Gray Montrose
@montroseva.bsky.social
Farmer, lawyer, make-the-world-a-better-place policy nerd
Lead reporter for the Montrose Observer, Queen of the Roo Crew
Ask me anything, I’m here for the conversation
Lead reporter for the Montrose Observer, Queen of the Roo Crew
Ask me anything, I’m here for the conversation
Pinned
Gray Montrose
@montroseva.bsky.social
· Feb 11
“When they perceived this and keenly observed bitter bridge-wardens there,
Then they began to use guile…
This the nobleman allowed, due to his overweening pride.
He gave up too much land to those hated people.”
Battle of Maldon, 991
Then they began to use guile…
This the nobleman allowed, due to his overweening pride.
He gave up too much land to those hated people.”
Battle of Maldon, 991
Reposted by Gray Montrose
$75mil spent on TV ads this cycle for one person to get a job: Gov. Of Virginia.
It's easy to lose sight of how big these numbers are.
The median income in VA is $45k/y.
If a working life is 50 years, a median Virginian would need to work over 33 lifetimes (1650 working yrs) to make $75mil gross.
It's easy to lose sight of how big these numbers are.
The median income in VA is $45k/y.
If a working life is 50 years, a median Virginian would need to work over 33 lifetimes (1650 working yrs) to make $75mil gross.
November 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
$75mil spent on TV ads this cycle for one person to get a job: Gov. Of Virginia.
It's easy to lose sight of how big these numbers are.
The median income in VA is $45k/y.
If a working life is 50 years, a median Virginian would need to work over 33 lifetimes (1650 working yrs) to make $75mil gross.
It's easy to lose sight of how big these numbers are.
The median income in VA is $45k/y.
If a working life is 50 years, a median Virginian would need to work over 33 lifetimes (1650 working yrs) to make $75mil gross.
This is SO ridiculous.
Wanna see 💰 💰 💰 go 💨 for Dems in swing districts who worked for years to make it possible to win only to have leadership throw gasoline on the fire of their opponents’ campaigns the week before the election?
👇🏻 this is how you know they don’t care about winning
Wanna see 💰 💰 💰 go 💨 for Dems in swing districts who worked for years to make it possible to win only to have leadership throw gasoline on the fire of their opponents’ campaigns the week before the election?
👇🏻 this is how you know they don’t care about winning
First day of special session ends with one key piece missing: Text of the redistricting amendment
Virginia’s General Assembly kicked off a special session aimed at redistricting the state’s Congressional maps on Monday, as roughly a dozen states across the country also take up their own redistr…
cardinalnews.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is SO ridiculous.
Wanna see 💰 💰 💰 go 💨 for Dems in swing districts who worked for years to make it possible to win only to have leadership throw gasoline on the fire of their opponents’ campaigns the week before the election?
👇🏻 this is how you know they don’t care about winning
Wanna see 💰 💰 💰 go 💨 for Dems in swing districts who worked for years to make it possible to win only to have leadership throw gasoline on the fire of their opponents’ campaigns the week before the election?
👇🏻 this is how you know they don’t care about winning
Reposted by Gray Montrose
The city that once defined postwar prosperity — where wide streets, endless subdivisions, and freeways to the horizon promised a future of limitless growth — has been dealing with a $1 billion budget shortfall.
But the story here isn’t about a bad year. It’s about a bad model.
But the story here isn’t about a bad year. It’s about a bad model.
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The city that once defined postwar prosperity — where wide streets, endless subdivisions, and freeways to the horizon promised a future of limitless growth — has been dealing with a $1 billion budget shortfall.
But the story here isn’t about a bad year. It’s about a bad model.
But the story here isn’t about a bad year. It’s about a bad model.
I’ll be there with the trash trailer!
Join Sunrise and @richmonddsa.bsky.social Eco-Socialist Working Group for a trash clean up at Gillies Creek Park on Saturday, October 4th from 9 to 11am! Trash bags and gloves provided. #RVA
October 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I’ll be there with the trash trailer!
Sitting in an Airport Commission meeting and listening to Members pat themselves on the back about enormous growth in airport traffic.
Not a single 🍆 word about impacts to the community from noise or pollution.
I’m sorry, Varina.
Not a single 🍆 word about impacts to the community from noise or pollution.
I’m sorry, Varina.
September 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Sitting in an Airport Commission meeting and listening to Members pat themselves on the back about enormous growth in airport traffic.
Not a single 🍆 word about impacts to the community from noise or pollution.
I’m sorry, Varina.
Not a single 🍆 word about impacts to the community from noise or pollution.
