John Ryan
@heyjohnryan.bsky.social
KUOW Public Radio environment reporter. Seattle. Is this thing on?
Tips, leaks--DM me, or email jryan@kuow.org, or Signal: @heyjohnryan.10
Tips, leaks--DM me, or email jryan@kuow.org, or Signal: @heyjohnryan.10
Pinned
John Ryan
@heyjohnryan.bsky.social
· Jan 30
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Reposted by John Ryan
Insane but true fact: making US roads as safe as Canadian, Australian, or European roads would save more lives than eliminating murder from the US.
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Insane but true fact: making US roads as safe as Canadian, Australian, or European roads would save more lives than eliminating murder from the US.
Reposted by John Ryan
‘Trump’s EPA’ in 2025: A fossil fuel-friendly approach to deregulation
‘Trump’s EPA’ in 2025: A fossil fuel-friendly approach to deregulation
The Trump administration has reshaped the Environmental Protection Agency, reversing pollution limits and promoting fossil fuels.
www.seattletimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
‘Trump’s EPA’ in 2025: A fossil fuel-friendly approach to deregulation
Reposted by John Ryan
Mass firings, buyouts and heightened uncertainty led to an exodus of federal workers in 2025. More than 300,000 employees will be out of the government by the end of December.
Under Trump, 317,000 workers are out of the government. Here are 3 of their stories
Mass firings, buyouts and heightened uncertainty led to an exodus of federal workers in 2025. More than 300,000 employees will be out of the government by the end of December.
n.pr
December 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Mass firings, buyouts and heightened uncertainty led to an exodus of federal workers in 2025. More than 300,000 employees will be out of the government by the end of December.
Reposted by John Ryan
A Company Reminder for Everyone to Talk Nicely About the Giant Plagiarism Machine
by Amanda Bachman
(Could just as easily have been a memo from @ass_deans.)
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/a-c...
by Amanda Bachman
(Could just as easily have been a memo from @ass_deans.)
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/a-c...
A Company Reminder for Everyone to Talk Nicely About the Giant Plagiarism Machine
Our 12th most-read article of 2025.
- - -Originally published May 19, 2025.
- - -Hey team. It’s your CEO. I know your time is valuable, so I’ll cu...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 30, 2025 at 2:40 AM
A Company Reminder for Everyone to Talk Nicely About the Giant Plagiarism Machine
by Amanda Bachman
(Could just as easily have been a memo from @ass_deans.)
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/a-c...
by Amanda Bachman
(Could just as easily have been a memo from @ass_deans.)
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/a-c...
Reposted by John Ryan
i am deeply grateful to the sources (mine or others reporters’) who were not afraid to say how things really worked in 2025 — inside government offices, corporations, their communities, movements and more. all decent reporting relies on credible, experienced people willing to share.
December 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
i am deeply grateful to the sources (mine or others reporters’) who were not afraid to say how things really worked in 2025 — inside government offices, corporations, their communities, movements and more. all decent reporting relies on credible, experienced people willing to share.
Reposted by John Ryan
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Corruption so pungent, it wafts right off the page:
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Reposted by John Ryan
I truly love this quote from @brookegladstone.bsky.social about the importance of speaking truth to *each other* if only to remind ourselves that we are not completely losing our minds.
December 27, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I truly love this quote from @brookegladstone.bsky.social about the importance of speaking truth to *each other* if only to remind ourselves that we are not completely losing our minds.
Reposted by John Ryan
Here is a list of 3 stories I am very jealous I did not write this year. ✍🏻
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like
On Monday, December 22, the Trump Administration announced it was pausing five major offshore wind energy projects, citing “national security risks.”
thebulletin.org
December 27, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Here is a list of 3 stories I am very jealous I did not write this year. ✍🏻
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
Reposted by John Ryan
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
Reposted by John Ryan
this is the story you need today, trust me.
December 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
this is the story you need today, trust me.
Reposted by John Ryan
Reposted by John Ryan
“Amtrak rejects transcontinental proposal from AmeriStarRail for a coast-to-coast passenger rail route that would link New York to Los Angeles…” www.railway.supply/amtrak-rejec...
www.railway.supply
December 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
“Amtrak rejects transcontinental proposal from AmeriStarRail for a coast-to-coast passenger rail route that would link New York to Los Angeles…” www.railway.supply/amtrak-rejec...
