automatic recount.
November 13, 2025 at 12:06 AM
With nearly all votes counted, progressive challenger Katie Wilson has won the election to be Seattle's next mayor. She is ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by a margin of 1,976 votes or 0.7%. There will be no automatic recount.
With the votes counted today, it’s looking extremely likely that progressive challenger Katie Wilson will be declared Seattle’s next mayor after pulling ahead by 1,346 votes, or a roughly 0.5% margin, of incumbent Bruce Harrell.
JUST IN: Katie Wilson significantly extends her lead in the Seattle mayoral race.
She now leads Mayor Bruce Harrell by 1,346 votes, or 0.5%.
That's up from the squeaker-lead of 91 votes in yesterday's update). She won today's batch of nearly 6K ballots by 20% (!).
Not much left at this point.
She now leads Mayor Bruce Harrell by 1,346 votes, or 0.5%.
That's up from the squeaker-lead of 91 votes in yesterday's update). She won today's batch of nearly 6K ballots by 20% (!).
Not much left at this point.
November 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM
With the votes counted today, it’s looking extremely likely that progressive challenger Katie Wilson will be declared Seattle’s next mayor after pulling ahead by 1,346 votes, or a roughly 0.5% margin, of incumbent Bruce Harrell.
Reposted by Guy Oron
NEW: Washington State Rep. Shaun Scott issues statement concerning Roger Wright and Seattle police accountability following a Real Change investigation:
November 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
NEW: Washington State Rep. Shaun Scott issues statement concerning Roger Wright and Seattle police accountability following a Real Change investigation:
Curious to see Microsoft president Brad Smith on the transition team as co-chair 🤔
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Girmay Zahilay announces transition plans after winning King County exec
Zahilay named a 100-person transition committee and said that county government must offer a counterexample to the Trump administration.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Curious to see Microsoft president Brad Smith on the transition team as co-chair 🤔
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
SEATTLE ELECTIONS UPDATE: Progressive challenger Katie Wilson has pulled ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by just 91 votes, or 0.04%. About 6,400 ballots are left to be counted, which means the margin will likely remain very small, but Wilson has an edge. A machine recount is almost certain.
November 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
SEATTLE ELECTIONS UPDATE: Progressive challenger Katie Wilson has pulled ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell by just 91 votes, or 0.04%. About 6,400 ballots are left to be counted, which means the margin will likely remain very small, but Wilson has an edge. A machine recount is almost certain.
Reposted by Guy Oron
NEW: Today is a big day for us at Bolts! From today thru end of 2025, NewsMatch matches any gift you make.
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
NEW: Today is a big day for us at Bolts! From today thru end of 2025, NewsMatch matches any gift you make.
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
In a nutshell: Your gift will be doubled. If you start a monthly subscription, your monthly amount is matched *x12*!
If you wish to support independent journalism, you can help us thrive:
It now looks like the Seattle mayoral election counting process will drag on for weeks, with a deadline of curing ballots by Monday the 24th and then official certification on the 25th.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
November 8, 2025 at 1:07 AM
It now looks like the Seattle mayoral election counting process will drag on for weeks, with a deadline of curing ballots by Monday the 24th and then official certification on the 25th.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
Then a likely automatic machine recount — and perhaps even a manual hand count — could drag it into mid-December.
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
November 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
In today's ballot count, Katie Wilson got 54.8% of the votes, narrowing incumbent Seattle mayor Harrell's lead to 4,300 votes, or 1.88%. This was almost the exact minimum threshold she needed. With about 47,000 ballots left, the final margin could end up being less than 100 votes and go either way.
According to data released by King County Elections today, Seattle voter turnout is almost exactly the same as in 2021, including when sorting voters by age. The main difference is that the electorate got older.
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
According to data released by King County Elections today, Seattle voter turnout is almost exactly the same as in 2021, including when sorting voters by age. The main difference is that the electorate got older.
Thank you to the These Sacred Hills team for hosting a screening of their film. A crucial intervention that questions why Indigenous communities like the Kamiltpa Rock Creek band are being asked to sacrifice their irreplaceable cultural resources for the profits of green capitalism and AI empires.
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Thank you to the These Sacred Hills team for hosting a screening of their film. A crucial intervention that questions why Indigenous communities like the Kamiltpa Rock Creek band are being asked to sacrifice their irreplaceable cultural resources for the profits of green capitalism and AI empires.