I’m sorry, Varina.
September 30, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Gray Montrose
ICYMI
✅ These things exist!
✅ Tons of Europeans have them.
✅ Folks in VT and NH could be next
@canarymedia.com’s Sarah Shemkus has the story 👇
✅ These things exist!
✅ Tons of Europeans have them.
✅ Folks in VT and NH could be next
@canarymedia.com’s Sarah Shemkus has the story 👇
Solar panels that can be assembled as easily as an Ikea bookcase and plugged into a regular residential outlet could be coming soon to New Hampshire and Vermont.
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
Plug-in solar bills are in the works in New Hampshire and Vermont
DIY "balcony" solar kits, which can save residents money and give them more independence, are piquing interest from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
www.canarymedia.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:53 PM
ICYMI
✅ These things exist!
✅ Tons of Europeans have them.
✅ Folks in VT and NH could be next
@canarymedia.com’s Sarah Shemkus has the story 👇
✅ These things exist!
✅ Tons of Europeans have them.
✅ Folks in VT and NH could be next
@canarymedia.com’s Sarah Shemkus has the story 👇
Reposted by Gray Montrose
September 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This is what’s so stupid about “battleground” theory.
If the party invested in candidates strategically and early, they could spend a fraction of the resources to get winners.
Instead, they wait for “proven” candidates where R’s see it coming and spend bags of 💰 to likely lose by 1-3 points.
If the party invested in candidates strategically and early, they could spend a fraction of the resources to get winners.
Instead, they wait for “proven” candidates where R’s see it coming and spend bags of 💰 to likely lose by 1-3 points.
One of Virginia’s most expensive House of Delegates races is playing out in Montgomery and Roanoke counties
Democrat Lily Franklin is challenging Republican incumbent Chris Obenshain. Here’s how one day on the campaign trail looked with both candidates.
cardinalnews.org
September 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
This is what’s so stupid about “battleground” theory.
If the party invested in candidates strategically and early, they could spend a fraction of the resources to get winners.
Instead, they wait for “proven” candidates where R’s see it coming and spend bags of 💰 to likely lose by 1-3 points.
If the party invested in candidates strategically and early, they could spend a fraction of the resources to get winners.
Instead, they wait for “proven” candidates where R’s see it coming and spend bags of 💰 to likely lose by 1-3 points.
Reposted by Gray Montrose
oldinsurancemaps.net/viewer/richm...
You can help georeference some of the Sanborn maps. Interesting way to tour through old Richmond (and see the changing streets/names).
You can help georeference some of the Sanborn maps. Interesting way to tour through old Richmond (and see the changing streets/names).
oldinsurancemaps.net
September 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
oldinsurancemaps.net/viewer/richm...
You can help georeference some of the Sanborn maps. Interesting way to tour through old Richmond (and see the changing streets/names).
You can help georeference some of the Sanborn maps. Interesting way to tour through old Richmond (and see the changing streets/names).
Systemic r*cism is affirming decisions made by people who expressly considered race when they made them.
If you can’t prove somebody didn’t say in 1956 “hey, let’s put a landfill here because it’s a Black community” or a “poor community”… maybe don’t burden that community more.
If you can’t prove somebody didn’t say in 1956 “hey, let’s put a landfill here because it’s a Black community” or a “poor community”… maybe don’t burden that community more.
September 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Systemic r*cism is affirming decisions made by people who expressly considered race when they made them.
If you can’t prove somebody didn’t say in 1956 “hey, let’s put a landfill here because it’s a Black community” or a “poor community”… maybe don’t burden that community more.
If you can’t prove somebody didn’t say in 1956 “hey, let’s put a landfill here because it’s a Black community” or a “poor community”… maybe don’t burden that community more.
A tale of disparity:
Springfield Landfill, western Henrico:
closed, solar panels installed on top, *because there are (rich) neighborhoods here now*
Gillies Industrial Landfill, eastern Henrico:
Closed. Now to be an asphalt plant.
Tough 🍪, neighbors that prayed for a better day.
Springfield Landfill, western Henrico:
closed, solar panels installed on top, *because there are (rich) neighborhoods here now*
Gillies Industrial Landfill, eastern Henrico:
Closed. Now to be an asphalt plant.
Tough 🍪, neighbors that prayed for a better day.
September 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
A tale of disparity:
Springfield Landfill, western Henrico:
closed, solar panels installed on top, *because there are (rich) neighborhoods here now*
Gillies Industrial Landfill, eastern Henrico:
Closed. Now to be an asphalt plant.
Tough 🍪, neighbors that prayed for a better day.
