T.J. Mitchell
@workingstiff.bsky.social
NYT bestselling coauthor of the Jessie Teska mysteries #FIRSTCUT & #AFTERSHOCK, & the medical examiner memoir #WORKINGSTIFF. Wife & creative partner Dr Judy Melinek does autopsies. I am careful with her.
Books & columns: https://drworkingstiff.com/books
Books & columns: https://drworkingstiff.com/books
Yesterday, while packing for a long stay in Aotearoa, did I google “can I bring edible cricket powder into #NewZealand?” I did indeed so google. (The answer is yes, as long as its original packaging has not been opened.)
December 31, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Yesterday, while packing for a long stay in Aotearoa, did I google “can I bring edible cricket powder into #NewZealand?” I did indeed so google. (The answer is yes, as long as its original packaging has not been opened.)
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
two conversations happening all over oklahoma this week:
1. hottest christmas week in living memory, 30 degrees over seasonal average
2. hey hey, gas under two bucks a gallon
1. hottest christmas week in living memory, 30 degrees over seasonal average
2. hey hey, gas under two bucks a gallon
Ocean heating defies all earlier projections. We are on the worst possible track. Yet this has completely vanished as a topic of conversation in America.
December 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
two conversations happening all over oklahoma this week:
1. hottest christmas week in living memory, 30 degrees over seasonal average
2. hey hey, gas under two bucks a gallon
1. hottest christmas week in living memory, 30 degrees over seasonal average
2. hey hey, gas under two bucks a gallon
Local media is essential. Marina Newman at Mission Local #SanFrancisco does good work here.
After the death of Alberto Rangel, staff and patients are left questioning what could have been done to have prevented his death.
We pieced together the minutes leading up to his attack. What's left are critical gaps in time.
via @marinanewman.bsky.social
missionlocal.org/2025/12/sf-h...
We pieced together the minutes leading up to his attack. What's left are critical gaps in time.
via @marinanewman.bsky.social
missionlocal.org/2025/12/sf-h...
A timeline of the stabbing at San Francisco's Ward 86
Two weeks after the killing of social worker Alberto Rangel, staff and patients are left wondering what could have prevented it.
missionlocal.org
December 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Local media is essential. Marina Newman at Mission Local #SanFrancisco does good work here.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
It's not too late to get your flu shot. Flu circulates year round but more intensely during flu season. For N. hemisphere:
Onset: October–November
Peak: December–February (most often January)
Decline: March
Tail end: April–May (occasionally later)
This is why we give shots until the end of February
Onset: October–November
Peak: December–February (most often January)
Decline: March
Tail end: April–May (occasionally later)
This is why we give shots until the end of February
December 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It's not too late to get your flu shot. Flu circulates year round but more intensely during flu season. For N. hemisphere:
Onset: October–November
Peak: December–February (most often January)
Decline: March
Tail end: April–May (occasionally later)
This is why we give shots until the end of February
Onset: October–November
Peak: December–February (most often January)
Decline: March
Tail end: April–May (occasionally later)
This is why we give shots until the end of February
Hildur Knútsdóttir's giveaway gimmick for the novel #TheNightGuest is the greatest thing I've ever seen. Scroll down for the video. Bravo, Uggi!
Update: Uggi has bitten another book to add to the giveaway! We are going to see if he feels up to biting a couple more later today.
December 27, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Hildur Knútsdóttir's giveaway gimmick for the novel #TheNightGuest is the greatest thing I've ever seen. Scroll down for the video. Bravo, Uggi!
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
We are now 11 subscribers away from a pretty big end-of-year goal. Please sign up and support the podcast!
www.patreon.com/c/thewaronca...
www.patreon.com/c/thewaronca...
As we approach the end of the year we're asking for your support. Help us keep the podcast going and growing by becoming a Patreon member. Now through Dec 31, save 20% off your first month or year with code TWOC2025.
We couldn't do it without listener contributions.
Thank you!
We couldn't do it without listener contributions.
Thank you!
The War on Cars | Patreon
Creating a podcast about the fight against car dominance
www.patreon.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:39 AM
We are now 11 subscribers away from a pretty big end-of-year goal. Please sign up and support the podcast!
www.patreon.com/c/thewaronca...
www.patreon.com/c/thewaronca...
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
12YO girl signed up to do “stand up comedy” at the talent show. 13YO boy decided to heckle her. Teacher started to tell the boy to leave her alone, but the 12YO comedian said “no, no, let him go, this is the closest he’s ever going to get to having a conversation with a girl.”
What's an insult you'll never forget?
December 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
12YO girl signed up to do “stand up comedy” at the talent show. 13YO boy decided to heckle her. Teacher started to tell the boy to leave her alone, but the 12YO comedian said “no, no, let him go, this is the closest he’s ever going to get to having a conversation with a girl.”
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Merry Christmas!
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
After buying it for $18.8 billion, Walgreens' new private equity owner has eliminated paid holidays for all hourly workers on Christmas and New Year's.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
After buying it for $18.8 billion, Walgreens' new private equity owner has eliminated paid holidays for all hourly workers on Christmas and New Year's.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
Tonight Kertasníkir (Candle Stealer), the last of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, comes down from the mountains. He steals candles (that used to be made from animal fat) and eats them.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
December 23, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Tonight Kertasníkir (Candle Stealer), the last of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, comes down from the mountains. He steals candles (that used to be made from animal fat) and eats them.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Essential point.
