Jim Brunner
@jimbrunner.bsky.social
Seattle Times politics reporter
Got a tip? Signal: 206-214-8789
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jim-brunner/
Got a tip? Signal: 206-214-8789
https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jim-brunner/
Polling rule of thumb: roughly 20% of people will claim to believe just about *anything* you ask them.
New polling on aliens
% of U.S. adult citizens who believe the following definitely or probably exist:
Aliens 56%
Bigfoot 28%
The Yeti 23%
The Loch Ness Monster 22%
Chupacabra 16%
today.yougov.com/health/artic...
% of U.S. adult citizens who believe the following definitely or probably exist:
Aliens 56%
Bigfoot 28%
The Yeti 23%
The Loch Ness Monster 22%
Chupacabra 16%
today.yougov.com/health/artic...
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Polling rule of thumb: roughly 20% of people will claim to believe just about *anything* you ask them.
Credit where it's due: AI has shown us a better Christmas.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Town's Huge Christmas Mural Was Generated Using AI, Resulting in Ghastly Chthonic Horrors
An enormous new mural near London, depicting a crowded Christmas scene, has drawn outrage and mockery from passersby.
futurism.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Credit where it's due: AI has shown us a better Christmas.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
X turned on account location, and immediately turned it off again--because it showed that your "farmer in Michigan" is really a paid troll in Bangladesh. We need a social network that shows where content is from.
asbruckman.medium.com/x-added-acco...
With cites to @katestarbird.bsky.social
asbruckman.medium.com/x-added-acco...
With cites to @katestarbird.bsky.social
X added account location — and turned it off hours later.
A window onto what is most broken about the internet.
asbruckman.medium.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
X turned on account location, and immediately turned it off again--because it showed that your "farmer in Michigan" is really a paid troll in Bangladesh. We need a social network that shows where content is from.
asbruckman.medium.com/x-added-acco...
With cites to @katestarbird.bsky.social
asbruckman.medium.com/x-added-acco...
With cites to @katestarbird.bsky.social
Reposted by Jim Brunner
NEW: I did a very deep dive into one month's worth of Elon Musk's posts on X so I could understand the breadth and depth of what he is posting about these days. In a word: fringe. www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-mu... 🧵
A month of Elon Musk on X: Conspiracy theories, fringe politics and self-promotion
An NBC News analysis of one month of Musk’s social media posts shows what’s been on his mind, including a broad cross-section of fringe political topics.
www.nbcnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
NEW: I did a very deep dive into one month's worth of Elon Musk's posts on X so I could understand the breadth and depth of what he is posting about these days. In a word: fringe. www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-mu... 🧵
New: A year after WA's destructive bomb cyclone, Trump admin has stiffed the state on FEMA aid, even though six counties qualified under FEMA standards. Meanwhile, Trump has openly bragged about awarding FEMA $$ to states that voted for him.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Year after bomb cyclone, FEMA denial stings WA as Trump touts red-state aid
A year after Washington's bomb cyclone, the Trump administration has withheld aid even as the president has bragged about awards to states that voted for him.
www.seattletimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
New: A year after WA's destructive bomb cyclone, Trump admin has stiffed the state on FEMA aid, even though six counties qualified under FEMA standards. Meanwhile, Trump has openly bragged about awarding FEMA $$ to states that voted for him.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress
In a series of unhinged social media posts, he also called it “punishable by DEATH” that lawmakers released a video urging military service members to disobey unlawful orders.
www.huffpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
'HANG THEM': Trump Boosts Message Calling For Executing Democrats In Congress www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
The tenuous decorum between Bruce Harrell’s office and Sara Nelson is evaporating, as Nelson goes after Harrell’s political consultant with new proposed legislation. Harrell’s team and consultant Christian Sinderman call it a misguided priority by a sore loser
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Sara Nelson wants to restrict political consultants at Seattle City Hall
Outgoing Seattle Council President Sara Nelson is proposing a bill that would restrict access to City Hall.
www.seattletimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The tenuous decorum between Bruce Harrell’s office and Sara Nelson is evaporating, as Nelson goes after Harrell’s political consultant with new proposed legislation. Harrell’s team and consultant Christian Sinderman call it a misguided priority by a sore loser
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Reposted by Jim Brunner
I'm very sorry to report that the great alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider has died at 59 of undiagnosed walking pneumonia. I stick by what I wrote about him in 2012. www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-0... Here's Rolling Stone's coverage. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Robert Christgau: Preaching Agnosticism (with Laugh Lines)
www.robertchristgau.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I'm very sorry to report that the great alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider has died at 59 of undiagnosed walking pneumonia. I stick by what I wrote about him in 2012. www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-0... Here's Rolling Stone's coverage. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Aw hell. Glad I got to see him play in Seattle.
This story, once merely bizarre, has now become tragic. Hail and farewell, Todd Snider. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Todd Snider, Rambling Troubadour Who Helped Shape Alt-Country and Americana, Dead at 59
Todd Snider, the rambling troubadour who helped shape the Americana music movement, has died at 59.
www.rollingstone.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Aw hell. Glad I got to see him play in Seattle.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
"Mark my words, one wrong step in this town’ll land you in a whole heap of social services."