Springfield Landfill, western Henrico:
closed, solar panels installed on top, *because there are (rich) neighborhoods here now*
Gillies Industrial Landfill, eastern Henrico:
Closed. Now to be an asphalt plant.
Tough 🍪, neighbors that prayed for a better day.
“…dark clothing, low lighting and not crossing at a crosswalk/intersection are believed to have contributed to this crash.”
This is 😱— let’s look at the infrastructure 👇🏻
Woman struck and killed while crossing Patterson Avenue
@12onyourside.com
This is 😱— let’s look at the infrastructure 👇🏻
Woman struck and killed while crossing Patterson Avenue
@12onyourside.com
Woman struck and killed while crossing Patterson Avenue
An Oklahoma woman died after being struck by a vehicle on Patterson Avenue.
www.12onyourside.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
“…dark clothing, low lighting and not crossing at a crosswalk/intersection are believed to have contributed to this crash.”
This is 😱— let’s look at the infrastructure 👇🏻
Woman struck and killed while crossing Patterson Avenue
@12onyourside.com
This is 😱— let’s look at the infrastructure 👇🏻
Woman struck and killed while crossing Patterson Avenue
@12onyourside.com
Reposted by Gray Montrose
Worked for me too.
HWORK! *yeet*
HWORK! *yeet*
Watching this video 10 times has significantly improved my mood.
August 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Worked for me too.
HWORK! *yeet*
HWORK! *yeet*
Welcome to Virginia, where you can go get a gun from your car, shoot into a crowd, likely kill someone, and no charges even filed because “defense of others”.
@richmonder.bsky.social
@richmonder.bsky.social
Police explain why no charges were filed over one victim's death in Huguenot graduation shooting
At least 30 cartridge casings were documented at the scene in the shooting’s wake.
www.richmonder.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Welcome to Virginia, where you can go get a gun from your car, shoot into a crowd, likely kill someone, and no charges even filed because “defense of others”.
@richmonder.bsky.social
@richmonder.bsky.social
I’m so confused by a spectator sport that expects absolute silence.
Also, I’m so sorry to that poor parent who just wanted a day out and a delicate 🌺 said “not here”.
Emma Raducanu wants crying baby removed during epic 23-minute game - @yahoosports.bsky.social
Also, I’m so sorry to that poor parent who just wanted a day out and a delicate 🌺 said “not here”.
Emma Raducanu wants crying baby removed during epic 23-minute game - @yahoosports.bsky.social
Emma Raducanu wants crying baby removed during epic 23-minute game
Emma Raducanu took issue with a crying baby during her three-hour epic against world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open.
sports.yahoo.com
August 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’m so confused by a spectator sport that expects absolute silence.
Also, I’m so sorry to that poor parent who just wanted a day out and a delicate 🌺 said “not here”.
Emma Raducanu wants crying baby removed during epic 23-minute game - @yahoosports.bsky.social
Also, I’m so sorry to that poor parent who just wanted a day out and a delicate 🌺 said “not here”.
Emma Raducanu wants crying baby removed during epic 23-minute game - @yahoosports.bsky.social
Reposted by Gray Montrose
The working group will be hosting a joint trash clean-up event with Sunrise next Saturday at Gillies Creek Park at 9am! Whoever picks up the most trash will win a prize! #RVA
August 7, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The working group will be hosting a joint trash clean-up event with Sunrise next Saturday at Gillies Creek Park at 9am! Whoever picks up the most trash will win a prize! #RVA
We found one of these in our backyard! They’re awesome bags, someone in RVA please make them again.
Big wide strap, deep pocket, cute aesthetic. I’d buy.
Big wide strap, deep pocket, cute aesthetic. I’d buy.
ID: V.2016.14.02
bags (generic containers)
Date: 1960-1965
https://valentine.rediscoverysoftware.com/mDetail.aspx?rID=V.2016.14.02&db=objects&dir=VALCOLL
bags (generic containers)
Date: 1960-1965
https://valentine.rediscoverysoftware.com/mDetail.aspx?rID=V.2016.14.02&db=objects&dir=VALCOLL
August 6, 2025 at 12:38 PM
We found one of these in our backyard! They’re awesome bags, someone in RVA please make them again.
Big wide strap, deep pocket, cute aesthetic. I’d buy.
Big wide strap, deep pocket, cute aesthetic. I’d buy.
Anyone who likes the work the Montrose Observer is doing, thank Cardinal News.
We had no one here doing this kind of simple fact check. Now we do. 🙇♀️
Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no. @cardinalnews.org
cardinalnews.org/2025/08/06/d...
