Jonathan Poet
@jonpoet.bsky.social
Philadelphian. Deputy Health and Science editor at The Associated Press.
"DOJ attorneys left internal drafting comments visible in the final documents — revealing last-minute confusion, uncertainty about basic facts and reminders to themselves to 'fix' unresolved issues before filing."
When a judge handed down a blistering opinion in the Texas gerrymander case, he saved his sharpest lines for the DOJ’s legal missteps. The department’s accumulation of errors is proving to be more than just sloppy execution — it’s destroying its power.
Trump DOJ’s Campaign for Voter Data is a Master Class in Incompetence
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
"DOJ attorneys left internal drafting comments visible in the final documents — revealing last-minute confusion, uncertainty about basic facts and reminders to themselves to 'fix' unresolved issues before filing."
The present weather makes me want to go back to bed.
So here's a story about the extremes animals go to in order to sleep: apnews.com/projects/ext...
So here's a story about the extremes animals go to in order to sleep: apnews.com/projects/ext...
The secret world of animal sleep
Animals that navigate extreme conditions and environments have evolved to sleep in extreme ways. For a long time, scientists could only make educated guesses about when wild animals were sleeping. But...
apnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The present weather makes me want to go back to bed.
So here's a story about the extremes animals go to in order to sleep: apnews.com/projects/ext...
So here's a story about the extremes animals go to in order to sleep: apnews.com/projects/ext...
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
this is a wild story, and a great example of the kind of incident that would get no scrutiny without local media: www.inquirer.com/news/temple-...
Properties around Temple U. weren’t selling — until a real estate agent nearly doubled the asking prices
It's a buyer's market around Temple University. But clients of Pat Fay, a real estate agent in Old City, have paid about 99% over the original listing on dozens of properties.
www.inquirer.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
this is a wild story, and a great example of the kind of incident that would get no scrutiny without local media: www.inquirer.com/news/temple-...
My final post on the #xpncountdown for this year: I thought for sure Tesla's "Signs" would show up *somewhere*. It was everywhere in 1990, just as MTV Unplugged was getting started — and it was recorded at the Troc! Really surprised it didn’t appear at all. www.youtube.com/watch?v=epbO...
Tesla - Signs (Live At The Trocadero / 1990)
YouTube video by TeslaVEVO
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
My final post on the #xpncountdown for this year: I thought for sure Tesla's "Signs" would show up *somewhere*. It was everywhere in 1990, just as MTV Unplugged was getting started — and it was recorded at the Troc! Really surprised it didn’t appear at all. www.youtube.com/watch?v=epbO...
This was the first year I kept track of my ballot throughout the #xpncountdown. Fun!
December 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This was the first year I kept track of my ballot throughout the #xpncountdown. Fun!
I can't hear Janis Joplin now without thinking about how the bartender at Chaucer's at 20th and Lombard in the late 1990s refused to let her be played on the jukebox. #xpncountdown
December 11, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I can't hear Janis Joplin now without thinking about how the bartender at Chaucer's at 20th and Lombard in the late 1990s refused to let her be played on the jukebox. #xpncountdown
Uh, WXPN, this song was specifically cited as one that would be ineligible. #xpncountdown
December 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Uh, WXPN, this song was specifically cited as one that would be ineligible. #xpncountdown
In the original cut of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame video, Prince's guitar appears to vanish into thin air at the end of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." #xpncountdown youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y?...
Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne, more - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" | 2004 Induction
YouTube video by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
youtu.be
December 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In the original cut of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame video, Prince's guitar appears to vanish into thin air at the end of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." #xpncountdown youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y?...
Unfortunate metaphor.
December 9, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Unfortunate metaphor.
I know "Running Up That Hill" is nigh perfect as is, but I do like the slightly menacing Placebo cover. Their whole "Covers" album is solid. #xpncountdown
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I know "Running Up That Hill" is nigh perfect as is, but I do like the slightly menacing Placebo cover. Their whole "Covers" album is solid. #xpncountdown
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
“Tori has even made an in-person ‘appearance’ at an event hosted by Midwest Shooting, a local gun shop that became an on-air sponsor after hearing her on the airwaves. A generated image of her face was taped to a mannequin” www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/20...
For 2 years, DJ Tori has ruled Rock 108's overnight shifts. She isn't real
KFMW Rock 108 has been transparent from the start about their use of an AI DJ to introduce eastern Iowa to new rock 'n' roll music.
www.iowapublicradio.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“Tori has even made an in-person ‘appearance’ at an event hosted by Midwest Shooting, a local gun shop that became an on-air sponsor after hearing her on the airwaves. A generated image of her face was taped to a mannequin” www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/20...
I always wished they would play No. 886-890 after the countdown ends.
The five songs that just missed (and should have been in because they let the likes of Brandi Carlisle's "Black Hole Sun" slide.) #xpncountdown
The five songs that just missed (and should have been in because they let the likes of Brandi Carlisle's "Black Hole Sun" slide.) #xpncountdown
btw I want the outlier list for the #xpncountdown - any song that got any vote but didn’t make the 885
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I always wished they would play No. 886-890 after the countdown ends.