Not Sure How They Deal With Criminals In Your Town, But ’Round Here We Use A Restorative Justice Process
Well, well, well. What have we got here? Another city slicker who thinks he can waltz into my town and start causin’ all sorts of trouble. I’d be careful if I was you, fella. Because however they do t...
theonion.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 AM
"Mark my words, one wrong step in this town’ll land you in a whole heap of social services."
Reposted by Jim Brunner
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
via @kansasreflector.com
via @kansasreflector.com
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret
TOPEKA — A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.In two of the…
www.newsfromthestates.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
via @kansasreflector.com
via @kansasreflector.com
Analysis: King County executive transition team inflation 2009-2025. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Analysis: King County executive transition team inflation 2009-2025. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
"For the past 30 years, the party that has forced federal agencies to close their doors in a funding fight has never actually achieved the policy outcome it was demanding." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Why the Democrats Finally Folded
This is how the government shutdown was always going to end.
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
"For the past 30 years, the party that has forced federal agencies to close their doors in a funding fight has never actually achieved the policy outcome it was demanding." www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
In Seattle, the progressive late vote count surge has put challenger Katie Wilson ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell - by just 91 votes. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news... via @kromandavid.bsky.social
Katie Wilson takes lead over Bruce Harrell in Seattle mayor race
Katie Wilson, a progressive challenger to the incumbent mayor, is benefiting from the leftward trend of voters who send or drop ballots close to or on election day.
www.seattletimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
In Seattle, the progressive late vote count surge has put challenger Katie Wilson ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell - by just 91 votes. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news... via @kromandavid.bsky.social
Reposted by Jim Brunner
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Democrats reveal whistleblower details of Ghislaine Maxwell prison ‘luxuries’
In a letter to the president, House Democrats say Maxwell’s treatment as she prepares a clemency request makes the convicted sex offender look like a “guest at a Trump hotel.”
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
RIP Lenny Wilkens www.seattletimes.com/sports/sonic...
Lenny Wilkens, godfather of Seattle basketball, dies at 88
Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, who led the Sonics to their only NBA title and was an ambassador of Seattle basketball for more than 50 years, has died at 88.
www.seattletimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:41 AM
RIP Lenny Wilkens www.seattletimes.com/sports/sonic...
Happy 5th anniversary to this all-time great anonymous "senior Republican" quote about Trump in WaPo after the 2020 election.
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Happy 5th anniversary to this all-time great anonymous "senior Republican" quote about Trump in WaPo after the 2020 election.
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
"What is the downside in humoring him for this little bit of time? .. It's not like he's plotting how to prevent Joe Biden from taking power on Jan. 20."
Reposted by Jim Brunner
With a “WOW!,” President Trump posts a claim about DOGE and “royalties linked to Obamacare” that originated on a satirical website. That site’s own About section reads: “Everything on this website is fiction… If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined.”
November 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
With a “WOW!,” President Trump posts a claim about DOGE and “royalties linked to Obamacare” that originated on a satirical website. That site’s own About section reads: “Everything on this website is fiction… If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined.”
Reposted by Jim Brunner
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump administration turns to Supreme Court to block order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
November 7, 2025 at 11:58 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump administration turns to Supreme Court to block order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Katie Wilson made big gains on Bruce Harrell in today's vote count. The count probably makes her the slight favorite at this point, but no one's declaring or conceding anything. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Katie Wilson gains on Bruce Harrell as mayor’s race goes down to the wire
Incumbent Bruce Harrell's lead is now down to less than two percentage points. He and Katie Wilson are separated by 4,300 votes.
www.seattletimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Katie Wilson made big gains on Bruce Harrell in today's vote count. The count probably makes her the slight favorite at this point, but no one's declaring or conceding anything. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jim Brunner
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Jim Brunner
Wilson won today's vote with just under 52% of the count. If that's the number going forward, she will lose. But King County Elections is going slowly and I don't know what kinds of ballots (drop box vs mail) are still waiting to be counted.
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Wilson won today's vote with just under 52% of the count. If that's the number going forward, she will lose. But King County Elections is going slowly and I don't know what kinds of ballots (drop box vs mail) are still waiting to be counted.
Reposted by Jim Brunner
you can indict a ham sandwich, but... www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Jury finds D.C. ‘sandwich guy’ not guilty of assaulting officer
Sean C. Dunn admitted he flung the hoagie at a federal agent. His attorneys called it a “harmless gesture” of protest as Trump commandeered D.C. police.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
you can indict a ham sandwich, but... www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
NEW: A California law firm has enlisted former Gov. Jay Inslee & former top Gov. Ferguson aide Mike Webb in its lobbying push for a multibillion dollar wildfire victims fund, to be paid for by utilities and ratepayers www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Leaders push for new fund for WA wildfire victims
Washington leaders are exploring a wildfire compensation fund as fire risks grow and legal pressures mount. A California law firm has recruited former Gov. Jay Inslee to advocate for the fund.
www.seattletimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
NEW: A California law firm has enlisted former Gov. Jay Inslee & former top Gov. Ferguson aide Mike Webb in its lobbying push for a multibillion dollar wildfire victims fund, to be paid for by utilities and ratepayers www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...