We had no one here doing this kind of simple fact check. Now we do. 🙇♀️
Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no. @cardinalnews.org
cardinalnews.org/2025/08/06/d...
Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no.
The report found that, in 2023, people left Virginia for states with both higher and lower income tax rates. Of the top 10 states people left Virginia for that year, five had lower rates, four had …
cardinalnews.org
August 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Anyone who likes the work the Montrose Observer is doing, thank Cardinal News.
We had no one here doing this kind of simple fact check. Now we do. 🙇♀️
Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no. @cardinalnews.org
cardinalnews.org/2025/08/06/d...
We had no one here doing this kind of simple fact check. Now we do. 🙇♀️
Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no. @cardinalnews.org
cardinalnews.org/2025/08/06/d...
If we can’t see it, it doesn’t exist!
Trump administration takes aim at satellite that measures carbon dioxide and crops : @npr.org
Trump administration takes aim at satellite that measures carbon dioxide and crops : @npr.org
Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
www.npr.org
August 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
If we can’t see it, it doesn’t exist!
Trump administration takes aim at satellite that measures carbon dioxide and crops : @npr.org
Trump administration takes aim at satellite that measures carbon dioxide and crops : @npr.org
Wtf is going on with @axios.com RVA?
First last week’s unmarked advertising for Taco Bell, now Pizza Hut.
Who, oh that’s right, happen to both be Yum! brands…
@karripeifer.bsky.social yall are losing credibility.
First last week’s unmarked advertising for Taco Bell, now Pizza Hut.
Who, oh that’s right, happen to both be Yum! brands…
@karripeifer.bsky.social yall are losing credibility.
August 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Wtf is going on with @axios.com RVA?
First last week’s unmarked advertising for Taco Bell, now Pizza Hut.
Who, oh that’s right, happen to both be Yum! brands…
@karripeifer.bsky.social yall are losing credibility.
First last week’s unmarked advertising for Taco Bell, now Pizza Hut.
Who, oh that’s right, happen to both be Yum! brands…
@karripeifer.bsky.social yall are losing credibility.
This is how we incentivize absentee landlords and create a new housing crisis!
Everyone registering their “primary dwelling” in VA while living elsewhere to claim that $50k.
🙄 At least treat it like state retirement accounts, you keep what you earned.
virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-de...
Everyone registering their “primary dwelling” in VA while living elsewhere to claim that $50k.
🙄 At least treat it like state retirement accounts, you keep what you earned.
virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-de...
August 5, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This is how we incentivize absentee landlords and create a new housing crisis!
Everyone registering their “primary dwelling” in VA while living elsewhere to claim that $50k.
🙄 At least treat it like state retirement accounts, you keep what you earned.
virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-de...
Everyone registering their “primary dwelling” in VA while living elsewhere to claim that $50k.
🙄 At least treat it like state retirement accounts, you keep what you earned.
virginiamercury.com/briefs/va-de...
👇🏻 This is also how DEQ works:
The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond - @rvamag.bsky.social
rvamag.com/news-headlin...
The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond - @rvamag.bsky.social
rvamag.com/news-headlin...
August 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
👇🏻 This is also how DEQ works:
The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond - @rvamag.bsky.social
rvamag.com/news-headlin...
The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond - @rvamag.bsky.social
rvamag.com/news-headlin...
Ahem, Varina
this is EXACTLY how Chávez governed Venezuela. Self-destructive policies, but when someone was able to ask him a question on a talk show or in person, he would always dispatch a minister to solve *that one person's problem*
never change the policies
never change the policies
the huge bribes & threats are a big deal. But these one-on-one deals with individual voters are also something. It’s not that this is unheard of - constituent services is politics - but it feels distinct
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
August 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Ahem, Varina
What the heck @axios.com @karripeifer.bsky.social
We have such an amazing food culture in #RVA and all you want to talk about is Taco Bell?
There’s a damn reason we don’t have more fast food chains in the city and please go away with your unmarked sponsored content.
We have such an amazing food culture in #RVA and all you want to talk about is Taco Bell?
There’s a damn reason we don’t have more fast food chains in the city and please go away with your unmarked sponsored content.
August 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
What the heck @axios.com @karripeifer.bsky.social
We have such an amazing food culture in #RVA and all you want to talk about is Taco Bell?
There’s a damn reason we don’t have more fast food chains in the city and please go away with your unmarked sponsored content.
We have such an amazing food culture in #RVA and all you want to talk about is Taco Bell?
There’s a damn reason we don’t have more fast food chains in the city and please go away with your unmarked sponsored content.