Serious credit to Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and a bunch of people in and around Chicago who stood up to illegal, unjust, un-American, rights-violating anti-immigrant (or sometimes just anti-brown-people) federal operations.
If they weakly acquiesce like some others did, courts don’t take it up.
If they weakly acquiesce like some others did, courts don’t take it up.
December 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Essential point.
“This is true love.”
In 2023 I became obsessed with videos of dads in cargo shortswaiting in parking lots during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. So when she came to town, I grabbed a camera and headed down to talk to them. I thought it'd be funny. It turned out to be something else entirely.
December 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
“This is true love.”
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
Ok. Now had a chance to check and, well, at least some docs do appear to be straight up classic redaction fail. And there are some *interesting* bits here.
www.justice.gov/multimedia/C...
www.justice.gov/multimedia/C...
December 23, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Ok. Now had a chance to check and, well, at least some docs do appear to be straight up classic redaction fail. And there are some *interesting* bits here.
www.justice.gov/multimedia/C...
www.justice.gov/multimedia/C...
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
So the story made it out because the new CBS leadership couldn't be arsed to remember they had rightsholders in non-US markets? Amazing work by all involved
It’s actually not technically a leak. CBS News only operates in the US. A non-PSKY owned network Global TV has Canadian rights for 60 Minutes and aired it unedited since the call to pull the episode was made so late in the day. That broadcast was recorded and then shared across the internet.
December 23, 2025 at 1:58 AM
So the story made it out because the new CBS leadership couldn't be arsed to remember they had rightsholders in non-US markets? Amazing work by all involved
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
Tonight Ketkrókur (Meat Hook), the 12th of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, comes down from the mountains. He loves meat and uses a long metal hook to steal mutton hanged up in rafters for smoking.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
December 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Tonight Ketkrókur (Meat Hook), the 12th of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, comes down from the mountains. He loves meat and uses a long metal hook to steal mutton hanged up in rafters for smoking.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Children leave their shoes out in the window, he gives the good ones a small gift, the bad ones get a potato.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
![Gallup poll | 12/1-12/15
President Trump approval crosstabs (%)
🟥Overall (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥Democratic (93/3 disapprove) [-90]
🟩Republican (89/8 approve) [+81]
🟥Independent (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥18-34 (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥35-54 (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥55+ (53/43 disapprove) [-10]
🟥No college (55/37 disapprove) [-18]
🟥College graduate (59/37 disapprove) [-22]
🟥Male (53/42 disapprove) [-11]
🟥Female (64/30 disapprove) [-34]
🟥White (52/46 disapprove) [-6]
🟥Non-white (71/21 disapprove) [-50]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreifnv6vxufu6icjvsd5toirz3lmqkzertdpdnlqh7q44momevhfjqq@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 2:26 AM
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
The thing that is specifically resonant about the 60 MINUTES incident is how many online versions of the report were recorded on cell phones etc, similar to how Soviet samizdat were often printed on illicit homemade or obsolete presses, lending them a characteristic janky print quality.
I kept seeing people use the word samizdat to refer to the Canadian sourcing of the 60 Minutes report on CECOT pulled by Bari Weiss. Here's the definition from Merriam-Webster:
December 23, 2025 at 2:49 AM
The thing that is specifically resonant about the 60 MINUTES incident is how many online versions of the report were recorded on cell phones etc, similar to how Soviet samizdat were often printed on illicit homemade or obsolete presses, lending them a characteristic janky print quality.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
Betty Reid Soskin, the National Park Service’s oldest ranger, has died. She was 104.
Betty Reid Soskin, Oldest U.S. Park Ranger and Trailblazing Historian, Dies at 104 | KQED
Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest National Park Service ranger and a pioneering historian at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, devoted her life to preserving Black histo...
www.kqed.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Betty Reid Soskin, the National Park Service’s oldest ranger, has died. She was 104.
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
she's just doing what she was hired to do
Why would you need to put a pause on a story that has been meticulously fact-checked and lawyered?
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
December 22, 2025 at 2:22 AM
she's just doing what she was hired to do
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
I wrote about the conservative quest to restore the "true" Constitution, the Antebellum Constitution, shorn of the egalitarian nonsense in the Reconstruction Amendments, a document that replaces equality with a society of dominators and the dominated. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
December 21, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I wrote about the conservative quest to restore the "true" Constitution, the Antebellum Constitution, shorn of the egalitarian nonsense in the Reconstruction Amendments, a document that replaces equality with a society of dominators and the dominated. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
December 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
WELKER: Why was Ghislaine Maxwell moved just days after you interviewed her?
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
BLANCHE: That's a Bureau of Prisons security issue that I will not talk about
WELKER: Did you have anything to do with it?
BLANCHE: I am responsible for the Bureau of Prisons, so every decision they make lands on my desk
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
“The last-minute christmas rush at the bookshop.” - my latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books
December 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
“The last-minute christmas rush at the bookshop.” - my latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
First responders love this kind of thing
Much of SF lost power last night. Waymos blocked intersections across the city, even though they are Wayless than 1% of cars on the roads. They accumulated at their failure points--intersections with no green lights, in busy areas, and shut down traffic there.
December 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
First responders love this kind of thing
Reposted by T.J. Mitchell
Congrats to Australia, this is really cool!
report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
December 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Congrats to Australia, this is really cool!
report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au
report.cervicalcancercontrol.org.au