The five songs that just missed (and should have been in because they let the likes of Brandi Carlisle's "Black Hole Sun" slide.) #xpncountdown
The five songs that just missed (and should have been in because they let the likes of Brandi Carlisle's "Black Hole Sun" slide.) #xpncountdown
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
Mario Kart Nautical just dropped
Everyday at sea is different and unpredictable. Today we're going to try and protect other ships from floating bananas.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Banana containers cause shipping disruption in Solent
The containers came off a cargo ship near Bembridge on Saturday evening.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Mario Kart Nautical just dropped
Quick everyone! Form a Wes Anderson tableau. #xpncountdown.
December 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Quick everyone! Form a Wes Anderson tableau. #xpncountdown.
Love Bruce and all but this is not an especially great cover. #xpncountdown.
December 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Love Bruce and all but this is not an especially great cover. #xpncountdown.
Did not expect to hear sElf in this #xpncountdown.
December 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Did not expect to hear sElf in this #xpncountdown.
At the end of day 2, I am pretty sure none of my #xpncountdown picks have yet to appear. Which means several of them aren't making it at all.
Here's my top 10.
Here's my top 10.
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
At the end of day 2, I am pretty sure none of my #xpncountdown picks have yet to appear. Which means several of them aren't making it at all.
Here's my top 10.
Here's my top 10.
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
I was in a ridiculous meeting once where the goal was to define what a franchise meant for Netflix films. I have never wanted to hurl myself into the ocean more than during that meeting. I think they bought WB so they can inherit proven franchises instead of doing the work of developing them.
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I was in a ridiculous meeting once where the goal was to define what a franchise meant for Netflix films. I have never wanted to hurl myself into the ocean more than during that meeting. I think they bought WB so they can inherit proven franchises instead of doing the work of developing them.
GWAR? "Get Outta My Dreams and Into My Car," I hope.
I suspect *maybe* TBMG's "Tubthumping" has a chance.
I went with Frightened Rabbit's "Surrender," which I suspect has no shot.
I suspect *maybe* TBMG's "Tubthumping" has a chance.
I went with Frightened Rabbit's "Surrender," which I suspect has no shot.
My GWAR submission was from a bit later, but I don't think I'll ever have the momentum to get GWAR on #wxpn #xpncountdown
December 4, 2025 at 10:40 PM
GWAR? "Get Outta My Dreams and Into My Car," I hope.
I suspect *maybe* TBMG's "Tubthumping" has a chance.
I went with Frightened Rabbit's "Surrender," which I suspect has no shot.
I suspect *maybe* TBMG's "Tubthumping" has a chance.
I went with Frightened Rabbit's "Surrender," which I suspect has no shot.
I have been tied up all day so I am only now tuning into the #xpncountdown. Have any songs from the heyday of AV Club Undercover been played yet?
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I have been tied up all day so I am only now tuning into the #xpncountdown. Have any songs from the heyday of AV Club Undercover been played yet?
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
I have a theory that our relationship with others in Philly is at least somewhat singular because of our housing setup. We’re the city of rowhouses. We share walls with our neighbors. We are always calibrating how much in each other’s business we are. Often leads to brief solidarity with strangers.
Whenever I'm in Philly there's always a quick shared silent joke with someone on the train or a look of acknowledgement at a cafe or on the sidewalk, something weird will happen and people will just go "djou see that shit?" to someone they've never met
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I have a theory that our relationship with others in Philly is at least somewhat singular because of our housing setup. We’re the city of rowhouses. We share walls with our neighbors. We are always calibrating how much in each other’s business we are. Often leads to brief solidarity with strangers.
Parking comes at you like a jump-scare in this one: www.inquirer.com/food/restaur...
Marra’s, Philadelphia’s oldest pizzeria, has closed after 98 years on East Passyunk Avenue
The family says it's exploring a new location for Marra's — one with better parking. The building, which the Marras bought in 1927, has been sold after being on the market for several years.
www.inquirer.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Parking comes at you like a jump-scare in this one: www.inquirer.com/food/restaur...
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
People are calling my lede here "appalling," "nightmare fuel," "actively evil," and "a desecration of the human spirit"
The Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. Affair Is Messier Than We Ever Could Have Imagined
Inside the most important, and also least important, story of our time
www.theringer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
People are calling my lede here "appalling," "nightmare fuel," "actively evil," and "a desecration of the human spirit"
Reposted by Jonathan Poet
Regret to announce the tech bros have accidentally reinvented the Listowel and Ballybunion Railway.
By investing in Monocab Owl, the EU is revolutionising sustainable commuting.
A gyro-stabilised monorail offers autonomous, on-demand transport, boosting rural connectivity. 🚆
Do you know any other innovative transport solutions?
📸© Monocab Owl
#WorldSustainableTransportDay
A gyro-stabilised monorail offers autonomous, on-demand transport, boosting rural connectivity. 🚆
Do you know any other innovative transport solutions?
📸© Monocab Owl
#WorldSustainableTransportDay
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Regret to announce the tech bros have accidentally reinvented the Listowel and Ballybunion Railway.
I know what they're *trying* to say but a diesel-hybrid bus still burns diesel.
When the new buses are delivered, expected in 2028, SEPTA no longer will have any diesel-burning buses left in its fleet.
SEPTA won $43 million for diesel-electric hybrid buses from the Trump administration
When the new buses arrive, estimated in 2028, SEPTA will retire the last of its diesel-burning buses.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I know what they're *trying* to say but a diesel-hybrid bus still burns diesel.