Reposted by John Ryan
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particle...
www.pbs.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
Reposted by John Ryan
this is incredible stuff. most state DOTs would spend tens of billions on highway expansions to try and see numbers like this (that wouldn’t even pan out anyway thanks to induced demand lol)
January 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
this is incredible stuff. most state DOTs would spend tens of billions on highway expansions to try and see numbers like this (that wouldn’t even pan out anyway thanks to induced demand lol)
Reposted by John Ryan
1 - the exec branch can't decline to spend $ Congress appropriated
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
Sean Duffy on blue states: "What I can do is I can pull their money. That's the leverage I do have ... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems when they are putting illegals on the roads."
December 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
1 - the exec branch can't decline to spend $ Congress appropriated
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
2- the fed govt can't use federal $ to extort states over policy/political disagreements
3-the fed govt can't use federal $ to impose conditions unrelated to the funding program
4-the fed govt can't use federal $ to coerce states
Reposted by John Ryan
Reposted by John Ryan
President Trump has a new pretense for stopping offshore wind development: vague and classified national security concerns.
New @thebulletin.org article by @petergleick.bsky.social
thebulletin.org/2025/12/trum...
New @thebulletin.org article by @petergleick.bsky.social
thebulletin.org/2025/12/trum...
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like
On Monday, December 22, the Trump Administration announced it was pausing five major offshore wind energy projects, citing “national security risks.”
thebulletin.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
President Trump has a new pretense for stopping offshore wind development: vague and classified national security concerns.
New @thebulletin.org article by @petergleick.bsky.social
thebulletin.org/2025/12/trum...
New @thebulletin.org article by @petergleick.bsky.social
thebulletin.org/2025/12/trum...
Reposted by John Ryan
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
December 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
Reposted by John Ryan
Reposted by John Ryan
Just checked Nexis. May be some duplicates, but he's quoted in 917 stories in the past 12 calendar months. Pretty incredible.
December 22, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Just checked Nexis. May be some duplicates, but he's quoted in 917 stories in the past 12 calendar months. Pretty incredible.
Reposted by John Ryan
Rep. Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the Armed Services Committee, says Trump's oil blockade is about driving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro out of power more than anything. n.pr/4p3WIdx
Rep. Adam Smith says Trump's oil blockade is about power over Venezuela
Rep. Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the Armed Services Committee, says Trump's oil blockade is about driving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro out of power more than anything.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Rep. Adam Smith, the Democratic leader of the Armed Services Committee, says Trump's oil blockade is about driving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro out of power more than anything. n.pr/4p3WIdx
Reposted by John Ryan
After what we're seeing at CBS, if today is not the perfect day for everyone to find some independent journalism & nonprofit newsrooms to support... what day could be better?
December 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
After what we're seeing at CBS, if today is not the perfect day for everyone to find some independent journalism & nonprofit newsrooms to support... what day could be better?
Reposted by John Ryan
Love this Wendell Berry quote sent my way by Anne Lamont. Perfect for the holidays — “Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts.”
December 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Love this Wendell Berry quote sent my way by Anne Lamont. Perfect for the holidays — “Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts.”
Reposted by John Ryan
Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020. n.pr/3MKbmJH
Rick Steves steps in to save Seattle-area hygiene center serving homeless residents
Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020. n.pr/3MKbmJH
Reposted by John Ryan
"This year, more than 165 journalists were assaulted in the U.S. That’s more than the last two years combined. Only 10 of those assaults were NOT by law enforcement, and a staggering 88% came while journalists reported from protests related to the Trump administration’s immigration policies."
“Of the 32 arrests or detainments of journalists in 2025, 28 occurred while they were covering protests.” - @kamccudden.bsky.social
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/the-...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/the-...
December 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"This year, more than 165 journalists were assaulted in the U.S. That’s more than the last two years combined. Only 10 of those assaults were NOT by law enforcement, and a staggering 88% came while journalists reported from protests related to the Trump administration’s immigration policies."